After 5 or 6 years here I think I've earned the right to post my farewell in here.

This site is of no use to anyone seeking any kind of truth or even an insight into the UFO phenomena - don't get me wrong there are some fantastic minds here, some fantastic people and I don't mean closed minded people either - there are people here who can see the merit even in some of the more outlandish claims by those who claim to have seen UFO's, or claim to have been abducted. This is no anally retentive forum - but there comes a point when loony opinions, from people who are either here to discredit the truth, get their kicks, or who are just plain ill have to be tempered, have to be edited, otherwise you have a free for all with nothing to be gained by anyone.

And that in my opinion is where we are at.

This site no longer serves the grander purposes of UFO Study and research. It panders to fantasists and in so doing has become an obstacle to be overcome by anyone interested in serious research.

There isn't a newspaper in the world which allows it's contributors or journalists to write what they like with no fear of the consequences. There has to be editorial control or at least a benchmark which to follow....currently here it's post what you like, regardless of how fanciful, regardless of how ridiculous (which in itself may be no bad thing if it stopped there) But it doesn't stop there - like I said elsewhere - giving free rein to ANY opinion slants the subject, makes it something it is not, gives credibility to utter nonsense. Makes it even more difficult for those who aspire to get at the truth.

Some of us have a position of responsibility in that respect - a responsibility to uphold standards. Currently the standards we appear to be aspiring towards here are not those of content - but of behaviour. We seem more interested in forcing people to be nice to one another (which is worthy) but at the expense of content (I would have thought in that case that the site could be about anything - not necessarily UFO'S - Buddhism maybe?) - in other words you can post whatever shite you like so long as you do so with a smile.

Not for me, not anymore.

I'm sorry it has to end this way. But my frustrations at the lack of intervention here preclude me from staying any longer, other than to acknowledge anyone who may feel that after so long I merited a 'Bye'....

You take care folks....good knowing so many of you.

Ben

I have to agree, Ben. And among the fantasy folk are some real liars. I am sure you love this place and to you Ben, my everlasting appreciation and that of many other people, for being out there where it hurts to tell the truth and having what it takes to do so.

Ben, you're a cut above and there's no end to the good your words will do. Lol, and that truth every detraction of your words posted herein will deftly underscore.

Ben...

You are the most fair moderator of a hot topic forum I've ever known. This isn't about you as a person, this is about how you run this place.
And you've done it beautifully.

I know it's become frustrating for you -as it has for many of us. It seems that the vision here was one which allowed for any and all open discussions. Sadly, it's come to pass that too many come through the door to talk about fictional situations. So many do not allow for others to talk about any and all possibilities, and analyze all plausibilities. It's not you which makes it hard to discuss what has transpired in various people's lives -it's the people who come through in droves, watering down the reputation and integrity of this beloved site.

Many here take things way too personally...

"I believe there might be another answer to those abducted..."
"Oh yeah, fuck you."

However...I for one, think what you do here is invaluable to this forum. You are accessible, you are an amazing poster, an awesome researcher, a seeker of the truth.

I truly hope you reconsider your stance on this situation, even though I do understand why you are doing this.

I'm not gonna get all mushy. Just gonna keep it short and sweet.

Ben is the Alien-Ufos forums. He's the reason why many of us even fuckin bother with this site anymore. If Ben's gone, you can count on more than a few of us following suit.

It's all been said before. Make this site the way it USED TO BE. Stop putting up with all these fuckin wackos, head cases, fantasists, liars, and children. Stop trying to be nice to everyone and trying not to hurt their feelings and be real with them.

We just witnessed, in the past week, someone take everything Ben said out of context and go bleeding ape shit on him for no good reason calling him a "wanker", amongst other many more colorful things. Plenty of people stepped in and said in a roundabout way "your off your rocker and just plain nutters, seek help".... but he was allowed to continue.

If Ben is the bad guy in all this, whoever decided that needs their head examined.

I'll say it again, Ben IS this site. Without him, this place would have gone dead years ago. BELIEVE THAT.

That's just it, a good site must evolve to survive. This place -as far as I can tell- was about allowing all to say what they feel in a safe place with others who understand. However, that was when the site was smaller, and way less wackaloons were running amok around the net just to troll and muddy stuff up.

The old rules do not apply to the new net...

Ben receives hate mail, death threats, insults to his wife....all for the sake of trying to run this place in a way that will keep its integrity.
Stuff most of us would not care to deal with.

I hope for the best for this site...I really do.

I mean to say -that to bring the forum back to where it once belonged, it seems to be that you cannot allow for the old vision of people being able to research and look into all the possibilities -if you allow people to troll the building with no regard for the fact that this place is all about searching for the truth.

Ben, you're a big part of why I even come to this forum. I can't tell you how often I showed up just to see what YOU were talking about.

To whomever runs this forum:
(a) I accept that you want to have a welcoming atmosphere where people can talk about their experiences without fear

However, if you do not allow people to think critically, to question, to analyze, to discuss, then:

What good is this forum?

Are we all supposed to sit around and clap our hands and say "Hey, YEAH!" for every story? Are we expected to prove, time and time again, that we're gullible and incapable of rational thought?

You give free voice ... but only to those who say what you want them to say. When we start talking about science, when we start talking about logic: we're discouraged.

Am I not supposed to question?

What about conspiracy theories? Shall we pass the rule there as well? We don't want anyone to get their feelings hurt when someone disagrees with them? Why don't we pass a rule in Conspiracy as well against disagreement?

On the paranormal forum, there's a thread about a haunted swing. Am I not supposed to give scientific theories? Am I not allowed to say it's a hoax?

By this logic, it's okay for me to say I'm a lost sasquatch Princess from the moon, and no one's allowed to question it? Is that what this forum is? 'cause if it is, not only is it of no use to me, Ben's right: if that's indeed the case, then it's of no use to anyone.

Well--goodbye Alien-UFOs.com forums.

Even after Ben presented his rant about the crazy people there were 10 new 'out there' threads with people posting non-sense and not listening to rational people.

It really is ridiculous. If Ben is gone, I will no longer visit this forum except in the rare case that I need a good laugh.

It's complex...
Once upon a time, there was room on the net to have a forum where people could tell their experience within the sanctity of these virtual walls. People were reluctant to talk about it in real life -so having a group who listened to was a sublime concept.

Then the net got wider, bigger and filled to the brim with trolls, liars, spammers, attention whores...and the like.

So now I've seen at least 6 of you tell me your story in private -people who would never feel free enough to talk here. Not because of the ridicule, per say -but because there are too many posts filled with fantastical experiences, nobody wants to communicate their real story much any more.

This isn't about believers and disbelievers...it's about an entire forum being watered down for the sake of trolls. Now how can I say that somebody isn't from Zeldar, has three tails which spit venom...and can't get back to their own World so they have a message for us?

I dunno -but it should remain so that it's allowed to ask about these alleged venomous tails.

Point is....this forum is a joke--and has been for a little over a year.

I remember the very first time I logged in there was a thread about "-th Generation Humans'....someone was saying they were a 4th Generation Human with all of these outlandish abilities. I linked a friend to this site, and to this day we still joke about being '4th Generation Humans'.

I really wish this place would get better because, right now, it is sick.

I know I am a new poster (although long time reader), I have a few ideas that may help.

Well, AU.com without Ben is no longer AU.com.

Nothing will ever be the same.

Begging you to stay is pointless.

One question must be asked: Will AU.com recover from this loss?

I do respect your choice Ben but I can’t help being very sad. Sad to see that it is you who’s got to leave.

Happy trails, Ben

And what pray tell would those be.....

come back Ben

Ben,

Dont completely shut the door and leave, you never know when something may draw you back.

Ben , I truely understand where you are coming from. But I have to say this...... In the 3 yrs I have been here I have never seen you back away from any thing or any one. You make this place home for me. Don't you dare walk away and let these creeps take over. So we got some off the wall crazy people here, they are in the real world also. I have never seen you back down. Dont do it now!!!!!!!! Those of us that are serious need you . Please stay for us. Those of us that are truely seeking the truth. Dont leave us to the wolves. I did something in this forum I have never done or said to any of my closest friends. But I told you. Please dont go . This place will never be the same with out you . If you go, I know many will follow and the orginial goal for this site dies. That will truely be a loss for all the serious truth seekers. ..........Please think about it at least.

Can I get a witness?
You wrote what I've been thinking, Cricket...well said.

Other than the occasional post or rant, I have withdrawn my opinions from AU for the very reasons that Ben spoke of. I was once a prolific poster who spent midnight hours pouring over information to return back to AU. I was excited to share it and learn others' opinions on it. I was excited to hear what others may have learned. I looked forward to reading Ben or Dingo's insights. Gradually, however, everyone's need to be right (including my own)...to be important...overtook any sincere discussion on the subject matter. Suddenly, everyone was an expert or an abductee or person with the truth. Everyone a teacher and no one a student...and the way was lost. There is a difference between serious study and entertainment, the latter of which seems to be the goal of the current infatuation with aliens and ghosts. It was once said that AU was a place for everyone. Surely, this is true but you reap what you sow and the posts which once made AU great, profoundly insightful and passionate, have been choked up by the weeds along the way. With or without Ben, AU will carry on...for such people have become dispensable. Its a greedy beast lumbering through UFO cyberspace and gobbling up everything in its path, no longer caring about its content or goals or eventual destination.

So, Ben, for what its worth, I understand completely and I should in no way make a plea for you to remain in such hostile territory.

Ben, I am a member 3 other forums including Unexplained Mysteries, but this site is STILL the best.

The loonies on the other sites is really bad, and I don't think they ban anybody there!
The childish threads on them are terrible!!

So think about it, Ben.

Your leaving, what is still, the best forum of them all!!

Whatever you do in life i wish you the best of luck as do i any fellow human and hope you find what your searching for in life.

I do not veiw nuts as an obstical to overcome but more miss guided people who if you can help, should be helped - it isnt these people who are giving paranormal a bad name but the mass media who are making this a laughing stock .

As stated in my This must be said thread post all things we have in life have them, but not all things are laughed at.

(edited to add)
How to win something easy rule #1 - get them to start fighting each other

Ben -

First, I have truly enjoyed my discussions with you. We do not see eye to eye on a great deal of topics... however, you have enlightened me and expanded my knowledge. I am in your debt for giving me insight on many different levels. One thing we do agree on is the decay of this great forum...

I think everyone knows how I feel... as I have made my opinions of this forum known many times. I even announced my departure from this forum awhile back due to the ignorance that seems to run throughout as of late. With all of the true investigators/researchers leaving, AU is nothing but a fantasy forum for people to post their "stories".

I am with you Ben, and I am truly sorry to see you leave. But...instead of all of the people who are serious about the subjects at hand leaving, why dont we do something to kick out those that are tainting this forum.