# Shut Up BigTard!!

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [January 15, 2016, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185 "2016-01-15T02:12:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 6

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**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2016, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/101 "2016-01-18T17:54:16Z")

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> [@elucidator](#):
>
> Dinner and a show, minimum.

Ah, but who puts on the show?

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**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2016, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/102 "2016-01-19T22:53:43Z")

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> [@BigT](#):
>
> I am who I am.

Popeye?

> [@](#):
>
> If that causes you to hate me [DEAL WITH IT](http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/deal-with-it).

Dank memes Broheim.

> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#):
>
> Hah, just kidding. Who are you, again?

He’s Batman. Deal with it.

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**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2016, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/103 "2016-01-19T23:06:20Z")

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> [@BigT](#):
>
> I am who I am.

> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#):
>
> Popeye?

No, God.😃

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**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/104 "2016-01-20T18:52:41Z")

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> [@Baker](#):
>
> No, God.😃

No God.

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**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/105 "2016-01-20T18:57:21Z")

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> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#):
>
> Popeye?  
> .

No. No. No. Hells no.

That’s “I YAM who I YAM”. THATS Popeye.

“I am who I am” is some lame assed Punky Brewster or Facts of Life shit.

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**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/106 "2016-08-14T01:02:58Z")

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It’s been a while.

> [@Do teenagers still shop at Spencer Gifts? Or are my nephews and neices pranking me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/17):
>
> Yeah–that’s what I was thinking, both that it might be just some unpleasant women or that they might disapprove of Harley Quinn.
> 
> And, well, you are Roma, and anti-Roma prejudice does still exist, unfortunately. Stupid shit like thinking you must’ve stolen them or something.

Really, **BigTard**? Really?

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**Author:** ![Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90ced4/32.png) [@Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waltzes_with_Cacti)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/107 "2016-08-14T02:47:05Z")

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I stand with BigT. He’s a consistent voice for civility and compassion.

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**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/108 "2016-08-14T12:05:02Z")

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That’s sorta the incentive behind this thread, I think.

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**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/109 "2016-08-14T13:42:25Z")

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I’m bewildered by the antipathy against BigT. His posts are mostly intelligent and polite.

> [@cochrane](#):
>
> It’s been a while.  
> Really, **BigTard**? Really?

And I don’t see what was wrong with the BigT post that resurrected this zombie. Out of touch? Maybe. Rude or bigoted? I don’t see it.

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**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/110 "2016-08-14T14:38:41Z")

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> [@septimus](#):
>
> I’m bewildered by the antipathy against BigT. His posts are mostly intelligent and polite.

He comes off often as being condescending.

> [@](#):
>
> And I don’t see what was wrong with the BigT post that resurrected this zombie. Out of touch? Maybe. Rude or bigoted? I don’t see it.

On this, I agree.

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**Author:** ![Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90ced4/32.png) [@Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waltzes_with_Cacti)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/111 "2016-08-14T16:56:16Z")

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> [@D\_Odds](#):
>
> He comes off often as being condescending.

I’ve never found him so. Quite the contrary; in a forum where too often smug louts bully the weak – such as in the disgraceful pitting earlier this week when the hyenas sank their fangs into poor, vulnerable **JohnClay** – **BigT** is frequently the only person to urge kindness and empathy.

I admire **BigT**. This place needs more people with the kind of decency he has.

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**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/112 "2016-08-14T19:29:29Z")

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> [@septimus](#):
>
> I’m bewildered by the antipathy against BigT. His posts are mostly intelligent and polite.
> 
> And I don’t see what was wrong with the BigT post that resurrected this zombie. Out of touch? Maybe. Rude or bigoted? I don’t see it.

As I pointed out in the other thread, how does **BigTard** know the drive organizers know that **ZPG Zealot** is Roma or that they would be prejudiced against her if they did? Come on, that’s a pretty big stretch, even for Reed Richards.

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**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/113 "2016-08-14T20:04:27Z")

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> [@cochrane](#):
>
> As I pointed out in the other thread, how does **BigTard** know the drive organizers know that **ZPG Zealot** is Roma or that they would be prejudiced against her if they did? Come on, that’s a pretty big stretch, even for Reed Richards.

😕 He didn’t claim or imply that he _knew_ they knew she was Roma. _He merely suggested it as a possibility._ Was it a likely possibility? I dunno — I’m out-of-touch myself — but does it matter? What’s the charge against him? He didn’t imply that _he_ was prejudiced against Roma. 😕

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As to the charge of condescension, acting like he thinks he’s smarter than some of the other Dopers … I can sympathize with him on that. 😛

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**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/114 "2016-08-14T20:29:19Z")

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> [@septimus](#):
>
> 😕 He didn’t claim or imply that he _knew_ they knew she was Roma. _He merely suggested it as a possibility._ Was it a likely possibility? I dunno — I’m out-of-touch myself — but does it matter? What’s the charge against him? He didn’t imply that _he_ was prejudiced against Roma. 😕

No, he didn’t. But he was assuming facts not in evidence. And you know what happens when you [assume](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svkgOsr7pUc&app=desktop). 😃

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**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/115 "2016-08-14T21:21:52Z")

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> [@cochrane](#):
>
> As I pointed out in the other thread, how does **BigTard** know the drive organizers know that **ZPG Zealot** is Roma or that they would be prejudiced against her if they did? Come on, that’s a pretty big stretch, even for Reed Richards.

Wait, this is about that? I just thought that the woman who has said she faces a lot of prejudice based on where she lives might face it again. It was just something that made more sense than someone getting upset about the backpacks she was giving them.

ZPG seems rather traditional in her views, so I thought she probably dresses more conservatively, which would mean the head scarf. And this is Texas, IIRC.

I don’t see how it’s “out of touch” to think this way. I think it’s out of touch to think that racism doesn’t still happen. I may not agree with her about handshakes or infanticide, but I don’t want to discount her experiences in other ways.

Yeah, maybe that has nothing to do with it. I figured that ZPG was in the best position to determine that. I was fully prepared for her to say “No, that’s not it.”

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**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/116 "2016-08-14T21:43:16Z")

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> [@D\_Odds](#):
>
> He comes off often as being condescending.

I’ve been doing my best not to be. Even if that means rewriting things for several minutes or just not posting if I don’t have time to do that.

I admit I pulled it out on that guy saying that “nigger” was an acceptable word, and I’ll pull it out in the Pit, but I do otherwise try to be as agreeable as I can.

And I sure as heck won’t be less condescending when people pull the “Shut up, BigTard” shit. That is condescending as fuck. It’s just a complete and total dismissal. Not responding to what I say or challenging it. Just poking fun. The point is to make me angry, so I get condescending instead.

Don’t know what else to do, really. I’m not gonna stop posting as some seem to want. I do generally like it here.

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**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:** [August 14, 2016, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/117 "2016-08-14T22:44:51Z")

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Nobody said you had to stop posting. Just stop lecturing people all the time. It’s possible to criticize others without coming across like you’re wagging your finger at them and telling them they’re bad little boys and girls who need a time out.

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**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/118 "2016-08-14T22:58:40Z")

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> [@BigT](#):
>
> ZPG seems rather traditional in her views, …

Um, yeah, that’s it.

Traditional in her views.

OK. _backs away slowly_

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**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\
**Post date:** [August 15, 2016, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/119 "2016-08-15T00:27:21Z")

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> [@Frank](#):
>
> Um, yeah, that’s it.
> 
> Traditional in her views.
> 
> OK. _backs away slowly_

And make sure you keep your hand where she can see it…

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**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\
**Post date:** [August 15, 2016, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-up-bigtard/743185/120 "2016-08-15T00:59:55Z")

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I keep trying to post in this thread and my posts keep being eaten. You’d think I’d learn my lesson, but no.

This specific cited instance is weak tea. Just because **ZPG Zealot** is one of the Dope’s favorite punching bags doesn’t mean being nice to her in any context is condescending.

That said, the thing with **BigT** is he seems to have a penchant for needling the exact wrong people at the exact wrong time. He’s done it to me at least twice and there is an overwhelming feeling of ‘‘lay the fuck off.’’ It’s not in the intent but the execution. And when I read this thread, **BigT** straight-up implied he changed the board culture when he joined, which is false and discounts many civil and respectful posters who have existed here forever and who manage to facilitate civility and respect without routinely pissing people off.

As for **JohnClay** , I’m pissed he got banned for being mentally ill. I don’t agree with **BigT** ’s blanket defense of protecting him from the consequences of his own behavior, but that doesn’t make me any less compassionate toward **JohnClay**. On the contrary, I think his banning is further evidence that mentally ill people are routinely excluded from society because they make people uncomfortable and rubber-stamped with the bullshit, ‘‘We are concerned for his well-being’’ justification. I’m not going to condescend to someone who has mental issues knowing, based on his previous posts, that we are just about the only access he had to a community of reasonably rational, informed people. How the else is he going to know what is and is not socially appropriate behavior without consistent feedback? It’s kind of bullshit to imply **JohnClay** is somehow incapable of defending himself because he’s mentally ill. We could have helped him to become stronger, and I would argue that we had.

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