Mike P, I can understand your feelings. But I also can say that I personally posted to mieskie when he called an ex-ME employee a dork by stating that I understood he considered his posting style "unique" and that some folks may not get his humor, but I politely told him that that kind of thing was frowned upon here. I got no response from him. I also saw that in one case, when his blantantly crude humor received no response (and I suspect more than one poster simply saw that particular and left the thread in disgust) he mistook the appalled silence for tacit approval. Then people started to resort to "engagement" to let him know that some of the community was less than thrilled with his behavior. I saw all three tactics used, but I don't think there was any real way to deal with this issue and NOT give people uncomfortable feelings.

This postmortem could go on forever and ever. Suffice it to say that I agree with the decision and can't feel sorry for someone who just couldn't take either subtle hints or direct warnings to heart.

edited for clarity.

David, I always felt that Mieskie was one of those unfortunate people who could be quite articulate and even possibly eloquent when discussing sonething on an impersonal basis (i.e. a character assessment) while being almost completely inept at direct social interaction as 'themselves'. More of a sad case than a bully.

I have read some references to 'back-channel' discussions with our reviled offender, but I'm unaware of the substance of these communications and thus have no data as to any 'official' warning he might have received that he would be banned for any further transgressions against 'community standards' upon which to base my claims. I was not really expecting to have to defend my opinions quite so vigorously (grin).

RL, I was just entirely unaware that this type of discussion even occurred here. It took me almost two months to catch up with the almost 12,000 Firefly posts at the time before I even de-lurked and I simply have not had the time to do much more than keep up there since. I've tried to glance at other areas and see what they were about, but this thread alone had well over another 1000 posts in it at the time and I'm one of those unfortunates who doesn't feel right skipping the majority of back posts and then submitting my own. If that disqualifies me from ever being a 'real' Buffista, then so be it.

Edited for Cashmereity... er clarity...

Pish-tosh, Mike. There are plenty of Buffistas who slog through thousands of posts before posting (e.g. me).

But what, in your view, is the appropriate response to somebody who is inept at direct socialization, and who insists proudly on that ineptitude?

This is a party of sorts; we're sitting around talking and enjoying one another's company. Somebody new walked into the party. That's great. We're always glad to get a new set of ideas. (Seriously; if you look at the last six months, new posters are generally greeted with "Welcome!") The somebody, part of the time, could give good speeches about abstract ideas. Another part of the time he told crude jokes at the top of his lungs, insulted people who disagreed with him, and mocked the people who politely suggested that his behavior was inappropriate.

What's the right thing to do? I know what we did, but what would you suggest?

I am also quite willing to drop this thing and accept that I possibly hold different opinions on this subject than many other people (believe me, I'm quite used to that). I think my most glaring miscommunications have been cleared up (i.e. big brother), though anyone who feels they must still take me to task should feel free to do so. Again, I hope I haven't offended, as that was never, nor will it ever be, my intent.

though anyone who feels they must still take me to task should feel free to do so. Again, I hope I haven't offended, as that was never, nor will it ever be, my intent.

Mike, I don't have a sense that anyone's got a gripe with you, and thanks for sharing your opinions.

Not a bit, Mike. Your intelligence and your concern are very clear. I hope you keep hanging out around these parts.

David, I always felt that Mieskie was one of those unfortunate people who could be quite articulate and even possibly eloquent when discussing sonething on an impersonal basis (i.e. a character assessment) while being almost completely inept at direct social interaction as 'themselves'. More of a sad case than a bully.

ITA with you, Mike, except that on the last point I'm not sure there's a distinction. He's a sad case, yes, but he clearly enjoys bullying people, or at least sees nothing wrong with it. In a community, that's a problem.

I'm not offended by anything you've said, Mike, and I'm glad you spoke up. For one thing, I think the point that this discussion was going on while some people were unaware of it is a good one. Some newbies might still be unclear on the procedure of m.'s removal, and that may create the picture of the Cool Kids-Backchannel discussion, which never happened. All the discussion was here, in plain sight, although separate from the site of the disturbance. Which, despite the confusion, is how it should be, IMO.

Well, Betsy, not really knowing what was and was not done (backchannel, etc), I can't really post a cogent response. Nor is it really my place to contradict the overwhelming opinion of the 'community'. I am quite willing to say that I made my initial (Firefly thread) post with a woeful lack of data (I HATE doing that!) and while in a situation where I carried more weight in the matter I personally would have perhaps attempted some direct intervantion with the offender, the reality is that the situation occurred (mostly when I was unable to directly take part in the specifically offending discussions) and has been resolved and my nattering about it seems to be doing nothing but ruffling the feathers of many people somewhat unnessesarily. To address your example directly, your 'party person' sounds almost exacly like my mother-in-law (Aside from the 'he' part. I have a, odd family, but not that odd). My wife and I and her two siblings and their families anre currently in the process of laying the goudwork for an intervention to try and save the woman from herself. Any situation of this type can be quite difficult, and perhaps my sensitivity level on the subject is a little high due to my present circumstances. I guess I just really don't like the idea of banishment in the abstract or in reality.

Excellent analogy Betsy. We are able to read posts from well known regulars and know the underlying tone of the posts. We have chided regular members about having a bad day when their posts are uncharacteristically bad moody. We don’t know the underlying intent of new members, but I feel the banned member made his intentions clear.

The flood of new posters are joining a party in progress with people comfortable and knowledgeable of the social environment. It is not the only social environment available on the World Wide Web. The overwhelming majority of new posters are going to have a good time playing here and I shout welcome to the party. (and welcome Mike P)

The system worked splendidly. It did make me somewhat uncomfortable, but the bottom line for me was that the presence of the offending poster caused me to unsubscribe to the FF thread and now I can go back. It’s all good.