Well, I'm a very new moderator, but let me try pouring some sweet-smelling oil on these troubled waters. Hopefully, I won't get any of my facts wrong but I'm sure other mods/admins will correct me if I make errors.
This site was started many years ago. It was never a foundation or sponsored by a corporation. The admin/moderator team has been comprised of volunteers over the years. From reading their individual posts, I would say they hold mixed views about the value of NSD or any other treatment of AS. They try hard to protect individual members from being attacked or treated rudely. Over the years, John Dragonslayer has come in for his fair share of rebukes just like other members on both sides of the NSD debate. He has not been protected because he is an admin member. The goal is to create a forum where people can debate and share various ideas on the treatment of AS and other related inflammatory arthritises as well as provide support, humour and compassion for each other.
The nature of the disease, including chronic pain, insomnia, disability and reactions to medications, mean that members may sometimes be feeling miserable and their posts may reflect that. People may be more or less reactive at times, even if they regret it later. Those who have found an answer to their illness, whether it's NSD, MMS, medication, or mind-over-matter, may be passionate in their contributions and sometimes that comes over as arrogant or condescending. There may be members reading this posting who recognize themselves in that last sentence and have suffered being pointed out for it.
It's not easy to strike a balance between encouraging all sides of an issue to be shared while minimizing disrespectful language or personal attacks. We've witnessed that previously when we stray into the political arena (the threads about healthcare are a good example). People naturally get passionate about what they care about and sometimes allow angry or defensive language to creep into their posts.
When I read this, I try to point out the problem in as diplomatic but clear way as possible but I'm not sure I'm always successful. I have caused upset to individual members through my clumsy efforts at times. As an untrained volunteer, with no agenda to push other than the continuing supportive atmosphere of KA, I may not always get it right. I hope that members forgive me for that, knowing that my intentions are good.
There have been requests to include a disclaimer in every post that has some kind of medical recommendation in it. That would get very difficult for members and make posts very long. I've often described my personal experiences with various opioids, such as fentanyl, and have never posted a disclaimer. This site does not claim to be a medical site and does include a covering disclaimer on its front page. I trust that all members recognize that almost none of us have a medical background and that we must take personal responsiblity for how we react to or use anything that is posted here.
I have been on other forums (or watched my hubby on his various metalworking or woodworking forums) and have never seen another with such as sense of committment to the wellbeing of all members and such an effort by the admin team to remain neutral, respectful and protective of its membership. That doesn't mean that every member of the admin/mod team will get it right every time but, clearly, on balance they've been successful as the site is still going strong after many years and most members feel it's a special place.
To finish with a quote from Lon:
I love this place.
