Hi all...been lurking for a while. So much great stuff here, so much intelligence. Appreciate various links and book recommendations you all post. But, have you noticed that the snotty, contemptuous, mocking remarks posted often in threads very rarely, if ever, have substantial refutations accompanying them, and are of little help to the reader? There seems to be an interesting correlation between contempt and lack of ability to debate intelligently and factually. Just thought I'd mention it.

-- carolyn (carolyn@luvmyhub.com), January 16, 2000

Answers

Yes.

Alas; the hordes who have been mocked so long as Pollies are taking their turn.

Everyone should behave themselves.

Another degradation results from there being so little Y2K to get really excited about. Into this vacuum...

-- ImSo (happy@prepped.com), January 16, 2000.

That kind of crap has been going on here for over 2 years. It is nothing new and we are used to it and just ignore it.

-- ... (...@...com), January 16, 2000.

Carolyn--

Have you ever noticed that snotty, contemptuous, mocking remarks are often made in answer to posts that are so stupid that they don't warrant serious reply?

-- (frank@luvmy.wife), January 16, 2000.

Frank: Shut the hell up.

Carolyn: Welcome, and yes there are idiots here with nothing to say. But there are more valuable contributors than idiots.

p.s. Any minute now King of Spain is going to ask you if you mudwrestle. If you have been lurking here you know he means no harm.

-- semper paratus (still_here_with@my.pals), January 16, 2000.

It's a Net thing, men behaving badly for the most part. Don't know if it's some kind of missionary impulse to tell us how stupid we are, or mere vandalism like spraypainting your name over every available wall. Lot of people who want to tell what they "think" but don't want to refute any evidence offered by those with an opposing viewpoint. Endemic to most unmoderated forums, alas. One of my favorite forums elsewhere has been over-run with that sort of snotty attitude as well.

-- Firemouse (firemouse@fcmail.com), January 16, 2000.

"snotty, contemptuous, mocking remarks...There seems to be an interesting correlation between contempt and lack of ability to debate intelligently and factually."

Did you feel your post was contemptuous toward Pollies, BTW?

-- ImSo (happy@prepped.com), January 16, 2000.

Hi Carolyn.

Sort through the words and make your own judgements.

Simple Parasite

Shut the hell up!

-- Look (at@the.facts), January 16, 2000.

Been here for over two years now Carolyn and I've about seen it all. "a" is right, ignore them, there's a wealth of information here and you'll learn quickly what to read and what to pass by.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), January 16, 2000.

I think it's just one of those "peeing outside" things.

Welcome Carolyn.

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), January 17, 2000.

I'm off to bed but one last thought on this topic:

Carolyn, how would you respond to the previous "Oil" post without coming off as snotty, contemptuous or mocking? Or should we assume it is so ridiculous that it is, in fact, a troll? Do we have to be polite to them, too.

One other thing...it bears repeating that written words, without the face and inflections of their writer, do come across as meaner in spirit than their author may have intended. Mea culpa on that, for sure.

-- ImSo (happy@prepped.com), January 17, 2000.

LL.

Give it a rest... will ya?... and please, do go to bed.. :-)

-- Netghost (ng@no.yr), January 17, 2000.

Hi Carolyn, To answer your question, in a word, Yes.

Somewhere in life you've probably heard of people like the ones you described. You might have met or interacted with one of them before. They often are overbearing and lacking in quality. Most people avoid them like a social disease. Just ignore the twerps and think twice about hitting the 'Submit' button in response to an annoying post.

I agree with you that there are many interesting personalities here. And lots of challenging ideas. Enjoy.

-- snooze button (alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com), January 17, 2000.

It's like walkin' through the pasture to get to the mailbox - you gotta step over the patties and avoid holes. After you get there, you hope there's more than advertisements and bills.

-- Michael (m@m.m), January 17, 2000.