[Mustang1]

An Open Letter,

After witnessing the Lily/Dayseed thread, I’ve got to admit that there seems to be a lot of sanctimonious, pedantic, and hypocritical accusations being promulgated and I’m not sure how some can honestly chastise others for acts they freely initiate and/or participate in. In short, while many cry for moderation (perhaps the thread does need deletion) some need to do some gut checks as well.

I freely admit that I can be antagonistic, abrasive, insulting, elitist and arrogant. I know that I’ve pissed people off and that some hold grudges because they’ve had their feelings hurt, opinions dismissed and arguments dismantled. I take full responsibility for my actions and I am accountable for each and every action that I freely post. In short, I won’t play the victim or rationalize my behaviour, but I don’t know why some feel that their actions are justified when they issue them, but are a travesty when launched by someone else?

I’ve seen many members here insult, bait, lie, cheat and employ questionable tactics against one another. So what? I’ve seen racism, bigotry, sexism, classism, homophobia and other prejudices promulgated and bantered about. Where were the chorus of cries then? I’ve witnessed members’ interrupt and hijack other’s threads for no other reason than to further a personal agenda. Where is the condemnation? I’ve seen countless examples of many here escalate matters by employing passive-aggressive tactics and then crying foul the minute someone responds in kind? Where’s the verdict on that?

I’m no angel and I’m not looking for anything other than for members to understand that they freely (me included) wade into debates/discussions and that their actions should be held in judgement if they feel they can arbitrate others. Unless you’ve got a clean record (not me) then how do you pontificate about fair play, justice, decency and moderation when you’ve just called someone “stupid” or intimated they are “retarded” or announced that so and so is an “asshole”? Unless you’ve got a clean record and conscious, you are a sanctimonious hypocrite. After this little diatribe, I’ve likely moved into that category too.

If Dayseed and Lily want to battle the shit out of each other (there's been worse here than that), that’s their prerogative. I stayed out of their thread as it wasn’t my fight nor could I legitimately offer anything even remotely objective. If you don’t like someone fine. Just say it. All I’m asking is that some of us need to stop masking dislike with a desire for civility.

[SprCForr]

Wow, well said.

I wonder. Is it a "Don't do as I do, do as I say" thing? Or maybe a person thinks they have been victimized, and are therefore entitled to "righteous rage"?

I for one will be hoisting this aboard.

Thanks M1

[Matsu]

A gentleman and a scholar

"Me 'ats off to the Duke"

[RoyalHighlander]

$1:

Unless you’ve got a clean record and conscious, you are a sanctimonious hypocrite

Let he who is with out sin cast the first stone....

Now you see why it isnt easy being a mod on ANY forum/board.. and why folks have to realise that when we do deleet or modify a post its usually with good reason and if you werent there to see all of what transpired please dont chastise us for doing our thank less job

[Patrick_Ross]

Mustang1 Mustang1:

An Open Letter,

After witnessing the Lily/Dayseed thread, I’ve got to admit that there seems to be a lot of sanctimonious, pedantic, and hypocritical accusations being promulgated and I’m not sure how some can honestly chastise others for acts they freely initiate and/or participate in. In short, while many cry for moderation (perhaps the thread does need deletion) some need to do some gut checks as well.

I freely admit that I can be antagonistic, abrasive, insulting, elitist and arrogant. I know that I’ve pissed people off and that some hold grudges because they’ve had their feelings hurt, opinions dismissed and arguments dismantled. I take full responsibility for my actions and I am accountable for each and every action that I freely post. In short, I won’t play the victim or rationalize my behaviour, but I don’t know why some feel that their actions are justified when they issue them, but are a travesty when launched by someone else?

I’ve seen many members here insult, bait, lie, cheat and employ questionable tactics against one another. So what? I’ve seen racism, bigotry, sexism, classism, homophobia and other prejudices promulgated and bantered about. Where were the chorus of cries then? I’ve witnessed members’ interrupt and hijack other’s threads for no other reason than to further a personal agenda. Where is the condemnation? I’ve seen countless examples of many here escalate matters by employing passive-aggressive tactics and then crying foul the minute someone responds in kind? Where’s the verdict on that?

I’m no angel and I’m not looking for anything other than for members to understand that they freely (me included) wade into debates/discussions and that their actions should be held in judgement if they feel they can arbitrate others. Unless you’ve got a clean record (not me) then how do you pontificate about fair play, justice, decency and moderation when you’ve just called someone “stupid” or intimated they are “retarded” or announced that so and so is an “asshole”? Unless you’ve got a clean record and conscious, you are a sanctimonious hypocrite. After this little diatribe, I’ve likely moved into that category too.

If Dayseed and Lily want to battle the shit out of each other (there's been worse here than that), that’s their prerogative. I stayed out of their thread as it wasn’t my fight nor could I legitimately offer anything even remotely objective. If you don’t like someone fine. Just say it. All I’m asking is that some of us need to stop masking dislike with a desire for civility.

I have to respect this. I haven't been Mr. Perfect myself, but I can understand what M1's getting at.
Sometimes shit escalate beyond our control, but that's no excuse. I think we can all do little things to make this forum a better and more constructive place to be. Personally, I'm going to aspire to that.

[Synt4x]

SprCForr SprCForr:

Wow, well said.

I wonder. Is it a "Don't do as I do, do as I say" thing? Or maybe a person thinks they have been victimized, and are therefore entitled to "righteous rage"?

I for one will be hoisting this aboard.

Thanks M1

And ill take this as a heads up, and watch in my future responses what i say.

[deneb]

I think I'm one of the persons targeted by Mustang1 post. I called Dayseed a "fucking retard".

Although I admit it wasn't appropriate, it was in response of a completely unjustified personal attack against Lily. I was pissed at him and I couldn't control myself. My apologies.

However, you must realize that the kind of attacks made by dayseed against lily are completly different from the 2 words insults I made. Even though "fucking retard" is harsh, it was just a way to say "Look, you are being stupid". I never said anything against Dayseed physical condition nor did I ever call him a fat-ass welfare when he was trying to make his point across.

[Patrick_Ross]

deneb deneb:

Although I admit it wasn't appropriate, it was in response of a completely unjustified personal attack against Lily. I was pissed at him and I couldn't control myself. My apologies.

I can kind of understand that myself. On the rap message baord I frequent, I got in a pretty intensive beef with a kid because he was picking on a chick I knew there. Shit happens, but who ever said chivalry is dead?

[ShepherdsDog]

Perhaps we should petition the powers that be to make Mustang1 a moderator. He should also receive the Zen award. Perhaps we should create the "Spock Award" reasoned and logical except for tiny little cracks which are quickly repressed and therefore forgiveable.

[SprCForr]

Mustang1 becoming a mod. Hmmm..I like.
Spock award? Hmmm...I like.

ShepherdsDog is being a typical Army guy. Don't just bitch. Provide a solution.

[SprCForr]

He was stand up enough to acknowledge the bias. So he's not unaware. He wants proof to back up what posters claim. Don't see anything wrong with that. You need to have your facts straight if you are going to have a vaild discussion with him. I don't see that as a fault. He's no post-whore, so that's in his favour. He is educated and writes extremely well (Hell, I wish I could write and debate a tenth as well). His posts are clear and to the point. And yes he is effective a cutting a person to ribbons.

So put him in the harness if he's willing!

Isn't there some saying about the best cops started out as criminals, or some such? (I know I got that waaaayyy wrong).

[ShepherdsDog]

ShepherdsDog is being a typical Army guy. Don't just bitch. Provide a solution.

I was a NWT once upon a time, so I'm not sure how to take this comment

[SprCForr]

It's a good thing.

In the machine it is said that anyone can bitch to your pals and that helps no one. If you want to bitch to the boss you have to have a solution to the problem and that might help everyone.

[Regina]

lily lily:

I wouldn't want to see Mustang as a mod. No offense, but he has a "history" with too many people to be seen as unbiased.

He admits as much in his post above.

The only history I've seen is that he expects someone to respond with facts other than bogus web sites on the internet. That seems to piss off the link whores around here to no end.
We're not splitting atoms here.

[Stellar]

Yes M1 is an awesome writer and whether he would like to be a moderator or not is up to him. Mustang, if you would like to be a moderator then try applying to Trevor and he will give you the answer.

Anyways, seems things have been cooling down. But then again I haven't heard a reply from Dayseed. I am going to PM him now.


P.S-Thanks for telling us how you felt Mustang1, that is one big step to making this whole problem go away.