And Bob (are you listening?)
Yes, I am. I've added two bookmarks today.
Okay, here's the deal:
YYB, I don't think you need to go through all the effort you're volunteering, but it is sincerely appreciated.
All I will do is keep these threads bookmarked for a while and keep up with all the posts until I feel confident the threads continue without profanity, personal attacks, or anything that can be construed as threatening. As far as I'm concerned, it's a clean slate. Which is just as well, since it'd be impossible to determine who threw the first sideways glance that started it all.
That's all I care about. There's nothing wrong with arguing, even if it's a heated argument. In this venue, though, personal attacks and vulgarity shouldn't become substitutes for intelligent discourse.
Anyone, before you hit the "Submit" button on the latest passionately scathing missive you've fired off, ask yourself "Am I attacking/refuting this person's opinions or am I attacking the person him/herself?". If it's the latter, go back and edit.
Sitting on that side of the screen, it's easy to say "We're all adults and can handle calling each other idiots and anyone who doesn't want to see it doesn't have to read it.", but as happens time and time again, mild personal attacks lead to increasingly stronger personal attacks, and eventually to nothing but attacks. And worse. And I get treated to "He/she/they started it" sung in two different keys.
One more thing: I generally do not like to bookmark a thread or a person and read everything that's written. Not only would it be impossible to do it for the whole site, it smacks too much of "Big Brother". I don't need to be looking over any shoulders.
For this reason, it is important that instead of responding to a serious personal attack with another, it be reported to me instead. With a link. There's a de facto statute of limitations and if you assume I've already seen the post or that someone else has reported it, you could be wrong.
Regards,
SI Admin (Bob) |
