SAM, Avatar and Asguard all had their qualities to begin with but perhaps were upset at how the forums was handled etc, so they became too much for their positions.
(Q) quit originally because SAM was being protected by Moderators from being moderated herself because of her Extremist views.
Since we're washing dirty linen
S.A.M. was kicked out because of her views on Israel, she has a PM from Plazma if anyone wants the details; it followed the
"Are you blind?" thread by (Q) - my extremist views would be what the Goldstone report has outlined, in much more horrific detail than I ever managed. Note that there is not a single point related to my role as a moderator [of Biology and Science & Society] only my political/religious views . This is like watching the Lobby at work [you can't do biology because you're a Muslim who hates Israel!]
(Q) quit because SAM would not debate religion with him in the mod forum. It was exceptionally silly and Plazma waited for several days before he accepted it [probably couldn't believe anyone would quit over something like that].
The mods can post the thread where he announced it if they dare, or my response to his post and his to mine. The last three might suffice.
Asguard was kicked out because he banned two people for a day for trolling. Since he is a dyslexic idiot, he is not allowed to take such action on his own, like Skinwalker is, being a smart erudite and exceptionally gifted individual which gives him super powers [like banning whoever he wants to].
Absane and spidergoat both left because they got fed up for different, individual reasons. Spidergoat announced it, I don't recall that Absane even said anything at all.
Avatar was kicked out because he brought into public a private discussion on a poster; I think he overreacted to what he saw as back door debates on poster behaviour but he was an icon at sciforums and we did lose a good poster in him, he was one of the few who was not afraid to represent himself and his photos and activities are archived here.
Whistles* Thanks Stryder.
And spidergoat's a he.
My mental view of the forum changes everyday.
Personally, I don't get why somebody would want to be a mod. All the fun will go away. Responsibility.
Some of us were asked and thought they would do something more for the forum other than just have politically incorrect discussions at an exponential rate. This was back in the days before they realised that free speech does not necessarily mean equal platforms.
Btw, this is not to discourage anyone from moderating, which
by itself, is pretty straightforward and uncomplicated. If you listen to people and tell them why you moderate as you do, its usually easy to get them to cooperate. Most of my moderation issues were resolved by one on one communication with the posters and did not even require me to warn them.