Hmmm.

Stephen I'm sure you took this step in good faith and with nothing but the best interests of UKD at heart, but I have to say I disagree with it, on two counts - both of which I'm sure you weighed up when you were deciding what was best.

1. Banning anyone (or 'requesting they take a holiday') should be an absolute last resort saved for people whose behaviour is so completely beyond the pale that nothing else will do. I don't think Simon falls into that category.
2. Simon's always made a monstrous contribution to this community - admittedly not always in the most positive way - but he has more invested in this place than most and cares about it greatly, whatever his bluster might suggest to the contrary. He's part of the heart of UKD, like it or not, and taking him away from it will lessen the UKD experience if you ask me.

I say all this as someone who has been reduced to something approaching apoplexy by Simon on numerous occasions over the years, and who has considered walking away from UKD as a result. But I never have - not for very long anyway - and I'm always glad I didn't. I think he'll be hurt by this move and frankly I don't think he deserves to be. We all have it in us to ignore people and posts we don't agree with and I'd much rather do that than kick people out.

My 2p anyway. I doubt it'll be the last...