# Melin has been banned **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 20, 2000, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855 "2000-03-20T05:56:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/241 "2000-03-23T16:17:00Z")
Hey I was nothing if not polite to you, Sue. And if you’ve noticed I **have** let the whole thing go. The whole state of affairs is tired, pro- and anti-Melin people have returned to their forum of preference. With the exception of maybe _half a dozen_ posters, no one is worked up enough to even reply to these now dying Pit threads. As for me, I pop into the pit as I always have. In fact just today I flamed two pit threads today. One was a lame pro-Melin thread and one was a lame anti-Melin thread. In fact if you take a look around, you’ll see that most Melin threads, pro- or anti-, have been hijacked by people who really haven’t invested a lot of time or energy into Melin. You can put “UnBan Melin” on your tombstone if you want, Sue. That’s fine with me. I wasn’t so much anti-Melin as anti-disruption of the SDMB community. The board, as a whole, has moved on. And that’s all I’ve wanted all along. Aloha. * * * **Gypsy** : Tom, I don’t get you. **Tom Servo** : Nobody does. I’m the wind, baby. ---
**Author:** ![Krispy\_Original](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ec9cab/32.png) [@Krispy\_Original](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krispy_Original)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/242 "2000-03-23T16:29:00Z")
> [@](#): > > And that’s all I’ve wanted all along. Who really gives a rat’s ass what _you_ want? Not I. * * * Krispy Original - I survived the SDMB outage ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/243 "2000-03-23T16:37:00Z")
Simple, KO. **I** care what I want. And that’s good enough for me. Hugs! * * * **Gypsy** : Tom, I don’t get you. **Tom Servo** : Nobody does. I’m the wind, baby. ---
**Author:** ![Krispy\_Original](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ec9cab/32.png) [@Krispy\_Original](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krispy_Original)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/244 "2000-03-23T16:42:00Z")
Snappy comeback. * * * Krispy Original - I survived the SDMB outage ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/245 "2000-03-23T17:13:00Z")
> [@](#): > > And here I childishly thought this board was here as a diversion from everyday life - I guess I just never understood that at the core of it was all that is objectivity and reason. I’ve learned so much today. Well, hell, none of this is real. Why didn’t I realize that before? All the other posters here are computer-generated; there’s no bona-fide human interaction going on. Thanks for enlightening me. Sarcasm aside, Valerie, I’m quite aware that this board isn’t quite the same as real life. But it isn’t ‘just a diversion’ either. People are still people, and friendships and romances can bloom online, just like in real life. (Ask Satan and Drain Bead. :)) For all its fractiousness, this place is a community of sorts, and what happens here matters to us. And while it’s true that the point of this place is to combat ignorance, which implies a commitment to objectivity and reason, human relationships are messy things that aren’t exactly governed by those rules. And a lot of the time, two people can look at the same evidence and, because of the different attributes they have, reach very different conclusions. If the world of people were rational, we could replace politics by a set of axioms and formulas, and there would be no debate on this board - over Melin, or over any of the topics in GD. But life’s not like that. But that’s also part of what makes the world of people, on or offline, fundamentally interesting and worthwhile. People aren’t well-defined; they can turn around and surprise you anytime. For instance, I’m pissed at Ed because he banned Melin, but at the same time, he’s reminded me of another side of him that I have to grudgingly respect, by inviting people to try out to be new moderators - right in the middle of all this brouhaha. That was really ballsy; when someone does something like that, you wish you didn’t already want to wring their neck over something else. But that’s the way human relationships are; they’re messy and confusing like that. The moment you think you’ve got someone pegged as good or bad, they do something that doesn’t fit. So this place, while devoted to objectivity and reason, is fundamentally beyond it, like any community of human beings. And anyplace that has room for genuine interaction between people always has the potential to be much, much more than a mere diversion. This place, for better or worse, lives up to that potential. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/246 "2000-03-23T19:15:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Alphagene: > \*\*…and no matter how heated the debate, no matter how many parties are involved, some schmuck is always like five light-years behind. > > Hey FireWarBird or whatever, we’re pretty much done, OK? But thanks for dropping in. Better luck next time. Here’s a coupon. > \*\* Wow, it appears that Alpha is the one who decides when a thread is “over”. I never knew! * * * – From an actual catalog: “Disco balls create an enchanting, dazzling effect of light shafts, adding movement and glamour to any occasion” _the Abrams’ bris was certainly memorable_ O p a l C a t [www.opalcat.com](http://www.opalcat.com) ---
**Author:** ![Krispy\_Original](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ec9cab/32.png) [@Krispy\_Original](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krispy_Original)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/247 "2000-03-23T19:27:00Z")
Very well said RTF… ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/248 "2000-03-23T20:47:00Z")
I’m new (duh). I have 2 questions. 1. “What’s a troll?” I ask uneasily, uncomfortably aware that it is probably the wrong thing to say. 2. What was it exactly that “Melin” did that got her kicked out? All I can make out so far is that she used a dirty word (?) in her signature and threatened to file a lawsuit against the Chicago Reader, for reasons which remain obscure. Also, that she complained about being fired a lot. Hey, I complain about being fired sometimes, and sometimes I threaten to sue people, and you bet your sweet bippy that when the occasion seems to demand it, I use a few Anglo-Saxon euphemisms. So, anxious not to fall into the same error that caused “Melin” to be cast into outer darkness, I query respectfully, “What gives?” ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/249 "2000-03-23T21:01:00Z")
I’m new (duh). I have 2 questions. 1. “What’s a troll?” I ask uneasily, uncomfortably aware that it is probably the wrong thing to say. 2. What was it exactly that “Melin” did that got her kicked out? All I can make out so far is that she used a dirty word (?) in her signature and threatened to file a lawsuit against the Chicago Reader, for reasons which remain obscure. Also, that she complained about being fired a lot. Hey, I complain about being fired sometimes, and sometimes I threaten to sue people, and you bet your sweet bippy that when the occasion seems to demand it, I use a few Anglo-Saxon euphemisms. So, anxious not to fall into the same error that caused “Melin” to be cast into outer darkness, I query respectfully, “What gives?” ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/250 "2000-03-23T21:07:00Z")
I’m new (duh). I have 2 questions. 1. “What’s a troll?” I ask uneasily, uncomfortably aware that it is probably the wrong thing to say. 2. What was it exactly that “Melin” did that got her kicked out? All I can make out so far is that she used a dirty word (?) in her signature and threatened to file a lawsuit against the Chicago Reader, for reasons which remain obscure. Also, that she complained about being fired a lot. Hey, I complain about being fired sometimes, and sometimes I threaten to sue people, and you bet your sweet bippy that when the occasion seems to demand it, I use a few Anglo-Saxon euphemisms. So, anxious not to fall into the same error that caused “Melin” to be cast into outer darkness, I query respectfully, “What gives?” ---
**Author:** ![24KaratGold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/cc9497/32.png) [@24KaratGold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/24KaratGold)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/251 "2000-03-24T00:48:00Z")
The topic list says that the last post on this thread was made at 3:07, but the last one I see is from RTFirefly timed at 11:13. Are there missing posts, or is there something still wrong with the board? Goldie * * * Gentlemen certainly DO prefer blondes – and with good reason! ---
**Author:** ![24KaratGold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/cc9497/32.png) [@24KaratGold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/24KaratGold)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/252 "2000-03-24T00:51:00Z")
Never mind. As soon as I posted that, the other posts showed up. But I had logged off the computer and everything, so I don’t understand why this happened. Goldie * * * Gentlemen certainly DO prefer blondes – and with good reason! ---
**Author:** ![Minxsmom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Minxsmom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minxsmom)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/253 "2000-03-24T00:55:00Z")
The board is still messed up. If you hit refresh, the posts should show up. If that doesn’t work try holding down the shift while you hit refresh. If that still doesn’t work, I don’t know what to tell you. Hey, Opal, conrats on the new client and especially about the chocolate. Can I be your best friend? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/254 "2000-03-24T03:32:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Wow, it appears that Alpha is the one who decides when a thread is “over”. I never knew! Actually the board as a whole has come to that conclusion, Opal. It was an more of an observation than a declaration. A good flame, ideally, incorporates advanced devices such as metaphor, the rule-of-threes, or amusingly obscure pop culture references. Bland sarcasm is a good start, but very rudimentary. Practice, practice, practice. * * * **Gypsy** : Tom, I don’t get you. **Tom Servo** : Nobody does. I’m the wind, baby. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/255 "2000-03-24T03:49:00Z")
Oops in a major way. You can tell how new I am by the triple posting. All I can do is blame it on inexperience and promise never to do it again, Daddy. Anyway, since my wrestling match with the computer earlier in the day (it never gave me the thing that said “OK, returning you to this topic” and the whole thing kept locking up, so I kept resubmitting), I have since found out (and all by myself, too!) what a troll is, and I also think I have a pretty good idea of what Melin must have done to get herself kicked out. She sounds like the kind of person who basically always says exactly what she thinks, what goes through her head comes out her mouth, and the devil take the hindmost. And eventually something went wrong, feelings got hurt, and the thing just escalated. Does that about sum it up? But did she really use a dirty word in her signature? Ooh, how scandalous. Tiny bit off-topic: if the smilies use up so much band-width, why are they provided? Personally I can get along without them. I’m used to a text-based BBS anyway. ---
**Author:** ![coosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@coosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coosa)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/256 "2000-03-24T03:53:00Z")
Alpha, Coldfire has started a thread over in MPSIMS called I LOVE YOU GUYS. Your name has been mentioned. Just thought I’d let you know. ::d&r:: * * * Some days you’re the dog, some days you’re the hydrant. ---
**Author:** ![coosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@coosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coosa)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/257 "2000-03-24T03:59:00Z")
Alpha, Coldfire has started a thread over in MPSIMS called I LOVE YOU GUYS. Your name has been mentioned. Just thought I’d let you know. ::d&r:: * * * Some days you’re the dog, some days you’re the hydrant. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/258 "2000-03-24T14:24:00Z")
K.O. - thanks! Notthemama - well, there was something about a lawsuit threat, too. Anyway, it’s all back there; if you have the energy, the thread (and associated links) pretty much tell the story. About the multipost: hey, we’re all new once. Once you hit ‘Submit Reply’, your post almost always goes through, even if it doesn’t show up for awhile. So don’t repost for at least a couple of hours, would be my advice. ---
**Author:** ![24KaratGold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/cc9497/32.png) [@24KaratGold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/24KaratGold)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/259 "2000-03-24T19:50:00Z")
I’m frustrated, but this time at my browser. Once again the date on the topic listings shows that there is at least one or two posts later than the last post I see, which is coosa’s. And I did shift reload as suggested. Since yesterday when I posted to this thread it then magically reappeared, I’m doing so again so that I can see what was said. Sorry, folks. Goldie * * * Gentlemen certainly DO prefer blondes – and with good reason! ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2000, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855/260 "2000-03-24T20:32:00Z")
[url=http://fathom.org/cgi-bin/sdmb.pl?read=1305] **Melin** ’s apology. > [@](#): > > I am sorry for the mistakes I made in handling this situation. I am only human, as the cliche goes, and I am at least as likely to make mistakes as the next person, maybe more so. I am sorry for overreacting, sorry for not trying to resolve the matter in a less lawyer-like manner, sorry for letting Terey and Jill and TubaDiva and Aster get to me with their digs. I should have handled it better. I’m even sorry for pissing off Ed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melin-has-been-banned/4855.md?page=14)