Suggestions for the database system and message counters.

Well, they might disable the counter first, and then come up with something else. Lately (or so it seemed to me), they were putting too much blame on the mafia.

No, they might come up with something else, perhaps something involving the "nationalists" from section 3.

What about the "Tribune" topic, for example?

"Tribune" is a special and specific topic. It was created by moderators and approved by them. I think it's inextricably linked to section 3 and is very relevant... But even without it, there are very active discussions going on there.