I don't want to be divisive, lest the terrorists win, but I had rather repeat the experience of being wrong and having to apologize (the lesson of Deena) than being right and allowing too much time to pass before acting (the lesson of mieskie). It would be rash to hold a trial now, I guess, but our suspension policy needs some technological teeth.

Edited to fix a then/than homonym spelling error. I don't think I've ever made that mistake before. Your/you're was bad enough -- what is the Internet doing to me?

our suspension policy needs some technological teeth.

What sort of technological teeth?

but I had rather repeat the experience of being wrong and having to apologize (the lesson of Deena) than being right and allowing too much time to pass before acting (the lesson of mieskie). It would be rash to hold a trial now, I guess, but our suspension policy needs some technological teeth.

Mrmn. Not me, I guess? If it's an issue we have any reason to waffle about (ie it's not christiandollarstore.com, or any other obvious spamming or trolling) then I think I'd rather waffle than jump a gun.

I don't know. Ignore the inarticulate Lizard in the corner.

I don't know. Ignore the inarticulate Lizard in the corner.

Not at all. I think you have a valid point there.

At this point, I kind of miss christiandollarstore.com.

There was no picture. Just the concept of a picture.

Duuuuuude. You're getting zen and freaky here.

Love the Flying Circus foot graphic.

What sort of technological teeth?

I'm not sure that technology exists, because you're all down on the effectiveness of IP banning. And other boards don't seem to be able to lock out Freepers. But if we can't enforce the suspension automatically with technology, it doesn't really stop anyone from posting -- as we saw immediately after suspending Michael/mieskie. Waiting to assemble circumstantial evidence like word-frequency counts will allow as much damage as the original suspension process.

Maybe we don't really need a completely effective suspension technology -- the discipline process is pretty stigmatizing. But we do need Marcie if people can slip back through the cracks to cause more trouble. It'll grant me and maybe Rob some technological patience to keep us from trying to accelerate the process with angry posts like mine above.

But we do need Marcie if people can slip back through the cracks to cause more trouble.

Pretty please. I'd PAY for MARCIE at this point.

I'd PAY for MARCIE at this point.

I can't help but wonder if MARCIE would just help create a subculture of asswipes who would multiply like rabbits without the stompy foot of social norms. I assume that capital letter Stompy Feet can't really use MARCIE, because they have to see what's doing to whitefont and such.

You have a point, Allyson. One I don't really know how to address, but it is a sticky thought.

Bugger, I'm going to have to do it again. I hate looking all noble and tolerant, it makes people I don't like think they can talk to me.

I'm on Schmoker's side. The situation as I see it: He came in and attempted to to match the snark-level of the old timers, and as I saw it, some folks were quite surprised to find a relative newby immediately attempting to sound like a veteran. I personally dislike the idea of "You're new here, be quiet until you earn your stripes." No, no one used that phrase or even something close to it, but anytime I see "It takes time to fit into a community" or "you might need to watch a bit to figure out how to fit in" or words to that effect, I twitch.

No one should come here, hat in hand, and have to hang around on the doorstep waiting for some mythical time when they "fit in", "understand the community," or some other phrase that makes the people here into an "us/them", "oldtimers/newbies." More power to the people who arrive with confidence, stride into conversations, and have the courage to have their own personalities.

I laughed at his "panties in a twist" remark and was prepared to watch a bit of classic interpersonal snark. Instead all sorts of stuff blew up.

Ignore people at whim. But whenever an us/them divide appears, don't look for me on the "us" side.