# catsix, would you stop being so damn defensive? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 3, 2003, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686 "2003-08-03T05:02:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![annaplurabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@annaplurabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/annaplurabelle)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/101 "2003-08-03T23:48:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zoe \* > \*\*Have any of your favorite comedians made jokes about beating a woman for the purpose of causing an abortion? > > Have you ever found jokes about the following subjects humorous: the Holocaust? the killing fields? famine? rape? child abuse? race? > > If you have never heard jokes on these subjects, is it still possible that you would find these subjects humorous and good material for a joke? > > I fully agree that you have a right to express your opinions on what is funny. And I also support the idea that in the Pit, people have a right to express their opinions of you and the things that you say. > > It is our Mod-given right. 🙂 > > When I hear jokes on any of the above topics, I _always_ speak up. I don’t want anyone to feel comfortable around me to the point that they will make light of any of the subjects I mentioned. Jokes on these things dehumanize the people who have suffered. That makes it easier for the next person to dehumanize them in other ways. I want no part of that.\*\* This is incorrect. Do you know who invented “gallows” humour? _People facing the gallows._ Do you think it’s a coincidence that post-WWII comedy in the US was primarily influenced by Jews - children of _holocaust survivors_? The Greeks had a holocaust too - remember Zorba the Greek? “We don’t dance because we are happy, we dance _even though_ we are sad.” Do you understand why the British nailed _irony_ and _absurdity_? Ever work in a hospital, morgue, police station, or been in a war? Laughter is the sound of _survival_. > [@](#): > > **Too bad some people can’t just let other people enjoy their gallows and morbid humor in peace.** Maybe someone would like to post the definition of **peace**? Is that as subjective as humour too? For those offended by **Anal Scurvy** ’s _fictional_ fetus punching: You’re attacking a _real_ human being, _who didn’t even post the joke_. Yes, what better way to justify your righteous indignation about the _sanctity of life_ and _human suffering_, than to _gleefully_ rip apart an innocent bystander - someone you’ve obviously been waiting to _attack_. But I guess _that’s_ not sick or offensive. Feel better soon, **catsix**. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/102 "2003-08-03T23:58:02Z")
Unfortunately, **anna** (can I call you that?), today is not improving. I just received word that one of my students (I teach at a college) who was injured last week in a very bad fall passed away yesterday. I’m … I don’t know what right now. Funeral home tomorrow, and I have to tell his classmates about this too I guess. I’m refraining from posting a thread about it because my method of dealing with the fact that this really good person, and good student, is now gone for no reason wouldn’t be welcome here. I honestly don’t even know why I’m posting this… but it’s just coming out. I have to tell someone before I have to tell the class, or I will probably fall the hell apart tomorrow. ---
**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:** [August 4, 2003, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/103 "2003-08-04T00:31:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CnoteChris \* > \*\*How ironic. > > You can sit there and attack everyone and everyone to any degree imaginable, but when someone else does it to you, they’ve shown their own ‘true colors’. > > \*\* If you honestly think that what I said to **catsix** was as below-the-belt as your first post in this thread, then you seriously need to get some perspective. _shaking head_ I’m not insulted by you at all, btw. I’m too amazed. Well, amazed and amused. ---
**Author:** ![omni-not](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8dc957/32.png) [@omni-not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/omni-not)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/104 "2003-08-04T00:37:02Z")
I, for one, would encourage you to start such a thread. FWIW. ---
**Author:** ![CnoteChris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/278dde/32.png) [@CnoteChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CnoteChris)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/105 "2003-08-04T00:45:11Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Michael Ellis_ > **Maybe, but since my real name is also Chris… Oh forget it, you aren’t worth it.** Which is why your screen name is… Michael Ellis? Oh, forget it, you just wouldn’t understand (I’d expain it to you, but that’d require you reading the post, formulating a response, punching in the password for your username, and typing out a respo… Where was I? :: irony meter starting to peak. Red zone buddy. :: I’m sitting here, in my comfy chair and all, and I’ve yet to understand the reasoning for this thread yet. Does someone… anyone… want to explain it to me? Is this really a, ‘We don’t want your opinion here, especially since it doesn’t jibe with what we think’ type jab? It sure looks like it to me. If it is what I think it is, then what the FUCK is that saying? Anyone? And I especially like the administrations view on this… ‘It’s cool that we let you post these things, things we disagree with, but just push our buttons… go ahead, do it… and we’ll ban your ass in a heartbeat. Just you wait and see!!!’ Am I missing something huge here? Did this place turn into the ‘Right Spin Zone’? If it has, and I’m outta the loop, than I apologize. It all happened sooner than I’d thought. ---
**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:** [August 4, 2003, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/106 "2003-08-04T00:54:20Z")
**catsix** , fwiw, I AM sorry about your student. Seriously. All I guess I’m saying is that I really wish you would STOP being so defensive (like it says in the thread title, d’uh). You know, some women are well, more “girly.” We DON’T deal with things as you do. Does that mean we’re whiny and selfish? ---
**Author:** ![annaplurabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@annaplurabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/annaplurabelle)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/107 "2003-08-04T00:58:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zoe \* > \*\*Have any of your favorite comedians made jokes about beating a woman for the purpose of causing an abortion? > > Have you ever found jokes about the following subjects humorous: the Holocaust? the killing fields? famine? rape? child abuse? race? > > If you have never heard jokes on these subjects, is it still possible that you would find these subjects humorous and good material for a joke? > > I fully agree that you have a right to express your opinions on what is funny. And I also support the idea that in the Pit, people have a right to express their opinions of you and the things that you say. > > It is our Mod-given right. 🙂 > > When I hear jokes on any of the above topics, I _always_ speak up. I don’t want anyone to feel comfortable around me to the point that they will make light of any of the subjects I mentioned. Jokes on these things dehumanize the people who have suffered. That makes it easier for the next person to dehumanize them in other ways. I want no part of that.\*\* This is incorrect. Do you know who invented “gallows” humour? _People facing the gallows._ Do you think it’s a coincidence that post-WWII comedy in the US was primarily influenced by Jews - children of _holocaust survivors_? The Greeks had a holocaust too - remember Zorba the Greek? “We don’t dance because we are happy, we dance _even though_ we are sad.” Do you understand why the British nailed _irony_ and _absurdity_? Ever work in a hospital, morgue, police station, or been in a war? Laughter is the sound of _survival_. > [@](#): > > **Too bad some people can’t just let other people enjoy their gallows and morbid humor in peace.** Maybe someone would like to post the definition of **peace**? Is that as subjective as humour too? For those offended by **Anal Scurvy** ’s _fictional_ fetus punching: You’re attacking a _real_ human being, _who didn’t even post the joke_. Yes, what better way to justify your righteous indignation about the _sanctity of life_ and _human suffering_, than to _gleefully_ rip apart an innocent bystander - someone you’ve obviously been waiting to _attack_. But I guess _that’s_ not sick or offensive. Feel better soon, **catsix**. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/108 "2003-08-04T01:01:18Z")
Folks, I think we’re seeing a Class K meltdown in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/109 "2003-08-04T01:02:55Z")
> [@](#): > > You know, some women are well, more “girly.” We DON’T deal with things as you do. Does that mean we’re whiny and selfish? I think I covered the ‘everybody is different’ thing numerous times in this thread. There really is nothing else I can say. ---
**Author:** ![annaplurabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@annaplurabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/annaplurabelle)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/110 "2003-08-04T01:03:38Z")
I posted a new message - how did that happen??? Apologies (can it be removed?). New reply (to catsix): That sucks. It can’t get any worse, can it? (see, that’s the jumping point where all the bad joke ideas begin…) I have to be honest, **catsix** - I’m almost afraid to ask you what your method of dealing with it is in the wake of this thread. I can’t tell you what to do, but another thread about it would probably have a different tone of responses. In fairness, most people here seem to respond to threads like that with the best intentions. If spilling works for you, then give it a spill. You know the drill. Look after yourself. ---
**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:** [August 4, 2003, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/111 "2003-08-04T01:04:01Z")
So why do you come into threads about rape and/or periods and say, “You’re exaggerating, I hate it when women whine about their periods, blah blah blah…” Really. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/112 "2003-08-04T01:07:55Z")
I’m done here, **Guinastasia**. I have already addressed, over and over again, that posting my opinion does not indicate that I think every other opinion is wrong. I see nothing more being accomplished by continuing this. ---
**Author:** ![fruitbat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@fruitbat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fruitbat)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/113 "2003-08-04T01:41:33Z")
Well this thread has undergone a metamorphasis. I can’t comment on the behavior of **Catsix** in other threads without doing a bit of reading that I’m not really up to at the moment. What makes it easy for me though is that she wasn’t brought to the Pit based on her previous behavior. She was brought here for an innocent remark. A remark that taken on its own makes for one of the stupidest Pit threads I’ve ever seen. **Anal Scurvy** must be chuckling on the sidelines. He gets to post the joke and escapes unscathed. I know it is back a page, but I wanted to respond to **Zoe’s** post because though we don’t agree it is well thought out and reasonable. > [@](#): > > When I hear jokes on any of the above topics, I always speak up. I don’t want anyone to feel comfortable around me to the point that they will make light of any of the subjects I mentioned. Jokes on these things dehumanize the people who have suffered. That makes it easier for the next person to dehumanize them in other ways. I want no part of that. > > You are obviously intelligent and express yourself well. And I don’t know you personally. Like you, I love dark humor, black comedy and a sense of the absurd. But your finding humor in an act of cruelty that is actually common leaves me shaking my head. I understand this objection. The problem that arises is that nearly everyone has subjects that they are uncomfortable hearing people joke about. If I am with a person I know well it is easy to be sensitive to those hot buttons. As an aggregate that is impossible. There are people here who are offended by jokes or levity about fundies, rednecks, bitches, gaydar, fashion, white trash, service workers, priests and the list goes on. If we don’t pick our battles for the people whose intentions are discernibly malevolent, this sensitivity becomes a constant nitpick of people who are offended. I can’t tell people what they should find funny. I can’t tell people where to draw the line. I can ask them to confine their battles to those worth fighting. My brother is schizophrenic. My family makes crazy jokes all the time as a way to deal with the pain of dealing with mental illness. However, hearing others joke about mental illness can cause a twinge of uneasiness . If I can make a reasonable assumption that their intention is not to be an ass I let it go. I wish others would do the same. ---
**Author:** ![CnoteChris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/278dde/32.png) [@CnoteChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CnoteChris)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/114 "2003-08-04T02:21:07Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by fruitbat_ > **She was brought here for an innocent remark. A remark that taken on its own makes for one of the stupidest Pit threads I’ve ever seen.** You know, that line above simplifies everything I wanted to say and then some. And it’s all boiled down in one concise sentence. Damn. I wish I had that ability. Honestly. **Guinastasia**? I don’t know what to say. This is, by far, the stupidest pit thread I’ve ever been apart of… bar none. If anyone’s shown their ‘true colors’ here, it was you, not me. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/115 "2003-08-04T02:26:54Z")
> [@](#): > > **annaplurabelle** : Do you know who invented “gallows” humour? People facing the gallows. > > Do you think it’s a coincidence that post-WWII comedy in the US was primarily influenced by Jews - children of holocaust survivors? > > The Greeks had a holocaust too - remember Zorba the Greek? > “We don’t dance because we are happy, we dance even though we are sad.” > > Do you understand why the British nailed irony and absurdity? > > Ever work in a hospital, morgue, police station, or been in a war? > > Laughter is the sound of survival. Well said, and I couldn’t agree with you more – _ **when the humor is directed at oneself or situation** _. Yes, I had a career that required laughter for survival. I taught in inner city high schools for twenty years. But one thing I didn’t do was to find humor in cruelty. That seems to come naturally to most people with any sensitivity at all. > [@](#): > > **fruitbat** : My brother is schizophrenic. My family makes crazy jokes all the time as a way to deal with the pain of dealing with mental illness. However, hearing others joke about mental illness can cause a twinge of uneasiness. I understand so well! ---
**Author:** ![Jessity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jessity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jessity)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/116 "2003-08-04T02:52:47Z")
For **Q.E.D.** : > [@](#): > > Well, it shouldn’t take you that long. After all you’ve seen “tons” of threads, right? Or maybe you’re full of shit and overstating your case just a wee bit. Or your definition of “shitty” is a great deal different than mine. Or “tons”, for that matter. Pardon me, sir, for being fortunate enough to have a job so I don’t have to sit in front of a monitor all day and all night. So maybe there aren’t _tons_, but I have seen you be snarky and assholish on more than one occasion while trying to go out of your way to be the first to google up an answer to something you probably have no idea about. [137 GB Harddrive limit](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&postid=3665950#post3665950) [USB Boot Diskette](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=199302) [How do i get the headphone jack to work on my PC’s cd drive?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&postid=3685849#post3685849) Nevermind the hysterical thread that got removed where you were trying to be a smartass and posted your cookie. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/117 "2003-08-04T03:15:53Z")
So, **Jessity** , can I assume the links where **Q.E.D.** acts “shitty” are still forthcoming? Because the three you linked to don’t even come close. The third one even links directly to **Q.E.D.** graciously admitting he was mistaken. Guess all the assholish behavior was in that removed thread? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/118 "2003-08-04T03:34:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > \*\*Guess all the assholish behavior was in that removed thread? \*\* Musta been. Ok, I did a stupid thing in that removed cookie thread in ATMB. I don’t deny that. So, what crawled up your Depends™ and died, **Jessity**? I honestly can’t remember doing anything to you personally, but clearly you have some kind of agenda here. Those threads you linked to caught me being a bit snarky, 'tis true. But hardly “shitty” or “assholish”, as no doubt a mod would have warned me. And _three_ threads is hardly a “ton”. Overestimate much? I don’t know what your problem is, but until now, I had no issue with you. So be it. Moron. ---
**Author:** ![Jessity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jessity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jessity)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/119 "2003-08-04T03:49:54Z")
From the first link: > [@](#): > > Oh quit whining. You misread my post, I explained it to you, and now you want to act all offended because I dared to express an opinion. Well, excuuuuuse me. And before you go shooting off your mouth some more, please do note that I did answer the OP before expressing any opinions related to it. not instead of doing so, as you stated. If you wish to flame me, at least do so honestly. Which I think is rather assholish, for GQ. From the second: > [@](#): > > What do you think he wanted to do with an external HD? Slice pizza? Again, assholish, IMO. Nothing crawled up my Depends and died, Q.E.D. I just find you to be a jerk sometimes and this recent pit thread was no exception, with your junior mod behavior and such. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686/120 "2003-08-04T04:03:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jessity \* > \*\*Nothing crawled up my Depends and died, Q.E.D. I just find you to be a jerk sometimes and this recent pit thread was no exception, with your junior mod behavior and such. \*\* Well report those posts to the administration. If I’m as much a jerk and asshole as you seem to think, they’ll ban me in a blink. But I bet they don’t. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catsix-would-you-stop-being-so-damn-defensive/192686.md?page=7)