Off-Topic Forum

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
I didn't really want to make a big deal of this, but apparently you guys have...

-Wayne

I believe we need some Spinal Tappian wisdom here:

DAVID: I do not, for one, think that the problem was that the band was down. I think that the problem may have been...that there was a Stonehenge monument on the stage that was in danger of being crushed by a dwarf. Alright? That tended to understate the hugeness of the object.

IAN: I really think you're just making a much too big thing out of it.

DEREK: Making a big thing out of it would've been a good idea.

IAN: NIGEL gave me a drawing that said eighteen inches. Alright?

DAVID: I know he did, and that's what I'm talking about.

IAN: Now, whether he knows the difference between feet and inches is not my problem. I do what I'm told.

DAVID: But you're not as confused as him are you? I mean it's not your job to be as confused as NIGEL is.

-----
So I think Nigel sent you the email. Of course now the lawyers for Rob Reiner will be calling you any second. Although if we get a continuance until the fall, I'll have our new IP legal clinic program defend us. Viva la fair use!

[DonDavis]

I think some people forget that this is Wayne's site. He can (and WILL) do whatever the hell he wants. He has the right. I, for one, LOVE to see him execute that power from time to time. It flys in the face of those that belly-ache about "Waa-waa-waa, I'm gonna sue!" or "If you do A-B-C.....I'll leave." Fine. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out. Plus, it makes the air a bit cleaner, too.

[island911]

Last I remember, of that thread, was mule called Mongo.

. ..So the mule was threatening legal action? . . . what an ASS.

[350HP930]

Yup, people can do anything they want to with their property but I think the better choice would have been to tell the plaintant DLTDHYITAOYWO instead of caving into their petty demands.

While I see nothing wrong with locking the thread if it crossed some invisible line deleting threads appears too draconian to me.

As with all my other beliefs I will just openly post them here instead of attempting some sort of back channel extortion when I disagree with people's opinions.

[speeder]

Originally posted by 350HP930
Yup, people can do anything they want to with their property but I think the better choice would have been to tell the plaintant DLTDHYITAOYWO instead of caving into their petty demands.

While I see nothing wrong with locking the thread if it crossed some invisible line deleting threads appears too draconian to me.

As with all my other beliefs I will just openly post them here instead of attempting some sort of back channel extortion when I disagree with people's opinions.

Me too. And I understand Wayne's position better now, thank you for that. I agree that this forum is a bit of a luxury, (in that no one in particular is obliged to provide such a thing), but for 99+% of us it is a lot of fun at times. Can't imagine what the thinking of the complaining member was; he will just have to go through life being a twat.

[CamB]

Thanks for clearing up the "why" Wayne.

The only truely interesting part of this thread deletion debacle to me is that the various protaganists who were arguing so vigorously with each other about political issues are now banding together to complain about the person who PM'd Wayne.

So, whatever our political viewpoints, by and large we share two things - a love of Porsches and our displeasure of someone

Wayne - is there a case for creating a sticky setting out a (very, very brief) set of OT rules. I personally feel no subject matter limits (except restricted to PG-13 or so), but the obvious restriction on vicious personal attacks - which it appears were the problem in the Bush TV thread. The nature of debating issues means that some degree of latitude for calling a spade a spade is required.

This just reflects reality, but codifies it. Then moderators can warn etc (I know Z-man has done so before in the eram thread) before banning, and everything should go along just fine?

Todd - I made another thread - I don't want to take this one, er, off topic, but I am desperate to know what those X-Static people are on about, and how and why you got banned.

X-Static thread is here.

(edit long afterwards, cause I can't spell vicious)

[island911]

Originally posted by CamB
. . .
Wayne - is there a case for creating a sticky setting out a (very, very brief) set of OT rules. . . .

NOOOO! more rules means more crying foul.

Besides, poster agrees to the rules outlined for this board.

We don't need more rules. . .sheesh, damn socialists trying to force everyone to get along.

[CamB]

Actually, Island's one post is enough to make me change my view. I nearly didn't post the "rules" bit in the first place. We're all grown up and should be able to respect one another without a set of, err, guiding principles going forward.

[dd74]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

What's also funny (ironic), is that nine times out of ten, the troublemakers are nowhere to be found in my Pelican Parts database (meaning they never spent a dime with me). I'm not stupid - I do check these things all the time...

-Wayne

Hmmm...is there a hidden message in that?

But then, I don't know where TRE buys the parts I have put in my car, either. I don't ask, to be honest.

[Jack Olsen]

Originally posted by JackOlsen
My advice to everyone would be to not participate in the political threads. It never improves things to pick a fight with an idiot.

I've read through this thread, now, and I'd like to 100% retract my 'advice.' The political threads here don't appeal to me, personally (I guess I miss Roland). But clearly there's a tight-knit community of guys here who don't agree on much of anything other than that they should be allowed to argue politics (and other issues) here in OT.

I think that's a good thing.

[ronin]

Jack, you may have said that tongue-in-cheek, (I do agree with you though) but no matter how much or how vehemently we may disagree with anyone here on this board, I am of the firm belief that these guys (and gals!) would be there for me if I really needed help. case in point, remember back just a short month-and-a-half or so ago when Socal was ablaze and the forum was awash in pelicanites willing to extend a helping hand to anyone who needed it? I call that class and integrity, qualities that I am very pleased to be in the company of. ever since I first posted here, I have felt that this was a community of like-minded individuals that are a cut above. the debacle with this whole "deleted thread" thing proves my point, as everyone here pretty much dropped their personal agendas to help solve the problem. something that you probably would not have seen on way too many other forums

[Z-man]

As the 'keeper of the dungeon' (OT Moderator), I guess I should chime in with a few of my points:

- Occasionally, I get a few complaints about some objectionable posts, and typically, they are dealt with quite easily: a warning post here, a short 'take it easy' email there, and the conflict is resolved. Most of us can all 'play nice' when asked to do so.

- Sometimes, a post or user will get out of hand: at that point, some more severe action is required: locking a thread typically resolves it: it allows people to step back, and realize how insignificant OT rantings are compared to the rest of the world. (There is life outside of the internet, you know!)

- When things get really bad, or if I am uncertain how to proceed with an issue, Wayne will get involved. However, my goal as OT moderator here is to keep that to a minimum: he's got a lot more imporant things to worry about! But sometimes, his involvement has more weight than my words or actions: after all, I'm just the OT Dungeonmaster, not the Forum Overlord!

- Do I want the OT Forums removed? No way! While sometimes it's aggravating for me to deal with some of the silliness that goes on, I believe it offers Pelican BBS members an area to post, vent, talk BS about all things NOT cars! If anything, it keeps the tech boards cleaner! Plus, if the OT forum closed, I'd have to go find another dungeon to be master of, and with the economy these days, the dungeon master job market is very soft....

- If you have an issue here in the OT Dungeon, by all means email me: I think I have done a good job of addressing issues: I try to be fair when dealing with issues.

- For me the bottom line is this: This is OT: you are welcome to post your opinions, views, rants...etc. Keep it clean, keep it in perspective, and as long as no one pokes their eye out, we can all have fun!

Ok, sorry for rambling. Your comments are appreciated.

-Zoltan.