# "Ask The.." thread in Great Debates **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 17, 2010, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097 "2010-09-17T16:20:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/61 "2010-09-17T19:16:40Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > > [@Marley23](#): > > > > [Moderating] > > There is still absolutely no way this is trolling. The OP did not shut anyone down. You disagree with the way the thread was handled but that doesn’t make the OP a troll, and introducing that term is only making this less clear. You and several other posters spent a couple of pages discussing the legality of the settlements. **Shinna Minna Ma** responded to those questions and I don’t know what other answer you are expecting. And it’s not only one side that’s being shut down. The topic of the legality of the settlements is off limits, pro and con, in that thread. > > Since the topic that got the thread moved from MPSIMS to Great Debates in the first place is now off-limits, shouldn’t the thread be moved _back_ to MPSIMS? Any other controversial aspect of the topic is directly tied to the elephant in the room. I’d like to see an answer to **DtC** ’s taxes question and that in itself could warrant GD. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/62 "2010-09-17T19:17:15Z")
I understand you’re not that interested in the other topics, but they’re not all irrelevant. **Shinna Minna Ma** didn’t start the thread just to discuss the legal issues involving the settlements. He (I think it’s a he, but sorry if I’m wrong) started it to field questions about the settlements and has answered a lot of questions were about what life is like in Israel and on the settlement, and the reasons for the move. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/63 "2010-09-17T19:19:28Z")
I don;t give a shit what life is like in the settlements or her reason for the move. I want to know why she thinks she entitled to my money. Can I ask her? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/64 "2010-09-17T19:21:25Z")
> [@CaveMike](#): > > > [@Czarcasm](#): > > > > Since the topic that got the thread moved from MPSIMS to Great Debates in the first place is now off-limits, shouldn’t the thread be moved _back_ to MPSIMS? Any other controversial aspect of the topic is directly tied to the elephant in the room. > > I’d like to see an answer to **DtC** ’s taxes question and that in itself could warrant GD. I’ll assume the “crazy” settler isn’t an expert in American tax law, so if Dio really wants to debate that subject, I daresay he could start a thread about it. In fact, he could start a Pit thread heaping criticism on the settler herself (himself? Honestly, I’m not clear on the settler’s gender, not that it really matters). This stuff about how he’s “not permitted to say” what he wants is self-evident nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/65 "2010-09-17T19:21:29Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Incidentally, are we still allowed to ask questions about the _morality_ of her actions, and other tangentially related political questions (like why I should have to subsidize her with my tax money)? > > Or does it all all have to be tea and sympathy? I think those matters would be kosher since the instruction only mentions the legal issue. If you don’t mind, please hold off on posting those questions until we/I hear from **tomndebb** about his view. ---
**Author:** ![yelimS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/54ee81/32.png) [@yelimS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yelimS)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/66 "2010-09-17T19:21:53Z")
Started a new GD thread [here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=578625) ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/67 "2010-09-17T19:25:30Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > > [@CaveMike](#): > > > > I’d like to see an answer to **DtC** ’s taxes question and that in itself could warrant GD. > > I’ll assume the “crazy” settler isn’t an expert in American tax law, so if Dio really wants to debate that subject, I daresay he could start a thread about it. The question is not about tax law, and why should I have to start a different thread about it? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/68 "2010-09-17T19:35:05Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Then there’s no reason for the thread to be open, since that is the one and only topic that’s relevant in the thread. There were a lot of other questions raised and answered in that thread. Just because you weren’t interested in them doesn’t mean no one is. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/69 "2010-09-17T19:35:50Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I don;t give a shit what life is like in the settlements or her reason for the move. I want to know why she thinks she entitled to my money. Can I ask her? Of course you can ask. The OP is, of course, under no duress to answer. Usually when the "Ask The … " threads start this condition is assumed, since they’re in IMHO. I think this the thread should not have been moved to GD. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/70 "2010-09-17T19:37:26Z")
If the OP is not willing to answer questions then the thread needs to be closed. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/71 "2010-09-17T19:43:10Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > If the OP is not willing to answer questions then the thread needs to be closed. If the OP was not willing to answer any questions, you’d be right. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/72 "2010-09-17T19:43:16Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > If the OP is not willing to answer questions then the thread needs to be closed. What if the OP decides to not answer _your_ questions? Other questions are being addressed, as far as I know. And as for why should you start another thread - if you don’t want to, don’t. It’s not like there’s a bulldozer pointed at your house. But you _could_ (and note that I did say “could”, not “should”), so if you simply choose not to, it’s hardly a case of you being censored. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/73 "2010-09-17T19:43:50Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > If the OP is not willing to answer questions then the thread needs to be closed. The OP is not willing to answer ALL questions unconditionally, it’s true. The OP is free to decide which questions to answer. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/74 "2010-09-17T19:44:07Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > > > Then there’s no reason for the thread to be open, since that is the one and only topic that’s relevant in the thread. > > There were a lot of other questions raised and answered in that thread. Just because you weren’t interested in them doesn’t mean no one is. Would the other questions have been better suited for Great Debates or MPSIMS? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/75 "2010-09-17T19:50:51Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > > [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > > > There were a lot of other questions raised and answered in that thread. Just because you weren’t interested in them doesn’t mean no one is. > > Would the other questions have been better suited for Great Debates or MPSIMS? My opinion? MPSIMS. I was surprised it was moved to GD, as the “Ask the…” types of threads typical explain and describe experiences, but necessarily debate them. Describing experiences is valid and can be interesting to those who want to know more and eliminating the debate aspect is not inherently disingenuous. Debate may occur, if the OP engages, but is not a requirement. The OP started the thread in the right forum and the thread should have been tailored to fit that forum, not the other way around. The OP knew what he/she wanted out of that thread by specifically starting an “Ask the…” thread, not a GD thread on the validity of the settlements. ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/76 "2010-09-17T19:59:08Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I don;t give a shit what life is like in the settlements or her reason for the move. I want to know why she thinks she entitled to my money. Can I ask her? If you’re not interested, then why participate in an “Ask the…” thread in the first place? The OP answered that they did not feel like a criminal, move on. If you just want to call the OP names like criminal, troll, etc. start a Pit thread. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/77 "2010-09-17T20:06:20Z")
> [@CaveMike](#): > > For the rest of us that are interested in the original OP, but not so interested in exchange that just goes around and around in a circle. > [@Marley23](#): > > The topic of the legality of the settlements is off limits, pro and con, in that thread. The OP has been repeatedly mischaracterized as “Ask me what my living conditions like”. No where in the OP is that even hinted at. The title of the OP has the word “crazy” in it. In the third paragraph **Shinna** admits almost everyone considers his choice is crazy. To me that implies that he does not. Why then is it wrong to ask him why he doesn’t consider it wrong/crazy to live there? In the first paragraph **Shinna** spends two of the three sentences talking about living “over the green line”. In the second paragraph he admits he is making a political statement. In the third and final paragraph **Shinna** discloses that despite world opinion, he doesn’t see what he is doing is wrong. My feelings about his legal status are not as strong as the special treatment he seems to be getting in GD. IMO, **Tom** was wrong to shut down debate. If the OP only wanted to talk about living conditions, he should have said that - he didn’t. I don’t think the OP is trolling but it seems to me he is flaunting his status. Waving away hard questions makes me think **Shinna** is being less than honest. It was he that brought up living over the green line and it not being crazy. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/78 "2010-09-17T20:16:42Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I don;t give a shit what life is like in the settlements or her reason for the move. I want to know why she thinks she entitled to my money. Can I ask her? You’re not the only reader of this message board. I AM interested. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/79 "2010-09-17T20:21:42Z")
> [@PlainJain](#): > > The OP has been repeatedly mischaracterized as “Ask me what my living conditions like”. No where in the OP is that even hinted at. I agree with you that the OP doesn’t put any restrictions on the questions he expects. When he was asked about matters of international law, he answered. > [@](#): > > Why then is it wrong to ask him why he doesn’t consider it wrong/crazy to live there? Crazy and wrong are not the same thing at all. (I thought he was saying people assume settlers are either fanatics or willingly putting themselves in mortal danger.) If you wanted to ask him why he doesn’t think it’s crazy, you could do that. And he was asked about the wrongness and the legal issue. It was not taken off the table preemptively. It was done because after **Shinna Minna Ma** responded, people kept re-asking the same questions to the exclusion of discussing anything else. > [@](#): > > I don’t think the OP is trolling but it seems to me he is flaunting his status. Waving away hard questions makes me think **Shinna** is being less than honest. It was he that brought up living over the green line and it not being crazy. I’m just not seeing this in his actions. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097/80 "2010-09-17T20:59:14Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > > [@Marley23](#): > > > > [Moderating] > > There is still absolutely no way this is trolling. The OP did not shut anyone down. You disagree with the way the thread was handled but that doesn’t make the OP a troll, and introducing that term is only making this less clear. You and several other posters spent a couple of pages discussing the legality of the settlements. **Shinna Minna Ma** responded to those questions and I don’t know what other answer you are expecting. And it’s not only one side that’s being shut down. The topic of the legality of the settlements is off limits, pro and con, in that thread. > > Since the topic that got the thread moved from MPSIMS to Great Debates in the first place is now off-limits, shouldn’t the thread be moved _back_ to MPSIMS? Any other controversial aspect of the topic is directly tied to the elephant in the room. Agreed. Move it back to MPSIMS. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-thread-in-great-debates/554097.md?page=5)