Please bear with me. This message is very long, and has two other posts copied within it, as well.
Anyway, Poet, you are definitely challenging my integrity by continuing your insinuation that I ban posters for political reasons. And if you persist in doing so, I will absolutely consider it a personal attack. So be warned. I am sorry to have to bring this issue to a head, but you have said so many unfair things in posts on this thread recently that I really must object.
I am not sure what is going wrong here with your perceptions or your memory, but I am concerned because your posts are inaccurate and disturbing. Regarding Ben Wobbles specifically, this is the post that finally got him banned:
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To: Grainne who wrote (89310) 11/23/2004 2:18:36 AM
From: BenWobbles Read Replies (1) of 90186
Because we can survive without eating animals does not mean that we should or that there is any moral superiority in those who do not eat meat.
And "Omnivore" does not mean "....that they can survive without eating meat".
This is the actual definition.
omnivore
n 1: a person who eats all kinds of foods 2: an animal that feeds on both animal and vegetable substances
The simple fact is that you are a hysterical fool who made a statement with the goal of stirring the pot. There was one gun between the eight "hunters" who were shot (6 of which were killed). I'm sure that the animal right's advocate that you are supporting so vehemently will appreciate the love letters that you send him while he rots in prison. I expect it will be a very meaningful relationship for you.
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Okay, now please observe that he called me an hysterical fool. That is name calling, and whether he called me or another poster at Feelies that, I would respond in exactly the same way. This was after other posts of his that were hostile.
Ben Wobbles actually sent me a private message this morning and stated that I could share it publicly, so I will. I would like to thank him for doing that. It was totally unsolicited--I don't know him at all--and shows that he is a fair-minded person and a very good sport. I really appreciate that, and would say again that I really don't enjoy banning posters, and that if he is willing to follow the terms of use at Feelies, he would be welcome back.
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To: Grainne 11/30/2004 12:17:33 PM
From: BenWobbles
I consider your banning of me to be completely justified. I still hold the opinions that I did when I posted them, but consider your response to me to be reasonable.
you are welcome to post the content of this PM in response to any questions about why I was banned.
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Okay, now on to your other charge, which is as follows:
"The fact remains that you made, IMO, an extraordinarily offensive post about our troops and, after having been called out it by a number of people, responded by booting some of them from this thread."
What on earth are you talking about here? There was a disagreement, but it was about hunters and deer, not troops. I am really wondering if we are even operating in the same reality. Everyone is entitled to express their opinion of any post, including mine, and many people did. Absolutely none of them were "booted" for doing that.
And then your other accusation:
"When the argument continued elsewhere-- in your name-- and it was pointed out to you (by me) that it was going on--again in your name-- your decision to dismiss it was, IMO, irresponsible."
I have said this before, and I will say it again. I have no control over what posters say on other threads. I don't have anyone in my corner going around SI defending me. I think it would be manipulative and presumptive of me to do that. I do not even know Graystone, specifically, although I have long been an admirer of his posts. This is is a free country. I don't post on other threads, and I don't read them, but I believe strongly in freedom of speech, and these posters were exercising theirs.
I think it would probably be a good idea for you to reflect on whether you are really willing to follow the Feelies thread rules, because you seem miserably unhappy here and I think it is bringing down the energy of the thread to have you so much on the attack, unfairly so. All kinds of people are at least trying to get along in a reasonably polite way here, and I expect you to try, as well. I really do enjoy your poetry. |
