To all the xATS’ers - I feel you

[Freija]

So anyway, yeah can't imagine what you possibly could have done so many times...

Thanks for asking. Best not to air dirty laundry on the public clothesline but I can give you a synopsis.

The first time I got banned with my original account from 2007 was intentional and done in solidarity with my dear friend JadeStar who also was banned for calling ATS a fuming pit of racism, bigotry and homophobia and that the place had turned into Stormfront. I had about 350 posts under that account. (Jade and I are still friends, BTW)

The next time I came back and was primarily banned for talking about sex in a clinical and non-titillating fashion but the real reason I think was collusion as I went off on the mods for favoritism and unevenness in their actions and pointed out a dozen or so members had come to me to spearhead their revolt against such actions. I pretty much laid everything on the line and it wasn’t appreciated. I had about 1000 posts under that account so I decided that’s the username I would use here.

I could have come here and been completely anonymous. I was not well liked over there and see many of my detractors are also here now so I’m a little worried. With the attitude and spirit of this board though, I’m hoping things aren’t so noxious and we can all play nicer?

After a good deal of time had passed, I emailed whoever reads the contact@ address and asked for reinstatement. They said they would put it up to a staff vote. I was informed by unanimous decision, it was agreed I was unwelcome.

The next couple times I assume it was because I was recognized? My writing is sometimes distinctive, I typically make long TL;DR posts and I have kind of a single area of interest regarding the topics I’m most knowledgeable about. No reasons or warnings were given. I got in maybe 30 or 40 combined posts before the ban hammer swung. I swore then LOL’d.

This last time, I made it 5 or 6 months and just over 100 posts. I messaged the staff to report the join link wasn’t working after a friend tried to join and couldn’t and was instantly banned with no warning. I emailed the contact link for explanation but received no reply. All I can assume is once again I was recognized as a persona non grata? That’s fine. I lasted longer than I figured I would.

It’s all good though. No hard feelings. Regardless of everything, ATS has meant a lot to me and I’ll probably still lurk there until they turn out the lights. This is my new home now and I’m looking forward to being less defensive all the time and to being  little nicer myself.