Should able2know ban people for having untoward opinions?

I dont see why you think your definition is applied by everyone of your friends here.

There's no need to understand it phil. It's a fact of life. I've got through the defences of a few blokes who claimed to be able to discuss issues disinterestedly. I've had one or two foaming at the mouth. It's all very well discussing matters disinterestedly as long as the issues don't elicit any feelings. People might only go into to social settings to look for opportunities to express more feeling than they can at work or at home.

A better understanding of the "social setting" is what you need in order to be able to feel more at home in one. And it is worth the effort of trying. Blend in.

I have no desire to blend in. I am not a respecter of persons. I spend my time on the net for a single purpose, because I am single. Otherwise, I have too far to go, and so little time.

good thing we're not on a philosophy forum

Your a Zen master, I see.

Please just don't tempt me like that.....

It doesn't for me. Who is to say what "primary intent" means? It can easily be an emotional and subjective definition for those who want it to be.

Who is to say what is off-topic? I consider trawling through mouldy old constitution clauses and Mr Jefferson's letters to quote them in a discussion about teaching evolution in schools today is off topic. But I don't keep moaning about it and going on and on. I read it. If I wasn't prepared to read the posts of others on a thread I wouldn't be on it.

Now I am having an identity crisis. Frill.

Aw dwollie--don't resist so. It ill becomes a lady to resist temptations. Tell me why you think my thumb is green.

Then tell me why it is.

I'll leave the proposed "rule" and schema for implementation to Robert, but it sounds prohibitively complicated to me.

I've read your post a number of times trying to find something in there I agree with. I've failed. First, your can remove me from your list of folks whose opinion (thumb) should have greater value than others. My opinion is worth no more or no less than anyone else and I wouldn't want my opinion to be used in determining the value of another member. I also wouldn't want to be judged by the others on your list as to whether or not I was worthy of a good or bad grade.

Your rant about Hawkeye and your inclusion of Thomas in that rant only goes towards demonstrating that you're the one who can't deal with the folks around you. I think spendi has pretty well nailed your involvement as self-serving rather than being a solution to the problem.

The problem with wannabe white knights is that they tend not to fix the problem, but exacerbate it. The best way to make Hawkeye and Billrm ineffective is by NOT interacting with them. You think that throwing gasoline on the fire will put it out. It never has, and it never will. I know you think you're doing the right thing by coming to the aid of your perceived victims and trying to beat some sense into the --pick your favorite invective name-- but it doesn't WORK. It makes things WORSE.

Yes, we all have people around us we'd rather not associate with. No one says we have to be one big happy family. And it's a damn good thing too, because with the 1000s of folks who come through here every year there's no way you're not going to bump up against the poster or two or twelve who rub you the wrong way. Viva la difference.

How long have you been here? Your thumb is green because it's your post.

I know what you mean by white knights possibly exacerbating a problem. However, I think that the voice of a white knight is needed sometimes.

A2k covers all topics. It just happens to have a philosophy section, mainly due to a philosophy site being merged with this one.

Really? I definitely don't see it.

Well, then where do I buy the stamps?

The stamp machine, but you need correct change.

I have been looking for myself since the 60's, now I have to put that off looking for a stamp machine. Life is just so hard.

The good news is you don't have to lick the stamps. We have those new fangled peel and stick ones with a picture of Elvis on the front.

I seriously need a wife. I could not even stand to look at those stamps.

I already know it's my post. I hadn't noticed my thumb was green until today. I never look at that box. What does it mean? I know I can collapse a thread with it as I do with those I have lost interest in. What does the number mean?