Not feeling the need to justify my actions, I've not responded until now. I do feel that the situation could use some clarity at this point, however.

First off, you were right in taking issue with me specifically. It was me and me alone who made all the decisions and took all the actions in regard to your posts. Though it has previously been mentioned, I will also say that this would have been better handled via PM either to me or the admin. I say that simply because it would have ensured a more positive outcome for you. Putting it up here and going on as you have only served to diminish your chances of success by alienating the very people you seek to entreaty.

I'm with you 100% on the subject of accountability and the responsibility of those in/with power. Uncle Ben's words have honestly shaped my life since I first read them at a very young age. In this you and I are more alike than you know. I make a conscious effort not to let the power that I wield as an FK mod go to my head, because the truth is we do have the ability to impact other's lives in either a very positive or very negative way...especially in the Flash Freelance forum where there is money involved. So I don't blame you for taking issue when you thought someone might be abusing their power. There was no way for you to know better without knowing me better.

Don't forget however, to focus on your end goal. I admire your passion, but your strength is better directed when it serves to build others up instead of tear them down. Rather than seeking resolution for your problem, you sought retribution against me. I haven't been harmed by this, but your cause ended up suffering considerably as a result, with you being seen more as a ranting madman than a rational man with a legitimate claim. You do get mondo bonus points for your views on not editing your posts, though. That's something else I agree with you about. I also make an effort not to edit posts in discussions such as these so as to avoid confusion and add the aforementioned accountability to one's words.

In regard to the request you posted in the Flash Freelance forum...as you said, the first one was a no-brainer. We don't allow contests. At this point that's strike one...posting something that is expressly forbidden in the rules. It's right there in black and white for everyone to see before they post. Still not that big a deal, however. I'm an understanding guy and I can see how someone might miss it. Even though I wrote them, I can still concede that the line in the rules that says 'no contests' kind of gets lost next to the other bold text right beside it. It's still there though, and it's a recognized compromise on my part based on how I set up the emphasis on the text, which is based in turn on which elements I felt and still feel need to stand out most to people.

Strike number two was the fact that you posted the same thread in multiple forums, something else that is expressly disallowed in the rules. I got rid of them both and let you know that wasn't cool. Again, not a huge deal to me. You're a fairly new member and I chalked it up to part of the learning process.

Strike number three came when you posted the exact same request, but this time with the word 'contest' replaced by a ridiculously low price for your work. At this point it looks to me like you are trying to skirt the rules just enough to slide by, and this is where it falls to me to make a judgement call. You say you will pay $5.00 for a banner and that you need it done in 1-2 days. This says to me that you want someone to work for 1-2 days and in return you will graciously offer to reimburse them a grand total of five U.S. dollars. Hmm...says I. Does that sound like a fair deal? Unfortunately, and no offense to you...but I had to say no, it didn't. When something is not covered by the rules, that's what I rely on...trying to be fair.

So I'm sorry you feel you were wrongfully treated, but I still stand by my original determination that this offer is not suitable for our forums. The Flash Freelance forum is provided as an added value service to our members and is run in accordance with requirements specific to it's owner, Jupiter Media. If you feel that the rules as they are currently set forth don't mesh with your needs then you are free to find another site that does.