I have a question, for those who were saying he was treated too harshly-do you know that for sure?
How do you know what went on behind the scenes? Perhaps the mods have contacted him PRIVATELY in the past, and it didn’t do any good, either.
Gary; Don’t lose your temper, just call him a reindeer and move on. 
Well, I have to say I’ll miss Collounsbury. Or rather, I’ll miss the Collounsbury of a year or eighteen months ago. (I’ll particularly miss his familiarity with the literature on human genetics.) Back then, although he could be quite acerbic, he rarely indulged in vitriol and obscenity in GD. If he really wanted to dismember a drooling idiot, he would take the trouble to haul him or her off to the Pit. Unfortunately, he became less and less willing to restrain himself in GD. I was very disappointed to see the truely obnoxious levels he allowed himself to descend to in his invective recently. I recall that, when called on his tactics some time ago, he compared his approach to a fencing match. Regrettably, more recently it’s resembled an eye-gouging crotch-kicking bar fight.
Given his continued refusal to tone it down despite warnings, I can’t see that there was much alternative to a banning. But Collounsbury’s knowledgeability was an asset to the board - I just wish he could have continued to share it without all the vituperation.
I dont think that many think that he was treated to harshley, I havent seen anyone say that(admittedly I may have missed it…its a long thread), but some of us just wish it hadn’t happened.
Oh, I dont know, Seems like kind of a fitting wake…
I wish I could use words like vituperation.
Kumquat, you have no decency. There is no decency in lying. You can find no evidence, I repeat no evidence of my gloating in this thread. In fact, you should note that from the very beginning of this thread I lamented his passing.
This isn’t real life death here. A post mortem analysis that takes issue with the generally ascribed motivation for Collounsbury’s negative posting, i.e. blaming it on the ignorance of his targets, is entirely appropriate.
Now I want an apology for your gross misrepresentation of my reaction to Collounsbury’s banning.
Of course, at some point, he threw away his épée and began using a cutlass.
Well, the thing is, if you’re sorry he was banned, you must realize that he brought that on himself. I’m sure most are aware of that.
I believe everybody here, even those of us who will miss his substantive input, realize that he brought it on himself. His rulebreaking was so obvious that I can’t help but think of it as suicide by mod.
Yes. One of my best friends went to prison not long ago for not paying his child support. It was totally his fault, but it was sad to see it happen. This is kind of like that.
Not even as refined as that. More of a bludgeon, really.
FWIW - I took your “narcisic” comment as pretty snarky/gloaty kind of thing. So, as far as ‘evidence’ of your gloating, that would work for me. I did also note that your first post was a regret; If you say now that you didn’t mean that comment (for one) as a ‘gloat’, fine, I’ll accept that, but I don’t think **Gary ** was wildly off base for his comment, so:
-
no, in my view, Gary at worst was mistaken about your stance,
-
but that ‘mistake’ was pretty understandable given the words you actually did post, so
3, IMHO, Gary was neither lying nor does he owe you an appology.
grienspace,
You remind me of the arch enemy at a funeral who respectfully tries to present condolences to the close ones while so painfully and obviously gloating at the ‘good riddance’ that one can’t help wonder what you’re doing at the wake except the obvious fact of performing self gratification.
Narcissism you said?
Sparc
Wow, I’m somewhat surprised at the length of this thread.
I, too, will greatly miss Collounsbury’s presence on the SDMB board. I credit his presence here to my becoming a bit more active myself, particularly with regards to the various “race” threads he actively participated in Great Debates. Overall, I think his background and knowledge of Middle-Eastern affairs (not to mention his knowledge grounded in the current academic literature on race/genetics) has been a great contribution to this board. Granted, he sometimes came across as arrogant even in his cordial responses (which irked me a bit), but I figured putting up with a little arrogance was acceptable given the wealth of information he provided.
My general impression of him was of someone who, over time, became increasingly frustrated/exasperated with those who were being willfully ignorant or obtuse (in his opinion) in areas in which he had provided a wealth of information in previous discussions. I can understand to a degree (although not necessarily condone) why he posted the way he did.
Of course, I might think differently had I been unfortunate enough to get a “Collounsbury Response” - a point-by-point critique/analysis using rational/logical argumentation with a plethora of sites/sources/references supporting one’s position combined with a personal attack on an opponent’s intelligence. 
From the very beginning eh? Why I’m absolutely stunned that you should inadvertently misquote your actual first post. You know, the one in response to Larry Mudd’s “it’s too bad” post where you said
Sure, lamenting your little bleating heart out there, aren’t you.
Then, we have the following little mournfull exchange
Why Grien, how could I have viewed this as an example of smugly insulting someone when they couldn’t reply? Oh hang on. It was.
In short, you know that apology you’re after? Not today, my dear little dullard.
Well, eponymous, it is a matter of perspective. No one asks to be insulted, so it isn’t like such treatment would make one jump up and down for joy. But some of us (i.e.- at least me) get mad about such a response and attempt to prove our non-idiocy. In doing so, we actually learn something (namely, that we’re an idiot). Doesn’t work for all people, 'course…
Hey! I said it first! You’re stealing my idea.
If this ain’t why they told Cheney to FUCK OFF when he wanted to go to Wellstone’s memorial service, then I’m a drooling idiot. Hey! Tamerlane called me that. MY first sig., coming up.
It is the English’s infatiguable capacity to find the most perfect shrivelling insult for any given occasion, that makes them so dangerous.
Obviously the capacity of the English language isn’t sufficient for you Scylla. Where did you come up with " infatiguable " I agree that the choice of words were particularly cutting, but would have been more effective from a superior hand. The sentence structure in the quoted passage leaves a lot to be desired.
Kumquat, don’t you miss Nordberg? I suppose I should have explicitly pointed out that it was my second post in the first thread and then you wouldn’t have been stunned. Are you okay now? For those of you who wish to not take me at my word and choose to believe that I am gloating, quit whinging and go fuck yourself.