Bomb the fuck away. February 12, 2003 6:17 AM   Subscribe

Is this acceptable? I tried to levy what I thought was a reasonable, if salty, criticism against this member for a previous comment, and I get called some colourful names. I thought the majority of the comments in the thread were a civil and rational blend of discussion, agreement and disagreement, so it made me a bit sad, though not really surprised, to see such a response, and to see it supported by another member.
posted by sir walsingham to Etiquette/Policy at 6:17 AM (45 comments total)

And, for the record, though I support a possible military solution to the current crisis, I'm not a "fascist fucking warmonger". Really I'm not. I even voiced my disagreement with the court's decision to deny a march permit for the protest, so I'm ostensibly on the same ideological side as the majority of the commenters in the thread. I just thought we might be capable of behaving like adults when we have a difference of opinion.
posted by sir walsingham at 6:22 AM on February 12, 2003


No, you're wrong!
posted by rocketman at 6:37 AM on February 12, 2003


But seriously, I think these are the kinds of issues that raise passion in people. Things were mostly civil; some folks lost their cool.

It might be better practice to just ignore it and move on, rather than seek a solution here in MetaTalk.
posted by rocketman at 6:39 AM on February 12, 2003


It is regrettable to me that foaming incomprehensibility is the fringe of the general political flange of which I find myself a part. That said, of course, whatsisface O'Reilly has recently helped to make it clear that that sort of nasty foolishness is not necessarily the preserve of either political camp in these aggravated times. Outrage overload for the leftoid contingent is an excuse, perhaps, but doesn't make apoplectic hissing any more acceptable.

One can be angry, but as you say, sir w, 'behaving like adults when we have a difference of opinion' is something that, at least here, we oughta at least make an effort towards.

And beer. More beer.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:46 AM on February 12, 2003


(Crap. I hope that my point managed to poke its way through that tortured inebriated syntax, there. Bedtime for me.)
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:49 AM on February 12, 2003


sir walsingham, look back through the posting history of the aforementioned member.

Though I may have a certain indulgent permissiveness for his crassness, the constant filthy language and insults toward fellow members certainly does grate excruciatingly. Etiquitte does apply to us all.

In fact, maybe if we start calling him 'sarge pastor' he will get a first-class ticket to elsewhere too. He certainly deserves it, with that uncontrollable penchant for expletives.
posted by hama7 at 6:54 AM on February 12, 2003


and while we're at it, lets sort kenneth tynan out too.
posted by sgt.serenity at 7:15 AM on February 12, 2003


thanks for the compliment hama7.
posted by sgt.serenity at 7:21 AM on February 12, 2003


sir walsingham, you certainly have a legitimate beef with crasspastor, and MetaTalk is the appropriate place to deal with that sort of beef. But if I might make a general suggestion, you might want to give everyone here a little more credit for recognizing and ignoring out-of-bounds behavior. We all know that what he did was wrong, and you look better if you just ignore ridiculous ad hominem attacks. The silence you hear when people don't leap to your defense is not any sort of agreement with crasspastor, it's just the sound of twenty thousand eyes rolling.
posted by anapestic at 7:26 AM on February 12, 2003


The silence you hear when people don't leap to your defense is not any sort of agreement with crasspastor, it's just the sound of twenty thousand eyes rolling.

I wholeheartedly agree.
posted by BlueTrain at 7:56 AM on February 12, 2003


And you'll find the longer you continue to read MetaFilter, the more time it takes every day to filter out this sort of juvenalia. Any charm and/or shock value related to that sort of thing wears off quickly. Ah, let us dream once again of a MetaFilter killfile...
posted by JollyWanker at 8:50 AM on February 12, 2003


The irony of hyperbole.
posted by crasspastor at 10:15 AM on February 12, 2003


For what it's worth, I read the original thread, thought sir w. made good points in a civilized way, and was shocked by crasspastor's response; I've long been accustomed to the general snarkiness and occasional namecalling that prevails here in the groves of MeFi, but this went below and beyond. I think calling it out was perfectly appropriate.
posted by languagehat at 10:24 AM on February 12, 2003


What languagehat said.

The irony of hyperbole

The devaluing of a dialectic by filthy namecalling. Grow up.
posted by lazaruslong at 10:34 AM on February 12, 2003


Uhhh. Yer an idiot and an asshole Sir Francis Walsingham.

Crasspastor is a pump humper and a tool bag.

Settled!
posted by Witty at 10:59 AM on February 12, 2003


available immediately - pouting NYC loft artiste. comes with pre-configured history of slights and grudges. modest selection of moderately expensive wines and mefi logins are included.
posted by quonsar at 11:08 AM on February 12, 2003


People need to get thicker skin...
posted by SweetJesus at 11:42 AM on February 12, 2003


~laugh~

"Please stew in the privacy of your own home, and allow those with actual literate points to make have their say" is "reasonable" criticism?

You were basically telling crasspastor to shut up, and now you're whining about his/her heated response?

Frankly, I tend to feel that those whose response to provocative posts is "STFU" or "get your own weblog" are complete idiots and incapable of mounting any other argument too. But I'm usually too detached, busy, amused (or, as you know, too much of a gentleman ) to say anything. Others, like our friend crasspastor here, may feel the need to vent when confronted with the intellectual vigor of the dreaded "stew in your home, you illiterate" argument.

I recommend both parties refrain from name-calling in the future, but I think it's pretty clear from whence this first nonsense arose.

hama7: Though I may have a certain indulgent permissiveness for his crassness, the constant filthy language and insults toward fellow members certainly does grate excruciatingly. Etiquitte does apply to us all.
In fact, maybe if we start calling him 'sarge pastor' he will get a first-class ticket to elsewhere too. He certainly deserves it, with that uncontrollable penchant for expletives.


Hmmmm...."etiquette does apply to us all". I couldn't agree more. But one certainly hopes that your own particular ideology never comes into play in your condemnation of disrespect or (heaven forbid!) foul language. That would be kind of, um, hypocritical, now wouldn't it? I mean, selective condemnation of vulgarity and disrespect would really be kind of two-faced, wouldn't it?

MetaFilter comment:

Once again: PATHETIC, delusional, A-HOLE PACIFISTS.
posted by ParisParamus at 9:28 PM PST on January 20

MetaTalk thread:

Is there any reason to tolerate inflammatory hate-screed like this?
Once again: PATHETIC, delusional, A-HOLE PACIFISTS.
They are welcome to their opinions, but do those who insist upon attacking people verbally rather than trying to argue a point really think that anyone gives them any credibility whatsoever after their juvenile ravings? And since Metafilter is led by example, should we be encouraging them? It definitely seems that the more that slides by, the more we see (even in the same day).
posted by rushmc at 11:50 PM PST on January 20

I ? ParisParamus
posted by hama7 at 11:55 PM PST on January 20


~chuckle~
posted by fold_and_mutilate at 11:49 AM on February 12, 2003


Based on quonsar's comment I would have to say that the people in #mefi have a lot of insider knowledge of usernames and multiple logins. Nice to have my hunch about the the NYC artiste confirmed.

People who use #mefi. They know things.
posted by iconomy at 12:07 PM on February 12, 2003


iconomy, you should join us :)
posted by riffola at 12:14 PM on February 12, 2003


- He started it!
- Did not!

Whatever. Both of you go to your rooms.
posted by Samsonov14 at 1:52 PM on February 12, 2003


For what it is worth, I believe that sir walsingham has a valid complaint - the response to his (I thought) restrained criticism was way over the top and inappropriate. Childish vulgarity does no-one any credit, most of all the person using it.

*chants* Yes, iconomy, join us, join us, join us, join us .... (unless you are upset by vulgarity, non-PC humour and general hilarity mixed in with your conversations)
posted by dg at 2:09 PM on February 12, 2003


#mefi: Planning the Hostile Takeover of MetaFilter
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 2:11 PM on February 12, 2003


I've tried #mefi but I can't type that fast.
posted by timeistight at 2:48 PM on February 12, 2003


*smacks Steve_At around with a large trout*

The first rule of #mefi is you don't talk about #mefi.
posted by eyeballkid at 2:56 PM on February 12, 2003


whoops. wrong window. sorry. carry on.
posted by eyeballkid at 2:58 PM on February 12, 2003


I've tried #mefi but I can't type that fast.

Me neither! I can't even read that fast. It's like metafilter, if metafilter were a roller-derby.
posted by hama7 at 3:01 PM on February 12, 2003


There is no #mefi. Just #girlfi
Yes, my arm's being twisted, and I am being made to type that out.
posted by riffola at 3:09 PM on February 12, 2003


That would be kind of, um, hypocritical, now wouldn't it?

I don't know why I am responding to this, because f_&_m scarcely ever condescends to conversation, just flies in, like a mixture of Bartlett's familiar quotations and Captain Hypocrite-finder, dumps monstrous block quotes, and disappears into the night.

But here's the difference: crasspastor's rudeness is directed toward other Metafilter members, and the monster quote above was not, as was established in the MetaTalk thread weeks ago, to which we all have access.
posted by hama7 at 3:15 PM on February 12, 2003


I'll be in the corner, handing out crying towels. You think-skinned fellows really should stop by.
posted by Dark Messiah at 4:36 PM on February 12, 2003


I mean, selective condemnation of vulgarity and disrespect would really be kind of two-faced, wouldn't it?

So, f&m, I'm sure you'll be the first to supply an example where you've criticized a fellow leftie for such things.

*waits*
posted by languagehat at 4:47 PM on February 12, 2003


keep waiting... Keith doesn't like to be called on things...
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 5:40 PM on February 12, 2003


Thanks for the invites - I just may. Then you'll all be sorry.
posted by iconomy at 6:53 PM on February 12, 2003


Keith in the valley, Keith in the city, Keith in my soul.
Can you feel it? Can you feel it? Yeaeaaaah Yeah Yeah Yeah.
Maybe you had to be there.
nb. F&M is a "leftie"! What means this? I have observed no direct indication that he has any particular political agenda. Other than Ghandi's favourite, pacifism.
posted by asok at 6:55 PM on February 12, 2003


asok, it might be beddy-bye time. That's right, rest your head, weary traveller. Tomorrow's another day.

(I agree with you, but really, your head is so gonna hurt in the mornin')
posted by Wulfgar! at 7:01 PM on February 12, 2003


Keith?
posted by timeistight at 7:14 PM on February 12, 2003


Oh come on Hama7. I'm only rude to some of you.

I was "accused" of hyperbole by Sir Walsingham. In which I was labeled in and of "the left" that can't seem to quit "marginalizing" itself. This is fine, except I only speak for myself, not for an amorphous "left". I didn't feel I used "hyperbole" in my initial, more level headed comment.

So I used hyperbole. "You wanna see hyperbole? I'll give ya hyperbole." Is my motto. And yeah, I was piss, cussin' drunk (well not that bad). Honestly Hyperbolically.

And voila! Metatalk witch hunt or whatever this is.

Have no fear guys. I drink to make my ideals go away. Soon you'll have a nice online companion with the ambiguous moniker "crasspastor" who "only seems to want to talk about plumerias". If all goes as planned I should have my ideals sufficiently drained in time to give me a year or two before liver failure. I'll come around.

Oh yeah. Sorry.
posted by crasspastor at 9:23 PM on February 12, 2003


Oh come on Hama7. I'm only rude to some of you.

And that's why we call you "His Crassness", it's a term of endearment, chum. We don't really mind.
posted by hama7 at 10:01 PM on February 12, 2003


(before someone swoops in with a blockquote, I should clarify that "we don't really mind" means the rude shtick thing, a trademark, if you will. Not the subject of this thread.)
posted by hama7 at 10:33 PM on February 12, 2003


And that's why we call you "His Crassness"

You call me "His Crassness".
posted by crasspastor at 2:58 AM on February 13, 2003


I was using the royal "we", Your Crassness.
posted by hama7 at 3:29 AM on February 13, 2003


Oh were we now.
posted by crasspastor at 3:45 AM on February 13, 2003


Yep. There's a quote somewhere (that I would do well to observe too) by Marion Parker which goes:

"Be kind - Remember every one you meet is fighting a battle - everybody's lonesome."
posted by hama7 at 5:42 AM on February 13, 2003


Or Shakespeare's; "I must be cruel, only to be kind:
Thus bad begins, and worse remains behind."

Whichever.
posted by hama7 at 5:48 AM on February 13, 2003


But here's the difference: crasspastor's rudeness is directed toward other Metafilter members, and the monster quote above was not, as was established in the MetaTalk thread weeks ago, to which we all have access.

Nonsense. You are whining about vulgar language and "etiquette", when you selectively tolerate it coming from a variety of other sources. That's just hypocrisy, no matter how rapidly you try to backpedal.

So, f&m, I'm sure you'll be the first to supply an example where you've criticized a fellow leftie for such things. *waits*

"A fellow leftie"? Well, if you'll kindly point me to a "fellow leftie" (where do I find one?) who has hypocritically made a point of demanding "more etiquette" and "less vulgarity" while himelf/herself selectively tolerating rude behavior and vulgarity, I'll be happy to consider the case.

*waits*

But hell, since in the midst of your little tantrum you couldn't be bothered to take the time to look yourself, I'll be happy to play your stinking little partisan game.

So much for your waiting....and your point.

keep waiting... Keith doesn't like to be called on things...

If that's directed towards me, I think you are more than a wee bit confused. Here I am, as usual, reading insubstantial drivel that's pretty much the same cowardly, ad hominem swill that some of you would like to pretend rises to the level of being "called on things." And, imagine....I care so little about being "called on things" (and I'm still waiting for the first substantial example of something that rises above the craven level of "you stinking commie") that you actually have my name, address, and phone number.

*waits*
posted by fold_and_mutilate at 3:57 PM on February 18, 2003


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