O lord...
Stellar arguments from all sides!
Edit :
Rules are rules and sometimes you gotta break em' to in order to confirm whether or not they should even exist. Looks like the RIU staff was caught snoozing and the community wide awake, looking to place a few ribbons and earn a few neat prizes!
Don't we, as the community of users, give reason for companies, like The Attitude, to even consider paying for ads (that are pointless imo; newsflash, everyone hates ads, welcome to the 21st century) through posting our comments and sharing of knowledge?
I mean if it weren't for the brains, who carry all the wisdom from the past wizards, that make this site what it is, I wouldn't even be here wasting my time posting photos or chatting with cool cats like Churchy. Does that mean RIU should pay for the star players that GIVE people a reason to come AND stay here, thus attracting countless members and reinforcing companies to consider buying ads? It's up for debate.
One more point directed at the admins and staff:
You guys do a fantastic job at keeping the site operating, with a few exceptions here and there when the server boots down but for the most part the site is stable and functional. Here's my thought: This site is possible because of you guys but this isn't the only website/forum dedicated to marijuana-related matters, so just because we use your product/forum, doesn't justify some of the stipulations that you place on the community. Specifically, besides the above-average user interface, I can go anywhere else to get something very similar. I don't think the community brains are any brighter elsewhere, so that is one of the stronger things you guys have going for you here at RIU.
In conclusion, I believe the RIU staff/owners need to take this case of sponsors in a public growing competition into a different consideration and maybe realize that the sponsors are helping out the people that have been and continue helping out, not just financially but educationally, those who run and monitor this site.
Also, I don't think many people are going to the competition thread and are instantly like OMG! I have to go buy these products! No, they entered the thread to see some wild cats grow some midget dank.