ATTN Moderators

[RCmodeler]

In the last two days I have been repeatedly insulted. The primary persons guilty of this are:
- Jan
- OmahaStar
See below. Although I am new to this forum, I have been a constant poster on the internet since 1987, and a member of the rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 community since 1994, and I do NOT tolerate such personal attacks. And according to your rules, neither do you.

Please take a moment and clean up the mess.

Originally posted by Jan
Thanks, OmahaStar, you beat me to it. Obviously the number of people who've actually *read* JMS' posts are in the minority here.

Or these are among the idiots who thing that they're 'entitled' to the scripts on the basis of being 'fans'. Some fans. Or they didn't understand that big word "bootleg" is another word for stealing. Surely they're not stupid enough to think that just because JMS doesn't post here that he might not read this forum? Maybe what it'll take for people to respect his property is for JMS to take a few to court. After all, they can't claim that they didn't know it was wrong *since I posted that it was*.

Rudeness and stupidity in one package. How efficient of them.
Jan

Originally posted by OmahaStar

You keep telling yourself that, and when Warner Bros. sues you for copyright infringement and your ass lands in federal P.M.I.T.A. prison, don't come whining to us.

If you're going to bother posting here at all, try not being a complete and total jackass/moron. DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST.

[Jan]

You might want to email Doug directly since I don't think he reads all the posts here regularly.

For what it's worth, I'm out of that thread except for people who request my synopsis of 'Gut Reactions".

Jan

[RCmodeler]

And commend this person for this wise words:

Originally posted by Doktor
Or alternatively you could all stop fighting over who's gonna be first to the moral high ground and just point out politely that distributing the scripts is illegal and against the wished of JMS. The issue is not about whether the original post was wrong, it's about whether there's a need to react to that with rudeness. Generally, I've found that the more polite you are with people, the more likely they are to conform to your wishes. The ruder you are, the more likely they are to do the exact opposite of that which you wish.

[Radhil]

There's something to be said for the benefits of self-moderated communities.

Blunt version: No offense RC, but you should be able to handle this yourself. Your reaction is just as bad as their trashings, and that never helps. You can clean up the mess just as well without invoking Moderators (whose only capabilities different from yours would be suspension or banning, and call me crazy, that's a little heavy).

Not to mention - they kinda have a point. They were just rude.

[RCmodeler]

I could ignore the insults.

But that wouldn't solve the problem. Jan/OmahaStar would just go insult someone else. And someone else. And someone else.

That's why the moderators should step in.

[Radhil]

Said nuttin' about ignoring. Said everything about handling, and handling well - so far your approach has been of the scorched earth variety, which is far from good.

I also fail to see how a pattern of insults will develop, seeing as we only have the one thread. Multiple posts in that thread, but from what I read I think all of you helped that particular snowball effect. You certainly weren't shy about being rude yourself.

[Doktor]

I agree. That sort of behaviour just puts people off frequenting forums, which is exactly why so many on-line communities become so cliquey. Depends what sort of forum you want really. One where everyone feels welcom, or one where people feel alienated by the rude and abusive attitude of the few who attempt to set themselves up as the forum elite.

[Dr Maturin]

RC, stop being a sissy snitch. Deal with it.

Jan, who said:

<<For what it's worth, I'm out of that thread>>

Cut and run in the face of adversity, eh?! Hee Hee Hee!

I seeee your truuuue colooooors shiiiiiining throuuuugh...

[RCmodeler]

Originally posted by Radhil
Said nuttin' about ignoring. Said everything about handling, and handling well -

I admit I don't handle insults well.

You see, in my opinion there's no excuse for insulting someone else. None. There are more tactful/adult ways of talking to people. So when someone insults me and calls me a "thief" or "idiot", I immediately view that person with great disdain. Such words in an adult forum are un-necessary.

I'm curious to hear how you radhil would handle being called an "idiot".

[Radhil]

Originally posted by RCmodeler
I admit I don't handle insults well.

You see, in my opinion there's no excuse for insulting someone else. None. There are more tactful/adult ways of talking to people. So when someone insults me and calls me a "thief" or "idiot", I immediately view that person with great disdain. Such words in an adult forum are un-necessary.

I'm curious to hear how you radhil would handle being called an "idiot".

Being called an idiot? To my face, I'd probably grin. Either because the other guy has no idea what an idiot he really is, or because I so rarely deserved it. On a board like this, I'd probably have a similar amused reaction. I'm ignorant on more than a few things, but I'm far from an idiot, so petty name-calling like that has little effect on me. And if I deserved it - not unlike "thief", which you didn't intend but might've deserved - I'd grin, make some quip at my own expense, and apologize.

More serious insults... I'd probably react a little like you did. Just with a lot more skewering to beat the insult and a lot less blathering about the indignity of it. Examples are right here on this board. Check "Two things...", page 5, in response to SammyJ, or your script thread, just recently to ZHDDweller (can't seem to figure out how to direct link posts in here... blargh). Maybe you'll learn from what I actually consider "insulting".

[colonyearth]

Originally posted by Doktor
I agree. That sort of behaviour just puts people off frequenting forums, which is exactly why so many on-line communities become so cliquey. Depends what sort of forum you want really. One where everyone feels welcom, or one where people feel alienated by the rude and abusive attitude of the few who attempt to set themselves up as the forum elite.

AMEN! I've met a few like that...I simply try to stand my ground and state my views clearly and with a bit of passion. We're not all ever going to agree on everything, but we can enlighten each other through discussion and yes sometimes rather harsh discussion. I've learned that sometimes a good argument, even on here, can teach me something new about myself and the universe.

No we shouldn't attack personally...however, sometimes it's hard not to -- though in this case it was a bit harsh. I can say that because OS and Jan are actually people I proudly call friends. They're both very knowledgeable and friendly really...you should get to know them. There are people on here that I've had knock-down-drag-out fights with, strangely with the same one(s) at B5tv.com as well. I've buried my hatchet and tried to make some peace and a respect has grown from those fights. Unfortunately one of the people has apparently chosen to mostly ignore me or stay away from anywhere that I am. Sad really, since they've been around longer than me and I have come to respect them...even PM'd them to say such but never heard back.

That to me is sad, when someone says they were over the top and they're sorry and the other can't get past it.

People get passionate, it's part of who we are as humans...it's part of the wonder that JMS wrote about so eloquently in B5.

Eh...get over it...shake hands and live to bicker another day

Remember, we're all B5 fans and thus family IMO. Families fight sometimes...but they always get over it. At least mine does

Love and Peace to all!

CE

[SammyJ]

You know what!?!?....I think JMS better hurry up and give us some new info so we'll have something to talk about rather than insult each other.

Sincerely, SammyJ

[colonyearth]

Originally posted by SammyJ
You know what!?!?....I think JMS better hurry up and give us some new info so we'll have something to talk about rather than insult each other.

Sincerely, SammyJ

I don't know if it will stop the insults...but hell...I'll second that opinion!

[Doktor]

But won't it suck if it's something we don't like? A B5 puppet show for children possibly? Babylon Street?

[OmahaStar]

Originally posted by Doktor
But won't it suck if it's something we don't like? A B5 puppet show for children possibly? Babylon Street?

Not a chance. Angel already did that with the episode "Smile Time" ... And I haven't tuned into that series since. JMS wouldn't do that to his fans.