For example, most bio writers are essentially professional in their approach to writing bios. They leave their personal politics at the door when they enter the writing room. The owners and admin of this site also leave their politics at the door when they work here.

I imagine deputies could also apply some basic professionalism to the job, and leave politics at the door when they start work. Almost everyone who has ever had a job knows the importance of doing so in the work place as a matter of course.

<Thanh Phan> also adds a highly salient point, namely that such access <...could be revoked any time the admins find necessary,>

I've had posts deleted by admin on several occasions, almost always quite rightly I might add. However, on one occasion when I objected to one of my posts being swept away in a general cleanup involving someone we all know and revere (...), Daniel kindly reinstated one of my posts. This means posts that are removed by admins are not lost forever, not to start with anyway.

So there are clearly some safety mechanisms at work, including the right of appeal, temporary storage of deleted posts and an audit trail, and admin's overriding powers to review and revoke any or all privileges it extends, and to reverse any precipitate actions taken by deputies and themselves.

It's obvious that admins are over worked on occasions and can't always attend to problems and issues as expeditiously as people would like, and it says something important that they are floating this idea at this time.

I would. Or rather, I'd want to know who they are not.

There is at least one long-time user (whom I will not name) whose professionalism and impartiality I would *not* trust, for his judgment of other members and their kibitzes alike is predicated on ideology. It is clear that if discretionary powers of censorship were conferred upon him, he would apply them preferentially. One "side" would be punished for the least and most disputable infraction, while the other would get away with felonies.

Should this user ever become a "site sheriff," <Bureaucrat> is not the only member who'd depart.

I agree with Ohio, the Colonel, et al. Deputizing for disciplinary reasons is not the way to go.

The deletion of many of his posts will make exchanges between him and other posters confusing. It is like hearing only one side of a telephone conversation.

We join up here knowing that our posts are supposed to be permanent (unless deleted for reason, such as rule-breaking - been there, done that, tossed away the t-shirt).

Shame on you.

What does your disgust have to do with buying gift memberships?

I'm a little mystified by such a strong reaction against the idea of the admins enlisting extra help to monitor posting violations?

They stated in their post it's already being done now. At present, they merely suggest the possibility of adding more help to monitor post violations, because so many of us have been complaining recently about this very problem.

Since none of us even noticed that there was already extra help in monitoring violations, doesn't that mean the things you guys are worried about shouldn't be so much of a problem?

It seems that Daniel has already chosen his helper(s?) wisely. Why would we assume he wouldn't choose just as wisely on a future choice for more admin help on this matter?

At any rate that's just my opinion, I don't mean to criticize any of you for voicing yours. I understand where you're coming from. I wouldn't like to see <AJ> become a site admin, for example. I would also be a terrible choice as a site admin.

But I'm certain Daniel would make a wiser choice than me or <AJ>.

We will surely delete a number of posts in the past few pages, not because we are upset with them, but rather that this is not the purpose of this Chessforum.

1. Information normally regarded as confidential to Chessgames.com has at all times remained confidential, including email addresses, IP addresses, timestamps, etc. The only people with access to such information are paid Chessgames employees. It's always been that way, and always will.

2. Daniel has always overseen all moderation, has access to logfiles of everything deleted, and has the ability to override any decision with an undeleting utility.

Thank you. This is most reassuring.

My own fear is of someone with a hidden bias who brands posts on one side of an argument as violations of the posting guidelines while permitting similar posts from the other.