When Shutting Up isn't Cowardice

In re the Big Bird's remarks: the other two sites i frequent don't really have this problem--they see a troll, they call it a troll, they shamelessly ridicule the troll, then they ignore him. Problem solved, the troll leaves.

I suspect that most of us here have had occasional lapses into "troll-like behavior.

'Let him who is without sin cast the first stone....'

blatham wrote:

LittleBitty wrote:

ehBeth wrote:

ehBeth wrote:

appear and disappear together.

cha-ching

Would you like to know why? I'd be more than happy to share this information with you. I'm being sincere.

You betcha. bethie's kaching has got my ears to ringing and I can't think straight.

Monte Cargo is my husband. As I have stated before, I've read this board off and on for many years. When I joined several days ago, I thought my husband might wish to participate as well, so I encouraged him to take part in your political forum. We have separate computers but share an IP through a router.

We purposely picked names that were two words; a detail that was overlooked in the witch hunt. The idea was to ease ourselves into this situation as we know how emotionally invested many posters become in their respective message boards. If we wanted to fool you, we'd never have joined or posted at the same time.

We've participated on other boards without any explanation and maintained that zero connection between the two of us for years. I wouldn't be too quick with that pat on that back considering all of the clues we left in this case.

This is information we were more than willing to share, but the accusations flew, first in my husband's direction accusing him of being a return poster under another name, and they continued on until there was open discussion here and we imagine behind the scenes as well.

You yourself blatham had your doubts though and have complimented MC whether you agreed with him or not. Unlike the the little emotional wreck I appeared to be days ago, I can promise you that many of you are wrong about my education, my husband's whereabouts prior to this time, and how we truly interact on a message board.

I've had a difficult time of it, but I've kept my husband off of this particular thread as he was less than impressed with what was said here. That, and I fight my own battles.

We thought that if I chose a rather ridiculous looking avatar and name, coupled with sounding naive and emotional, that I wouldn't be perceived as any sort of threat as my husband comes on rather strong. The amazing thing is the least tolerant group is this political forum. I've posted for far too many years on political issues to be that sensitive!

So, in conclusion, it is clear that you need to change your rules. You need to state that husbands and wives cannot join at the same time and enjoy any sort of positive experience. You need to add that all newcomers will be subjected to labels such as trolls, uneducated, etc. You need to share how quick you are to judge, and how quick you are to remove yourselves from that same judgment.


We feel sorry for those of you that appear to be too insecure to share your board with any new arrivals. That was a big concern to us... not upsetting the balance that you've achieved here.

If we should decide not to return, a fond adieu to a select few of you that were fun to debate regardless of whether or not you agreed with us on a topic. Tico and roger, your names come to mind right off the top of my head. We hope that you both remain the true gentlemen that you have been to us.

Humankind cannot stand very much reality. ~ T.S. Elliot

LittleBitty wrote:

This is information we were more than willing to share, but the accusations flew, first in my husband's direction accusing him of being a return poster under another name, and they continued on until there was open discussion here and we imagine behind the scenes as well.

You and your husband had the misfortune to arrive in the aftermath of our battle with a particularly persistent multiple-identity troll. As part of its legacy, it has now made many of us suspicious of new members who might, in truth, be its reincarnations. Those suspicions are exacerbated by the generally toothless response of the moderators, which has led some to act in the self-appointed role of watchdogs for the site, vetting new members to determine if they are genuine or merely the reappearance of that virulent troll. It's too bad that, in their understandable zeal to expose this pest, they targeted you and your husband.

LittleBitty wrote:

So, in conclusion, it is clear that you need to change your rules. You need to state that husbands and wives cannot join at the same time and enjoy any sort of positive experience. You need to add that all newcomers will be subjected to labels such as trolls, uneducated, etc. You need to share how quick you are to judge, and how quick you are to remove yourselves from that same judgment.

We feel sorry for those of you that appear to be too insecure to share your board with any new arrivals. That was a big concern to us... not upsetting the balance that you've achieved here.

Newcomers, unfortunately, are not always welcomed here. I know that I encountered some resistance when I first joined. Some people here treat it like high school, and if you're not in the "alpha group," then you're mocked, abused, or ignored. All I can say is that, like high school, we tend to find our niches eventually. I hope that you and your husband will choose to remain here and become valued members of our community.

Well you are a cranky old bastard Cicerone, but you have more than enough good and interesting features to make it worth the trouble.

I suspect that most of us here have had occasional l;apses into "troll-like behavior.

'Let him who is without sin cast the first stone....'

It is nice to be described as bright and possibly fun, but I don't appreciate having my intelligent and very intellectually endowed wife being described as being uneducated.

If a poster debates from a thoughtful perspective, the response is reasoned discourse, but, frankly, if I'm going to get flamed, there will be scorch marks at the edges of my replies.

<sigh>


Sure don't take much to entertain some folks (emoticon removed in the interest of good taste)

Lemme see if I get it:

It doesn't matter what the other person did, because responding to trolls only makes them grow larger.

And doing it in this thread is double plus ironic

Cycloptichorn

Hey, I resemble that remark.