I just about messed myself when I read Mikes post. I read all posts and have seen no indication that this was coming at least not from Mike.
As most here do I have great respect for Mike’s awesome contributions and will miss them. Had Mike just stopped posting (and his level seems down to me) I doubt we would have remarked on it we would have just assumed that he was busy.
I do hope that Mike will reconcider and continue to contribute here.
This is an indicator of how much the forum has grown not a comment on this particular situation,

This forum is one of the best balanced and moderated that i have ever participated in.
I have watched it grow to what it is today and have seen the changes in visible world opinion reflected here occasionally in obviously biased posts. I feel that you are very correct in moderating to prevent these from flaring up into worse problems.

All I want to see here is open discussion of ideas and problems among people with common educational and interest backgrounds.

I have no objection to polite expressions of respect for individual country or cultural based events in fact I learn from most of them.

There are undeniably major geo political tensions and issues that have causes rooted in past actions and events and that are erupting tragically even as I write this.
I hope none of the members of this forum have been or are being directly affected by these events.
Even if some one has or is suffering from them it is wrong to damage or destroy this forum in retaliation.
Only vigilant moderation as Craig has suggested will prevent fracturing this forum.

It seems interesting that the advent of "karma points" seems to closely track with the increase in visible dissention but then I am not a fan of the point system for that reason. On the other hand karma seems to have unearthed these previously hidden issues making us aware that they are working here just as in the outside world.

I feel that it is places like this that work towards closing the gap between our diverse cultures leading to a safer more equitable world for all of our children - that is certainly my personal goal.

I personally am glad when posts that are rife with speculative answers and unanswered questions are closed for lack of original poster input. I also note that it almost only happens when there is little or no interesting "new ground" discussion Present.

This is your forum Craig and ultimately you must decide how it will work and what if any changes will occur. Like all growing web entities as it ages there will be dissention and loss of valuable contributors from many causes. It seems to me that a firm just hand will be needed to keep the content focused and cultural issues contained .
Terry