OK, so I registered a hotmail account so that I could register a new name, which frankly shows how silly this whole "blocking" or "banning" business is. We are aware how many people have several names including one they hide behind to be nasty on a regular basis.

I had to make a few comments to those who were misquoting or misinterpreting a few of my posts. I do not plan to continue with this screen name. I'm curiously waiting for someone at Fodors to explain why I was banned.

As I said in an earlier post (on this thread or some other one), it's stupid to ban people unless you tell them why they're banned.

FREE PATRICK!!!!

WELCOME BannedPatrick!

This whole thing is a mystery and travesty and a joke. Ban others, but not Patrick! Especially with no explanation - or warning. Fair is fair, editors.

ttt

Glad to see you back!

You should check the Oregon page of TA if you want to see someone with more than one screen name. There is a poster there that comes up with all sorts of other names and then converses with herself, lol!

So even with a new name, at least you are back:)

Man oh man, you just can't stay away from here for a couple hours. So much happens.

SHOUTING at the top of my lungs, FREE PATRICK!

Patrick has been so helpful to many on this board. I always find his comments to be on target and pertinent.

Hoping this "temporary" ban is some sort of mistake.

BannedPatrick, I don't know whom they think will tell all the tourists where to go, what to do, where to eat in Naples. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face !

Wow - I was away from the forum for about 8 hours and Patrick gets banned. I read the Seattle Whine Thread-if Patrick was banned for that, then most of us are in trouble. Any
Welcome BANNED PATRICK and
FREE PATRICK!!!

Meant to say anyway instead of any

What?
FREE PATRICK!!!!!!!!!!! And, yes, I'm shouting too!

ttt

I'll sign on to Free Patrick too!

(I thought his SF tree comment was pretty funny and no worse than others who posted. Perhaps it is just a misunderstanding that he is blocked.)

Enjoy-la!

FREE PATRICK!!
He is always so informative and helpful to anyone who asks. I look forward to reading any of his posts!

I belong to a couple of other travel related BBS's and IF someone steps out of line they are first given a public message telling them to cease and desist IN THE THREAD they are misusing and if they don't, THEN they are temporarily banned and if they *misbehave* again..then it's a permanent banning. Fodors should follow suit. LONG LIVE PATRICK UNDER ANY NAME HE POSTS WITH :)

Peter:
Please tell us why this happened. Patrick makes me laugh....His post's are insightful, well written and informative. He has helped me with two trips. I am just stumped as to why you would do this.
FREE PATRICK

given some of the mean posts I've seen from regular posters (who are still here) I cannot believe he was truly banned. if he was something is very wrong. Free Patrick!!

No word from Fodors yet on why I was banned, but still this morning it tells me that my Patrick name has been blocked and to see the guidlines. But the silliness continues since a banned poster is allowed to register under a new name. Now I understand how easily all those really nasty posters register several names just to use for rude posts.

Unbelievable! There are many nasty posters on Fodor's and I would never consider Patrick one of them. FREE PATRICK!

Which FREE PATRICK post to respond to is a problem!! But, BaNNED PATRICK, it is good to see you return. If anyone can "know" a poster on a forum, just by reading his or her postings, I must say I feel most of the people on the board do indeed (know you that is). Your humor is enjoyable, your knowledge of travel sites and restaurants, and hotels superb, your stalwartness amazing, and we do enjoy your postings. Don't Leave!!

If they want to ban someone, ban the trollers & advertisers. Certainly Patrick & I have had our differences, as have many of us have, over time. However, the exchange of differing opinions & ideas (hopefully pertaining to travel) is what this board is supposed to be about. Lift the ban, bring Patrick back.

Give them time to put it right without further loss of face. The world goes on.