I see no need to bury this down in a lower thread. I'm not going to try and recap or defend the post I made that was deleted. It was a response to what I took as a significant personal attack (and I believe it was intended as such). At the same time my response was somewhat extreme (I believe thermonuclear was used elsewhere). I'm not going to try and use his attack to justify mine...

It simply was uncalled for and crossed a line better left intact.

However his points have some validity. As a stone cold alpha male I wage war with the best of em. But at the same time once you've ceased hostilities it's prudent to review the carnage. By the time his post appeared (since he IS moderated) I'd already moved from a stand down (after all it was ment as a "topic" post) back to a readiness mode (mya) then to a "lets see if we can address the core issue" {asherah} to my "OK so you want a fight....well you got a fight" mode. The poor guy walked right into both barrels.......

OUCH

Capital One commercial.  I mean why the hell are you using terms such as "hostilities" "carnage" and "both barrels"

Dude, are you not a happy person?  This website, I thought, should be for providers and hobbiest a like w/ great attitudes and a passion/zest for what they/we do.  

Listen, if you want to live a negative, hateful, spitefull life, then why dont you move to Iraq or Syria.  I'm sure you like their TER boards over there.  

No go and grow up.

But your barking up the wrong tree. I'm one of the happiest most well adjusted people you'll ever meet. I love life ,women and hobbying. For the most part I mind my own business here....

nice..  i mind my own business too.  However, when some of the providers and or hobbiests express there dismay and anger over some of your comments, well, then that is sad. there is absoluty zero need for any flames to be thrown by you or anyone else towards the providers and or any hobbiests... life is to short for that nonsense...

Ok, im done...



later....

"dismay & anger" over. Realistically my comments on a single provider regarding what I consider a very legitimate topic. Then all of a sudden I'm a "bad egg"....remember they didnt attack my comments or opinion...they attacked me. And when I tried to move on they continued the harrassment.

So basically the various factions attempted to create a simple standard....say what we consider to be PC as it relates to "our" interests....or face ongoing relentless attacks till you shut up or move on.

As others here have pointed out there is an amazing double standard. One provider gets a bad review and the whole community is up in arms. Another gets a similiar review and its jumped on and publicized. A third gets a poor review and its convieniently ignored.

So its "OK" to be rude, crude and disprespectful to some of our community...but only those who arent deemed worthy. Crusify somebody like me who will look you in the eye and tell you my thoughts to your face....but support those who hide behind pillow cases and burn crosses in the dark (thats right where I rate those who use an alias).....

I'm out also...

I'm gone for a day, and I come back to a kinder and gentler Hacker!  Wow!!

Seriously, it appears to me that gradually everyone is going to "get it", like Hacker has, and we'll have a more civilized discourse.

HOWEVER, Hacker, I have to disagree with something you've said.  To paraphrase, you believe in trying to de-escalate confrontations here, but if others don't do the same, you'll come out swinging.  

If you really want to be a civilized person and a respected leader, sometimes you have to let things roll off your back.  That's not weakness--it's actually a sign of maturity.  (This is apart from the fact that people get tired of hearing from the same people every day!)

So, to everyone, let's remember that if someone says something that offends you, or you think is wrong, STOP and think before responding.  Ask yourself whether you must respond, and whether there's any use in doing so.  Remember, if nobody replies to an inapproriate remark, the writer will experience a "virtual shunning"...as though we collectively turned our backs on him/her.  Probably a much more powerful response than flaming back!

Respect.

But I will hold myself accountable for my actions. I actually do read the "other guys" {or gals} responses. If I feel a valid points been made I'll recognize it.

From my perspective I am "civilized"...This flare up is primarily based on my comments regarding Asherah. Those comments were valid in the sense that they are my opinions and well within the scope and purpose of this board. I have no issue with you or anyone else objecting, countering or "slamming" me specific to that opinion. However, all you need to do is go back and read the threads to see it quickly devolved to a general attack on my character etc. As I tried to "move on" this course of action persisted and IMO escalated. By the time we hit the "Best Reviewer" thread {which I still feel is a very valid topic} I'd had enough.

It was clear from the very 1st posts that some folks wanted to pick a fight...so they got one. By the time northdaks post popped up I was simply done being nice. So he got hammered...plain and simple. When I read his comments to Jeff I felt that he was fundementally correct in the sense that my response went beyond what we want here on this board...hence this thread.

I'm not bucking to be a leader....respected or otherwise. I have an opinion...one among many. If that opinion is "attacked" I will continue to try and defend it in what I consider to be a fair and rational manner (my no rant just reason & responses to you in the review thread are examples). If I continue to be attacked simply for being here....well I'll continue to hit back. However I will certainly restrain from "going nuclear" again. Inflicting that type of damage is inappropriate and I recognize it as such.

On the other hand I'm not going to "conceed the field" while the fur is flying. To do so simply encourages this continued bullying we've been seeing. If people believe a tactic works they'll keep it up. If they percieve a high price might be extracted they will contemplate a different course of action.

In the end the bottom line is northdak caught the brunt of something he didnt start. Would he have been better of steering clear....yup. Did he deserve what he got....NO.

Cool picture, dude!  Where did you get it?

Please use it in a sentence!

How the hell does that help reduce the risk of detection?  My damn hand acting like a freaking out of control harmonic oscillator always gives me away.  How does a hole in my pocket help?

Great, now I'll be thinking of this all day.  Just effing great.  I'll have to draw a diagram, come up with a hypothesis, then get arrested after testing the hypothesis.  Yeah, all in the name of science.  Damn!

a Pornstick, and what's with the juxtaposition of Satan and Mr. Rogers?  Haven't we had enough flaming without disparaging my hero?  There are very few things people believe in any more, and besides, we shouldn't be insulting each others' values and beliefs.

What did Satan ever do to you, Pornstick?  Leave him out of this!