I can't read the whole topic right now, but I did read some comments.

I’ve been an admin on Lea since end 2004/ beginning 2005, and for 3/4 years (can’t remember things exactly) the only admin around.
I made decisions of making mods super mods, making super mods admin and asking for new mods.

Each of them, I asked them / “upgraded” them for their skills, their on-line time, etc …

NONE of these people were made staff-members, because I just happen to like them so much, that I wanted to do them a favor or anything!

(so yeah, some comments actually did offend me just a little bit, because I too made people staff-members)

And everyone started out as a regular mod.
No one just became an admin or super mod, every “higher” staff-member had to get through the same road starting out as a mod. Even I was a mod once (and I didn't even really knew Mufasa...).

I wasn't around much in 2007 - 2009, but I trusted Amanda as admin and all the others to make good judgements.

I don't quite get all the commotion to be honest.
Lea has always had a good amount of mods.
Specially due to the fact because everyone is from everywhere.
We usually made sure that when the US was asleep, Europe was awake if something should happen.