I am unconvinced that any such people exist. I do think that most people who believe that they can heal illness with crystals are, in fact, kind of crazy.
Thanks. I agree; there are a number of unhappy people here with severe superority complexes. Don’t sweat it. There are also some who are intelligent and don’t make efforts to attack others.
I don’t think that applies to anyone in this thread anymore. 
I’m sure it would, just as a simple apology from you would have been sufficient. You brought up “snark”, remember?
Are you talking about where I thanked him? That was a very brief exchange, and was triggered by a post he made in this thread. A couple of responses, and it was over. Forgive me for being a bit sensitive, perhaps, but I’ve borne a lot of false accusations of hijacking in the past, and that makes me an easy target. Easy targets are a little bit jumpy sometimes. The notion of taking the thread off into some side discussion opens the door for someone to scream “Hijack!”.
[del]
[quote=Santa]
I had nothing to do with it!
[quote]
:mad: [/del]
Nevermind!!! 
Lazy bastards.
If anyone screams that or even thinks of opening the door, I’m going to turn this thread around and fly right back to the airport, I swear to God!
I’m sorry, is someone forcing you to moderate these boards? Are you above criticism because you have other demands on your time? If you are too busy to do the job right, take a leave of absence.
My apologies if my complaint was unclear. It had nothing to do with “contentless OPs.” It had to do with your lame-ass rationization. If a moderator considers a member to be a troll, usually a warning ensues. Why did you not warn Omegaman if he was trolling? You accused him of trolling, and then said it didn’t matter if he was a troll, or a “nutter.”
Either he is a troll or he isn’t. As being a troll is a bannable offense, the charge should not be issued lightly by a moderator. Stand by your accusations, or swallow them. But don’t weasel out by calling him a “nutter.” It’s chickenshit moderating.
I did say snark. A better phrase might be “smart-aleck” because that’s what I got from the insinuation that I didn’t read the previous thread. I did read it. I also read it in tandem with this which led to my mistake. I maintain my apology for that error.
Fair enough. When I replied that exchange was fresh in my mind and significant enough (to me) to warrant inclusion. I understand your history here and I wasn’t trying to use or accuse you. I made a mistake and I would like to, at least, agree to disagree on the closing of the Omegaman thread for now.
Peace?
I am pointing out that your criticisms are inappropriate. No moderator can moderate perfectly every thread, at the exact same point, 24 hours a day. If that is your expectation, then you will continue to be disappointed.
You can criticize if you like, of course. I simply don’t think that particular criticism was an apt or fair one.
I was referring, of course, to the two threads you linked. As it was a different situation, there is a different reasoning for it than with the given thread; my assumption was, if you had no complaint with those threads, why link them?
Essentially, the point is that it is not the job of the moderator to always have to gauge intent. Take, for example, spamming. We have had spammers of many types; some were more sincere than others, and did so for various reasons. In the end, though, it’s the job of the moderator to basically be the janitor. We take out the trash.
Now, there is clear trash and clear treasure, but there are many, many items in between. You take particular issue here, and have in the past, with my choices as moderator. You’re entitled to your opinion, but I think most of the divisions in this thread are essentially tied to our expectations of the board. Some expect that any thread that is not a literal rule violation should remain open at all costs; others believe that threads that lack value or clarity should be removed. You are more in the former spectrum, I am more in the latter. I try to follow what moderators generally do on this forum. Inevitably, there will be judgement calls.
In this particular thread, I had visited several times (often in response to reported posts) and left the thread open. When it was clear that the OP had essentially devolved into childish namecalling and nonsense, I closed the thread.
Could I have provided a point by point discussion of why I closed that thread, rather than a brief summary as I did? Certainly, but, generally that’s not moderator procedure as of course it is time-consuming. When there are occasional Pit threads, I like to think that we all try to chime in for the sake of clarity – not necessarily for our critics, who are often unswayed, but for the rest of the users, the silent lurking majority.
In the end, at the time “troll” was perhaps not the best descriptor - based on this thread, and private correspondence, I am swayed to think that Omegaman is indeed sincere - I do still think the thread should have been closed and that the admonishment was apt.
Your mileage, clearly, varies.
[hijack]
**VT, you are consistently funny.
[/hijack]
Well, my friend I’m glad you changed your mind. I don’t believe for a second I’m a nutter of any sort . In fact I believe that this great nation and this entire world was built just like people just like myself . People with values and integrity and the fortitude to stand up for what is right as well as what they believe in. The things in our past were fought for bravely and great sacrifices were made to insure that we have the rights we do today . Even the right to post on this message board.(i’m starting to wonder about that one a little, but we’ll see.)The decision is getting ready to be put into the hands of someone with the authority and I hope the courage to do the right thing . Not just for me , but for all of us. Reading what I have just written I feel a little stupid , my friends as this is only a message board but as long as people are allowed to abuse thier positions of power there are going to have to be poeple like me willing to stand up, like a man and defend what is right.
And again, Maam, thanks for changing your mind about me. It really means something to me . I’m probably not the only one either.
He is a funny dude, Ive got to agree with you there . He makes me chuckle alot.
Well, while I appreciate your thanks, I said you were probably sincere (rather than intentionally pulling our collective leg). Please do not take that to mean that I agree with you, or your … erm… private crusade.
I’m not sure if it says alot about your posting here . I guess if you just stopped by to take pot shots I suppose you wouldn’t be included with the rest of the dunces. You even think that **Liberal ** fellow is a dunce? Seems to me he has had some intelligent things to say in the past.I could be mistaken though as it appears you’ve been around much longer than myself.
Revenant was half-assed defending you when he said that. He seemed to kind of agree with what I was saying about people piling on and losing civility. I won’t tell you what to do, but an apology to him seems warranted. Just saying.
Omegaman, I’ve read your postings to this (and the closed) thread with interest, and like others could see your sincerity. But now I really respect you as well. You have managed to acknowledge the bigger picture without in any way compromising your beliefs. While I do not share those particular beliefs, I feel that you are to be admired for the way you have conducted yourself.
To everybody who has tossed about terms like “nutter”: whatever happened to respect for other religions? NOBODY should use such a term so lightly. To the atheists/agnostics: why is a belief in a literal satan less justified than believing in God (or would you call every Christian a “nutter”?) To the “Christians” - what happened to loving thy neighbour? There are many religions in this world, with many (to non-practicioners) strange or even outrageous beliefs. To question somebody’s mental stability because of preaching about one of these beliefs is childish at best, and displays ignorance - the very thing this board is trying to fight.
Hardly ever in a bad mood as a matter of fact. Just not big on diplomacy and/or limp-wristed typing. Have something to say, think about it for a bit and thar she blows. Couldn’t care less where that frames moi in the board’s list of “kewl posters.”
I live in a world where I think most people are full of shit – religion has a hold of 90%+ of the people I interact with. My JOB, most of the time, is to keep my mouth shut, grin and bear it. Otherwise, I’d be in a constant fight against plain ol’ “faith” and all the nonsense it carries with it. This is is simply an outlet and although I don’t usually get involved in religious discussions (same shit over and over) when I read nonsensical jabberwocky such as expressed in your OP, well, I don’t feel the need to hold back.
Look, having “house hands” in a Third World country is hardly a sign of vast wealth but rather a pointer as to how bad living/working conditions are in same. While I have no complaints about my financial situation, it also has to do with the fact that I don’t require much. How does driving a '94 Camry strike you?
As for the whole 007 joshing, please, be assured that is the least of my problems. In fact, it is rather old hat, for I do appear to bear a similar physical resemblance to the original and have been told as much many a time. It’s a running joke if you will, no offense taken I assure you.
As for coming to visit you, well, I’ve got lots on my plate at the moment, but if I happen to be in your neck of the woods, why the hell (excuse me) not? After all, a guy that pits some mythical demon can’t be all that bad, right? So yeah, I’d take you up on it and return the offer. There’s and extra bed or two in my place if I remember correctly. You are welcome to either or both…seeing as you are so BIG and all.
Not quite though I wish it was so. I have to take care of more crap than I know what to do with. Comes hand in hand with having “house hands.” Getting anything done around here becomes more of a quest than a chore. Trade offs.
And a very pleasant evening to you as well.
Thanks but not to worry. Been here too long not to know what’s worth caring for or not.
Take good care.
~Red
Well thats fine by me. You can be sure I do not lie as it is no longer in my nature to do so. If you don’t believe what i’m about I can accept that too as I don’t believe in many things I hear or see either. Just because I saw David Copperfield make an elephant dissappear I know he did no such thing. I know that sounds childish , but what do you expect ?When you say I might be pulling your leg I take that to mean you to believe I am lying. Now you have no way of knowing for sure and don’t seem willing to accept my word so we will have to leave it at that . But be sure I am willing to what ever is necessary to insure that justice is served. Not so much here, because really , I can turn this computer off if I care to do so , but I will see justice served on the streets of my city and for the people I know. Be sure I’m not a crusade either. That was tried in the past by men whos feet i’m not fit to wash and they died like dogs for thier efforts. With honor , but like dogs just the same.
So we will see what happens when the boss gets all the facts and he makes his decision.
Considering that’s now the third time he’s sniped at me when I haven’t attacked him, and in fact have defended him; and that he’s not responded to any of my posts explaining what I said; I really don’t think an apology is on the cards. But I live in hope!