A Way Out, Perhaps?

[Cindy C.]

Hey, MEGgers and FAQers,

I'm sending this to both groups in an attempt to fix this huge mess we
have here.  I'm not seeing a lot of happy vibes out of anyone here,
quite frankly.  When relations among the Mods began to sour, they
figured that scapegoating one person was the way out.  It wasn't, and
it cost everyone involved dearly.  

So now we have a chance to try to do better.  I am willing to try if
the rest of you are.

It seems to me that we have four distinct (but overlapping) groups of
people here.  

Veteran MEGs
New MEGs
Veteran FAQers
New FAQers

The new MEGs and the new FAQers, poor things, are getting a great big
face full of Modgate, which was the one thing that no one wanted.  I
am angry with MEG for screwing me for no reason (or, should I say,
selfish reasons) in August, and MEG is showing all kinds of signs of
being really angry with me.  Our newest members just plain don't
deserve it, IMHO, and our list members deserve an administration that
is not locking horns all the time.  

But what to do?  

Our choices, it seems, are rather limited.  We can keep going down
this road where MEG retreats farther and farther into its Tower, doing
weird things like sending howlers to me because you don't like me but
ignoring the rudeness of the MEGs on FAQ, all the while preparing
Omnibus declarations of its infinite authority.  FAQers can keep
pulling their hair out because folks like Amanda openly declare that
they Will Not Write but engage in all manner of disruptive behavior. 
We built this community, I guess.  I suppose we can finish burning it
to the ground it if you want.  

I have an idea, and it is an idea inspired by one of the events in
Modgate.  You will recall that Neil proposed dissolving the Mod team?

I think that is what should be done with list administration right
now.  I think that *all* MEGs and FAQ members who were members during
Modgate should leave MEG and FAQ.  Period.  A clean break, like, this
week.  No exceptions other than Paul (for tech work and FA liaison)
and Porphyria or Joy (webmistress) and Eileen (who was shut out of MEG
wrongfully in the first place).  We will be left with a skeleton crew
for FAQ writing and MEG, but experienced enough to get by until new
people can join administration.  A skeleton crew with no axes to
grind.  A skeleton crew that can think clearly.  Then there should be
*full* reunification of MEG and FAQ, with a wide open door between
them, and the former MEGs and FAQers will not be allowed to join, even
if invited again someday.  

Can anyone give me any reason whatever that makes this plan *not* in
the best interests of HPfGU?  Any reason that is not selfish, that is?
 Maybe jumping out of the plane will be easier if we all do it
together?  We'd all be giving up something we love to preserve
something we love.

Give it some thought, OK?

Cindy