Ever so grateful, MM.

Taken in the spirit, Tep, no worries.

I wasn't addressing the subject of this discussion so much as the fact that we re-visit the process every few months. I'm always tempted to just slump on the couch, drink my beer, eat my pork rinds, and blow the whole thing off, but I'm a part of this board, and it's something of a duty, if I have an opinion, to express it.

It always comes down to "I want to talk about left-handed widgets with the handful of people who're interested in left-handed widgets. The right-handed widgets people can make their own thread (let 'em get their own corpse, for those who were there)" vs. "Can't you find an eddy in a current stream to talk about this?" or even, "Dudes, share with the class."

I'm oversimplifying, and that's a disservice. Also, I've expressed my opinion, and will vote when it comes time. Y'all carry on. I'll just be over here on the couch with the remote and the Mountain Dew.

Without the anti-proliferationistas coming in here and telling us how much we suck for even asking for a new thread.

Sean, I really don't believe anyone here is saying you, or anyone else who wants a gaming thread (or a cooking thread, or a knitting thread, or whatever) SUCKS. Really, really not.

I think anti-proliferationism and "relentless logic" are coincidental. Also, I swear I am not a Vulcan. Just because I do not think that drama is a legitimate tactic in argumentation, that does not mean I have green blood.

Let me ask you (and Nutty, and bon, and whoever else) a question: Why do you have to fight so vehemently every time? Why not just vote against it?

Well, but ask yourself the same question. Why do you argue for it? Because you like to feel like you've had your say, and been heard, and if the will of the electorate is to tell you to go get stuffed this time, that doesn't mean it's true for all time. Why does Dennis Kucinich run for president?

If you're seriously asking people who disagree with you, "Why do you have to talk about the fact that we disagree?" then I think you might want to recall that these are the Buffistas. And then go get yourself a muffalletta.

If you're seriously under the impression that people who disagree with you are forcing you to fight tooth and nail, then I think you are being dramatic again, and that... well, to my swear-I'm-not-Vulcan eye, that feels icky and bothersome, like somebody saying, "My feelings are more important than yours because they are louder."

We all have feelings, and many of them are strong where new thread creation is involved. This is not news; this need not be controversial; this need not be angry or mean.

And then go get yourself a muffalletta.

With olives.

runs away

Also, I swear I am not a Vulcan.

Hey, wait a minute...didn't I see you at the Subek Kolinahr ceremony?

Yeah! You brought that awesome plomeek soup!

VULCAN! NUTTY'S A VULCAN!!

VULCAN! NUTTY'S A VULCAN!!

Nutty's made of vulcanised rubber, pass it on.

Bah! I am an elf. I can snap my fingers and all my clothing will iron itself!

Not Drew or Bev, but...

Because we don't think the threads we ask for are unreasonable, and we keep hoping that each time it won't be such a chore.

Let me ask you (and Nutty, and bon, and whoever else) a question: Why do you have to fight so vehemently every time? Why not just vote against it?

Sean, my post was neither pro nor con a gaming thread. I just asked why 2 people I care about are putting themselves in a situation that's rife with obvious frustration for them, when it's possible for them to avoid the frustration by avoiding this discussion.

I wasn't saying they *should* avoid it; just pointing out that there *is* a way to sidestep the frustration if they so desire.

Taken in the spirit, Tep, no worries.

Cool.

I wasn't addressing the subject of this discussion so much as the fact that we re-visit the process every few months.

I'm with you on that. For whatever reason, my frustration threshold seems to be higher these days, but I totally understand your frustration.

(let 'em get their own corpse, for those who were there)

::snerk::

I can snap my fingers and all my clothing will iron itself!

Can you teach me that trick? I look like crap.

Sean, you posted while I was composing, and I'd like to answer you directly. I love you a lot, I think you're a terrific person, and I admire you for many reasons. So please don't perceive this as an attack.

That you want a thread and feel it's a simple thing that should be easier to attain is understandable. In this instance it might even be the right thing to happen. But if you ask, and we say, "Sure! That's a great idea!" and create the thread you want just because it's you, then the next person who wants their thread, and the five after that--what do we say to them?

Anti-proliferation isn't a luddite stance. It's hard to hold a line against people you like or love or respect and their wishes for threads that may sound like something you'd like to visit. But if we acquiesce to requests from friends then we have to, in fairness, offer the same acquiescence to board members we don't know as well, or like as much. Which leads, sooner or later, at least in my mind, to allowing at-will thread creation. And some folks believe strongly that's where we should be anyway.

I'm not one of them, and I do feel segregation of interests, while convenient for busy people with a few narrow subjects they like to keep abreast of, is not in the best interest of the board or of the community. It's just my opinion. I'm obligated to express it. Having done so, I'll be quiet.