Impeding changes to our Health Care system

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by Redux

Would knowing me better result in more people participating in the political discussions and condemning The Mercenary for characterizing a member of Congress as a Nazi or posting pics of Obama as Hitler? Why dont you find that igrnorant or offensive...or just childish...and speak out?

The other side of that coin is that if Merc knew you, he wouldn't say nearly as much of that kind of thing. Merc suffers very strongly from the Anonymity Syndrome of the internet. If you're some stranger, his default position is to be a douchebag towards you. When he first arrived, he was a douchebag to a lot of people. As he got to know us, and we got to know him, he stopped being nearly so childish towards most people and most discussions. Still does on occasion, to be sure, but nowadays it's almost 100% directed towards you. He's fiercely loyal to those he cares about, and violently defensive against people he doesn't know. It's a character flaw, to be sure, but it's known. You are unknown, so not only does Merc taunt you like a pit bull, but we don't care enough to stop him.

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

The other side of that coin is that if Merc knew you, he wouldn't say nearly as much of that kind of thing. Merc suffers very strongly from the Anonymity Syndrome of the internet. If you're some stranger, his default position is to be a douchebag towards you. When he first arrived, he was a douchebag to a lot of people. As he got to know us, and we got to know him, he stopped being nearly so childish towards most people and most discussions. Still does on occasion, to be sure, but nowadays it's almost 100% directed towards you. He's fiercely loyal to those he cares about, and violently defensive against people he doesn't know. It's a character flaw, to be sure, but it's known. You are unknown, so not only does Merc taunt you like a pit bull, but we don't care enough to stop him.

Clod..we obviously have different ways of dealing with discussion board bullies.

You (and others) do what works for you....get to know him, find his good points and then ignore what you readily characterize as his most bullying and ignorant posts.

Sorry, that just wont for me.

[SamIam]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

You are unknown, so not only does Merc taunt you like a pit bull, but we don't care enough to stop him.

Well, if I could stop Merc from a pit bull, believe me, I would. Merc did me a real kindness a couple of months back, so I have been able to see that he does have a humane side. That doesn't mean I like the tone of his posts here, though. So play nice, Merc. (like this is really going to have a big effect).