Given recent events, I would like to put forward a suggestion that, if possible, the Backroom Watchtower be a "by permission" sub-forum, just as the Backroom is.

My understanding is, once attaining Member status, one can request and be granted access to the Back Room. I'm suggesting that the same method be used for the Back Room Watchtower.

Another effect I'd like to propose is that the Back Room Watchtower link be hidden from the main page, nested with the Backroom. Hmm ... if doing this would create undue complications, I guess it wouldn't be a big deal; though still visible, if someone clicks on the thread visible from the main page, they would be blocked from entering the forum if they didn't have permission or had chosen not to request permission. So this is a 'nice to have' but not necessary if the Back Room Watchtower is made a "by permission" sub-forum.

A side effect would be that members would have to actively subscribe to the Back Room Watch Tower to read and post in it. This will probably lower the audience there--which might be a good thing considering how some disgruntled patrons tend to use the Watchtower and Back Room Watch Tower. Still, any Member-level patron or higher in good standing could request access, just as they do for the Backroom.

Thoughts?