Uh, Susie didn't say anything about complaints.
She just said it didn't work.
As to the question about the mods, why don't you ask them as we aren't privy to that information.
I realize you might be having a hard time moving on , but I'll post Milo's reponse to me when I was complaining about some comments made regarding us on your new forum.
"Hey...life is unfair, and we don't exist to make you happy. Get used to it."
so, if it wasn't the case that the old rules didn't work because of too many complaints,
the only other choice is -
they didn't work because for the mods because the mods just didn't like them. gee, I don't remember this change in rules being put forward to an opinion vote by the membership.
as I recall the process of junking the old rules was as follows -
1) there was a thread created bemoaning the lack of "civility" , without defining the terms,
2) there was the announcement of the "new civility" rules, concerning which I was about the only member to loudly protest.
3) the mods began modifying and deleting posts which they subjectively "thought" were uncivil.
4) the exodus away from Bettermost began by those in the ideological minority
Karen, who exactly are the "we" that you mention here?
"Hey...life is unfair, and we don't exist to make you happy. Get used to it." I think that you are taking far too large a burden on your shoulders trying to defend decisions already made in which you seem to have had no part.
you should relax.