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05/03/2006: "Imbas-Public Moderators Ban Searles O'Dubhain after Brooha"

music: Darth Vader's Theme - John Williams
mood: Disappointed

Searles O'Dubhain, a well known personality among the Internet Celtic interest circles, was banned from the Imbas-Public Yahoo discussion group after clashing with Brenda and Bob Daverin, two of the moderators for the CR interest group.

What began as a

debate disagreement between O'Dubhain and Mrs. Daverin, who is also president of the now defunct IMBAS non-profit CR organization, escalated to heated proportions after her husband entered the debate in her defense. After a series of exchanges where neither party seemed to see the other's viewpoint, all pretenses of decorum were thrown aside.

With Daverin alleging that members were leaving the list over O'Dubhain posts, the exchange descended into a public bickering match, complete with Daverin's apology demands, ultimatums, and finally, the dismissal of O'Dubhain from the egroup.

After the dismissal, members openly took sides, with some supporting Daverin or Dhubain, and others registering their disapproval with both sides in the debate.

O'Dubhain is the webmester of "The Summerlands" (http://www.summerlands.com) which opened in 1997, and has ties to many in the neo-druidic Celtic interest community. In addition to the Imbas-Public group, the Daverins also moderate the CR /R group on Live Journal.

Replies: 2 Comments

on Wednesday, May 31st, Searles O'Dubhain said

The entire problem was that the Daverins demanded and apology for imagined insults to their "honor." These so-called insults were simply some courteous disagreements with Brenda and then Bob on some issues of how to rediscover our Celtic traditions. Bob escalated the matter into an either apologize for disagreeing or you're out of the list situation.

I saw the handwriting on the Ogham stick at that point and chose to laugh at his imagination instead, hoping that my remarks and responses to his demands and threats would place his actions in a better perspective for all.

I find it ironic that I rejoined the Imbas list because I'd heard that it was dormant and dying. I'd hoped to instill new life and vigor in its discussions. This actually happened for a while until the "green eyed monster" and irrationality descended on the list in the guise of moderation.

What were my offenses?

1. I suggested that we could recover our lost traditions in the same way that they'd been discovered in the first place (using an analogy from what a Native American lady had said).
2. I refused to apologize for posting on the above topic and disagreeing with what Brenda interpreted them to me. To me, both she and Bob projected their own needs and anxieties onto the discussion in a completely unnecessary and overbearing manner. I simply disagreed civilly and was accused of insulting honor. What a tempest in a teapot! Since when is courteous disagreement, an offense to Celtic honor?

The rest is history, irony and a real pity.

Searles O'Dubhain

on Wednesday, May 31st, Tearlach Roibeard Luder said

IMO, the Daverins, as a husband and wife team, have no business moderating Imbas-Public. They are doing so only because Imbas as an organization is dead, no one cares enough to bring it back, and Brenda was the last one holding the "I'm the President" potato. Their tempers are too hot for the job. Bob especially has a tendency to post "kneejerk" reactions, as well as question the intent of posters, often when he is wrong. There also appears to be a bias waiting just below the surface to come against anyone who doesn't tow either of their notion as to what CR should be. I have seen this same behavior on CR/R Live Journal. I believe they mean well; their temperment, however, does not lend itself to moderation responsibilities.

Though I may disagree with you at times, Searles, I strongly disagree with the way the situation was handled by the Daverins. Rest assured, your opinions are always welcome here, even if we disagree.