BTW, did we decide on the title for the next Bitches thread?

It was down to two. We should take it to Bitches and check. There are, what, four of us there? Should make the decision easy.

And the Deep Of The Night Thread Namers ride again!

I'm all for being an elitist prick. That's just me, though. I like Kat's theory of community stock.

Veteran Buffistas have earned their status by being respectful, funny, thoughtful, kickass, one post at a time, over a lot of time. It's how you introduce yourself, how you make friends.

I feel like veterans have earned a higher degree of respect than the ordinary respect we hand out at the front door to anyone who walks in and says, "yo, hi, I'm a newbie, and these are my thoughts on the current discussion."

I didn't owe Schmoker the same respect and benefit of the doubt that I owe ita, who has shared far more razor sharp jabs with Shawn than the twisted panties comment. I have background knowledge that ita and Shawn go way back, and genuinely like each other, they are friends.

Schmoker did not establish that, didn't even know that Shawn isn't male.

Coming into a new community means being on your best behavior, being polite, getting to know people, earning your stock. Have to earn it.

Liz, your reaction is as valid as anyone's. But, forgive me, not more valid.

Oh, god, no, I'd never meant to say that! I'm very upset I came across that way to you. This is my Buffista opinion on what is happening. That is all. I have no delusions that my word does, or should, carry huge weight. (I thought I'd laced my speeches with enough datives of subjectivity, as it were, the "seems to me" and "I believe that", that that was clear. Oh, oh dear.) If my repetitive yammering about what I think makes me appear to believe I've got any sort of greater authority than anybody else, *please* shut me up. As I shall.

BTW, did we decide on the title for the next Bitches thread?

I don't think there was any conclusivity. (Look at that word! I made it up.)

And on this, as in many other things, Allyson, I shall have to respectfully disagree.

{{{{Liz}}}} Forgive me, I skimmed. My bad. But what do you expect from someone who is too cowardly to attempt Joyce?

And on this, as in many other things, Allyson, I shall have to respectfully disagree.

It's the "respectfully" part that means that I'll have a beer with you and talk about what our opinions are and why we have them.

You don't treat people you barely know like you're best buds. It's that way in meatspace, it's that way here.

I can body slam Shawn as many times as I like (and I will sweetie, I will, keep your hands off Dave), but Allyson's right. Shawn and I go back. Shawn and I didn't always know each other. We came to. If I'd talked to her then the way I talk to her now ... she'd have had every right to get her knickers in a twist.

That's not cliquishness. That's community and interpersonal relationships.

You can't rush it. You can't talk to me like Shawn does just because Shawn does it. It's going to be something I build up with each and every person I relate to here. And it's vague and different from situation to situation, but when all these threads between all of us are woven together, it makes the Phoenix.

Now, with ita I may just hide behind the 82nd Airborne and wave a flag that says "Sure, whatever!" Allyson, if we're ever in the same place, I'll share that beer with you.