Sorry. That was a bit of a throw away line and I really should have taken the time to be more clear. If we use the analogy that the members of the SDMB are like citizens and that the Moderators and Administrators are like a Central government then I think my post will make more sense. If I understand Libertarianism correctly, they take the position that what we really need is a very strong central government that makes all sorts of laws and rules to protect the citizens from themselves.
In other words, in looking at Liberal’s pattern of requests like this it is not so surprising because it is completely consistent with his Libertarian politics and philosophy.
[/whoosh]
Almost everybody could benefit from a good therapist to some degree or another; god knows I include myself firmly in that camp. But Lib, dude, take the time off to conduct some serious self examination.
While I know better than perhaps anyone here that one’s reputation on the SDMB is not necessarily an accurate representation of who you really are, it’s certainly not irrelevant, especially in regards to, well, to your reputation on the SDMB. If that makes any sense.
My point being, Lib, that it might be worth examining that to many intelligent, careful-thinking people in these forums–NOT including myself in that camp–you have a reputation as a dishonest debater and an intellectual bully. One’s reputation cannot be actively repaired or rehabilitated. The only productive approach is the most frustrating: one must simply NOT be that way for long enough, and consistently enough, that one’s reputation is given a chance to fade into the past.
You have a very strong presence on this board. Now is your chance to begin the process of bringing that presence into some kind of balance, and therefore hopefully subject to less friction from your fellows. This will take much, much longer than seems fair.
Today is the first day of the rest of your board life.
(Note: I am fully aware of the irony, almost hypocrisy, of hearing this from me, with my reputation as it is. Think of my awareness of my own reputation as credentials to speak on this matter, rather than a disqualification. Suffice it to say I’ve done a great deal of thinking on this matter, and if I still can’t quite find a way to benefit from that thinking, I hope that you can. Good luck. When come back, bring serenity.)
Well you shouldn’t have put it here if you wanted him to read it or respond. He’s already on self enforced sabbatical from the Pit. Don’t know why he can’t manage to do that for all the forums until he cools down.
However, this “please kill me, master” self immolation is tedious. If you must take a break, go for it, and muster up the willpower to make it stick. I can’t read anything more into such a public announcement than a desire to see a “please don’t go!” thread.
Stay or go, Lib - no prob either way. Go with God.
Just don’t post any pix of yourself dressed as Carmen Miranda.
In an era where American conservatism has become almost indistinguishable from Bushism, John Mace is that rarity, a principled conservative. While lately we’ve seemed to disagree 95% of the time, he and I have agreed on quite a few things.
Interestingly, I haven’t seen our resident militant libertarian in any of the NSA wiretapping threads. You’d think for a hardcore libertarian committed to liberty (but not by being associated with the philosophy by name any more) that would be a hot button issue. But strangely it’s not. It’s enough to make one question a libertarian’s commitment to his cause.
Lib, I think you’re a good guy and would like to see you stay around. That said, I think it would have been more prudent to keep this matter private. It smacks of some serious attention whoring.
Was this prompted by anything in particular? Or did it come out of the clear blue sky?
And may I just say, Liberal’s request is completley in keeping with the Liberal we all know and love, at whatever remove – long streaks of lucidity, punctated by some genuine WTF moments. And let me just say this place would be a lot less interesting without those moments. Even the detractors would probably admit as much, in their heart of hearts.
As somebody who’s butted heads with him briefly in the past, grown bored, and wandered off while scratching my ass, I say: keep him.
He’s good for giving the newbs either a harsh lesson on the importance of semantics, or a harsh lesson in the mind-numbing irrelevance of semantics. I’m still trying to figure out which one.
Ever since he changed his name from **Libertarian ** to **Liberal ** I suspected that he did so because many times he liked to skate on thin ice and I suppose he thought a name change of that kind would prompt his demise, under the impression that a board so “liberal” would ban him quickly for his clear baiting attempt. So then he could play the martyr until kingdom come in other message boards…
He failed.
But really Liberal, don’t go. I also have to say that even if I don’t agree with you on many occasions, that I have learned a lot from your contributions.
I’ve just completed a long debate with him in GD where he was always polite, responsive, and operating at a very high level of discourse. I think we both learned something. It was one of the best threads I’ve engaged in in the 30 years I’ve been doing this kind of thing.
Liberal I hope you stay. I’m going to miss you
However, if there are some things you need to do in real life, and don’t want to be tempted to post more, then I understand.
Lib, would it help if someone made a post with instructions on how to block the SDMB from your computer, but hid it in a spoiler box? Then you could show the post to someone you trust, have them do what was in the instructions in the spoiler box while you take a walk, and then when you get back, voila. No more SDMB from your computer. This would block both reading and posting, whereas I believe the banning can’t stop you from reading.
Unfortunately this thread has way too much potential for, um, excitement to be suitable for another forum, so here it must stay. We can’t make him read it any more than we can make him continue to post here if he has in fact truly decided to leave. Such is message board life.
Maybe because he’ll go along just fine for awhile then all of a sudden turn batshit-crazy-insane? Think that might be it? Or maybe it’s the fact that he’s a world class drama queen/attention whore. Maybe that’s it.
I’ve got nothing in particular against Lib (we hardly ever post in the same threads), but the “Goodbye Cruel World” post (or variations thereof) is a mite annoying when done repetitively.
On another (non-political) board we had a poster with the following similar, predictable M.O.:
Post provocatively on a given topic.
Get a variety of responses ranging from sober discussion to semi-flaming.
Encourage the most extreme responders.
Once a full-on flamefest ensues, back off and declare that one has never, ever had such trials to bear.
Announce intention to leave and never return.
Garner tributes from anxious boardmembers expressing concern about impending departure.
Begin voluntary (or involuntary) exile, ranging from minutes to months.
Return and start all over again.
This sort of thing can get tiresome but apparently fulfills a need in certain folks.
