# Giraffe: tag, you're it. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 17, 2009, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315 "2009-07-17T07:33:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/41 "2009-07-17T16:20:20Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > you’re probably just an idiot. Please accept my apologies. I may have to steal this for my sig file. ---
**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:** [July 17, 2009, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/42 "2009-07-17T16:24:37Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > Yes, yes, we all know, **SmashtheState** , Danger is your middle name. I thought it was “the”. Anyhoo, at least when VC03 asked if it would be okay to indulge his electronics hobby while on an airplane, it was worth some laughs. This guy is dumb _and_ boring. ---
**Author:** ![thirdwarning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/43 "2009-07-17T16:27:01Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Well, I certainly think Giraffe was out of line, and off topic for the thread. > > I also am somewhat curious about what happens when panhandlers go on strike, as they’re unionized and all. Further, how do you handle scab beggars? > > Further, why are your in any way surprised by police harassment or death threats? Suck it down. It’s part of your chosen lifestyle. When I worked in AIDS treatment, I got bomb threats all the time. So what? > > Finally, can you tell me what it means to see ‘just a wall’? Well, apparently what they used to do with scab hoboes, according to one of his cites, was push them off trains. I guess even the poor and homeless need somebody to look down on. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/44 "2009-07-17T17:34:13Z")
I don’t think i had really come across the OP before this thread. I think he adds something to the boards. I don’t consider myself an anarchist; in fact, as someone who calls himself a leftist and whose politics tend toward social democracy (or democratic socialism, or whatever you want to call it), i’m in the category of people that **SmashTheState** is opposed to. I disagree with his blanket condemnation of empiricism, and i think he casts the epithet “scientism” around far too liberally. I also think his buddhist stuff is pretty much all crap. But i think that a few anarchist voices might be interesting on this board. I recognize that anarchism gets very short shrift in the United States, but it is a political philosophy with a pretty broad and deep tradition, and with some ideas i find interesting even when i disagree with them. The anarchist worldview is no more foreign or unbelievable, to me, than the idea that the world was created by an omnipotent being who desires our faith and obedience. Also, i think it’s pretty clear that the OP of this thread isn’t stupid. As i said, i probably disagree with quite a lot of his philosophy, but the fact that he holds it and argues it doesn’t make him dumb. Anyway, **SmashTheState** , i hope you hang around. I doubt that i’ll always agree with you, and when i don’t i’ll be happy to tell you so. Even if you won’t find many (any?) other anarchists here, try to remember that not everyone is your enemy just because they don’t agree with everything you say. ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/45 "2009-07-17T17:57:39Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Also, i think it’s pretty clear that the OP of this thread isn’t stupid. As i said, i probably disagree with quite a lot of his philosophy, but the fact that he holds it and argues it doesn’t make him dumb. I want to endorse this view and publicly retract calling him retarded (which I’ve already done privately). A lot of other _provocateurs_ on this message board should be as informed about the history of ideas as he is. Although I disagree with his politics and even some of the philosophy, his arguments do not sound in unresolved psychological issues or brattish ignorance. Organizing the OPU establishes his bona fides more surely than a lot of this board’s other political exponents–of all stripes–could claim for their own political accomplishments. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/46 "2009-07-17T17:59:25Z")
The guy is clearly just a moron and asshole. However, you shouldn’t feed them either. Just sayin’. (Even though it’s really funny to upset Yosemite Sam.) ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/47 "2009-07-17T18:04:04Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > The guy is clearly just a moron and asshole. That’s a little harsh, don’t you think? I said I was sorry! ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/48 "2009-07-17T18:25:29Z")
Self-righteousness is to wisdom as drought is to crops. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/49 "2009-07-17T20:13:13Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > That’s a little harsh, don’t you think? I said I was sorry! ☹ Of _course_ I didn’t mean you. You’re just an asshole. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/50 "2009-07-17T20:15:15Z")
But not in a bad way! ---
**Author:** ![ashman165](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e8cbc/32.png) [@ashman165](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ashman165)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/51 "2009-07-17T20:32:00Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > Self-righteousness is to wisdom as drought is to crops. You mean it’s food? ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/52 "2009-07-17T21:20:35Z")
> [@SmashTheState](#): > > The Gautama Buddha described enlightenment as sitting before a wall and seeing just a wall. _That_ is science. No, I’m pretty sure it isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/53 "2009-07-17T21:26:57Z")
> [@Linty\_Fresh](#): > > One day, I looked at a wall and saw a helpful note in yellow spray paint informing me that Mary Jenkins took it up the ass. I guess that would be applied science? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/54 "2009-07-17T23:28:29Z")
> [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](#): > > I want to endorse this view and publicly retract calling him retarded (which I’ve already done privately). A lot of other _provocateurs_ on this message board should be as informed about the history of ideas as he is. Although I disagree with his politics and even some of the philosophy, his arguments do not sound in unresolved psychological issues or brattish ignorance. Organizing the OPU establishes his bona fides more surely than a lot of this board’s other political exponents–of all stripes–could claim for their own political accomplishments. I’m trying not to start dick ridin’ you, Kimmy, but I have to say, 'nuff respect for this post. I agree completely. Furthermore, I hate to think they have to ban every poster that comes along with the slightest dusting of toll ash on them. I dig STS. Let’s not start this banning shit. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2009, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/55 "2009-07-18T01:50:29Z")
> [@SmashTheState](#): > > The Gautama Buddha described enlightenment as sitting before a wall and seeing just a wall. _That_ is science. Man, I wish. I’d have my PhD much much more quickly. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2009, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/56 "2009-07-18T01:53:37Z")
Hmm, let us see. Been around for about a month- BUT with 200+ posts and already PITing established members? That is not the hallmark of a newb. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2009, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/57 "2009-07-18T02:34:49Z")
> [@SmashTheState](#): > > I believe that all human beings are born free and equal – though not the same – and that humanity’s institutions exist for the explicit purpose of not only removing this freedom and equality, but conditioning people to believe that freedom and equality are bad things. Interesting. Would you give an example of an institution that exists to remove freedom – especially the last part, the conditioning? And explain how they do it. (Seriously. I’m just trying to understand what you’re saying.) ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2009, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/58 "2009-07-18T03:44:08Z")
AuntiePam, as a wild guess, I’d say the public school system. ---
**Author:** ![SmashTheState](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@SmashTheState](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmashTheState)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2009, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/59 "2009-07-18T03:47:54Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Hmm, let us see. Been around for about a month- BUT with 200+ posts and already PITing established members? That is not the hallmark of a newb. :dubious: This “newb’s” first modem was 110 baud, was the size of a toaster oven, and had an acoustic coupler for the bakelite telephone handset. I was bickering online with aspies and Randroids on Fido 15 years before SD existed. Believe it or not, the mutual admiration society around here didn’t invent the Internet. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2009, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315/60 "2009-07-18T03:58:47Z")
Had Heathkit 9700 modem. Had a special switch you could change from binary code to Morse, but the instruction manual didn’t say why you might want to. Operating system was Uno, which was about half as good as DOS. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giraffe-tag-youre-it/503315.md?page=4)