""That's the direct quote that has everyone upset.... not the question "Is the building fund really needed?""

Why is everyone upset if the facts belie what Joe said he heard?

""but to post an unsubstantiated RUMOR about a Building Fund SCAM""

Sorry, Joe posted what he said that he heard. I'm not in a position to call him a liar, are you? This is the problem when we address emotions rather than issues.

""I wonder if you would have taken the same position""

I could easily be on the other side of this. When I see 10 people beating up on 1, I'm going to give them something else to swing at. Call it a character flaw