Well it's true. Some of us know you're a big softie at heart, but that's generally not the persona you project in general discussions...unless I've missed something, which is possible. ;)

I guess it depends on the subject matter. :D

Or if the subject matters...:D

Forgive my denseness, but who's the third one? I've read tw and Mercs exchanges, so that's two. Who's the third?

Now that you bring that up, it is pretty annoying. I'm a tolerant fellow though so I've not said anything up to this point.

I don't see any point in bringing out the old ban-stick.

This shit springs up, everybody gets hot under the collar, people start flinging about insults and bringing up old troubles and then... it all stops. It always does. The main protagonists get bored or distracted and something else starts attracting our collective attention. Very, very rarely, does the Cellar deviate from this pattern.

Merc and Tw, and several others, go through this on a semi-regular basis. It's unpleasant, it gets on most peoples' nerves, but it'll pass. It always does. The only possible reason for a ban, as far I can see, would be if we were hoping to recruit new members and were afraid this would put off those who wander through. As far as i know, we aren't on a recruitment drive...

A second reason to ban might be if one of the main players in the row was a newbie who hadn't proved themselves, but had just waltzed in causing havoc and upset and insulting people left, right and centre. Clearly that's not the case here. Both are established members of the community who have each made a significant contribution to who and what we are.

That said, when a barkeep tells you to quieten it down or take your argument outside, it behooves you as a patron to listen. I would suggest that all of those involved in the row listen to Bruce and take your argument elsewhere (in private chat or on a different forum).

I don't see merc as an established member. He's a fucking bully and has been from day one. I've been stupid enough to pass over his homophobia and constant abuse of tw. He started out with cover as the conservative who wasn't as annoying as UG, but now he is far worse. He contributes nothing to this forum.

I think that's an unfairly bleak account of Merc's time here. He's been a member for two years and in that time he's made positive and negative contributions, as have many of us.

You can't see past the politics. Whateva.

Not to shit stir, I made my peace with Merc (mentally) a while ago.
But if we're talking about not bringing spouses into it, you might want to consider Merc's comments about Radar's wife.

TW was wrong. But Merc has also been wrong in the past. As have other posters. Some people on here argue personally, spitefully, nastily. It's not attractive, but it is part of who they are, and they are we - we are the Cellar.

I say, let Merc & TW have their spat. The only part of it that really bugs me is when it gets into the whole "double standards" and "bullying" thing. I believe those claims are unfounded, but Merc does seem to have been treated more leniently IMO. Perhaps because he can post like a human being too (cooking, humour etc).

I was wrong. I was admonished and warned. And I reformed. That was over a year ago. I was guilty as charged and have made no such comments to Radar since even though he continues to make directly insulting comments to everyone who disagrees with him. The ignore button works wonders.

I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, but I have to admit I've flipped the bozo bit on Merc after this one.

Of course that doesn't excuse tw's behavior.

I accept Merc's post (penultimate above). He has been way over the line and apologised - here and in other posts. That goes a long way in my esteem.

Doesn't mean I haven't abhorred some of Merc's posts. But TW's claim of favouritism doesn't take this into account. I haven't switched my views, because I still say let them both shred eachother. But Merc did remind me why I made my peace with him back them.

I wish there was a way to put Merc, tw, UG and (possibly) Radar & UT on ignore -- only for their political posts. They have posted gems in other categories that are definitely worth reading, but their angry contributions to political threads often poison their legibility beyond redemption.:headshake

Usually classicman, but he wasn't involved in the latest shitstorm.