I wouldn't say we care about only who is in here. Anyone is welcome to join if they're going to be a good addition to the site. We welcome anyone that wants to join and be a part of things in here though...
We've basically dropped out of the Scum stuff though. Sure we had people banned randomly, and sorta similar, but not under similar circumstances if I've heard everything correctly. We tried rational dialogue with Philip Wise and got met with his irrational behavior. From what I gathered, Banthaskull was making a concerted effort to derail, screw up, and generally mess with the boards there through sock accounts and whatnot. That's not the same thing really then.
And ultimately, rational or irrational, you'll get the same response from Wise... Take it from the group that indeed tried to open a rational debate on some issues, and got met with a childish reaction in turn. Or if you don't want our opinion, ask Bill Cable what kind of backlash you get for doing something they consider out of bounds. I'm sure he can enlighten you.
Anyone who will be a good member is welcome to join though, and bail on their boards. Why try to change a forum run by people you don't like though? Just leave and get a new home for yourself. You'll be better off in the long run.
I'll try to respond as best I can...
As a member of Jedi Defender, Bantha Skull, and previously Rebel ***, I've come to appreciate finer points of each site.
Jedi Defender has the greatest serious talk about the hobby plus other stuff (movies, other toys, and politics... even if I don't post much in the Pit, it's still fun to read.)
Bantha Skull has the best laid back chat... plus it was always nice to rant about the happenings on the 'Scum and just the hobby in general. It's almost like talking with friends at school... (Of course in school my friends don't have a love for Star Wars)
Two things I liked about Scum... high traffic and the NC Finds thread. The high traffic led to the ability to read through many opinions (although many were the same or unable to be read) and made selling stuff very easy. Wider audience and all that mess. Plus many the North Carolina collectors seemed to flock there at one point or another.
In any case, what's done is done. I'd hate for there to be a hatred/competition between Jedi Defender and Bantha Skull due to me bringing this up. I've made it clear at BS that I'm a member of these forums... and I've made it clear here that I'm a member of Bantha Skull. Anyone is welcome to join either site, and I'd be happy to help break the new guys in on either forum.
Even though BS may seem like it was started to instigate at Scum, the founders only began to de-rail threads due to the poor moderating on Scum. (especially in the Hasbro sections) This is something never seen on Jedi Defender because the Mod/Admin staff is top notch.
Now, I'd hate to be torn between my memberships at BS and here at JD. I request that if you guys here have issues with any/some/all BS members, either recent or from several years back, if you could be the bigger people and bury the hatchet I'd appreciate it. I'm not asking you to join BS or I leave (I don't think you'd care, anyway) but I'd just like you to keep the insults and such to yourself. I feel that members of both communities have good things they could bring to the table at the other.
efranks, I'm unsure of where you've been insulted on BS. I have no beef with you, and I'm sure many members of BS don't either. In any case, don't get too riled up over it because sometimes people need to vent...
Lastly, I'm not trying to advertise BS or anything, but ya'll are more than welcome to join. We could use some more opinions in the discussions, even if it's only for a short time while you folks test the waters of something new. I'd be happy to work to patch up any qualms between members.