posted
You're currently experiencing a certain trial by fire because, quite frankly, you fit the traditional template of a troll: you came out of nowhere, immediately posted new threads (with inflammatory topics) without participating in old ones, and don't appear open to actual discussion.
I am, however, willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. If you are in fact a 30ish guy from Tooele, Utah with two kids and a passing interest in politics, I think you'll fit in just fine here -- provided that you take a deep breath, and provided that you give US a chance to adjust to YOU.
Trust me when I say that, so far, you have said nothing we have not heard before; this is why, coupled with the troll suspicions, people were initially so dismissive of your arguments. I suspect, however, that you can defend your opinions more cogently if given the chance. The thing is, we won't GIVE you the chance if your debate style largely consists of "what I say is a FACT; if you disagree, you are a drooling idiot -- or liberal, since I use the words interchangeably" tactics. That kind of Freeper "debate" won't win you any friends or arguments here; we try -- and mostly succeed -- to maintain higher standards.
So please revisit your threads with an eye towards actual discussion, with the intent to actually PARTICIPATE instead of lecture. So far, the only thing you've said that really concerned me was your quick, defensive quip about not actually caring what any of us think; I'd like you to reconsider that.
I make you this promise: as long as you care what I think, I will treat you with respect. I think most of the forum will do the same.
posted
Actually, Farmgirl, that was my first thought after reading the thread and then looking again at the nome de plume. Of course I always look at things with a word association slant.
Posts: 2022 | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
You'll also find that even people that agree with your ideas will get annoyed with you if you say things in an inflamitory way. People haven't dismissed your ideas becasue of their ideas, but we do have a habit of dismissing something that is obviously argumentative.
Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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quote: Crimson flames tied through my ears Rollin' high and mighty traps Pounced with fire on flaming roads Using ideas as my maps "We'll meet on edges, soon," said I Proud 'neath heated brow. Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now.
posted
Sadly, I see no indication that Chad has actually read this thread. Perhaps if I gave it a name like "abortionist gays hate America...."
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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posted
Well, there is most definitely a Chad Stroman who fits the description he's given for himself. If he's a troll, he's stolen someone's identity for an alibi -- but I don't think so. I think this is the same Chad Stroman who once posted somewhere that he's been an avid reader of Tom Clancy novels since the age of five.
THAT Chad Stroman seems capable of making perfectly intelligible posts on topics he cares deeply about without insulting people who disagree with him. On the assumption that this is the same Chad Stroman, I'm willing to extend an olive branch to this guy and just figure he had an off week or something.
posted
He'd only be welcome if he either reformed his previous ways or stayed out of politics. The guy who seems to be the same guy has been banned from politics forums before, and uses as his avatar on at least one forum a pic of gore yelling with a tense look on his face while leaning forward a bit . . . with the words "HARDER BILL!!!" superimposed.
Posts: 15770 | Registered: Dec 2001
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posted
I happen to know RRR's name, Chad. And she knows mine. It comes when a level of trust develops.
Posts: 4089 | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
i have this funny feeling that calling her by name is going to do the opposite of winning her favor.
Posts: 157 | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
It gave me a creepy stalkeresque feeling, but I realize he probably surmised "Sarah" from her email address.
Posts: 4089 | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
In all fairness, it's probably MORE creepy that I now have Chad's home address and phone number, thanks to the power of Google. All things considered, he's taken that remarkably in stride.
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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posted
chad, do you really feel that using the name one's parents gave one makes that person more "upfront" than using a name chosen for onesself? how is one any more valid or hoest than the other?
Posts: 380 | Registered: Mar 2003
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quote: In all fairness, it's probably MORE creepy that I now have Chad's home address and phone number, thanks to the power of Google. All things considered, he's taken that remarkably in stride.
And they call me "Stalkeresque". Posts: 1533 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
silly silly man. I said I had a "Stalkeresque" *feeling*, which was about 70% snarkiness mixed with 30% of my overall personality. See, you're learing more about me every day!
--sarmup
I got my first on Hatrack! Too bad it was from Celia...
[ September 21, 2004, 02:57 PM: Message edited by: Her Royal Sweekiness ]
Posts: 59 | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
Yes, odd that someone who's been an active and reliable member of the community, as well as someone I've met in person on more than one occasion's investigation doesn't set off alarm bells, but someone claiming to be new and yet pulling up information about us does.
Posts: 157 | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
Hmm, considering my screen name is a convolution of my actual name, as well as being very close to actual nicknames I've had in the past, I feel as if it is a very good representation of me.
posted
Seriously, Chad, I'm Tom. Thanks for not being too creeped out; I just wanted to establish -- for my own sake, when deciding whether I wanted to spend any time talking to you or not -- whether you were a real human being, or just another random troll.
I'm satisfied that you're a real human being. However, I'm still very concerned about your whole "I don't care what any of you think" bit, and would like you to elaborate on that before I commit to much more conversation with you.
----
kerinin, I think the anonymity of the Internet is another way of maintaining emotional distance. By necessity, people who abandon that anonymity find it harder to maintain that distance and are therefore more likely to be "engaged" in whatever they say. This doesn't mean that they're inherently trustworthy, sensible, or likeable, mind you.
quote:Hmm, considering my screen name is a convolution of my actual name, as well as being very close to actual nicknames I've had in the past, I feel as if it is a very good representation of me.
posted
Tom, I really admire your efforts here with this thread. I appreciate your patience. I hope you succeed in bridging this gap--I myself do not feel inclined to make the effort at this time. Maybe later. Posts: 7050 | Registered: Feb 2004
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quote: I'm satisfied that you're a real human being. However, I'm still very concerned about your whole "I don't care what any of you think" bit, and would like you to elaborate on that before I commit to much more conversation with you.
That is in regards to what people opinion of me is.
Do I care whether anyone agrees with me or not? No.
Are my feelings hurt by all the personal attacks posted against me.
That's an obvious no.
I am interested in what people have to say about the topics, but I really don't give a flying leap about their personal attacks against me.
Ignorant, rude, etc. etc. Those are all some of your stated opinions of me.
Eh, all that says is the person I am talking to likes to call names and flame posts they don't agree with.
Fine. It doesn't reflect on me, it reflects on the person who posted it.
Do I care what people think about certain issues? Yes, some more than others. But I when they make it personal, you cross the line and lose the argument.
That's what I meant.
Posts: 1533 | Registered: Sep 2004
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quote: Eh, all that says is the person I am talking to likes to call names and flame posts they don't agree with.
Fine. It doesn't reflect on me, it reflects on the person who posted it.
You know, when you reply to such comments instead of continuing with the actual conversation, it does say something about you. If you're so indifferent to the flames, why don't you just ignore them?
Posts: 157 | Registered: Aug 2004
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Chad, what was your relationship with your mother like? Did she ignore you? This could be the subconscious reason behind your attention-grabbing posting style.
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