Regarding DavidB

The BBQ Pit
61

I didn’t even realize he was gone. But I must say, it wouldn’t break my heart if he left again.

There comes a point, I think, where it’s impossible to “debate” an issue with a specific person. They don’t use reason and logic, they merely repeat their factoids, lies and fallacies in increasingly loud and/or shrill tones. They rip off legitimate debate (as CalifBoomer did in my “The US is already a libertarian society” thread) and diminish the experience of the board for all of us who really do stick to reason and logic.

I’m always willing and eager to debate a person who has a different position than I do. Contrary to some people’s assertions, I’m not intolerant of people who disagree with me; the times I have shown intolerance have been my errors, and I have apologized and corrected my behavior. The whole purpose of this board is predicated on such a diversity of views.

But once a person gets into shrill mode, they are subverting the purpose of this board. It’s tiresome and annoying. I have no tolerance for people who lack the inclination or the most basic skills of necessary for rational debate.

There are a lot of places on the net to go to scream, whine, rant, rave, flame, and try to push a point of view by pure force, instead of by logic and reason. You’re welcome, nay encouraged to go there. If you want to stay here, I (and others) expect you to adhere to at least the most basic standards of rationality.

Patrick, you have shown time again that you lack the mastery of even the simplest procedures. Your understanding of logic and reason does not even measure up to a grade school standard. Many posters have, respectfully or not, noted this deficiency. Your lack of improvement shows either willful ignorance or gross stupidity.

No one is going to dispute your right to accept the most ridiculous of counter-factual beliefs on the basis of your religious faith. What we object to is usurping our process of reasoned debate and place your superstition on the same level as honest philosophy and science. If you want to be religious, go to a religious board. If you want to stay here, learn how to use reason and logic. Learn that faith is different from empirical evidence. You’re in our house, show respect for our standards, and you can become one of us.

Dr. Crane! Your glockenspiel has come to life!

62

Ok, Esprix, you’re a “stupid fag.”

Now, don’t take me out of context here. I mean, everyone, including you knows that you are a fag. I still think you are stupid, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a truce.

Now, can’t we just be friends?

63

Sure, fine, whatever.

Now, would you mind answering a few of the questions I already put to you? (You still haven’t cured that nasty habit of ducking questions when directly asked of you.) Namely, Why have you returned? and, Why are you being so belligerent and abusive?

Esprix

Evidently, I rock.
Ask the Gay Guy!

64

Actually, I didn’t know you were a fag, Esprix. Do you smoke yourself after sex?

Thank you, I’ll be here all weekend, tip your servers.
(Patrick, that was pretty childish. Again, you’re obviously having problems with following in Christ’s footsteps, huh?)

-andros-

65

Why does everything seem to lead to Pashley? He’s not a particularyly inspired writer. He doesn’t seem to have anything valuable to say. He seems to be somewhat of a cry baby. Not to mention that he loves to insult other people, but can’t take the heat himself. Not to but into other people’s business, but wouldn’t you all be happier if you just ignored him? You keep asking why he doesn’t respond to direct questions. Well if he won’t respond, stop asking him. You ask him to be civil, and he won’t. Stop trying to have a dialogue with him. I don’t know, maybe that’s not the answer. I’m just a simple fellow from SF, trying to figure out why there is so much focus on this one person.

history repeats itself, the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce - Karl Marx

66

Sure thing! C’mere!
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<<< smacks him upside the head with a brick >>>

This time, you get the lecture on Behavior Modification. Lucky you.

From Encarta:

**

From Compton’s Encyclopedia:

**

From Encyclopedia Britannica:

**

“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!” - the White Queen

67

For future reference, Patrick Ashley:

Egregious crap is punished by a smack upside the head with a brick.

Civilized conversation is rewarded by more civilized conversation.

Civilized conversation is what the Straight Dope Message Board is all about. If you want to play with us, you have to play our game, by our rules. Otherwise, go somewhere else to play.

To all the rest of you who seem to think that just because Pashley claims to be a Christian, he ought to be free of egregious crap–well, all I can say is, you must not have been paying attention for the last 2,000 years.

“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!” - the White Queen

68

Scratch: He’s fun. I don’t take him seriously, and I still have some silly hope that maybe something will get through to him.

-andros-

69

David B. is my favorite curmudgeon. Please leave him alone.

::

70

Thank you CalifBoomer. In case anyone had any doubts that all fun lovin’ people liked David B. Here it is.

history repeats itself, the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce - Karl Marx

71

I’ve read pashley’s posts in GD, usually with amazement, accompanied by head shaking.

This is not a person that any Christian sect would want to be associated with. If he reads the Bible (and there’s no evidence that he does) he has not yet gotten to the part about humility or turn the other cheek.

His debating skills are non-existant. He just has no idea how to go about it.

He is *completely[/] ignorant of evolutionary theory. There are rabid fundies over at the LB board who know more than he does. And they know zero.

For that matter, pashley has demonstrated a complete lack of understanding of what a scientific theory is.

So, my question is: Why do you guys talk this moron?

72

Wallym7:

Why don’t you explain it, DR PROFESSOR WALLY???

BTW, what degrees do {b]you** hold?

::

73

CALIFORNIABOOMER – Wally has a degree in Putzology – the identification of putzes. Maybe he’ll demonstrate it for you.

You don’t need to be a professor to grasp the basics of scientific theory. I can explain them to you if you want. My degree undergraduate degree was in English Literature. You know – “English Lit Major: Would You Like Fries With That?”

Are you honestly arguing that Pashley grasps these concepts, or are you just taking a gratuitous shot at Wally?

Hey, Wally, am I too late to request a sig? I’m feeling left out again.

Jodi

Fiat Justitia

74

Who wants to hand me my certificate of redundancy certificate? I’ll wait here.

Jodi

Fiat Justitia

75

Professor Wallym7, PhD PUTZ:

You’re a bible scholar???

and:

Yeah, and you do, running from thread to thread spewing half sentences…

and:

Oh, okay, you’re an eminent anthropologist.

and:

No, wait…you must be some kind of Nobel prize winning physicist…

and:

Maybe you’re a psychologist???

WTF are you Wally??

::

76

CB, I put you in the same class as pashley, so I doubt you would be able to grasp the explanation, but here goes anyway:

A theory consists of a logical framework that explains an observation or a group of observations. In order to qualify as a scientific theory, however, it must contain within it the seeds of its own destruction. That is, it must be falsifiable. Any theory, no matter how compelling or elegant, must be either discarded or modified if it fails to mirror reality at all times and in all places. The scientific landscape is littered with the bones of beautiful theories that have failed to meet this criteria.

As I mentioned earlier, a scientific theory must be falsifiable.

For example, Everett’s Many Worlds theory may be true, but it is not falsifiable, therefore it cannot be regarded as a scientific theory.

But even a putz can see that, so maybe you’ll grasp it after all.

Jodi, your sig must be worthy of your stature, so give me a little time.

77

Okay, Wally. I’m 5’6". :wink:

Jodi

Fiat Justitia

78

Simulpost.

Had I seen CB’s post above I would not have bothered to reply.

Apparently, I need degrees in order to have ideas.

CB, you’re beyond stupid.

79

Thank you Wally. Now I understand. You’re just another undereducated demented simpleton with a computer and an abundance of opinions.

You’ll find lots of company on this board.

::

80

Of course, you are not opinionated.

I’m done with you. Your a snotty punk who’s parents have not taken the trouble to educate you in civility.

Go find someone else to needle. I won’t feed you anymore.