# So what's keeping you here? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 21, 2000, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818 "2000-03-21T20:56:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2000, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/21 "2000-03-21T23:11:00Z")
With your permission, **Papa Bear** : * * * “I like it here even if it is run by a bunch of petty egomaniacs. Actually, that’s the same reason I haven’t left the United States either.” -Ursa ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2000, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/22 "2000-03-21T23:39:00Z")
Although Alphagene does have a point (if you don’t like the SDMB, you don’t have to post here), I will agree with some of the other posters to this thread in that the tone of his remark seems to disinvite criticism. I’ve heard a similar sort of remark many times since I’ve moved to this country (the USA), in my activist work (human rights) “If you don’t like it here, why don’t you just go back home?” I believe it’s my right to point out shortcomings of my environment and try to make it better. ---
**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2000, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/23 "2000-03-22T03:13:00Z")
Arnold, I offer my full respect to your views and others like them, but I am sure you can appreciate the vast difference between living in a country and voluntarily participating on a message board. I will again say that I will really miss Melin but know I won’t lose contact with her. I consider her a friend and I’m sad that she will no longer be here. But let’s put some perspective into the situation. Even though there are friendships that have carried over to real life, this is still ONLY a message board. It can’t be mentally healthy for those of you who let something as simple as a message board cause you so much anguish. * * * You turn me on. But maybe it’s because I just spent 20 years in the jungle, getting it on with anything I could attract with a piece of fruit. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2000, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/24 "2000-03-22T04:11:00Z")
Yes, it _is_ only a message board. And no, I’m not losing any sleep over this current turmoil. It is distressing to so such strife, on both sides. I don’t know quite who to believe. But I will confess, I am not spending a whole lot of energy going on a fact finding mission. This controversy only involves people that I don’t know very well. I just don’t know enough about the whole thing. Sure, I like Melin a lot, she seemed to always offer valuable insights. I’ll miss her, and I wonder about why this all had to be. But all-in-all, there is more to SDMB than Melin, and I am staying. The only conclusion I have come to is that I will _not_ want to get too involved with the administration part of this message board, and even if asked (not like that would happen) I would never want to be a moderater. Sounds like too much risk for BS to me. I just want to be a little fish in this big pond, want to visit GQ, GD, MPSIMS, etc., and hang out for a while. This is a nice message board. ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2000, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/25 "2000-03-22T04:15:00Z")
I was just going to stay out of it all, but I finally posted something in the main Melingate Pit thread (and kind of wish I had not). It _is_ all quite petty, but some of the invective being lobbed at the board admins and mods stirred me to response. I know many of you know the feeling of thinking, “I don’t want to respond to a troll, but I just can’t let _that_ pass!” And NO, I am not calling the board regs who posted critical remarks trolls. I’m here for GQ. For whatever reason, I enjoy seeing questions - the real ones - answered. And it redirects my thoughts toward questions I hadn’t considered. GD interests me, but I burned out on fighting the good fight _again_, so I venture there infrequently. It’s good to know, though, that we have parties who maintain an interest in keeping those fires burning. I did a search on my own posts and was surprised to see that I do actually post in MPSIMS a little more often than in GQ (well, it’s definitely _easier_). I have no problem with the board administration and I really can’t see the degree of anguish and intensity of feeling that has caused many of our regs to post fairly nasty stuff. I wish Melin could have been a better negotiator. Anybody’s house going to fall down over all this? ---
**Author:** ![evilbeth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/evilbeth/32/2268_2.png) [@evilbeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilbeth)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2000, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/26 "2000-03-22T04:29:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Alphagene: > \*\* > > Not that most of you give a ferret’s ass, but I considered taking a Leave of Absence from the board because of the widespread whining. > \*\* While I think you have made some excellent points (and helped give some perspective), the above quote somehow makes you less stupid than the people you have villified? (Unless of course that was a joke.) * * * I always try to do things in chronological order. ---
**Author:** ![NothingMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b77776/32.png) [@NothingMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NothingMan)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2000, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/27 "2000-03-22T05:15:00Z")
Not really knowing what the hell is going on I will continue to stay out of it. as noted by Satan “none of us really matter”. Take your leave of absence if you want. Someone will replace you. Oh, and BTW . . . am I the only one who notices Alphagene goes from asshole to genius and back again in hours ?? Whatever man. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2000, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/28 "2000-03-22T06:27:00Z")
Wow, some genuinunely great reactions and by some genuinely surprising people. I just **love** this one: > [@](#): > > am I the only one who notices Alphagene goes from asshole to genius and back again in hours ?? Some would say that the nature of genius is such that a transition to “asshole” isn’t much of a transition at all. But it’s definietely my finest complement yet. 🙂 I think despite the fact that I took great care in phrasing my OP carefully, people assumed that the question “So what’s keeping you here?” was a rhetorical insistence that Opal take a hike. I was just curious what keeps people that pissed off by the administration here. > [@](#): > > If I do nothing but criticize my hosts, then I have created for myself an adversarial role. That does not mean I find no value in said role. I did think about this. Reminds me of what the wise second-grade philosopher Lisa Simpson one said: “You’ve defined yourself as a rebel. And in the absence of a repressive milieu, your societal niche has been co-opted.” In other words, it seems like some posters here _need_ an Ed Zotti or a David B to survive. If they didn’t exist, they would have to create them. Discuss 😃 > [@](#): > > Why did/do non-Christians post on the LBMB? Another great question, one which led to a fascinating GD discussion after the Pounder Invasion, IMO. > [@](#): > > Frankly, I’m sick of hearing you whine about other people whining. Wow. And I’ve been posting side by side with you in GQ a lot. I had no idea. Ursa, if only the whining stayed in the apporproate threads. I could start a thread about diaper rash. If someone responded with a word that even sounded like “moderator” it seems like someone would chime in with “By the way, in case you missed it Melin was banned… Free Melin!” Besides, if **you** are sick of my comments, “just stay the fuck out of the two or three threads it’s taking place in.” > [@](#): > > I ain’t going anywhere. Once again, I never asked anyone to leave. > [@](#): > > I’ve heard a similar sort of remark many times since I’ve moved to this country I figured someone would make this connection, but I think that’s a bigger picture. Our children will live in his country and by prostesting injustice, we are performing a vital service to the future generations of this pseudodemocracy. The SDMB is an enlightened dictatorship. Protests and voting really do squat once the emperor has dug his heels in. And if you plan on _raising your kids_ on this MB, keep those jumpy future serial killers away from me. > [@](#): > > [Do you think that] the above quote somehow makes you less stupid than the people you have villified? Hey, no fair using my $10 word against me. That’s exactly why my conideration was short-lived. I think criticism is healthy (and some people do it beautifully). I don’t feel that those who criticize are more likely to get banned. But I do get a little premenstrual when people hijack threads just to lay an anti-Moderator fart. We know who are the principal players in the _SDMB Resistance_, you don’t need to remind us at every turn. Viva la SDMB! * * * **Gypsy** : Tom, I don’t get you. **Tom Servo** : Nobody does. I’m the wind, baby. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2000, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/29 "2000-03-22T09:33:00Z")
> [@](#): > > **"By the way, in case you missed it Melin was banned… Free Melin!"** Oh, **she** is free alright. **We** are the ones still trapped inside this nuthouse 😃 * * * **Coldfire** _Voted **Poster Most Likely To Post Drunk** _ * * * _ **"You know how complex women are"** _ - Neil Peart, **Rush** (1993) ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2000, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/30 "2000-03-22T10:13:00Z")
I just caught this, Pundit: > [@](#): > > I agree with you 100%, Alphagene > … > 67.5% of all statistics are made up Fucking beautiful 😃 * * * **Gypsy** : Tom, I don’t get you. **Tom Servo** : Nobody does. I’m the wind, baby. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2000, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/31 "2000-03-22T11:33:00Z")
[hijack] > [@](#): > > * * * > > 67.5% of all statistics are made up Said by Vic Reeves I used to have that as my sig when I first started posting… ---
**Author:** ![ultress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/7c8e57/32.png) [@ultress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultress)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2000, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/32 "2000-03-22T12:20:00Z")
Of course we stay because of you Alphagene. Your witty remarks and deep insight are flames to the fire of life. Actually I stay because I enjoy the people. When I post something I have no idea what kind of responses will be given, usually there is always at least one idea that someone posts that never crossed my mind. You really don’t do bad in your posts at all Alpha. * * * _I’ve learned that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it._ ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2000, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/33 "2000-03-22T17:57:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Alphagene: > I figured someone would make this connection, but I think that’s a bigger picture. Our children will live in his country and by prostesting injustice, we are performing a vital service to the future generations of this pseudodemocracy. The SDMB is an enlightened dictatorship. Protests and voting really do squat once the emperor has dug his heels in. And if you plan on _raising your kids_ on this MB, keep those jumpy future serial killers away from me. Who said anything about raising children on the board? I personally, as a poster on the board, think that if I see something on the board I don’t like I should be free to point it out. You see “protests and voting really do squat”, but I disagree. If you think Ed Zotti really doesn’t care what people think, why do you suppose he posted (twice!) his justifications for the banning of Melin? (Disclaimer: Please note that I have not been involved in the Melin controversy, but I still disagree with the people who say “shut up and leave if you don’t like it.”) ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/34 "2000-03-23T06:03:00Z")
I stay because this gives me something to do when I’m bored at work. It’s interesting and it gives me a forum to egotistically spout my opinions. And, I guess I kind of like some of you. I’m not going anywhere, but it does sort of rub me the wrong way that we have had a couple veiled threats from Mr. Zotti that if there’s any criticism against the board or insults are weilded in the Pit, that banishment is possible. I also don’t really have any more respect for the moderators than I would have for anyone else performing a service or a job. It’s nice of them, they do a good job sometimes and not such a good job others, and I’m sure they get some sort of personal satisfaction from it or they wouldn’t be doing it. I don’t feel the need to slather heaps of praise upon the administrators or moderators of this board. I guess I’m just mean. I guess, all in all, this just isn’t important enough for me to make it the hill I’m going to die on. Oh, and Alpha, some of my best friends are grump SOB’s (I think my husband is your king). 😛 ---
**Author:** ![SqrlCub](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SqrlCub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SqrlCub)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/35 "2000-03-23T06:22:00Z")
I had a long post written out here but decided it was too inflammatory. You are exactly right about the villain thing, Alpha. I posted something similar recently on Opal’s site where I new Melin would read it. I don’t like her and am not sad to see that she is gone, but as I’ve said before, the community at large will see the whole (for a while) and it will be filled quickly. HUGS! Sqrl * * * [SqrlCub’s Arizona Adventure](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/005351.html) ---
**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, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/36 "2000-03-23T06:45:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Alphagene: > I mean Opal, **every post** you have made since the Melin Exile has been a dig at Ed or a Mod or the SDMB Admin. Doesn’t it get as boring to you as it does to some of us? What keeps you posting here under such harsh tyrannical rule? 1. that isn’t true 2. I don’t like the way the place is run, but I still like the place itself and most of the people. This is really beyond your comprehension? * * * – 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:** ![Andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@Andy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2000, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/37 "2000-03-23T06:45:00Z")
Who’s Melin 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2000, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/38 "2000-03-22T19:40:00Z")
Arnold, I know you’ve steered clear of this whole thing. And my comments redarding the comparison of my OP and the idea of “America: Love it or Leave it” were not directed at you. **I have not now nor ever asked anyone to leave**. I lack the power or the desire to see people leave. Regardless of what Rysdad might tell you. I was curious to find out what keeps people on Cecil’s board if they find the actions of Cecil’s staff so repulsive. It was a genuine question. I tried to make that clear, but I guess it’s not nearly as clear as I had hoped. I guess in some ways I do find it hard to comprehend, Opal. But hey, that’s just me. Some people have branded me a yes-man for espousing the views that I do. I have a big mouth and massive criticism (no matter how innacurate) is the price I pay for it. Hey, it comes with the turf and I acceopt that. But I would like to reassert that I have truly nothing to gain by agreeing with Ed, Tuba, Jill, David or Nickrz. I do, however, get free beer when I agree with manhattan. I have no desire to be a moderator and would turn down any such opportunity offered to me by a staff member. You disagree with my views regarding Melin or the proper forum to debate Ed’s actions, that’s great. Really. I love a good debate. But I consider any implication that I have the view that I do merely beacuse I enjoy siding with Authority to be a baseless and cheap insult. I mean, Christ, how much more of a misanthrope do I have to be to convince everyone otherwise? If Melin’s legacy is one of cheap insults, accusations of sycophanty and overuse of the word “Putz” (which I consider to be a Wally trademark, anyway) than I think that’s a damn shame. And I would hope that even those who staunchly support her feel the same way. I’m through. * * * **Gypsy** : Tom, I don’t get you. **Tom Servo** : Nobody does. I’m the wind, baby. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2000, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/39 "2000-03-22T19:57:00Z")
Alphagene, let me also clarify. When I said > [@](#): > > (Disclaimer: Please note that I have not been involved in the Melin controversy, but I still disagree with the people who say “shut up and leave if you don’t like it.”) I was not referring to you. You specifically said in your OP “I am certainly not questioning your right to post here or demanding that you leave”. I personally hope that the Melin banning debate won’t lead to more changes (for the worse) in my mostly enjoyable experience with the SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2000, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818/40 "2000-03-22T20:13:00Z")
Arnold, thats what I figured. Everything gets so unclear! 🙂 I wish I could just squirt a little Didi-7 into this MB and watch the stains disappear like magic! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-keeping-you-here/4818.md?page=3)