R/A-
You positively *forced* me to sneak a peek at Diamond Talk, thereby increasing their number of hits! (At least there were only 96 people on line, 9 of them registered users when I dropped in!)
Although the off-topic areas seem harder to find, I think they are still there on DT! In fact, Gilbert seems to be back in the game starting new threads as he used to in the old days when he wanted to increase traffic on the site. He even started a *new* off-topic area, the Baby Room, which clearly copies this forum's area to discuss babies.
His actions and Nathan's over the past several months have been not only mean-spirited, but also based FIRMLY on lousy business sense. In his effort for total control he silenced many of the the most interesting posters, leaving a lot of angry (but barely literate) people in their places. (Smart move: ban the intelligent posters.)
So now he has to go back to starting new areas and threads.
Did I mention I hope he fails? As bayside said, the statute of limitations on the crimes he committed against some of us by publicly posting on his website information from a private group has not run out and will not for a long time.
Diamond Talk advertisers are supporting GilNat. As time goes on I find myself increasingly intolerant of those vendors who still advertise there, thereby endorsing the breaking of laws and supporting the suppression of the best and bravest voices.
Did you know if you sent me to look at DT this would happen, R/A? Do you understand, now, why I was assiduously *avoiding* that site? Perhaps I shouldn't be posting while my mother is as sick as she is. I deliberately *avoided* engaging Rook in a discussion about politics!
When one says The Serenity Prayer he asks God to help us to have the courage to change the things we can and to accept the things we cannot. I cannot do anything but sit by my mother's side and advocate for her with health professionals. Believe me, that helplessness in the face of things over which I have no control motivates me to effect changes in the things I can!!!