Apparently it is much more difficult than it seems.
[list=1][li]If you care to present an opinion but don’t particularly feel like supporting it with anything even resembling rationality, please consider that it doesn’t qualify as a “Great Debate”. Yes, it is sometimes tempting to go against that, and we all do it from time to time, and most of us are called on it when we do, and we all still manage to live through the experience anyway.[/li][li]If you don’t plan to listen to other people’s opinions after you express yours, please consider that this message board is not the place for you since it is a public message board and pretty much anyone who can speak English can post here (even those of you that are learning English! :))[/li][li]No, “public message board” does not mean the First Amendment holds. Reconsider your understanding of the Constitution; in fact, we even have a forum names “General Questions” which can support you in such areas.[/li][li]That was an honest recommendation, not a snappy answer to make fun of you (see #12).[/li][li]No one minds opinions. they simply have their place, and that place is not necessarily “whatever thread I happen to be in at the time”.[/li][li]You can whine all you want. Some will even give sympathy should they relate to your complaint. No one has to. Sometimes whining can be fucking annoying. Such is life on a public message board.[/li][li]Yes, some people are annoyed at spelling errors. Some will even consider it a comment on your ability to act like a human being. No, I don’t know why. Yes, it is possible to get over it.[/li][li]Two wrongs don’t make a right.[/li][li]Yes, some people are offended by things which you find trivial. It is unfortunate but highly unexpected in a world with over 4 billion different individuals.[/li][li]We knew you weren’t kidding.[/li][li]Yes, we did.[/li][li]Just because we are debating and we disagree doesn’t mean I think you are an idiot. If I thought you were an idiot I would be happy to open a BBQ Pit thread and tell you. Otherwise, it is best to assume we simply disagree on a matter of opinion, or an acceptance of a fact.[/li][li]We only know what you type. Please attempt to state it clearly, and be prepared to accept that you may have phrased something poorly. This does not mean you need to qualify posts with phrases like “I’m an idiot.” See #12.[/li][li]Don’t weasel. If you are caught in an error, please just admit it. We won’t hold it against you. We are all wrong from time to time (except for Cecil, amen).[/li][li]There is no “Clique”. Of any kind. Seriously.[/li][li]Just because people don’t respond to you doesn’t mean they didn’t read what you said and appreciated it. Not everyone "me too"s every post they agree with, and not everyone has something to say on every matter.[/li][li]Topics discussed can involve deeply personal issues, important work-related discussion, friendships, romance, and matters of personal taste. The medium here is an internet message board but that in no way makes any of the above issues any less important to posters. This is best summed up as: “This is not ‘just’ a message board.”[/li][li]You don’t have to stay here. Sometimes it may seem like you are not welcome. See #12.[/li][li]The cardinal rule—“don’t be a jerk”—is rather loosely interpreted, but if you suspect that you are being a jerk then please consider that you may not be the only one. [/list=1]When I use “we” I mean “anyone who agrees with me”. The use of the word “we” is not meant to imply the existence of a Clique or that I in any way represent the administration of this message board.[/li]
No, I will not link to that which precipitated this. I suspect those that this is addressed to will figure it out. I don’t like the Pit much—in fact, I’ve only ever taken two people to the Pit, and one of the times it was revealed that I was being an idiot—, I’m simply not that hostile towards people, but I’ve got to say I am reaching a state of high annoyance. You know who you are. Get a fucking grip, please.
does this mean me and Esprix have to give back our phones?
Stab the biggest, baddest motherfucker you can find the first day. You’ll get a month in the pit, but they’ll respsect you.
Obviously, there needs to be a USENET style disclaimer after every mention of the clique (there is no clique) like there is of the cartel (there is no cartel). Hey, you could even use the same abbreviation.
Gasp! The clique (TINC) is the cartel (TINC)! 
I like number 11. #22 should be “No, we didn’t.” if it gets to that point.
And rule #23 should be “Bribing the Moderators just does not work, so don’t bother sending me a copy of Don Rosa’s “Captain Kentucky” collection, or the DVD of “Shock Treatment”, because it just won’t work.”
Where should we not send you this stuff?
If the Clique is the Cartel, and the Clique doesn’t exist, and the Cartel doesn’t exist, do two negatives make a positive?
What wrongful thing are you not thinking of doing?
Er, uh, nothing, really…Just curious…ya never know, ya know?
So do we keep the phones or not? I’m so confused…
No you don’t get to keep the phones. Send them to me and…I’ll…umm…dispose of them, yeah, that’s the ticket.
- Never match wits with a Cecilian when death is on the line
And wear sunscreen, dammit.
Well, if nobody else is going to say it, I will.
Gee. I thought I was in the clique. A year later and I’m still not up to speed on this.
Inconceivable.
I don’t think that means what you think it means, Ginger.
Oh, I just thought of another rule for survival on the SDMB - watch The Princess Bride, Raising Arizona, and Office Space at least four times before posting ANYthing here. No, really, I’m serious. Really. All you newbies, get thee hence to your local video store.
What?
Erislover’s thread on a similar theme as mine has more posts to it?
This is unthinkable.
:: adds Erislover to the short list of posters to put against the wall when the revlolution comes ::
Fenris
:: eyes Fenris ominously ::
We’ll see who is and who isn’t in a clique that doesn’t exist!
MWAHAHA
I don’t think that means what you think it means,
Yeah, I know somebody already said that, and about “inconceivable” too, but I’ll probably never get another chance to use it on Fenris.