I finally figured out how "Read New" missed this whole big discussion. It was when I jumped to Sophia's "Pros and Cons" post. When we have a separate thread for voting discussion, that won't happen.

I'm glad the conversation wasn't shut down. Besides being frustrating for the people who wanted to talk, I would have been so curious about what Allyson was going to say.

I... heard a "just" before the "backing" part.

Oh hell. Sorry.

That clears it right up. I can easily see taking it that way by mistake. No worries.

I'm getting the impression even now that people, rather than saying "oh well John might have gone about it the wrong way, but after all, it turns out he was right" are saying "even if he was right, he shouldn't have brought it up because it's upsetting

Oh, I knew you were right, but we were technologically unable to ban someone permanently. Therefore, there was no point getting upset trying.

Binary walk is way cool.

Rebecca Lizard: It could be someone who discusses pro baseball and the Simpsons all the time.

DavidS: I want to talk to that person! Go make him or her up, Lizard.

So you're saying, if DXMachina didn't exist, we would have to invent him?

I'll miss Anathema. Third time around he was charming. But his past caught up with him, as it should. Being a good neighbor for 20 years doesn't take your picture off that old FBI Most Wanted poster.

A whole lot of posts while I was composing my last. It was actually bitterchick's post that I wanted to hear (she's been so cryptic about her name change, I thought she was Allyson for weeks and weeks). And what a post it was.

(Incidentally, I think that it was recently discovered that the Rosenbergs were indeed spying for the soviets, wasn't it?)

To me, the word that applies to both McCarthy and John H is "vindicated," although it'll always be remembered as an unpleasant episode.

So you're saying, if DXMachina didn't exist, we would have to invent him?

It just means I have to spend more time with Ed at the F2F. First beer's on me.

checking feelings. Nope, still not upset at being misled by someone with an odd way of fulfilling his apparent need to belong here. I'm kind of sad. And I can't say I blame him for end-running the ban. A ban from a community of Buffy/Angel fans does not have the same mental weight as a ban from say, the municipal court that can throw your meatspace butt in a jail cell.

I have to admit I'm still somewhat startled at the degree to which people are upset by Anathema's actions. But I can only judge my own reactions to those feelings, I have no right to judge the feelings themselves.

McCarthy was not vindicated. To start with people still argue over whethr the Rosenbergs were guilty,. But if they were it has nothing to do with the many many innocent people who were harmed .

Hey Gar -- How's that binary walk lookin'? :)

Can't we go back to talking about Nutty's bras again?

And can you sing "Walk This Way" while you post it?

I have to admit I'm still somewhat startled at the degree to which people are upset by Anathema's actions.

It was connie who first made me realize I was way too angry about Schmoker and needed to calm down. And now I do a feelings check like her and I'm not upset either. In fact, since that day I've failed to become upset over voting, war, and many other controversial issues. Somehow, I no longer need to Doblerize, because connie taught me to Chill.

In fact, since that day I've failed to become upset over voting, war, and many other controversial issues. Somehow, I no longer need to Doblerize, because connie taught me to Chill.

checking various IDs in my wallet. Nope, teacher still not listed. Still blushing.

This post does not have the answers to everyone's concerns, and you might well want to skip it. It's just more therapy from another shellshocked Buffista who's avoiding the news. FWIW, I think telling Buffistas to drop a subject, especially one with as much baggage as this one, is an invitation to exploding Buffistas.

After mieske started making people uncomfortable, there were even people who accused Deena (who was a newbie back then) of being a sock-puppet, for committing the cardinal sin of engaging mieske in a conversation.

Paul, that was me, and I was wrong. But Deena and I got over it, and we get along great now. I agree that things were a little crazy at that time, and that mistakes were made. I made mistakes. I do that sometimes. There's no way to go back and change that, so I'd like to ask for a little forgiveness all around.

FWIW, John, I was personally quite upset by your leaving. We're not close friends, but I like you, and the idea that someone who built the board and has been an important part of the community felt he had to leave as a result of all the mieskie bullshit was end-of-the-worldy to me. As a result of that, and the fact that I always felt sure that m/S/A were the same person, I never felt I could engage him with any comfort. Not saying that those who did and who will miss him are wrong, but I can't relate. Too much negativity had built up by that point, and I couldn't give S/A the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps that means I'm small-minded. It's possible. But that's how my mind was working. I couldn't say anything nice, so once the subject was shut down I said nothing at all.

I think the rest, and very possibly what's above, has been talked to death already. I agree with Misha that many of us are on edge on account of a pair of stubborn dictators--I know I am--so I hope people will try not to be hurtful, or to take quick offense. (That reads like my standard rosy-colored glasses sign-off, I know. Ah well.)