# Metacom, you're an idiot. Plain and simple. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 17, 2006, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337 "2006-01-17T07:22:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/121 "2006-01-18T17:23:31Z")
Fuck off, Daniel. Where the hell do you get off telling us we don’t have any compassion? We have plenty. I’m sorry the kid was depressed. I’m sorry he was suicidal. I’m sorry he was shot, but I think that the police made the right decision. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/122 "2006-01-18T17:29:30Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Fuck off, Daniel. Where the hell do you get off telling us we don’t have any compassion? We have plenty. > > I’m sorry the kid was depressed. I’m sorry he was suicidal. I’m sorry he was shot, but I think that the police made the right decision. **Guin** , with all due respect, you can’t read worth a damn if you think I’m calling the position you describe uncompassionate. I know you like to follow the herd, but you should read first what the herd is saying. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/123 "2006-01-18T17:32:55Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Fuck off, Daniel. Where the hell do you get off telling us we don’t have any compassion? We have plenty. > > I’m sorry the kid was depressed. I’m sorry he was suicidal. I’m sorry he was shot, but I think that the police made the right decision. Er…I think that’s more or less exactly **Lefthand’s** position. Whilst I can understand why people disagree with **Metacom** ’s view that the kid shouldn’t have been shot I am completely bemused as to why everyone is so amazingly hostile at the merest suggestion of sympathy for this kid. Sympathy does not mean that you condone the kid’s actions, or that you think it he was a poor innocent victim or that he shouldn’t have been shot. It just means that you think the whole affair is a horrible tragedy rather than a simple case of the goodies (the cops) shooting the baddies (the kid). ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/124 "2006-01-18T17:34:44Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > **Guin** , with all due respect, you can’t read worth a damn if you think I’m calling the position you describe uncompassionate.l If I may, I think the problem is you used so many qualifiers in this thread that it’s hard to tell what your positiion is. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/125 "2006-01-18T17:48:44Z")
It is possible to have contempt for how the kid committed suicide whilst being compassionate for the fact the kid was suicidal. It is possible to have contempt for the way the kid’s family was using lawyers and blaming the police whilst being compassionate for tehir loss of a son. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/126 "2006-01-18T17:50:40Z")
> [@Bippy the Beardless](#): > > It is possible to have contempt for how the kid committed suicide whilst being compassionate for the fact the kid was suicidal. It is possible to have contempt for the way the kid’s family was using lawyers and blaming the police whilst being compassionate for tehir loss of a son. Yeah, but that makes some people’s heads hurt. Life is much easier if everything is black or white. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/127 "2006-01-18T17:51:03Z")
> [@Bippy the Beardless](#): > > It is possible to have contempt for how the kid committed suicide whilst being compassionate for the fact the kid was suicidal. It is possible to have contempt for the way the kid’s family was using lawyers and blaming the police whilst being compassionate for tehir loss of a son. That makes too much sense. Get the hell out of here. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/128 "2006-01-18T18:08:29Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > The Nazis made the Jews wear pieces of compassion. I understand the management at Der Freitag’s was so impressed they implemented a similar system for their waitstaff uniforms. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/129 "2006-01-18T18:25:28Z")
If that’s your position, then why all this bullshit about how coldhearted and uncaring we are, when you are the only one with any human feeling and compassion? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/130 "2006-01-18T18:29:16Z")
> [@Bippy the Beardless](#): > > It is possible to have contempt for how the kid committed suicide whilst being compassionate for the fact the kid was suicidal. It is possible to have contempt for the way the kid’s family was using lawyers and blaming the police whilst being compassionate for tehir loss of a son. Thank you. Precisely. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/131 "2006-01-18T18:38:58Z")
What Bippy said. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/132 "2006-01-18T18:40:43Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > If that’s your position, then why all this bullshit about how coldhearted and uncaring we are, when you are the only one with any human feeling and compassion? > > :dubious: Because other folks love to misrepresent what I say, apparently. Since I’ve never said anything like that, it’s pretty stupid to blame me for it. On the contrary, I have said–well, gosh, why don’t I quote my first response to you in this thread? > [@me](#): > > Guin, I can even agree that his actions were deplorable. Saying that his actions were deplorable, however, is a far cry from feeling no sympathy for him. I wouldn’t use the word contemptible for his actions, but that word is not what got me mad. What gets me mad is folks who seem to be devouring his bones, metaphorically, expressing satisfaction at his death. And, to clarify, I’ve never claimed any special level of compassion here. I’m not feeling especially compassionate to you, **Guin** , and I’ve got very un-Dalai-Lama thoughts about a bunch of the folks in this thread. But my frustration with your dogpiling is different from my disgust with the others. **Lute** , I’ve made my position clear several times. I have not changed it. Several others have accurately summarized it. I’m having trouble understanding why anyone unintentionally misunderstands the position. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/133 "2006-01-18T18:46:08Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > I wouldn’t use the word contemptible for his actions, but that word is not what got me mad. What gets me mad is folks who seem to be devouring his bones, metaphorically, expressing satisfaction at his death. > > Daniel Who, specifically, has done this? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/134 "2006-01-18T18:47:52Z")
> [@smiling bandit](#): > > He’s a coward and he got no more than he deserved. For one example. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/135 "2006-01-18T18:52:30Z")
> [@Bippy the Beardless](#): > > It is possible to have contempt for how the kid committed suicide whilst being compassionate for the fact the kid was suicidal. It is possible to have contempt for the way the kid’s family was using lawyers and blaming the police whilst being compassionate for tehir loss of a son. Exactly. And it’s possible to feel contempt for a jackass posting crap on a bulletin board who wants the cops to play sitting duck, without that being a declaration of a free-fire zone on the mentally disturbed. For the record, **LHoD** – I never dumped on the kid. I’m sorry for him. For the cops, for his parents, for his friends, for his classmates, for the teachers, for the school administration, hell, I can even try to dredge up a scrap of pity for the lawyer who watched his cut of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit go poof. But for **Metacom**? He’s a big boy, let him take his own lumps. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/136 "2006-01-18T18:54:02Z")
I don’t see that as an expression of satisfaction. Something along the lines of “I’m glad they kilt the l’il bastard!” or “Woo-hoo! Another shitbag terminated!” or similar would be expressing gladness or satisfaction. I can’t think of anyone in this thread who expressed happiness that the deputy shot the kid. I think you are confusing contempt for the kid’s actions with contempt for the kid. I don’t know the kid, so I have no feelings about him personally one way or the other. I do hold the way he chose to kill himself in the greatest contempt. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/137 "2006-01-18T18:55:43Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Exactly. And it’s possible to feel contempt for a jackass posting crap on a bulletin board who wants the cops to play sitting duck, without that being a declaration of a free-fire zone on the mentally disturbed. > > For the record, **LHoD** – I never dumped on the kid. I’m sorry for him. For the cops, for his parents, for his friends, for his classmates, for the teachers, for the school administration, hell, I can even try to dredge up a scrap of pity for the lawyer who watched his cut of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit go poof. > > But for **Metacom**? He’s a big boy, let him take his own lumps. Thanks, **ETF** , I do believe you summed it up much better than I could in the first paragraph. Daniel, my main beef is not so much what you believe as the way you’re expressing those beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/138 "2006-01-18T18:57:39Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > I don’t see that as an expression of satisfaction. Something along the lines of “I’m glad they kilt the l’il bastard!” or “Woo-hoo! Another shitbag terminated!” or similar would be expressing gladness or satisfaction. When someone says, “he got what he deserved,” I see that as an expression of satisfaction. As I’ve said, I don’t object to folks who say that they hold the way he killed himself in contempt (although “the greatest contempt”? I’d save that for folks who kill someone prior to suicide–I hold this kid’s actions as less deplorable than, say, those of Dylan Klebold). It’s the “zero sympathy,” “got what he deserved” bullshit that I find repugnant. I also find it silly for folks to argue against someone who’s not here. That’s not repugnant, just silly. At any rate, that should clear up what I mean by “expressing satisfaction.” Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/139 "2006-01-18T18:59:48Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Daniel, my main beef is not so much what you believe as the way you’re expressing those beliefs. Guin, I’m sorry to say, I don’t believe you. I don’t believe you understand what I believe; nor do I believe that you took the time to evaluate it before joining in the dogpile. Your “fuck you” to me showed that you had no idea what I was saying, although if you’d read my earlier posts to you, I’d made it very clear. So it goes. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337/140 "2006-01-18T19:02:41Z")
Yes, I only came in here to dogpile, not because I think you’re being a twit. Perhaps I misunderstood when you said “y’all are like jackals”, if you were only speaking to **Scumpup**. Still, your crowing on and on about the mentally ill and gosh darnit, why don’t we leave **Metacom** alone is grating, quite frankly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metacom-youre-an-idiot-plain-and-simple/340337.md?page=8)