Things that are making you crabbit!

It's great that you stirred up discussion but the way in which you went about it doing was far from the most efficient, and it ended up shutting you out from the discussion in the long run. Stirring up trouble isn't good for anything except popcorn-munching from the sidelines, but I'm not going to tell anyone that they can or can't do it. However, if you want to engage in discussion, then I'll point out if I think you could go about it better.

Also, if you couldn't even wait 24 hours for a response, then you did not "make every effort" to communicate privately.

It was quite clear why they had banned me Eldo- whatever else they may say now they would also have to have mysteriously accidently barred two other accounts without informing why or enforcing their own forums three strikes and you ae out policy- all my accounts got zero strikes- and accidently deleted several posts from other people. But if they choose to unban me I am happy to let bygones be bygones for the sake of getting on with proper debate of the issues.

And I think my method was spectacularly efficient-if I had not taken the strong arm approach and not giving up attitiude I doubt the mods would ever have conntacted me at all or that the discussion on freedom of speech, however it turns out, would have taken place at all-and I dont have to be in the debate- I told you I am not out to impress anyone- that a debate has started and goes on without me is fine and healthier than it was when I arrived.

Eldorion wrote:It's great that you stirred up discussion but the way in which you went about it doing was far from the most efficient, and it ended up shutting you out from the discussion in the long run. Stirring up trouble isn't good for anything except popcorn-munching from the sidelines, but I'm not going to tell anyone that they can or can't do it. However, if you want to engage in discussion, then I'll point out if I think you could go about it better.

Also, if you couldn't even wait 24 hours for a response, then you did not "make every effort" to communicate privately.

Amen. I agree with Eldo all the way.

Um, maybe you don't realize this, but most forums don't allow people to register multiple accounts. Your "friends" didn't get any "strikes" because it is most forums' policy to ban duplicate accounts on sight.

Also, let me just clarify that I think they were wrong to ban you initially and I don't think that what you posted was inappropriate. However, when you go to another forum looking for trouble - which you clearly did - and without regard for their norms you should expect to be banned. Acting all shocked and outraged about it is just disingenuous.

As for why I called your approach inefficient, it is because there was a good chance they'd just delete your thread wholesale. That they've left it open for further discussion is great, but it would have been better to approach TORn diplomatically from the beginning and - if you felt people were coming down on you unfairly nonetheless, which they likely would have - point that you in a respectful manner.

As you point out yourself Eldo when you thought I was just going there to see how quick I could get banned you were happy to munch your popcorn on the sidelines- yet when, once there, I saw an opportunity to open up a genuine debate on freedom of expression you turn against it. I can understand you not aproving of the method but not why you condone the popcorn munching approach and not the serious debate.
To say I am acting all shocked is frankly offensive Eldo. I had never been on ToR before, only heard reports from others on here, so when in the situation of being actually confornted with the actual censorship there I acted genuinely and as I would at any time. To accuse me of 'acting' shocked and outraged is extremely disingeniuos on your part, I was shocked and I was offended and I made a stance on something I passionatly believe in, peoples right to express their ideas and I did not back down from that. And I make no apoligies for doing so.

I didn't say that I disapproved of trying to raise a discussion about TORn's attitudes, Petty. I said that I thought you approached the topic in an unproductive way. I already explained this so I'm not sure why you're still stuck on this point.

On the matter of being shocked, you'll have to forgive me for assuming that someone who said "I signed up to ToR to see how long it would take me to get booted or start a war" expected to be banned fairly soon.

Fairly soon not immediately and for just airing an opinion at all-I had not been led to believe it was as bad as it was. When they clealry closed me down simply for having a differing opinion that was another matter. And of course I forgive you Eldo , this is Fourmnshire after all- we can disagree about the methods I used but hopefully agree that any debate on the matter over there which results can only be a good thing.

I dont get all this pussy footing around the people at TORn, who gives a monkeys whether Petty called their opinions idiotic, the opinions were idiotic full stop. why is it so important to not offend them when they are free to offend Petty? They should be able to reply to Pettys discourse without mummy holding their hand. I dont get all this hand wringing its weirding me out. I dont get that this has started discord between us here, if that happens and people start taking sides we are finished here. Its Pettys decision to go to TORn and post so its not fair to critisize him. I refuse to let them at TORn win by sowing their flim flam crap here.
call a spade a spade and say your mind theres too much dancing around for my liking.

So I'm reading this infamous thread and they're talking about possible infringement of the US constitution? Smooth intro thread Petty, smoooth...

Discord here is the last thing I want-I'm hoping to help cure them not bring the malady here to trouble us.
I will happily never go near the place again if its what needed to keep the peace here.

What we need here is a bit of Wisey's Channiling to give us all back some persepctive.

Glad you appreciate its sutbltlies Ally -dont know what else folk would have expected of me.

sorry if I exagerated a bit about discord, I got a bit Northern there for a minute, a bit stompy hob-nailed boots, sorry wont happen again.

we do need a bit of Channelin though to smooth the savage breasticles what!

Mrs Figg wrote:why is it so important to not offend them when they are free to offend Petty?

For me it comes down to wanting to be the better person and for wanting to respect other people's wishes in their own "home", even if I disagree with them. I'd rather do that then respond in kind to someone who I think is misguided in their attitude towards disagreement.

I'm not sure it's discord here so much as a discussion of method. We all know Petty and love him just as he is, only trying to point out that they don't love him yet so it would've been best to pussy foot his way around at first.

it's like asking someone out on a damn date. Folks are so friggin' skittish. Just the way the world is.

Not all Mrs Figgs- you were right some small discord was in the air and it should not, nor need not be there. Not over this certainly.
And Halfwise I will have you know I failed pussy-footing at school Z-.
Eldo - I would normally agree with you but for me it also depends whose house. If its the house of someone who I then find out is racist or abusive o denies others the right to free speech my repsect for them and their house is gone.

What I need is a buckie under the tree, anyones welcome to join.

If someone offends people I care about I give them a mental slap, it probably makes me a lesser person, but it sure makes me feel good. Maybe its a Northern thing, I was always taught to fight back, to have the courage of my convictions and to follow them kicking and biting if need be. It may not be the subtlest method but it feels honest and straight forward to me.
There is still a warrior spirit lurking within the breast of an Englishman, beware those who try to hurt the ones we care for, and that goes double for Scotshobbits, they are even scarier when provoked.

We share much the same outlook Mrs Figg. And your support has been greatly appreciated throughout.

Still can't get bucky here. Sad. I'll have to crack a damn bud-lite and join you under the tree.

I tried mucking through TORN site, but they drank the gmail kool-aid, nothing's in order, can't figure that crap out...totally browse-proof. Nice to be back in the well ordered fields of forumshire.

It seems a very cumbersome layout they have there- I think spent longer over there trying to figure out how to use the place than I actually did engaged in any debating.
You can sit on this half barrel Halfwise, but Ive measured the contents so no sneaky filling your glass - you choose to be in America where the beer tastes the same as the water thats your own doing!
How can Bud be made any lite'r? Is it a can of air?

Do join Halfwise and I in a drink Mrs Figg. And by that I mean for a drink as I know there has been some confusion because of what results to saying yes to Odo asking people to join him in a jelly.

Pettytyrant101 wrote:
How can Bud be made any lite'r? Is it a can of air?

It's basically carbonated water with a little yeast waved at it. I don't like the stuff but it seems to be as ubiquitous here as Bucky is over there, which is a sad statement on the cultural achievements of this bloomin' country.

I'll say Halfwise? I really should get you a bottle sent over- it cant be that expensive to do. Although I am not responsible for the consequences or medical bills if I do. Nor will I have bail money.

I recommend Ferguson has a taste of Buckie first, like in Ye Olde Medieval times, and if he conks out dont drink it.

Oh he will conk out all right...eventually. Its what happens inbetween can be the trouble.

Hmm...a bottle would be nice but all over in one incendiary paroxysm. I'd gladly pay all costs and shipping for a six pack or dozen or whatever form it comes in. Just have to figure out payment method. I think I see a very unique thing coming on (for the US that is): a Bucky party!

I can't do it any time soon unfortunately, partly because I'm so busy (despite my ongoing presence here) and partly because I don't have air conditioning and summer's coming on. But I'll come back to this. This cultural deprivation must end by God!