Since I am all new to the wonderful world of Bountiful and all that it invites and offers, I just have to wonder if there are some private agendas going on in all of the PM stuff (which I assume to mean backdoor private messages that can be as snarky as possible with no level of oversight).

While some people are willing, it seems, to say whatever openly and let the chips fall where they may, there are obviously (to my new eyes anyway) those who do their work in the dark and behind the scenes.

Not a scholar or some sort of mystic of wisdom here, but I just want to throw in a couple of cents worth of thought here:

if the idea is to discuss openly in an adult forum for adult consideration all topics, then there shouldn't be private messaging available. the very idea of private conversation means 'exclusion'.

for some things, like marital relations between a husband and wife, exclusion is a good idea, but for a forum, I don't know that we advance our cause by hiding what we are trying to discuss, discover or discard.

everyone has feelings. and everyone is subject to having those feelings be hurt or injured.

everyone has hot button issues. and everyone has a different issue that lights their fire.

everyone wants to be important, feel worth the time and interest of others and to have the ability to say something that is on their mind and heart without feeling like their opinions are sanctioned or disregarded just because they are not popular.

Maybe I have missed the point here and if so, I apologize.

If I am not understanding the point and purpose of this forum, I will withdraw. I can certainly use the time and energy to burn another load of laundry...

I really like your new form of moderation announcement, Arbi, with the votey thing right there on top :)

I support your choice to close the thread, considering the recent board's history (which ironically Cat was really not involved with... because he was gone.) I think had this been a regular thread, it would be a little quick to close it, but considering the threat that we might end up rehashing the past couple weeks of discussion, let's just assume that that topic's off limits. People can go back and reread my discussions about the topics still... as well as the various responses... and we can just try to focus on a positive future filled with the hope of a day when we're all perfected and wonderful loving people all the time.

As children of a loving Heavenly Father, I think we should do all we can to encourage each other... cuz that devil dude is a big pain in the backside... he's like some kind of bottom biting bug... :)

--Ray

I think it could be fun for you Cat to see which topics tick off which board members... Think of it as an adventure, like you're walking through a landmine.

I suggest you discuss topics that are as innocuous as you know... talk about things like Fig Newtons... or Macrame'... or cooking hamburgers... shepherds watching their flocks by night and innkeepers... or herpatology... and work up from there... It'll work out... you're just smarting now, but eventually people will see you're a decent guy who isn't deliberately trying to stomp on people's toes.

--Ray

it's all about dancing, people. until you learn the steps TOES WILL BE LOST!!

frankly, your feet look to long from where I am standing . . . a toe-ectomy should just about trim them down to the size of those little black patent leather mary janes I have in my closet.

and they look really good with a briefcase full of scriptural evidence of worldwide corruption.

Other topics of nonoffense you could try, Cat...

Oatmeal... who gets offended at oatmeal?

And um... Aquariums... they're calming.

Snowflakes are nice. And certain colors are also soothing. And I keep bugging you to write a nice poem, even something cathartic like Ninja Attack Poetry might be fun...

--Ray

Cocobeem wrote:

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Thank you, but the word is "conspiracy" not corruption.

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see, there go a few toes right there. . . so what size mary janes can you use now?

i dance along to the music that tells me that there is not a universal conspiracy and that everyone is not corrupt.

that's what the voices tell me to do.

Sorry for Stalking you Hoss... but I just can't get enough of those pearls... :)

--Ray

Conspiracy, corruption they both start with C. If I lose my toes, will they grow back?

I wouldn't mind a pair of mary janes.

What is all this talk about Mary Janes?

Have you folks been watching the History Channel documentary on hippies or something?

Some people need to quit pouring napalm on the gasonline fire.

It was only mustard gas...

Poncho29 wrote:

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Hippies do not wear Mary Janes Cat. They go barefoot. Sheesh.
Everyone knows that!

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No, they don't wear Mary Janes... they... ahem... do kind of like Slick Willie did... except they inhale. 

mirkwood wrote:

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Some people need to quit pouring napalm on the gasonline fire.

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     I think it is part of a Mod's job to prevent fires by telling his pals to stop stalking members in good standing.

Cocobeem wrote:

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There's no rule against stalking. But there is a rule against WHINING!

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     KEWLL!!!   Let's ALL stop.  

  

Hoss Cartwright wrote:

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Cocobeem wrote:

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There's no rule against stalking. But there is a rule against WHINING!

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KEWLL!!! Let's ALL stop.

 

 

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 OHCRAP! I just agreed with Hoss again!

 

Ok...everyone quit whining...and those who are pouring gas onto the napalm fire stop that too.

How about jet fuel on the bonfire?

Apocalypse Now: "I love the smell of napalm in the morning".

No use watching Apocalypse Now when you can live it!

This thread is the very best entertainment I've had all week.

I know it's only Monday but really. I actually snorted a couple of times and belly laughed once... and you all know that's saying a bunch!

Thanks for the giggles y'all.

M

Roper, I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your request. Here's the basis of my reasoning:

1. 3 Ne. 11: 29
     29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of ^acontention is not of me, but is of the ^bdevil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

Surely there must be a way to resolve tensions without contention.

Catfight! That was a full fledged Diet Coke snortfest.

I say let the cobras bite you, eventually you will develop an immunity to the venom. Either that or you'll end up taking a really long mindnumbing nap. :)

--Ray

Hashbash? No, no... Maher shalal hash baz.