an open letter revisited

[nostatic]

I closed the open letter thread. Sadly, it became an example of exactly what is wrong with this place (imho, and in the opinion of quite a few others). I also just closed the "50% believe in WMD.." thread. It had descended into a "liar liar pants on fire" debacle from both sides!

ENOUGH!

It has been requested by some people here who I consider moderate (interestingly, left and right) that a more proactive approach be taken. I am somewhat loathe to do that, but I will now not hesitate to close a thread that degenerates into a pissing contest or name calling. And "stupid ruthless neocons" and "lying fascist liberals" is name calling...even if *you* believe it to be redundant and the truth handed down from on high.

Let's get back to bikinis, weird photos, and other nonsense. If you want to talk politics or religion, fine but keep it civil. Be forewarned that the tolerance level for nasty tone/language on political and religious threads has been lowered. If you wouldn't say it to someone's face, maybe think twice about typing it here. And for god's sake, try to see the humor in things.

Carry on...

[fintstone]

Sounds great...if applied fairly. But your decription of the WMD thread makes me believe that it is unlikely.

[cool_chick]

Fint, stop already. C'mon. Have a little respect.

[fintstone]

He mischaracterized it to suit his purpose. He disrespected the honest posters. I respect Todd a great deal, but when he is wrong....he is wrong. When a conservative screws up in a post...he is called out...but when a liberal does...everyone was equally bad.

[Moneyguy1]

cool..that will never happen...It's fint's way or the highway.

Sorry, Todd.......It has to be said at the get-go before we have a carbon copy of the last failed effort at civility.

[cool_chick]

Dude, you quoted the same post multiple times over hours with insults to bait a poster into continuing an argument. Todd's right to close it.

He's implementing this rule now, and you were the most recent offender of it, he's got to start.....

[Hugh R]

Gotta agree, there are some really, really entertaining, insightful and funny people here and they are getting drowned out. BTW, I don't think I'm one of them. PPOT is/was very refreshing compared to other sites where people just spew obscenity after obscenity.

[nostatic]

Fint, I'll say this once. Above I said I closed the thread because it had descended into people calling each other liar. Go back and take a look at that thread and tell me that *you* did not repeatedly call others liars. I did not say who started it. I did not say who was right or wrong. I merely pointed out that it reached a point where everyone was just calling each other liars. So I closed it. End of story. You think I was wrong. Fine. People can come to their own conclusions by reading the thread. But I'm done with it and will not argue any more about it.

[fintstone]

Originally posted by Moneyguy1
cool..that will never happen...It's fint's way or the highway.

Sorry, Todd.......It has to be said at the get-go before we have a carbon copy of the last failed effort at civility.

There you go again...your first personal attack under the new rules...will something be done? Nope...but just let Mul do that.

[fintstone]

Originally posted by cool_chick
Dude, you quoted the same post multiple times over hours with insults to bait a poster into continuing an argument. Todd's right to close it...

Never said it was wrong to close it...it was wrong to make all sides equally responsible. When someone blatantly post lies about you...you would tend to press them for a retraction. When the moderator allows such from some posters....you can only expect folks to defend themselves.

[nostatic]

"It's fint's way or the highway"

Ok, who thinks that qualifies as a personal attack?

[cool_chick]

Originally posted by fintstone
Never said it was wrong to close it...it was wrong to make all sides equally responsible. When someone blatantly post lies about you...you would tend to press them for a retraction. When the moderator allows such from some posters....you can only expect folks to defend themselves.

Apparently he's not allowing it for any. The thread's closed...

[fintstone]

Originally posted by nostatic
Fint, I'll say this once. Above I said I closed the thread because it had descended into people calling each other liar. Go back and take a look at that thread and tell me that *you* did not repeatedly call others liars. I did not say who started it. I did not say who was right or wrong. I merely pointed out that it reached a point where everyone was just calling each other liars. So I closed it. End of story. You think I was wrong. Fine. People can come to their own conclusions by reading the thread. But I'm done with it and will not argue any more about it.

The difference is they blatantly lied about me (the evidence is right there in the thread). Then they had the nerve to call me a liar. Of course (much later) I called them on it.

[fintstone]

Originally posted by nostatic
"It's fint's way or the highway"

Ok, who thinks that qualifies as a personal attack?

I do. I don't see any reason why he addressed me (by name) at all...of course it was a personal attack....it was not an attack on all mankind...sheesh.

[Moneyguy1]

fint...Just try to follow the suggestions Todd has laid down. Just for once, try not to shift blame and deny culpability. Your comments on the other thread were in large part the reason the thread was closed.

As for me, I am, from this point on, going to be quite selective in responding to comments meant to inflame and annoy. They resolve nothing and show a cruel and sadistic streak on the part of the instigator.

[Mulhollanddose]

Originally posted by cool_chick
Fint, stop already. C'mon. Have a little respect.

Patronizing instigation.

[nostatic]

there is no foul language. No real insult, at least as most people would define it. Yes, he mentions you by name, so the personal part is there, but I don't quite see the insult.

And he addressed you by name because you had already taken a swipe at me. You essentially said I am incapable of being fair, and will make decisions based on party line. Under your metrics that would be a personal insult. I don't believe that to be a reasonable line in the sand for OT.

[Hugh R]

Never wrestle with a pig in the mud. All you do is get dirty and the pig likes it. Please note I didn't take sides here.

[fintstone]

Well I can only say the you quickly proved me right...and as far as answering your post....you took the first swipe...but I guess that is alright since you moderate. I guess its Nostatics "way or the highway."

[Moneyguy1]

Well, he IS the moderator, isn't he?
ou by name to assure that you will kne comentow to whom th
And, I address ydd y