The Board of Directors have conferred on this subject and would like to reply. In considering the bans for Cat-Iron and Catman, some facts need to be known.
Each member has been banned based on their individual behavior prior to and following the enactment of a website ban. Thus, the unofficial polling doesn't take into consideration the actions each of these members partook of following the disciplinary actions. Each member reacted to the bans by soliciting the directors either directly or indirectly.
Cat-Iron: Generally, most users of the forum witnessed the ensuing breakdown of polite exchange between Cat-Iron and the members of the forum who responded with opposing opinions. His unflattering, derisive and threatening comments are what ultimately caused him to be banned. Once the ban was enacted, he continued to berate and verbally abuse the directors he contacted by phone. This behavior spilled onto other forums where warnings were issued by the respective moderators. Ensuing threats of legal action and attempts to disrupt the function of the club and healthy relationship with Caterpillar Inc. were exercised, causing concern amongst the members of the staff and the Board of Directors. A letter was sent to Bob informing him of his banishment from participation in the website until 12-31-11. He still is a member and he still receives his magazine subscription.
Catman: As above, the forum users were allowed to witness the deterioration of the responses posted by Catman and the other forum users. His support of Cat-Iron is not what caused him to be banned from the site, but rather his ensuing assaults upon the readers of the forum with profanity and racial slurs. Constant warnings led to promises of compliance with the forum rules, only to see his disregard for the rules the next time he used the forum. Once banned, Byron continued to solicit re-reinstatement by sending offensive emails to the Directors wherein links were contained to Youtube videos using extreme profanity and vulgarities. This behavior spilled onto other forums where warnings were issued by the respective moderators. Byron has continually attempted to circumvent his ban by re-registering under a multitude of alternate user names. A letter was sent to Byron informing him of his banishment from participation in the website until 12-31-11. He still is a member and he still receives his magazine subscription.
Catman and Cat-Iron: Both users (as are all forum participants) are required to agree to the terms of use for our website which state in no uncertain terms,
"ACMOC is proud to offer this family-friendly bulletin board as a service to our members and guests. We strongly encourage industry-related discussions, exchanges of information, photographs, services and classifieds to further promote the collection, preservation, restoration, display and study of products and memorabilia of Caterpillar and its related predecessors.
Users of this site must agree to refrain from the use of profanity, posting inappropriate photos or links, or overtly disparaging comments towards any individual, ACMOC or Caterpillar Inc. Failure to comply may result in the deleting of posts, and/or temporary or permanent banishment from use of this bulletin board."
In order to participate in the forum, both Cat-Iron and Catman agreed to these terms.
As such, the actions pertaining to Cat-Iron and Catman are fully exercised and supported by the members of the Board of Directors and, subsequently the users of this forum who have expressed support of these actions.