Lapizuli - 8:50 pm on May 27, 2010 (gmt 0)

I double zett's vote for conflict resolution training in moderators. I've had courses in it too, and at the time I thought I knew all there was to know about arbitration / mediation. It really is valuable for any kind of role where communication is important.

The problem with it, though, is that people tend to think it's silly and obvious and all touchy-feely, which it can get. So it may not be popular amongst the mods.

I don't mind moderators posting to any thread they want. The key thing for me is that a moderator act balanced when in the moderator roll - touching on both sides of an issue - and when he or she wants to show a bias, for them to say outright, "This is my own personal bias..."