[UmpJM]

Hmmm,

I find myself largely on the same side of this particular question as Rich Fronheiser and Dave Hensley.

I do not think an individual should have the ability to delete what someone else has posted (other than someone acting at the direction of the owner's of the site), even if he was the originator of the thread. I would guess that the fact that it is possible to do so is simply a function of the structure of the "database" used to store the contents of these forums, rather than an intended feature or any defect in the code which manages the site.

Ultimately, the value of this forum is determined by the sum of what is posted here.

There are some who post here, regularly and frequently, who contribute nothing of any value to the forum. To me, that's kind of annoying because it creates "noise" that is tedious to wade through and makes it more difficult to find the material that is of value.

There are some who post here who frequently post incorrect information and almost never post anything of value. In my opinion, those individuals actually detract from the value of the forum and are destructive of its purpose.

There are others who consistently provide good information and insight in their posts and share their extensive experience for the benefit of others.

When someone deletes a thread that others have posted to, it is often the case that useful information gets deleted along with some drivel. It also creates "revisionist history" which limits the acountability of those who post garbage as well as the credit to those who post useful information or thoughts.

Personally, I don't delete my own posts or the posts of others who post on a thread I initiate. I find those that do overly self-centered. I am somewhat reluctant to post to a thread when the initiator has demonstrated a tendency to delete his threads. If I choose to, it is with the understanding that it may disappear. Such is life.

JM