# andrewdt85: a defense **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 21, 2005, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148 "2005-11-21T21:58:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/101 "2005-11-22T06:06:48Z")
Cut the guy some slack: at least he doesn’t have a sig. Although since someone told me you can turn them off no-one has one. But he rates above the people whose sigs I actively had to turn off. ---
**Author:** ![Pixiesnix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Pixiesnix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixiesnix)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/102 "2005-11-22T06:11:24Z")
Oh, he has a sig, all right. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/103 "2005-11-22T06:12:06Z")
> [@Case Sensitive](#): > > By the way, **Guin** , you mispelt “lightning” 😃 D’oh! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/104 "2005-11-22T06:13:15Z")
> [@Duke of Rat](#): > > And like President Bush. > > If you can’t get it going with that, you should just quit. Dammit, HOW could I have missed that one? For the record, **Collounsbury** really got on my nerves. Reading his posts was excruciating. **CynicalGabe** , admit it - you got that from a four-year-old. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/105 "2005-11-22T06:18:35Z")
> [@Case Sensitive](#): > > And where exactly did I do that, Roy Batty? Pointing out that it’s customary to respond to Pit threads in the threads themselves is hardly tantamount to telling “the rest of us” what to think. By the way, you’re the first person I’ve seen since I’ve been here to pull that arguing from authority, “I’ve been here longer so I know what you should do” trick. Pretty weak. I’m the first? Count yourself lucky then. Miracles happen obviously. Nonetheless, I smell the pungent aroma of someone who’s being entirely disingenuous. In this thread, you used the fact that YOU (not another poster) had created a Pit Thread about Andrew to imply he was fool or a whatever by not posting there. Your motivation had nothing to do with improving Andrew’s posting style - but it had everything to do with reminding us that HALLELUJAH, Case Sensitive had started a Pit Thread and everyone was invited to the party. It was crass. It was tacky. If someone else had made the statement I would have looked upon the sentiment differently, but seeing as it was you who was reminding us, well, in my book that makes you just as much of an attention whore as the guy you’re flaming… And am I an attention whore? No doubt… indeed anyone who posts on a messageboard anywhere is probably guilty of that in some capacity. But man, taunting someone in your Pit Thread that they’re a coward is straight out of Kindy dude. Nothing noble about it at all. ---
**Author:** ![Albert\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Albert\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Albert_Rose)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/106 "2005-11-22T06:29:39Z")
> [@Boo Boo Foo](#): > > Definitely Collounsbury. Man, that guy was FUCKING AMAZING! Whop. Whack. Chop. AAAAAAYAAAAHHHHH! Yeah, what ever happened to that guy? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/107 "2005-11-22T06:31:59Z")
> [@Boo Boo Foo](#): > > In this thread, you used the fact that YOU (not another poster) had created a Pit Thread about Andrew to imply he was fool or a whatever by not posting there. Your motivation had nothing to do with improving Andrew’s posting style - but it had everything to do with reminding us that HALLELUJAH, Case Sensitive had started a Pit Thread and everyone was invited to the party. It was crass. So pitting other posters should only be done to get them to “improve their posting style” now? ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/108 "2005-11-22T06:34:36Z")
> [@](#): > > **andrewdt85** : I specifically state that I only Pit when I’m honestly angry about something and need to vent. I used to be angry a lot like that. I think I was almost addicted to being angry. For what it’s worth, it helped when I discovered that I didn’t have to defend myself from what everyone else said. To improve your communication, you might want to try writing shorter sentences and thinking them through carefully before you post them. Read them aloud slowly – word for word – before you hit submit. I think it’s cool that you apologized. ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/109 "2005-11-22T06:40:32Z")
> [@Boo Boo Foo](#): > > I’m the first? Count yourself lucky then. Miracles happen obviously. > > …snipped… > > Case Sensitive had started a Pit Thread and everyone was invited to the party. It was crass. It was tacky. If someone else had made the statement I would have looked upon the sentiment differently, but seeing as it was you who was reminding us, well, in my book that makes you just as much of an attention whore as the guy you’re flaming… > > …snipped… I thought it is the custom for the pitee to appear in the pit thread to respond to the accusations. And in at least two threads I read (I believe one instance is the doctor one), a poster has pointed out that he has already been pitted. That was before **Andrew** started his own defense thread. AFAIK ,the board culture is that the pitee will go to the already blazing pit that already has been prepared for him. In a sense **Andrew** has been invitied. It’s just strange that he’s not willing to post here, but wants to start another thead. Strange, as in “not conforming to norms”. It seems to me that he is avoiding the pit thread started by **Case Sentitive**. ---
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/110 "2005-11-22T06:50:30Z")
> [@ExtraKun](#): > > AFAIK ,the board culture is that the pitee will go to the already blazing pit that already has been prepared for him. In a sense **Andrew** has been invitied. It’s just strange that he’s not willing to post here, but wants to start another thead. Strange, as in “not conforming to norms”. > > It seems to me that he is avoiding the pit thread started by **Case Sentitive**. I don’t disagree with you. Indeed, you’re perfectly correct. In this instance, there’s a slight difference. Case Sensitive was openly gloating about the lack of bravery on the part of Andrew WITHIN the Pit Thread that Case Sensitive had created. That struck me as poor etiquette on the part of the author, ergo, my position. Given that it was a thread supposedly slamming another Doper’s posting style, it was something I needed to take Case Sensitive to task over. Other than that, to be fair, you’re observations are quite valid. ---
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/111 "2005-11-22T06:59:17Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > So pitting other posters should only be done to get them to “improve their posting style” now? Hey, whatever rocks your boat Guin. Wanna be cyber vulture, go for it. Don’t expect me to respect you for it though. Case Sensitive was openly taunting Andrew WITHIN his thread, and gloating about his lack of cojones. Case Sensitive’s motivation for doing that had everything to do with peer pressure, and inviting people to watch the pile on. It was the cyberspace equivalent of inviting people to slow down and stare at a car crash. It had nothing to do with being noble. That’s my opinion, and I’m sticking to it. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/112 "2005-11-22T07:59:54Z")
> [@Boo Boo Foo](#): > > You bet I have. Not as often as I’ve seen people like you who think they know how to tell the rest of us what to think. Which is almost as common as someone wildly overreacting to a sarcastic remark. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/113 "2005-11-22T08:01:22Z")
Hopping between these threads is giving me a headache: one more point in favour of showing up in your own toasty warm Pit thread instead of starting your own. **Boo Boo Foo** , if you want to respond I’ll be over at my place. Bring beer and snacks. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/114 "2005-11-22T09:05:55Z")
> [@Zoe](#): > > I used to be angry a lot like that. I think I was almost addicted to being angry. For what it’s worth, it helped when I discovered that I didn’t have to defend myself from what everyone else said. > > To improve your communication, you might want to try writing shorter sentences and thinking them through carefully before you post them. Read them aloud slowly – word for word – before you hit submit. > > I think it’s cool that you apologized. I too used to An Angry Young Man. I later found that it caused depression and I started finding ways to stop that nonsence. ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/115 "2005-11-22T11:16:37Z")
> [@lorinada](#): > > You know, Andrew, it’s only a fucking message board. If it’s causing you this much grief and distress, why don’t you just leave it alone? Stop picking at it like it was a scab. **Lorinada** ’s given you some good advice. Look, I used to belong to a Christian message board. It made sense. I’m a devout Christian and I’m interested in what other people believe and why. I learned a lot on that board. I also ran into things that regularly infuriated me, to the point where I broke the chair I’m sitting on (it’s a cheap, folding chair). I finally came to the conclusion that whatever benefit I was deriving from posting there, and I was deriving some benefit from doing so, simply wasn’t worth the aggravation it was causing me, so I finally cut my losses and walked away. While I’ve occaisionally been tempted to go back there and there were things I missed, I still consider that a good decision. You dug yourself a _huge_ hole this weekend and your defense, sincere though I’m sure it was, hasn’t been that impressive. The folks I hang out with have a saying: “When you find yourself at the bottom of a hole, put the shovel _down!_” There are times when, even when you’re sure you’re absolutely, positively right, nothing you can say at the time is going to change people’s minds about you. They may change later, but continuing to belabor the point at the time will accomplish nothing. That’s pretty much where you look to be now. I know how addictive this board is; I’ve heard it referred to as cyber-crack. I’ve also seen people get off to terrible starts around here and turn things around. Please. Take a break, ration yourself if you need to, and think about the advice people here have given you. CJ ---
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/116 "2005-11-22T11:41:59Z")
> [@Siege](#): > > You dug yourself a _huge_ hole this weekend and your defense, sincere though I’m sure it was, hasn’t been that impressive. The folks I hang out with have a saying: “When you find yourself at the bottom of a hole, put the shovel _down!_” There are times when, even when you’re sure you’re absolutely, positively right, nothing you can say at the time is going to change people’s minds about you. They may change later, but continuing to belabor the point at the time will accomplish nothing. That’s pretty much where you look to be now. Magnificent post. And in the interests of magnanimity, it’s one which I might take to heart as well if truth be known. The need to be resolute in the face of adversity is sometimes not always necessary - at least in the narrow confines of a messageboard. That being said, there are some awesome debaters here. Guinastasia is but one who has inspired me to really think carefully today. In itself, that sort of intellectual sparring can also be very addictive. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/117 "2005-11-22T11:45:01Z")
Walk away **andrewdt85**. You have not got off on a good footing here. Walk away, and if you decide to comeback email the Mods so you can change your name and make a fresh start. The reason the board is being so mean to you is two-fold: 1. Sometimes, you really asked for it (even if you didn’t mean to). 2. Since the board became fee-paying/members only, most of our weirder, wackier, completely annoying members had left or been banned. You are fresh meat for the lions, who, to extend a metaphor, haven’t had a taste of Christian for a very long time. Everyone is enjoying this a lot except you. Don’t give them the satisfaction, because, despite what you make think, you are coming out of this looking even worse than them. Leave. ---
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/118 "2005-11-22T12:05:34Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > How about a thread about overweight, bi-polar transsexuals who order milk in a bar and want to circumcise other people’s children while driving an SUV in the slow lane and de-clawing cats that are in favor of gun control for people who don’t take their shoes off when entering someone’s house? I’d read it. Then again, I read anything. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/119 "2005-11-22T14:16:19Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Your total post count, as of 9.50pm Eastern here in the US, is 1,039. And the total number of threads you have started is 218. > > Contrast this ratio with these figures: > > … > > El\_Kabong > > Total posts: 3,906 > Threads started: 104 > > … Great. Now you’ve exposed my total lack of imagination for all the world to see. Er, in case my posts aren’t evidence enough. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2005, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148/120 "2005-11-22T15:18:40Z")
> [@Boo Boo Foo](#): > > I don’t disagree with you. Indeed, you’re perfectly correct. In this instance, there’s a slight difference. Case Sensitive was openly gloating about the lack of bravery on the part of Andrew WITHIN the Pit Thread that Case Sensitive had created. That struck me as poor etiquette on the part of the author, ergo, my position. Given that it was a thread supposedly slamming another Doper’s posting style, it was something I needed to take Case Sensitive to task over. Other than that, to be fair, you’re observations are quite valid. So start your own fucking pit thread and invite him over. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrewdt85-a-defense/332148.md?page=7)