steeler wrote: 
Thanks for calling me on my labeling of him - it's my own perception, despite his claims to the contrary. ;) I want to reply to the rest of your post later today. Gotta focus on work for now.

 romeotuma wrote: 
Well thought out and finely crafted response. In some circles, making up a derogatory nickname and posting it here repeatedly might be construed as either harassment or bashing. Or both.
Just so you know.

 zipper wrote: 

Actually, he has often stated that he is neither conservative nor liberal, and has objected, in the past, when his viewpoints are characterized as being only conservative. So, I believe he would object to the characterization of him being a "vocal conservative at RP."
In fact, he made that point just a few pages down in this thread, in a response to Jadewahoo: 

I'm both liberal and conservative, depending upon topic.  

I raise this only to debunk the notion that objections to posts made by he or anyone else are motivated solely by partisan bias. I have never found that to be pervasively true here, on either side of the proverbial party aisle.  That does not mean, however, that there are not those who consistently toe the party line and steadfastly refuse to acknowledge a countering viewpoint  Thankfully, they are in the minority, albeit sometimes quite vocal— and strident.  At times, I agree, they threaten to drown out those who consistently offer reasoned viewpoints and engage in reasonable discussions.  Those folk are in the majority here, and, as I have often stated in my time here, I have learned a great deal from those discussions.

The truth is, the diversity of viewpoints here on any topic is pretty remarkable, and the comments very insightful.   

Perhaps, though, we do have to throw the baby out with the bath water.  That would be unfortunate, but, as you have pointed out, it may be unavoidable at this point. 

   

                 

 samiyam wrote: 
Nice!

Truly, I appreciate your story a lot. I always wished I could have been involved in that stuff, but I was too young.

So thank you.

 Atman wrote: 
I'm going to Napa this weekend so I've got stuff on my mind.  But I promise that I've got the whole thing plotted out now so it's going to be finished in about three more chapters.  Trip back is basically uneventful.

 romeotuma wrote: 

Sorry...all baloney. Have a sandwich, won't you...don't forget the pickles.

 samiyam wrote: 
That's all I meant, just a little thing.

What can I do to get you in the mood for more writing?

 hippiechick wrote: 
That's known as an observation, as proven indicated by his continued presence.

 owld_skipper wrote: 
  When you come back, bring a few Molson's whydonja eh?

 Atman wrote: 
I agree, there is no such thing as an appropriate attack.  Beaker is wrong if he does that...  There... that being said... can we have a few beers and forget about it?

I think there's a rugby game on international sports...

 zipper wrote: 
Speaking solely for myself, which is all I have ever done, criticisms notwithstanding, I do not find Beaker's politics to be the issue... indeed,  I find his politics to be a bit too left wing for my taste. My umbrage is with his behavior. Covert threats, demeaning with name calling and insults to those with whom he feels are 'against him' politically, his arrogant attitude of self-righteousness... I could go on and on, but many others here, have, over time, addressed these apsects of his self-isolation from this community. Kindness is not a word one thinks of in the same sentence when considering Beaker a la his posts here in RP. I would expect, actually, that in real life he is probably a fine person and that he is just using this arena to channel his vinegar and spit. And, as might be expected, when you mix vinegar with baking soda, you get  lot of froth. I know I have frothed at the dude, even recently. But even though he continues to pour more vinegar upon the soda, it is long since spent of its reactivity, no longer froths, then he goes to find someone else upon whom to spit his venom.
I kinda like the guy myself, but please don't tell him that. He might find it embarrassing.

 zipper wrote: 
Thankfully, the Beak is resilient enough to withstand the barbs cast his way

Thankfully, not the same one as you

 zipper wrote: 
Could be. I'm on both, but I don't spend tons of time on either. Probably I'm missing out both ways. :)

 winter wrote: 
Thanks, B. I think it's proven true for lots of folks of all political walks, evidenced by the ongoing exodus to FB.

 zevon wrote: 
As I've said before, I like Beaker because he stirs the waters.

There may seem to be too many leftists here at RP's forums but I like to see Beaker post because he's definitely a right-winged person in his politics and the balance makes the whole experience better.  Now if I'm wrong to have posted this, I'm wrong.  There are times his opinions upset me and I've disagreed with him on things, but I love having him around.

 hippiechick wrote: 
Which part of my words do you read as my speaking for Beak?
On what planet do you spend most of your time? etc.

 zipper wrote: 
Well said. I'm more liberal-leaning myself, and I'm often tempted to wash my hands of the place because of all the flame wars and personal attacks and pettiness. I wish we could all disagree without being disagreeable.

 zipper wrote: 
So now, we're not only talking about someone, we are speaking FOR him. Are you Beaker's brain? 

People, this ain't high school. 

 pjcle wrote: 
Not at all. As a matter of fact, I hang with him daily at another site, in another group, and he is a very well respected and valuable member of that group, as well as being a lot of fun to hang with.

That's my answer to your question, PJ, and the following is not directed at you in any way shape or form.

If you want to hate anyone's political or other worldviews, hate them. If you want to make it personal, I submit that it's a pretty fucked up thing to do.
It equates to "because this person believes in something I vehemently disagree with, this person is a flaming asshole". Prejudice of the worst kind.
Hate the game, but the playa hating is bullshit.

If this puts me on 10, 50, 100 people's shitlist, I really don't give a rat's ass. I've long ago given up any hope that things will change for the better around here, that's why I'm not around that much. I know who my friends are and so do they, and we stay in touch one way or the other.