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Reconsidering the bans
I want to start a new thread about this though I think Giggan's thread would be a good place to post this. I still think everyone should read his thoughtful and well reasoned post no matter how long it is.
I understand that this was shocking and troubling because we haven't had to ban anyone in a while. I did discuss it with the other admins and supermods and they agree with most of you that permabanning is too strong for what happened. Especially in th case of Jane and Spike who are long time members with a solid history as mods before this. Spike in the WW, Jane was a GD mod and Research forum mod. I love Jane. She was one of my first friends here and the first person on the cult that I ever talked to on the phone. She's been a good friend to me, so this was not a easy decision to make at all. But it was my mistake to make the decision myself without consulting the other staff in the first place about something this serious. I still think Spike should be permabanned, but I'm in the minority. Again, I like Spike, I think he's wildly funny and I read everyone single one of his threads. But I don't think anyone should be allowed to do what he did and get away with it. No one agrees with me on that point so I'm backing down on it.
SO, all will be reinstated as regular members, not mods. Spike will remain on a two week ban.
Ironman's ban didn't come out of nowhere. He's been banned and warned for all kinds of things ever since he began an account here.
Spike should have let us know there was an issue with user titles instead of using it to exploit the forums. Yeah, we are still having issues with Drupal and there is a lot of frustration with the new forums. It's still not close the level of Vb, but we are working on it. It helps if you work with us instead of against us.
Kirk is great about checking the website forum and responding and correcting issues quickly as they are brought to his attention. He's also hard at work on a much improved drupal site with better navigation and improved WW which some of you will be invited to test with us soon.
Lastly, I do want to apologize to Moonie for my snarky remark. It was uncalled for especially considering the seriousness of the situation.
I hope that the community is not too shaken by this and we can all be friends again. I guess I was too hasty as many people pointed out, but I care very much about this place. I may make mistakes but I listen to people and make an effort to correct myself.
Thank you for reading.
I find if I can appreciate the little things then when something big happens it knocks me on my ass. -stonecoyote
Thank you.
"Earlier this evening, Gordon Blackstone. He was banned why? Frank claims I was lying of Tony. Though he will always be with me. For a thought is important no matter what it be. I think Tony Demireo (Life Martyr or for some []/bracketz) will be around for a long time..." -Gordon Blackstone
I don't make mistaakes.
So ignorant are most landsmen of some of the plainest and most palpable wonders of the world, that without some hints touching the plain facts, historically and otherwise, of the fishery, they might scout at Moby-Dick as a monstrous fable, or still worse and more detestable, a hideous and intolerable allegory.
I hope you misspelled that on purpose, nate, like as a joke...
And thank you, Mirka! Thank you much!
Thank you, moonie! That was very gracious of you.
I find if I can appreciate the little things then when something big happens it knocks me on my ass. -stonecoyote
But what about the dunce caps???
Also, Mirk and Kirka rawk.
GETTING SENT TO THE GRAVEYARD IN WORLD OF WARCRAFT AND RUNNING TO YOUR GRAVE SITE SO YOU MAY BE RESURRECTED!
Gordon Blackstone Foreva
...so I guess I'd be willing to accept fascism, as long as I get to wear knee socks.
le Moon
I don't agree about the dunce caps. One of my favorite stories is the Prodigal Son. They didn't shame him or make him wear a dunce cap, they threw a giant party and killed the fatted calf for him. I am so happy that Mirka was merciful, i would like to bake her a batch of cookies, she can pick the kind. I really really really got upset over this. I would never have predicted crying over the internets and internet happenings, and yet last night I totally was. I was completely distraught. I realized if Jane wasn't here, I really didn't care about being here anymore.
And yall are an integral part of my day... so in some respects it was a weird and creepy realization.
That being said, I highly advise "counting the cost" w/r/t e-shenanigans. If this community means something to you then respect it. I plan to a lot more, now that I know how much it means to me. In some ways I'm glad this happened. It helped me understand myself, and what is important to me, a little better.
At any rate Mirka the cookies offer totally stands. As a thank you.
THATS SO +3 STILETTO DUDE
I'm just kidding about the dunce caps, gah. I'm not killing any fatted calf though, for sure.
GETTING SENT TO THE GRAVEYARD IN WORLD OF WARCRAFT AND RUNNING TO YOUR GRAVE SITE SO YOU MAY BE RESURRECTED!
Gordon Blackstone Foreva
...so I guess I'd be willing to accept fascism, as long as I get to wear knee socks.
le Moon
Thank you very much, Mirka. I'm just as pleased with fact that the bans have been made suspensions as I am with the fact that the line of communication between the users and the admins of this site remains very open. This is the ideal outcome of the situation.
If it's not consensual, it's not moral. Ever.
I don't agree about the dunce caps. One of my favorite stories is the Prodigal Son. They didn't shame him or make him wear a dunce cap, they threw a giant party and killed the fatted calf for him. I am so happy that Mirka was merciful, i would like to bake her a batch of cookies, she can pick the kind. I really really really got upset over this. I would never have predicted crying over the internets and internet happenings, and yet last night I totally was. I was completely distraught. I realized if Jane wasn't here, I really didn't care about being here anymore.
And yall are an integral part of my day... so in some respects it was a weird and creepy realization.
That being said, I highly advise "counting the cost" w/r/t e-shenanigans. If this community means something to you then respect it. I plan to a lot more, now that I know how much it means to me. In some ways I'm glad this happened. It helped me understand myself, and what is important to me, a little better.
At any rate Mirka the cookies offer totally stands. As a thank you.
Thank you everyone for being supportive even though I know many were angry about this. It probably never should have happened. I should have posted in the admin forum and let the staff make the decision as a group.
I wanted to quote you because what you say is true, it means a lot if people show respect for this community. I DO know it's been a huge change coming over to Drupal after the ease of the vB platform, but we really are working on it. It's hard to ask for your extended patience, it's hard to navigate the forum, frustrating, really, but know that we care. I'm a forum poster so I completely share the frustration with Drupal, but all I can do is repeat myself and say your continued patience AND support AND feedback are very much appreciated.
I'm uncomfortable with your use of merciful here because I made a mistake and corrected it. It wasn't "mercy" just the acknowledgement that I can make mistakes. I'm principled, but I'm not rigid.
Thank you for the offer of cookies, but I really don't eat cookies. I don't have a sweet tooth at all. But thank you very much.
I find if I can appreciate the little things then when something big happens it knocks me on my ass. -stonecoyote
i too agree about spike
anyone who exploits the site should not easily get a pass
i do feel though that ted was being more mischievous than malicious. however. if the site was mine, he'd have been gone for a long while. but, that being said, i'm glad he'll be back soon. he's one extreme yet funny dude.
jane, i'm glad is back. ironman, i dont really know; never took the time. but i also dont know what he did. all in all, it's really good to see someone say "i was wrong" immediately upon realizing the wrong. that is a show of character. ive made an ass of myself over the years, even here but mostly with friends. but i feel that when you find that you are wrong, that very second, you admit it and apologize. i think that is a show of character. you dont have to eat crow for a damned thing, ever (except a spouse or lover from time to time, maybe), but you do have to show that you know you did wrong and freely admit to it.
youve done that. that's fucking strong, woman. youre a badass and you got love from my section.
hope you have a good night
-kabol
..
The brothers drew first sight of the black child to the north.
The Pride of Flesh
How did a double post occur like 15 minutes later?
drupal.
So ignorant are most landsmen of some of the plainest and most palpable wonders of the world, that without some hints touching the plain facts, historically and otherwise, of the fishery, they might scout at Moby-Dick as a monstrous fable, or still worse and more detestable, a hideous and intolerable allegory.
I think Spike should be banned for good, too. I'm glad Ironman and Jane are coming back. Ironman is a fantastic member of the cult, and is the only person really who consistantly goes out of his way to stay humorous and get himself in trouble for being a bit daft. Now, of course, it can't be admitted he's an exageration of certain qualities, that would shatter the whole illusion, but I think the administration needs to cut Ironman some slack. He's never done anything even remotely malicious on the forums, has only stated that some people obiesly have vaginas, and hilariously embued Frank with the mystical qualities of a divine tyrant known only to mortals as The She-Male. Ironman IS the greatest member of the cult, and provides far more entertainment than any other folks around these parts. Ironman is to me what Jane is to Lofi. Also, Jane is the only person who has any idea how to play Questions.
Thank you.
Look who got the first reply in, surprise surprise.
Also, that was a hugely obnoxious little post. "Thank you." Eurgh. Mirka here posts this and your reply is to one-up her? "Oh yes, thank you, that's what I wanted you to do." Snitching little cretin.
Thanks, Mirka. I think this is a good resolution all around, and I appreciate your willingness to reconsider and talk it over with the other admins.
Earlier this evening, Gordon Blackstone.
But let me guess, you got upper-decked?
-Ironman.
Look who got the first reply in, surprise surprise.
Also, that was a hugely obnoxious little post. "Thank you." Eurgh. Mirka here posts this and your reply is to one-up her? "Oh yes, thank you, that's what I wanted you to do." Snitching little cretin.
I wasn't one-upping her, and I wasn't the one who snitched on them, so you can shut your fucking mouth. You're the only one who thinks that, so I don't appreciate you repeating it every chance you get. I can't understand how people like Jane, Ted, and Ironman get banned but you get to stay.
"Earlier this evening, Gordon Blackstone. He was banned why? Frank claims I was lying of Tony. Though he will always be with me. For a thought is important no matter what it be. I think Tony Demireo (Life Martyr or for some []/bracketz) will be around for a long time..." -Gordon Blackstone
Well, here's my two cents on Ted (Spike) and Ironman. Feel free to throw back some change.
While I would not condone any tampering or digital vandalism, as it were, I am of the opinion that such acts are sort of to be expected from this particular group of people which is all part of the charm of this community. Did you ever hear that story about the girl that helps the snake cross the road so he won't get squished and then once they get to the other side the snake bites the girl and the girl is like, "Snake, why did you bite me I totally helped you out." and the snake says, "You knew I was a snake when you picked me up."
I am not saying that if I were the web master here that I wouldn't be totally annoyed and pissed off and I'm not saying that we should be some completely chaotic, anything goes mod-less world but we are what we are. I mean, you know...Fight Club and what not.
So, that's all I have to say about that. K thanx.
GETTING SENT TO THE GRAVEYARD IN WORLD OF WARCRAFT AND RUNNING TO YOUR GRAVE SITE SO YOU MAY BE RESURRECTED!
Gordon Blackstone Foreva
...so I guess I'd be willing to accept fascism, as long as I get to wear knee socks.
le Moon
Bess, thats pretty good. As a mod thats how I tend to treat this place. It's not until I actually feel like someone is taking it too far or when someone comes to me about a matter that I do something about it.
MANUARY: Or how I'm growing a mustache to fight prostate cancer
Donation Link http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/Events/FriendsampFamily-NHO?pg=fund&fr...
hey, bess. i do agree, that's a fair point of thought, but my change back is that i dont see chuck who didnt write so much as device the fight club story as a man who'd walk up to a stranger and headbutt him or steal a person's mail or call in a bomb threat on a credit card company.
then again, to me fight club is a love story more than anything
my one cent
-kabol
.
The brothers drew first sight of the black child to the north.
The Pride of Flesh
Look who got the first reply in, surprise surprise.
Also, that was a hugely obnoxious little post. "Thank you." Eurgh. Mirka here posts this and your reply is to one-up her? "Oh yes, thank you, that's what I wanted you to do." Snitching little cretin.
I wasn't one-upping her, and I wasn't the one who snitched on them, so you can shut your fucking mouth. You're the only one who thinks that, so I don't appreciate you repeating it every chance you get. I can't understand how people like Jane, Ted, and Ironman get banned but you get to stay.
to be honest, that 'thank you' post made me feel the exact same way alex did. i dont know anything about the snitching or what have you as ive not bee around, but that post, in addition to your general demeanor towards this whole affair, gave me the impression of an exasperated smug annoying little fucker.
take that with a grain of salt, though.
oh, alex getting banned is retarded. i dont understand how anyone can actually think that.
i too agree about spike
anyone who exploits the site should not easily get a pass
i do feel though that ted was being more mischievous than malicious. however. if the site was mine, he'd have been gone for a long while. but, that being said, i'm glad he'll be back soon. he's one extreme yet funny dude.
jane, i'm glad is back. ironman, i dont really know; never took the time. but i also dont know what he did. all in all, it's really good to see someone say "i was wrong" immediately upon realizing the wrong. that is a show of character. ive made an ass of myself over the years, even here but mostly with friends. but i feel that when you find that you are wrong, that very second, you admit it and apologize. i think that is a show of character. you dont have to eat crow for a damned thing, ever (except a spouse or lover from time to time, maybe), but you do have to show that you know you did wrong and freely admit to it.
youve done that. that's fucking strong, woman. youre a badass and you got love from my section.
hope you have a good night
-kabol
..
You're wonderful, thank you.
I find if I can appreciate the little things then when something big happens it knocks me on my ass. -stonecoyote
Look who got the first reply in, surprise surprise.
Also, that was a hugely obnoxious little post. "Thank you." Eurgh. Mirka here posts this and your reply is to one-up her? "Oh yes, thank you, that's what I wanted you to do." Snitching little cretin.
I wasn't one-upping her, and I wasn't the one who snitched on them, so you can shut your fucking mouth. You're the only one who thinks that, so I don't appreciate you repeating it every chance you get. I can't understand how people like Jane, Ted, and Ironman get banned but you get to stay.
to be honest, that 'thank you' post made me feel the exact same way alex did. i dont know anything about the snitching or what have you as ive not bee around, but that post, in addition to your general demeanor towards this whole affair, gave me the impression of an exasperated smug annoying little fucker.
take that with a grain of salt, though.
oh, alex getting banned is retarded. i dont understand how anyone can actually think that.
I think he left already. He said so in P.A. Cor quits too much to get banned. He's a slippery little fucker that way.
I find if I can appreciate the little things then when something big happens it knocks me on my ass. -stonecoyote
i dont believe letter guy is actually going to leave. but if he is gone, id like to say that i never liked him and have always found him insufferably boring and exhausting. usually rude, too. like the second post of this thread, for example.
also, i think hes a strange infatuation with alexa that ive always found a bit uncomfortable.
Look who got the first reply in, surprise surprise.
Also, that was a hugely obnoxious little post. "Thank you." Eurgh. Mirka here posts this and your reply is to one-up her? "Oh yes, thank you, that's what I wanted you to do." Snitching little cretin.
I wasn't one-upping her, and I wasn't the one who snitched on them, so you can shut your fucking mouth. You're the only one who thinks that, so I don't appreciate you repeating it every chance you get. I can't understand how people like Jane, Ted, and Ironman get banned but you get to stay.
to be honest, that 'thank you' post made me feel the exact same way alex did. i dont know anything about the snitching or what have you as ive not bee around, but that post, in addition to your general demeanor towards this whole affair, gave me the impression of an exasperated smug annoying little fucker.
take that with a grain of salt, though.
oh, alex getting banned is retarded. i dont understand how anyone can actually think that.
I think he left already. He said so in P.A. Cor quits too much to get banned. He's a slippery little fucker that way.
I have begged to be banned in the past and you've never done it! I think I'm just your favourite. :D
i dont believe letter guy is actually going to leave. but if he is gone, id like to say that i never liked him and have always found him insufferably boring and exhausting. usually rude, too. like the second post of this thread, for example.
also, i think hes a strange infatuation with alexa that ive always found a bit uncomfortable.
This from the I like you guy?! My god. People grow on you here, I think. I used to despise Phil (it was mutual too), but now I find him charming.
I find if I can appreciate the little things then when something big happens it knocks me on my ass. -stonecoyote
Look who got the first reply in, surprise surprise.
Also, that was a hugely obnoxious little post. "Thank you." Eurgh. Mirka here posts this and your reply is to one-up her? "Oh yes, thank you, that's what I wanted you to do." Snitching little cretin.
I wasn't one-upping her, and I wasn't the one who snitched on them, so you can shut your fucking mouth. You're the only one who thinks that, so I don't appreciate you repeating it every chance you get. I can't understand how people like Jane, Ted, and Ironman get banned but you get to stay.
to be honest, that 'thank you' post made me feel the exact same way alex did. i dont know anything about the snitching or what have you as ive not bee around, but that post, in addition to your general demeanor towards this whole affair, gave me the impression of an exasperated smug annoying little fucker.
take that with a grain of salt, though.
oh, alex getting banned is retarded. i dont understand how anyone can actually think that.
I think he left already. He said so in P.A. Cor quits too much to get banned. He's a slippery little fucker that way.
I have begged to be banned in the past and you've never done it! I think I'm just your favourite. :D
You're in my top five, that's for sure. I believe in will power. If you want to be banned, than you just log out and don't come back. Though I did agree to ban you if you went back to school.
I find if I can appreciate the little things then when something big happens it knocks me on my ass. -stonecoyote
I asked to get banned once 'cause I couldn't stop myself being such a dick in a bad situation, Mirka did it for me then, it really made a difference too, I appreciated it a lot.
I think all this is very commendable. After some of the heat you took for it I'm really surprised that apart from that one time you kept your head, I'd have been a total cry baby about it. Very cool stuff.
i dont believe letter guy is actually going to leave. but if he is gone, id like to say that i never liked him and have always found him insufferably boring and exhausting. usually rude, too. like the second post of this thread, for example.
also, i think hes a strange infatuation with alexa that ive always found a bit uncomfortable.
This from the I like you guy?! My god. People grow on you here, I think. I used to despise Phil (it was mutual too), but now I find him charming.
Yes, and I kept quiet throughout this whole affair because I didn't want to stir any shit up. I think you're quite a charmer yourself. But I still think Ironman should just be banned because his infatuation with me creeps me out.
Also, I should specify that although I don't like taking sides when something like this happens, I do think that pointblank telling someone that they're overreacting or being too emotional is the worst way to go about changing their minds. That's why I admire Giggan so much for his thread. It was the gentlemanly thing to do.
I asked to get banned once 'cause I couldn't stop myself being such a dick in a bad situation, Mirka did it for me then, it really made a difference too, I appreciated it a lot.
I think all this is very commendable. After some of the heat you took for it I'm really surprised that apart from that one time you kept your head, I'd have been a total cry baby about it. Very cool stuff.
It was quite ghastly at times, but it comes with the territory. ;)
I find if I can appreciate the little things then when something big happens it knocks me on my ass. -stonecoyote
i dont believe letter guy is actually going to leave. but if he is gone, id like to say that i never liked him and have always found him insufferably boring and exhausting. usually rude, too. like the second post of this thread, for example.
also, i think hes a strange infatuation with alexa that ive always found a bit uncomfortable.
This from the I like you guy?! My god. People grow on you here, I think. I used to despise Phil (it was mutual too), but now I find him charming.
Yes, and I kept quiet throughout this whole affair because I didn't want to stir any shit up. I think you're quite a charmer yourself. But I still think Ironman should just be banned because his infatuation with me creeps me out.
Everyone's opinion is welcome, always. Though of course reasonable and polite arguments work better. Though I can't point fingers, I was rude and curt at times instead of helpful.
I find if I can appreciate the little things then when something big happens it knocks me on my ass. -stonecoyote
i dont believe letter guy is actually going to leave. but if he is gone, id like to say that i never liked him and have always found him insufferably boring and exhausting. usually rude, too. like the second post of this thread, for example.
also, i think hes a strange infatuation with alexa that ive always found a bit uncomfortable.
This from the I like you guy?! My god. People grow on you here, I think. I used to despise Phil (it was mutual too), but now I find him charming.
Yes, and I kept quiet throughout this whole affair because I didn't want to stir any shit up. I think you're quite a charmer yourself. But I still think Ironman should just be banned because his infatuation with me creeps me out.
Everyone's opinion is welcome, always. Though of course reasonable and polite arguments work better. Though I can't point fingers, I was rude and curt at times instead of helpful.
Rudeness is part of human communication. Actually, when I first saw your reply to Moonie, I didn't think, "How vertiginously rude!" I just said to myself, "Woah, Mirka's pissed off." That made it easier for me to just sit out on this one.
Thing is, having loads of people e-shouting at you is almost as difficult as being shouted at in real life. It produces the same nauseating effect, and I know I've been upset once or twice over internet squibbles. So while I think your reaction to Moonie's post wasn't as rude as people make it out to be (and you got waaay more lambasted), at the same time it's nice to see that we can all apologize to each other even though we actually barely know one another.
Phil, I think that the one thing that we can learn from incidents like this is that to say "we actually barely know each other," as a group, isn't always true.
Just because it's the internet doesn't mean it's fake. It's like what Alex said, it's neither real life nor is it fake. It's a combination of the two, an entirely new category that we're all lucky enough to be helping forge.
[Ironman] 4:13 pm: SHUUT UP you non jewish jane!
Phil, I think that the one thing that we can learn from incidents like this is that to say "we actually barely know each other," as a group, isn't always true.
Just because it's the internet doesn't mean it's fake. It's like what Alex said, it's neither real life nor is it fake. It's a combination of the two, an entirely new category that we're all lucky enough to be helping forge.
No, I just meant that most of us haven't actually met each other. That was bad phrasing. And I call myself a writer.
Phil, I think that the one thing that we can learn from incidents like this is that to say "we actually barely know each other," as a group, isn't always true.
Just because it's the internet doesn't mean it's fake. It's like what Alex said, it's neither real life nor is it fake. It's a combination of the two, an entirely new category that we're all lucky enough to be helping forge.
oddly enough, im doing a year long research project on this exact topic, social interaction using the internet i mean. very cool stuff, really, the way sociabilitys evolved into this strange world we're currently a part of.
also, glad to have you back, jane.
Copyright 2008 - A Writers Cult, LLC
Joined: 2003-02-27
From: Ready for Anything