Seeking clarity on mod communication April 16, 2008 11:49 AM   Subscribe

In this thread, languagehat has spouted several lies concerning myself, communications by email, and the mods' involvement therein.

I know that languagehat is a favourite of many here, and I am not seeking to discuss him here or disparage him in any way. Yes, I have disparaged him (and he me) in the blue and the gray, but that is not what this call-out is about.

I did not initially start a Meta thread yesterday when he began suggesting I'd sent him "obscene, threatening, borderline psychotic e-mails" in-thread; I quoted my sole email to him in the thread and hoped that would be the end of it.

His repetition of this falsehood, along his lies that the mods have contacted me concerning this matter, is well out of order, and I think it warrants a challenge and some hopefully decisive clarity.

I'd just like the mods to acknowledge here that no such communication was ever sent, and perhaps that'll go some way towards exonerating me from this outrageous charge.
posted by stinkycheese to Etiquette/Policy at 11:49 AM (168 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite

Do you demand satisfaction?
posted by geoff. at 11:54 AM on April 16, 2008 [2 favorites]


Presumably it's possible, but I'm really not comfortable with the idea of the mods delving into the privacy of MeMail, even upon request.
posted by Dave Faris at 11:56 AM on April 16, 2008


Dave Faris: Surely you can see the problem there? I've been tarred with the brush of sending "obscene, threatening, borderline psychotic" emails and being warned about it by the mods. I'm thinking that, unless the mods comment on this, that lie will stand.

For the record, languagehat brought up private email in the blue, and languagehat brought up the mods involvement.
posted by stinkycheese at 12:00 PM on April 16, 2008


Well, LH already presented his side of the story, so it's probably fair to just get the truth from the mods.
posted by cashman at 12:00 PM on April 16, 2008


...those lies will stand, I should say.
posted by stinkycheese at 12:00 PM on April 16, 2008


cashman: That's what I'm trying to do here.
posted by stinkycheese at 12:01 PM on April 16, 2008


If they could confirm there was only one email, we would have a winnar.
posted by NinjaTadpole at 12:01 PM on April 16, 2008


I feel your pain, cashman. I still don't want them going through the mail. You'll have to find another way to hoist Languagehat's petard.
posted by Dave Faris at 12:02 PM on April 16, 2008


I don't want to hoist anybody's petard. Maybe they can just delete all the comments or something, I don't know. Or hell, maybe it's true. I suspect they'll come sort it all out in fantastic style as usual.
posted by cashman at 12:05 PM on April 16, 2008


Surely the best way to minimize the attention paid to a perceived insult posted late in a thread is to post to metatalk about it. I commend you for choosing the path of discretion rather than engaging in some sort of ostentatious, attention-whoring grandstanding such as MefiMailing the site moderators.
posted by dersins at 12:09 PM on April 16, 2008 [12 favorites]


Regardless of what else occurs here, (and I'd kind of like an admin to chime in at this point, too) can we all acknowledge that that conversation didn't belong on the blue? Sometimes I think people are so worried to seem like they're going crying to the community for resolution, and afraid of the no-holds-barred approach that predominates in the gray, that they seriously derail threads that really don't need to be derailed. In this, I am also at fault, so I apologize: but let's all try not to do that sort of thing when it can be avoided. These kinds of interpersonal squabbles seem like part of what metatalk is for.
posted by anotherpanacea at 12:10 PM on April 16, 2008


It probably would have been better to just send us an email, stinkycheese. I don't know offhand what history you have with languagehat or why (though you two do seem to have a history of poking at each other in comments), so I'm not in a position to either confirm or deny any particular claims. I'd say that at a glance some of that grousing in the linked thread looks like heat-of-the-moment stuff that itself probably should have been in metatalk or mail, because personal infighting generally doesn't improve threads a bit, and that pretty much goes for both of you.

Presumably it's possible, but I'm really not comfortable with the idea of the mods delving into the privacy of MeMail, even upon request.

It is certainly possible, and no, we're not comfortable with it either. It's also not clear to me whether and how much of any correspondence in question would have taken place via mefimail versus normal email.
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:14 PM on April 16, 2008


These kinds of interpersonal squabbles seem like part of what metatalk is for.

Well, technically I think that's what MeFiMail is for (including MeFiMailing the mods). MetaTalk is supposed to be about things that are of some interest to the rest of the community, which in my opinion doesn't include quarrels between individual mefites.
posted by burnmp3s at 12:17 PM on April 16, 2008


Is this what you call taking a break? Jeez.
posted by languagehat at 12:17 PM on April 16, 2008 [2 favorites]


I agree with Burhanistan about the comment in your profile, it really is very childish and out of place here.

Oh, and you posted it on the 15th April. Today is, let's see... the 16th. Well, that didn't last long did it?
posted by jontyjago at 12:19 PM on April 16, 2008


Option 1: stinkycheese gives permission for languagehat to post any and all e-mails stinkycheese sent him. languagehat posts said e-mails. The court of public opinion makes a ruling.

Option 2: Mods recognize that this dispute is going nowhere good. The thread is closed.
posted by brain_drain at 12:22 PM on April 16, 2008


I'm trying to remember (without resorting to dredging through his history) if I can recall anything stinkycheese has ever said that wasn't a wild, out-of-the-blue bitch in languagehat's direction.

Getting nothing so far.
posted by flashboy at 12:23 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


let the tank burning and hand chopping commence!!!!
posted by quonsar at 12:25 PM on April 16, 2008 [4 favorites]


We don't peek at user's memails for any reason short of some terrible legal threat and even then we'd be talking to our lawyer first. Sometimes, rarely, users send us something that someone else has sent them. This didn't happen here. I don't quite get what's going on here but we haven't warned stinkycheese about anything.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 12:26 PM on April 16, 2008 [10 favorites]


This is looking to be quite the flameout. Where's langua--er, ahem. Sorry.
posted by carsonb at 12:29 PM on April 16, 2008


I think it's not OK to refer to another member as "an asshole" on your profile page.

Also, if you're going to take a break, then take a break. Starting a spiteful MetaTalk thread is not a break. To paraphrase GWB, you can't take the high horse and then claim the low road.
posted by grouse at 12:32 PM on April 16, 2008


I don't quite get what's going on here but we haven't warned stinkycheese about anything.

Which makes languagehat's assertions in the thread rather puzzling. I'm not interested in going to bat for stinkycheese (there's a sentence I didn't anticipate ever typing), but allegations of "obscene, threatening, borderline psychotic" behavior are pretty strong, particularly when the Jess/Matt/Cortex are cited as being aware of and interceding against them.
posted by Skot at 12:35 PM on April 16, 2008 [2 favorites]


I didn't read this as spiteful. Regardless of what it says on his userpage, stinkycheese is here looking for vindication that he wasn't warned by the mods, among other things. And it looks like he's right about that.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 12:36 PM on April 16, 2008


I also think, based on what stinkycheese has said here, this discussion would be best handled privately by email between all parties involved. These aren't just your normal userX is an asshat, please banninate him/her, accusations. These accusations involve private communications, that we'd all like to remain as private as possible, and outright lying. I have no interest in seeing here in public whatever discussion occurs before a resolution is made. I think having it in public would only increase the chances of it getting really ugly. So stinkycheese, and everyone else, can you please handle this over email? And mods, can you close this thread?
posted by gauchodaspampas at 12:37 PM on April 16, 2008


I don't have a horse in this race, though I will say that I have seen LanguageHat make insightful, funny and intelligent comments into many discussions and only just heard of Stinkycheese today, in the context of Stinkycheese declaring said fount of knowledge a jerkass. Which, okay, doesn't make him look too good. But I see no reason why we should forbid him from calling LanguageHat an asshole in his profile--it just makes Stinkycheese look even worse. Besides, condemning is more fun than forbidding.
posted by zeusianfog at 12:38 PM on April 16, 2008


the Jess/Matt/Cortex

Sigh. *glares at mutinous fingers*
posted by Skot at 12:39 PM on April 16, 2008


This thread serves only the voyeurs. Close it.
posted by Skorgu at 12:40 PM on April 16, 2008


These accusations involve private communications

except for the "obscene, threatening, borderline psychotic" stuff in the blue. It belongs here.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 12:41 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


goddamn, who left all this laundry out in the hall??? Listen, you jerks: I don't care if we all chip in equally for rent on this place, I'm going to start throwing your clothes out if you can't put them in your goddamn hamper. Test me on this.
posted by boo_radley at 12:41 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


I wonder if languagehat knew that stinkycheese hadn't been warned by the moderators, or if it was just a mistake.

If it was a mistake, it's not clear where the mistake originated. Nobody would be in a position to tell languagehat that stinkycheese had been warned except 1) stinkycheese himself, or 2) the moderators.
posted by Mr. President Dr. Steve Elvis America at 12:42 PM on April 16, 2008


It's hardly the time to close the thread. It would be a terrible cliffhanger. The hushed crowds have just observed languagehat apparently being caught out in a rather nasty lie. Now he must swing in, sabre between teeth, to rescue his reputation!
posted by beniamino at 12:42 PM on April 16, 2008 [2 favorites]


Whoa, I owe stinkycheese a sincere apology (also a sentence I didn't anticipate ever typing). I was absolutely sure it was he who sent me those e-mails, but it turns out it was another (ex-?)MeFite. I should, of course, have gone through my e-mail to verify before accusing, but they were so unpleasant I didn't want to look at them again, and I was so pissed at stinkycheese's constant sniping (and for the record, I still have no idea why he's got such a hate-on for me) that I just let fly.

So: I'm truly sorry, stinkycheese, and I appreciate your posting this so the record could be set straight. I try to make sure my facts are correct in general, and that should go double for attacks on fellow MeFites.
posted by languagehat at 12:43 PM on April 16, 2008 [32 favorites]


I'll take my beating now.
posted by languagehat at 12:44 PM on April 16, 2008 [6 favorites]


I don't quite get what's going on here but we haven't warned stinkycheese about anything.

So is this proof that languagehat is lying?
posted by Pope Guilty at 12:44 PM on April 16, 2008


I'll make the cross, languagehat, you just knock 'em in to the net.
posted by beniamino at 12:45 PM on April 16, 2008


Also, stinkycheese has every right to say what he wants in his profile. I'd much rather he call me an asshole there (which he now has every right to do) than to keep following me around attacking me irrelevantly in threads.
posted by languagehat at 12:45 PM on April 16, 2008


So you give permission for languagehat to quote these nonexistent emails, if they indeed exist?
posted by Krrrlson at 12:45 PM on April 16, 2008


Wow, there's a lot that can happen while typing and hitting post.
posted by Krrrlson at 12:46 PM on April 16, 2008


So is this proof that languagehat is lying?

Not lying, compadre, just pissed-off and careless. Which may not be any better.
posted by languagehat at 12:46 PM on April 16, 2008


...Aaaaand scene!
posted by grateful at 12:46 PM on April 16, 2008


Wow, there's a lot that can happen while typing and hitting post.

Heh. Yeah, this is an exciting thread!
posted by languagehat at 12:47 PM on April 16, 2008


I want to know who sent the obscene, threatening, borderline psychotic e-mails.
posted by grouse at 12:47 PM on April 16, 2008


*bursts into room running*

Hey guys, I brought the pitchforks and the marshmallows and I'm all ready for the fla---

oh, bugger
posted by chimaera at 12:47 PM on April 16, 2008 [16 favorites]


MetaFilter: obscene, threatening, borderline psychotic
posted by grouse at 12:47 PM on April 16, 2008 [3 favorites]


Whoa, I owe stinkycheese a sincere apology (also a sentence I didn't anticipate ever typing). I was absolutely sure it was he who sent me those e-mails, but it turns out it was another (ex-?)MeFite. I should, of course, have gone through my e-mail to verify before accusing,

Oh, man, it's just like that one "Three's Company." So okay: Is this all over now?
posted by kittens for breakfast at 12:48 PM on April 16, 2008


Well, I think we've all learned a lesson here today.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 12:48 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


I don't think stinkycheese is trying to get the mods to examine MeMails; I believe he is asking that they confirm that they never sent him any missive asking him to stop sending languagehat emails. (I hope that makes sense; a few too many negatives in there).

That being said in the hopes of clarifying the purpose of this thread before it derails into something else. Personally, I think it would have been better handled with some private communication between the parties involved, rather than a callout.
posted by never used baby shoes at 12:48 PM on April 16, 2008


This was a good conclusion. Let's shut er down.
posted by cashman at 12:49 PM on April 16, 2008


Glad this is all over. Can we all go out for beers now? I'll wear a cheesehead hat.
posted by Kattullus at 12:49 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


Shoulda used the gosh dang preview button; lh has gone and ended the thread.

Let the derail begin!
posted by never used baby shoes at 12:49 PM on April 16, 2008


Personally, I think it would have been better handled with some private communication between the parties involved, rather than a callout.

While in a philosophical sense I agree, I would look like a huge hypocrite trying to avoid MetaTalk drama just because I happen to be involved. Hell, the only reason I'm not cutting off my right hand at this very moment is because I need to do some editing and the deadline is approaching.
posted by languagehat at 12:50 PM on April 16, 2008


I heard he's not even a real hat!

*ducks*
posted by allen.spaulding at 12:51 PM on April 16, 2008 [3 favorites]


haha, I am far too slow.
posted by Pope Guilty at 12:52 PM on April 16, 2008


I thought stinkycheese was asking for confirmation that the mods had never contacted him, which he got, and which can't really be construed as an invasion of anyone's privacy.

But anyway, props to languagehat for manning up. If I'd been getting obscene emails from random MeFites, I'd have probably have not been so eloquent in my apology.

Also, whoever did write languagehat those emails: the internet would be better without you.
posted by roll truck roll at 12:52 PM on April 16, 2008


Well, I think we've all learned a lesson here today.

Yes, I've learned that you can be an obnoxious flaming asshole, and make false and slanderous accusations, and people will give you favorites when you apologize for it.
posted by Dave Faris at 12:53 PM on April 16, 2008 [28 favorites]


Dang. I was really trying to use reverse psychology on everyone, so that this would devolve into bitter, ugly, nastiness. I demand satisfaction! Eh. I'll just go watch some Jerry Springer.
posted by gauchodaspampas at 12:54 PM on April 16, 2008


Hell, the only reason I'm not cutting off my right hand at this very moment is because I need to do some editing and the deadline is approaching.

Well, could you at least QUOTE some SCIENCE? Or maybe talk about OJ coupons (lol)? Because there is quite a crowd here now, and they're going to want some entertainment.
posted by never used baby shoes at 12:54 PM on April 16, 2008


Well, I think we've all learned a lesson here today.

Don't stick your finger in stinky cheese?
posted by grateful at 12:55 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


note: Everyone needs a hug.
posted by ColdChef at 12:55 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


* throws languagehat's laundry out the window *
posted by boo_radley at 12:55 PM on April 16, 2008 [2 favorites]


Dave, I thought we were buddies now!
posted by languagehat at 12:55 PM on April 16, 2008


"And that's the conflict that started the great Metafilter Civil War, grampa?"

Hm... If we do have a war, do I fight with The Blue or The Grey?
posted by ODiV at 12:56 PM on April 16, 2008 [12 favorites]


If you apologize for that comment, I'll favorite you too, Dave!
posted by grouse at 12:56 PM on April 16, 2008 [3 favorites]


Yes, I've learned that you can be an obnoxious flaming asshole, and make false and slanderous accusations, and people will give you favorites when you apologize for it.
posted by Dave Faris at 12:53 PM on April 16 [1 favorite] [!]


Hey you're right! And you didn't even have to apologize!
posted by dersins at 12:57 PM on April 16, 2008 [12 favorites]


Does Dave Faris have buddies?
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:57 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]




Also, what kind of authority do mods have over a member's offsite email correspondence?

Not that getting abusive emails is fun, I'd imagine.
posted by ODiV at 1:01 PM on April 16, 2008


I've learned that you can be an obnoxious flaming asshole, and make false and slanderous accusations, and people will give you favorites when you apologize for it.

I blame Star Wars. Darth Vader committed unspeakable acts of humanicide and planetary destruction, but because he helped out his son once at the end, he gets to chill with Yoda and Obi-Wan in jedi heaven. The lesson this imparts will have grave consequences for our society. That's right, langugagehat is just like Darth Vader.
posted by brain_drain at 1:02 PM on April 16, 2008 [5 favorites]


Does Dave Faris have buddies?

No, he's like totally unpopular. Don't sit with him at lunch.
posted by Armitage Shanks at 1:02 PM on April 16, 2008


What this thread needs is some some early 70's 'Stones.
posted by Skorgu at 1:03 PM on April 16, 2008


That's right, langugagehat is just like Darth Vader.

If I weren't feeling so abashed, I would put on my James Earl Jones voice and tell stinkycheese I was his father.
posted by languagehat at 1:06 PM on April 16, 2008


Also, "Sweet Virginia" is one of my all-time favorite songs. Thanks, Skorgu!
posted by languagehat at 1:07 PM on April 16, 2008


Also, what kind of authority do mods have over a member's offsite email correspondence?

Pretty much none at all. If someone is harassing someone over regular email using personal information that they can only get by being a logged in member of the site, we'll sometimes try to sort of mediate somewhat, but mostly our angle is "don't use MeFiMail to stalk or harass people" with the understanding that we do tell people to take disputes there so we know it's not going to all be sweetness and light in there (just mine!)
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 1:08 PM on April 16, 2008


For the record, Languagehat isn't an asshole. He's curmudgeonly bastard. Get it right people, get it right.
IKBIL...
posted by Jofus at 1:09 PM on April 16, 2008


-Mods give Stinkycheese ONE TIME ONLY functional IMG tag privilege.
LH waits for shoe to drop.

It does beg the question, though, LanguageHat:
"How much hate mail do you have?"
posted by Busithoth at 1:09 PM on April 16, 2008 [5 favorites]


Also, what kind of authority do mods have over a member's offsite email correspondence?

None. Stuff that happens offsite that has some sort of mefi tie-in is a real headache when it comes up because, well, it's not going on here. There are rare situations where stuff happening off-site—on other sites, or via email involving one or more members—can be significantly fucked up enough that we'll get involved as far as disabling an account here or giving a heads up to another site's administrator maybe, but beyond that there's not a whole lot to do for it. If folks are dead set on sending each other shitty gmails on their own time, it's pretty much the private concern of (consenting?) adults at that point.
posted by cortex (staff) at 1:09 PM on April 16, 2008


*hugs*
posted by empath at 1:12 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


I guess it wasn't clear that that was a rhetorical question, sorry. Of course you have no authority there.
posted by ODiV at 1:13 PM on April 16, 2008


obnoxious flaming asshole, and make false and slanderous accusations, and people will give you favorites when you apologize for it.

Fallible humans recognizing their fallibility, and consequently apologizing... The Horror!
posted by CKmtl at 1:13 PM on April 16, 2008 [3 favorites]


On behalf of stinkycheese, I will graciously accept languagehat's apology, since stinkycheese seems to have left because languagehat is an asshole.
posted by found missing at 1:14 PM on April 16, 2008 [4 favorites]


What happened to hugs and a Brand New Day? It ain't even been a month yet, guys!
posted by rtha at 1:16 PM on April 16, 2008


our angle is "don't use MeFiMail to stalk or harass people"

The over-moderation here is getting really stifling. JESUS FUCKING CHRIST IT'S LIKE YOU CAN'T STALK OR HARASS ANYONE ANY MORE

*futilely tries to tip over police car*
posted by Skot at 1:17 PM on April 16, 2008 [5 favorites]


I was absolutely sure it was he who sent me those e-mails, but it turns out it was another (ex-?)MeFite.

I wondered why you never wrote me back! My challenge goes unanswered, scoundrel!

Yes, I've learned that you can be an obnoxious flaming asshole, and make false and slanderous accusations, and people will give you favorites when you apologize for it.
posted by Dave Faris at 3:53 PM on April 16


You know, I used to like you so much when you were crunchland. Maybe I was crazy or something, I don't know. But for the life of me I cannot figure out why you so consistently bring yourself to say stupid god damn shit like that almost every fucking day. I try really hard not to respond, and remind myself "hey, this is crunchland! he's probably just having a bad day!" and maybe you are, maybe life has been impossibly hard for you for some time, now, on a daily basis. I hope not. I hope you're doing alright. But, for the love of pete, please stop being such a colossal grouse all the time. I really can't fathom why you'd act like owning up to one's mistakes merits a response like that.
posted by shmegegge at 1:19 PM on April 16, 2008 [8 favorites]


Nevermind that shit, here comes Mongo!
posted by ozomatli at 1:23 PM on April 16, 2008



Hell, the only reason I'm not cutting off my right hand at this very moment is because I need to do some editing and the deadline is approaching.

7:30 then? My place? You'll bring a nice chianti?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:23 PM on April 16, 2008


"Not lying, compadre, just pissed-off and careless. Which may not be any better."

That makes Stinkycheese your Iraq.
posted by klangklangston at 1:23 PM on April 16, 2008 [4 favorites]


Closed?
posted by chunking express at 1:26 PM on April 16, 2008


*futilely tries to tip over police car*

Futiley? Was the policeman inside?

Cortex and his monolithic breakfast goods strike again!
posted by DMan at 1:26 PM on April 16, 2008


I really can't fathom why you'd act like owning up to one's mistakes merits a response like that.

I think it was the favoriting of said owning up that merited the response. And it is kind of sycophantic. It's like applauding a guy for wiping up the big steaming dump he took in a crowded room.
posted by Armitage Shanks at 1:27 PM on April 16, 2008 [7 favorites]


he also stole my quote-italics
posted by DMan at 1:27 PM on April 16, 2008


They can't close this thread until Stinkycheese comes back and makes some sort of acceptance speech. Think of posterity!
posted by chudmonkey at 1:27 PM on April 16, 2008


There would be fewer metatalk threads if they all eneded with someone loosing an appendage. Word.
posted by chunking express at 1:27 PM on April 16, 2008


It's like applauding a guy for wiping up the big steaming dump he took in a crowded room.

To be honest, I'd applaud someone for that. Better than just leaving it.
posted by ozomatli at 1:28 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


If I had a nickel for every time I loosed my appendage.
posted by found missing at 1:28 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


From this week's New Yorker article on "misspeaking" ...

Along with its various derivatives, “misspeak” has become one of the signature verbal workhorses of this interminable political season .... It carries the suggestion that, while the politician’s perfectly functioning brain has dispatched the correct signals, the mouth has somehow received and transmitted them in altered form. “Misspeak” is a powerful word, a magical word. It is a word that is apparently thought capable, in its contemporary political usage, of isolating a palpable, possibly toxic untruth, sealing it up in an airtight bag, and disposing of it harmlessly....

posted by R. Mutt at 1:28 PM on April 16, 2008


Dammit, that's what I meant! I misspoke! Mods, can you go back and insert that into all my previous comments?
posted by languagehat at 1:31 PM on April 16, 2008


Now come on, come on down, stinkycheesia
Come on, honey child, I beg you

Come on, come on down, you got it in you
Got to scrape that shit right off your shoes
posted by timeistight at 1:32 PM on April 16, 2008


(I really mean it)
Got to scrape that shit right off your shooooo-ooes
posted by timeistight at 1:33 PM on April 16, 2008


Did I ever tell you about the time I saw a very normal looking middle aged tourist soccer mom take a dump on the entry way of the McDonalds on Canal Street in Chinatown in new York City? She had had enough, apparently. They wouldn't let her use the restroom (or it was closed, or something) so she just dropped trou and let 'er rip.

"I TOLD you I had to use the BATHROOM!"
posted by dirtdirt at 1:37 PM on April 16, 2008 [7 favorites]


She had even prepared by grabbing a single McDonalds napkin.
posted by dirtdirt at 1:38 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


I think it was the favoriting of said owning up that merited the response.

Really? You think he called languagehat "an obnoxious flaming asshole" because he got favorites? What sense does that make? languagehat didn't favorite himself, (although I've done that, and it is so satisfying an activity that I heartily recommend it to everyone.) and faris didn't call anyone else a flaming asshole for favoriting him, either. Are you sure it's that, and not just that he has a hard-on for attacking languagehat?

And anyway, since when is it a problem for people to favorite an apology. Shit, I feel like I've favorited every apology I've ever seen on the site. It's a rare thing, but more common here than anywhere else on the internet, and I like seeing it because it reminds me of why I joined in the first place. Shit, what the fuck is with everyone.

It's like applauding a guy for wiping up the big steaming dump he took in a crowded room.

This isn't a bad analogy, but let me see if i can think of a better one.

It's like when you see two people get in a fight, and one of them makes an accusation against the other one which turns out to be false. And then the one that made the false accusation sincerely apologizes for it and some of the people that witnessed the fight go over to him and say "I'm glad you apologized for that. That was a good thing you did, there."

Yeah, that feels more like it.
posted by shmegegge at 1:41 PM on April 16, 2008 [20 favorites]


Clearly there is a need for the ability to add footnoted comments directly to one's favoriting, no?
posted by R. Mutt at 1:46 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


1 This favorite represents both an appreciation of what appears to be a joke and a sarcastic endorsement of the idea of "favorite footnotes."
posted by shmegegge at 1:48 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


You're right, shmengee. Even though Armitage was able to pick through my un-nuanced message better than you were, you're completely right. I've been on the receiving end of Languagehat's ire, but that's no reason for me to kick the guy when he's trying to make amends. And for that, I apologize. Now, where's my sycophantic pile of favorites?
posted by Dave Faris at 1:48 PM on April 16, 2008 [34 favorites]


1 This favorite is entirely ironic.
posted by found missing at 1:50 PM on April 16, 2008


I like you ALL best!
posted by yhbc at 1:53 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


1 This favorite is because I believe this is the first time anyone has spelled my name "shmengee."
posted by shmegegge at 1:53 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


It might not be a bad idea to also apologize in the original thread where you made the claims, lh.
posted by rocket88 at 1:54 PM on April 16, 2008


Plus, languagehat (for all his MetaTalk bloodlust) is usually the first person to commend a poster for apologizing after making inflammatory comments in the heat of an argument, so it's only natural that others would extend the same courtesy to him.

Also, we know you're sorry, languageFAT, now apologise!
posted by Atom Eyes at 1:56 PM on April 16, 2008


I favorited Dave Faris's comment as promised. If you want to reward me for following through, feel free to favorite this comment as well.
posted by grouse at 1:56 PM on April 16, 2008 [10 favorites]


This is sort of off topic and piggybacks on another thread, but since we're all here: how many "hat" users are there? Are there more "hats" than "pinks" or "pants"?
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:57 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


1 This favorite will self destruct in 48 hours, or whenever else I feel like removing it.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:58 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


I can only think of two "pinks" - you and Pink Butterfly.
posted by Evangeline at 2:12 PM on April 16, 2008


I've just read languagehat's apology and skipped down to post. I accept and I sincerely hope this is the last time our paths will cross. Yes, I am taking a break from the site, and I just wanted clarity on this - on Metatalk yes, so that everything is on the up and up - because it was a pretty serious accusation.

I don't do, "obscene, threatening, borderline psychotic e-mails", and I'm glad this has been cleared up. Not having read the rest of this thread after the apology, I'm happy to see it closed. My work here is done.
posted by stinkycheese at 2:12 PM on April 16, 2008 [12 favorites]


This is sort of off topic and piggybacks on another thread, but since we're all here: how many "hat" users are there? Are there more "hats" than "pinks" or "pants"?

I don't know about that, but I feel that the "shoes" users are often trod upon.
posted by never used baby shoes at 2:13 PM on April 16, 2008


My work here is done.

Ha! You just said that without irony.
posted by shmegegge at 2:14 PM on April 16, 2008 [2 favorites]


But, for the love of pete, please stop being such a colossal grouse all the time.

Leave grouse out of it.
posted by smackfu at 2:15 PM on April 16, 2008 [2 favorites]


Good afternoon housewives and unemployed, and welcome to another installment of the mad language game, Hatlibs!.

Round one:
I suspect stinky_____ is _______ in ________ because he's been warned by the ______ not to send me any more _______, ________, borderline ______ _______. I guess I'd rather he confine himself to _____-_______, but frankly what I'd really like is for him to get over whatever _______ he has against ______. (I've never been able to figure out what exactly it is, since all he does is hurl _____ or drop ______-______ _____ like this one.)
Um, I'll take
I suspect stinky_POO_ is _CONFUSED_ in _NAIROBI_ because he's been warned by the _JAZZ POLICE_ not to send me any more _SPHERICAL_, _MAUVE_, borderline _AMUSING_ _BRICKS_. I guess I'd rather he confine himself to _FREE_-_STYLING_, but frankly what I'd really like is for him to get over whatever _DEFENCE_ he has against _INFLUENZA_. (I've never been able to figure out what exactly it is, since all he does is hurl _HARMONIUMS_ or drop _CRAZY_-_MAD_ _RHYMES_ like this one.)
for €5, Alex.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 2:18 PM on April 16, 2008 [9 favorites]


I can only think of two "pinks" - you and Pink Butterfly.

According to the search engine, here's the numbers on how often various words appear in usernames:

shoe- 26
pink - 39
pants- 35
hat- ?? This one doesn't show up.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:18 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


I think I just stepped in Dave Faris's steaming pile of sycophantic favorites....
posted by Floydd at 2:18 PM on April 16, 2008


According to the search engine, here's the numbers on how often various words appear in usernames

Oh, I see. You used magical search smarts. You think you're better than me, dontcha'? Okay, you are.

I think I'll add a "pants" to the end of my name. Evangeline Pants.
posted by Evangeline at 2:28 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


It's nice that it's cleared up here, but it would be even better if languagehat made an apology (or at the very least a correction) in the original thread. I'd favorite that.
posted by stefanie at 2:31 PM on April 16, 2008


Astro Zombie 3 just sent me a threatening email.

Go ahead and try to deny it!
posted by Astro Zombie at 2:32 PM on April 16, 2008 [3 favorites]


Growr narf zarrrrr grrrrrr ROWR!
posted by Astro Zombie 3 at 2:32 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


I'm not hearing a denial.
posted by Astro Zombie at 2:33 PM on April 16, 2008 [2 favorites]


It might not be a bad idea to also apologize in the original thread where you made the claims, lh.
It's nice that it's cleared up here, but it would be even better if languagehat made an apology (or at the very least a correction) in the original thread.


I'm not entirely sure I see the point, since the person to whom the apology was owed has seen and accepted it, but if it will make you feel better, I'll go apologize there. But I'm not apologizing in AskMe. I don't care how many favorites you offer.
posted by languagehat at 2:33 PM on April 16, 2008 [3 favorites]


I recommend you make your apology a project as well.
posted by found missing at 2:36 PM on April 16, 2008 [6 favorites]


flagged for NoonecaresaboutyourpersonaldramawithuserX

jesus. grow up already. stinkycheeese, I didn't even know who you were before you posted this, so there was no damage to your "reputation" prior to this thread. Now I think much less of you, regardless of what actually happened. I don't care if languagehat insulted your mother or accused you of fucking sheep. It doesn't belong in the gray, the blue, the green, or the fucking purple polka-dots.
posted by desjardins at 2:37 PM on April 16, 2008


Oh, PLEASE go there! Then you can see what I wrote!

luvyalots!!!!!!!!!!1
posted by wafaa at 2:39 PM on April 16, 2008


Now I think much less of you, regardless of what actually happened.

Wow. That's the stupidest thing I've read here in a long time.
posted by Armitage Shanks at 2:39 PM on April 16, 2008 [18 favorites]


If this comment gets 500 favorites, I will close languagehat's account.

That's how this thing works, right?
posted by Parasite Unseen at 2:41 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


I want to hear the apology live on the podcast.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:42 PM on April 16, 2008 [4 favorites]


For the record, Languagehat isn't an asshole. He's curmudgeonly bastard. Get it right people, get it right.
IKBIL...
posted by Jofus at 3:09 PM on April 16 [+] [!]


I Kill Because I'm Lonely?
posted by nanojath at 2:43 PM on April 16, 2008 [2 favorites]


The world is full of pinks, but at least their money's green.
posted by Pope Guilty at 2:45 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


For the record, Languagehat isn't an asshole. He's curmudgeonly bastard.

So if I'm a pretentious "favorite" I can be an asshole, too?
posted by wafaa at 2:48 PM on April 16, 2008


Wow. That's the stupidest thing I've read here in a long time.

Oh yeah? Well I think Scientology is a legitimate religion that deserves respect and admiration!
posted by Krrrlson at 2:49 PM on April 16, 2008 [11 favorites]


Now I think much less of you, regardless of what actually happened.
posted by Armitage Shanks at 2:53 PM on April 16, 2008 [3 favorites]


Parasite Unseen: "If this comment gets 500 favorites, I will close languagehat's account.

That's how this thing works, right?
"

If this comment gets 50 favorites, I will close Stinkycheese's account.

Offer not valid in Texas, or wherever the hell the server is located
posted by SteveTheRed at 2:54 PM on April 16, 2008


It seems like I miss all the drama lately.

On the bright side, that should show my boss I've at least been trying to look like I'm working.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:00 PM on April 16, 2008


Oh yeah? Well I think Scientology is a legitimate religion that deserves respect and admiration!

I think your opinion of scientology (or anything else really), expresed on a messageboard, means something in the greater scheme of things, and that arguing against it/in favour of it will be pivitol in setting the future course of humanity!
posted by Artw at 3:02 PM on April 16, 2008 [3 favorites]


Shit, I feel like I've favorited every apology I've ever seen on the site.

I'm sorry.
posted by Drastic at 3:07 PM on April 16, 2008 [3 favorites]


any sycophantic faves for me? no?

shit

how about $10 bills in the mail? I'll buy something nice.

shitshit

okay.
posted by exlotuseater at 3:09 PM on April 16, 2008 [2 favorites]


Yes, I've learned that you can be an obnoxious flaming asshole, and make false and slanderous accusations, and people will give you favorites when you apologize for it.

shit, that's old news dude.
posted by quonsar at 3:10 PM on April 16, 2008 [4 favorites]


"obscene, threatening, borderline psychotic e-mails"...

Oh thanks... that reminds me I need to call my folks.
posted by R. Mutt at 3:10 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


. . . been oppressed MY WHOLE LIFE etc etc
posted by exlotuseater at 3:10 PM on April 16, 2008


So I'm not really clear on the temperature of this thread, because it seems a little bumpy having caught up, so I'm wondering if we ought to just close this sucker up as resolved or if people are going to be cheerful and nice and we can just let it run for a while for those who feel like talking stuff out still.

hat- ?? This one doesn't show up.

Sorry about that; we got a C&D from Haberdasherers Int'l.
posted by cortex (staff) at 3:12 PM on April 16, 2008


!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:15 PM on April 16, 2008


so I'm wondering if we ought to just close this sucker up as resolved...

Wait, I just got an obscene, threatening, borderline psychotic e-mail from stinkycheese!
posted by found missing at 3:18 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


Oh sorry. Languagehat seems cool. we've had disagreements, but eh, who hasn't?

Stinkycheese? We've never talkd or hung out. maybe it's the name? Yeah, I can totally talk with someone named "tastydonuts" or "delicioussteak", but stinky cheese? It presents problems.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:18 PM on April 16, 2008


Oh, wait, that wasn't stinkycheese, that was my boss. Apologies all around.
posted by found missing at 3:19 PM on April 16, 2008 [4 favorites]


I'm wondering if we ought to just close this sucker up as resolved

It's obviously not my place to suggest it, but the poster did.
posted by languagehat at 3:21 PM on April 16, 2008


spammed == received unsolicited, unwanted email

stinkycheesed == received obscene, threatening, borderline psychotic e-mail
posted by found missing at 3:21 PM on April 16, 2008


I just don't trust that triceratops.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 3:21 PM on April 16, 2008


I have nothing to say but I wanted to say it before the thread got closed.

It IS gonna get closed, right?
posted by konolia at 3:31 PM on April 16, 2008


Never apologise; never explain.
No sorry, what I meant was...
posted by Abiezer at 3:33 PM on April 16, 2008 [2 favorites]


In this thread, Eideteker has spouted several liquids contaminating many, communicable diseases, and the cops' involvement therein.
posted by Eideteker at 3:35 PM on April 16, 2008


dno't psot wile dnurk, flosk
posted by Eideteker at 3:36 PM on April 16, 2008


CitrusFreak was here.
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 3:38 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


stinkycheese: Now I think much less of you, regardless of what actually happened.

desjardins: Wow. That's the stupidest thing I've read here in a long time.


This exchange (as well has the original languagehat altercation) reminds me of being a teacher. There's always some kid with poor social skills who's picked on by a more popular kid. The popular kid teases/bullies/torments the less popular kid, gets called on it, apologizes, and the status quo returns: the popular kid is popular, and the awkward, less popular kid remains...unpopular.
posted by KokuRyu at 3:39 PM on April 16, 2008 [2 favorites]


All this favouriting and flagging makes me wish I had '+1' and '!' on business cards.

"Thanks for not inching your car forward menacingly while stopped at the crosswalk. Here, +1."

"Grr. Another BlueTool walking talking to himself with his blinky Borg earpiece. Flagged!" [covertly slips a cryptic '!' card in dude's back pocket]
posted by CKmtl at 3:41 PM on April 16, 2008 [8 favorites]


*declaws some cats to lighten the mood up in here*
posted by madamjujujive at 3:44 PM on April 16, 2008 [3 favorites]


Last comment here before it gets closed
posted by ob at 3:44 PM on April 16, 2008


The popular kid teases/bullies/torments the less popular kid

If you think I'm the one who's been bullying/tormenting stinkycheese, you need to review our respective comment histories. If you feel like piling on, be my guest, but try to keep in shouting distance of the truth.
posted by languagehat at 3:44 PM on April 16, 2008


It's obviously not my place to suggest it, but the poster did.

Yeah, it sure would be nice if the mods closed this up.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:48 PM on April 16, 2008


No, for god's sake, it's still festering! Pour some maggots in and affix leeches to the opening, lest it start to smell like almonds!
posted by Astro Zombie at 3:51 PM on April 16, 2008


KokuRyu: Uh stinkycheese never said that. Desjardins did. And Armitage shanks said the "that's the stupidest thing" comment.

Wtf?
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 3:51 PM on April 16, 2008 [1 favorite]


heehee LH is the popular kid. I love the internet truly madly deeply.
posted by small_ruminant at 3:53 PM on April 16, 2008


YOU'RE ALL THE BEST LOOKIN' KID IN YOUR CLASS OKAY ENOUGH
posted by cortex (staff) at 3:57 PM on April 16, 2008 [3 favorites]


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