A recent thread (or two) degraded into a verbal slugfest. Towards the end of the thread, it was suggested forum participants "shun" me. Actually, this is a pretty decent idea. Why not simply scroll by threads where you have no interest... or where you feel the author has nothing to contribute. If you do not agree with a position, why not attack the position... not the person.

Like many, I cannot possibly read every thread on this forum. I glance through and pick titles I find interesting. Of the threads I read, I only comment on a small fraction. I post when I find an article of interest that I have not seen covered, or when I have a small essay on some point. Oh, there are a couple of humor threads, but those are mostly just for chuckles.

If you have already made a decision that you do not like what I say, just "shun" me. Ignore my threads. By now it should be apparent I will not be voted forum "homecoming" king any time soon. Posting your personal hatred for me just makes the thread more difficult for everyone else to read. Oh, I admit my responses do not help matters.

For the most part, I'm willing to make peace with any forum participant. Just tell me (here or email) that you want to "bury the hatchet" (somewhere other than in my head). I'm not saying we'll be laughing over cold beers, but we can avoid name calling and interfering with each others Y2K discussions. Live and let live.

Even if you decide I am the anti-Christ, why not take the "high" road and ignore my writings. For the sake of forum newcomers, I am more than willing to post an occasional disclaimer saying that the Surgeon General has determined that reading my essays may be hazardous.

Seem reasonable?

-- Ken Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), November 13, 1999

Answers

Ken:

Because there are a lot of new people coming to this forum, with a lot more coming in the next few weeks, who don't know what a slimey conniving two faced shill that you are. So, if it's OK with you, I'll continue to monitor your threads and posts, and make sure that they get the straight scoop.

Regards,

-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.cum), November 13, 1999.

Newbies will learn quickly enough to pooper-scoop Ken the Cockroach's supercilious posts :-P

-- they stink (stir@manure.pile.ferment), November 13, 1999.

Don't put on airs. One of the threads you refer to was initiated by Stan, not you. I would never be caught dead responding to a thread initiated by you!

-- Count Vronsky (vronsky@anna.lit), November 13, 1999.

Ken,

I posted a thread earlier today for those new to the thread. I have already received as much private email from this post as any in the past.

I believe an earlier respondent is correct in asserting that many new people are and will be visiting this forum in the near future. From the email thus far, the idiotic and demeaning responses to my message actually prompted some to contact me privately. One person wrote:
"the fact that [doomers] hate you so much led me to ask you about..."

Instead of your gracious attempts at seeking armistice, you may wish to encourage the drivel.

Patient Regards,
Andy Ray

-- Andy Ray (andyman633@hotmail.com), November 13, 1999.

Gee, this is working fabulously so far, don't you think Ken?

-- cavscout (giveitupwhile@you're.ahead), November 13, 1999.

cavscout:

I believe it is. Certainly Ken is intelligent enough to know that there's no better way to make the doomies look childish than to suggest they act like adults.

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), November 13, 1999.

Resist...Resist!!!! Don't you see how he's begging for attention, and to be "one of the regular gang"???? Ignore the arrogant fart!!!! We'll all be better off if and when he leaves our company.

-- LongTimeLurker (Lurker@lurk.net), November 13, 1999.

Oh, yeah, you tell'em Flint. And exactly HOW MANY MONTHS did you say that you were prepared for? And WHY did you feel that you did not want to have your money in the fractional reserve computer driven banking system?? (Hint: Do as Flint does, not what Flint says.)

-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.cum), November 13, 1999.

Just passing through, Ken.....nothing in particular to add....just wanted to let you know that not everyone SHUNS you...I simply don't know much about economics, so don't reply to your threads. Isn't that in the guidelines somewhere?: "If you have nothing to add, just LURK!" Does this include instances wherein one feels SHUNNED? Dunno.

-- Anita (notgiving@anymore.com), November 13, 1999.

See what I mean?

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), November 13, 1999.

flint-

Touche', you're probably right. But remember, people that straddle the fence usually wind up getting it in the nuts......

-- cavscout (feetfirmly@onthe.ground), November 13, 1999.

Count Vronsky wrote to Ken Decker:

>> I would never be caught dead responding to a thread initiated by you! <<

A bit of unintended humor, eh, Count V.? Or were you yanking hard on the irony lever?

-- Brian McLaughlin (brianm@ims.com), November 13, 1999.

>> But remember, people that straddle the fence usually wind up getting it in the nuts...... <<

Only 49.3% of the population are at risk for that.

-- Brian McLaughlin (brianm@ims.com), November 13, 1999.

You go Ken! Having a drooling moron like King of Spain dis you should elevate your status with forum regulars and newbies alike. Go back to playing with yourself King. You are in over your head when going beyond would you like to mud wrestle?.

-- Truth (at@the.ready), November 13, 1999.

I have found that in order to "shun" someone, you must first give a shit about him.

R.

-- Roland (nottelling@nohwere.com), November 13, 1999.

Ken, you've become quite a ham on Timebomb it seems. What happened to your promise to not visit so often after you landed a position on the government's sugar tit?

Anyway, I enjoy your songs. You do have a knack for humor.

-- a (a@a.a), November 13, 1999.

Ken, you are over-looking a function this forum plays. Many people concerned over next year are quite angry. Angry at the powers that be (or were) including the pentagon, Nixon, Microsoft, or whoever for getting us into this mess and not getting us out of it.

I'm expecting my lights to stay on but for there to be a major global depression. That makes me polly to some and doomer to others. I'm one of the people annoyed with the whole thing, as it doesn't suit my plans for there to be disruptions or economic downturns. I'm not as angry as some because I'm not as worried. Fear is the fuel for anger, (according to parlor-psych 101 anyway).

Posters like you provide a target for venting. I haven't read anything of yours that bothered me, but I'm sure I missed a bunch as I've been busy lately. I doubt any of it would have bothered me though, because (parlor-psych 101 again) I recognize that this forum also serves as a place for pollies to "whistle in the dark".

Keep whistling as long as it makes you feel better.

-- Gus (y2kk@usa.net), November 13, 1999.

I do and have been ignoring people since day 2. I don't feel responsible for influencing peoples decisions. So I don't feel like I need to post a response to some dumb ass.

-- anonymous (anonymous@anonymous.com), November 13, 1999.

Ken mentions

"Why not simply scroll by threads where you have no interest... or where you feel the author has nothing to contribute. If you do not agree with a position, why not attack the position... not the person."

Well that would be fine if you practiced what you preached. But recently you commented on OGs participation on another forum which by your own admission you avoid. This is way over the top attacking someone for something that happened 7 months ago, is a valuable forum member (to most) and has had good intentions for the well being of all.

I personally like you and find your willingness to fight for your beliefs admirable but you have spilt alot of bad blood in the past with your own personal attacts. If you don't agree I can bring this up to the top (which I rarely do with anything anymore) and let the forum members be the judge. But that is water under the bridge RIGHT????

Andy and Invar are in your line of sight, and they can give it and take it. But your attacks on Old Git have really been to much. Attacking peoples opinions is one thing but attacking someone cause they care is totally another.

There is something about humaneness that requires a heart, it is more than humor, intelligence, knowledge, or many other aspects of folks psyche, it is deeper.

It amazes me that alot of the "optimists" and trolls demonstrate a total lack of heart when it comes to dealing with Y2K. Even animals cry when in sorrow.

When a human can't understand this then where does it put them?

Words are cheap Ken and your a good (or the best) wordsmith on the forum but they count for little if the meaning is shallow. And meaning is where humans find half of their mental capacity.

Watch that you use your whole mind, it is a gift and the price of neglect in this matter makes a person less than an animal.

Alot of Y2K is the fear of the unknown. And fear can strike the heart. The best way to meet fear is confidence in your abilities to deal with the problems in the most prudent manner. Anyone that contributes information that helps folks manage their lives in a crisis situation is contributing a meaningful message. I have never had a fear of Y2K for my personal life. It could never be worse that what I have gone through in my challanges against nature. But my fears extend to others that may not have had the benifit to go against their own fears and deal with the unknown and face the ultimate challanges that life can bring.

That is why you always keep your feet, head, hands and heart warm.

Keep your liners dry folks.

Also make your life an artform, be beautiful. Learn to live on the path of the creator. Be whole. Follow what you love, follow your heart.

-- Brian (imager@home.com), November 13, 1999.

I posted this on another thread but it is such a powerfull message that I am going to post it here.

Wen Tzu

Chapter 67 P.59

Human feelings are such that people submit to virtue rather than force. Virtue is in what you give, not in what you get. Therefore when sages want to be valued by others, first they value others, when they want to be respected by others, first they respect others. When they want to overcome others, first they overcome themselves, when they want to humble others, first they humble themselves. So they are both noble and lowly, using the Way to adjust and control this.

-- Brian (imager@home.com), November 13, 1999.

Well, I tried.... I appreciate your comments, Flint.

For the record, Brian, I have never read Old Git's posts on any other forum. My comments have been directed towards her comments here. I do weigh on threads, but I tend to pass by the vast majority. (Oh, on a side note, the anniversary of Krystalnacht (sp?) was this week.)

If you read carefully, Brian, I pleaded with Old Git to practice "country manners" before we began pushing. She declined and in my opinion, she has been a willing participant in the give and take. It's hardly like I went looking for some poor elderly soul on the forum to "beat up," Brian.

As for the rest, Brian, you lost me in a Diane Squire moment. I'm not sure you really have enough information to serve as my judge, jury and executioner. Do you?

-- Ken Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), November 13, 1999.

I think its good that you boys can have these discussions, and that we can all sit down and come to a reasonable decision after all. Don't you?

-- SH (squirrel@hunter.com), November 13, 1999.

I'm a nubie, directed by long-time mentor Gary North to this site to read another engineer's great thread on embedded's & stayed to read Way's comments. I think the dis's are hilarious, but could you keep them short? When an interesting thread starts to degenerate, I start to skip the lengthier entries.

-- Wishy Washy Doomer (polly@ismy.friend), November 13, 1999.

"It's hardly like I went looking for some poor elderly soul on the forum to "beat up," Brian.

As for the rest, Brian, you lost me in a Diane Squire moment. I'm not sure you really have enough information to serve as my judge, jury and executioner. Do you?

-- Ken Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), November 13, 1999."

Na, I like playing with you Ken, you know that. I do have enough that you would be uncomfortable though.

But no inclination to do anything about it.

Just giving Old Git some support that is all. Hopefully we can all hug and kiss and make up eh? Lifes to short.

For what it is worth Ken I don't have to many problems with you but I do like attacking your fixed position ***VVBBGG***

-- Brian (imager@home.com), November 13, 1999.

The "Doomers" are losing. . .

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001l9N

In the event that it has not yet occurred to you, I will point out that those who may wish to disrupt the forum do not have to convince you of their viewpoint, they do not have to present any particular viewpoint, they do not have to "win" a debate in order to achieve that disruption.

All they have to do is get you to respond.

If Decker presents factual evidence about Y2k, why not discuss it with him. But if he only wants to question the motives of those preparing, ask yourself if your time would be better spent doing something else.

-- We've been (through@this.already), November 13, 1999.

"I never read OG's comments on another forum".....GIVE ME A BREAK!! Just how stupid do you think we are???(quite, quite, I'm sure!!) Then, cockroach ken, you mention the night of horrible happenings regarding Jews in Germany pre-WWII.....are you implying(w/o saying) that you are Jewish ? What possible relevance does this forum have to Crystalnight(sp)?? OG certainly was not posting anything that could be fairly seen as supporting the Nazis. You are a proven ass-hole...disrespectful of ANY and ALL other parties who do not actuallly agree with you 100%. Reasonable decisions, my ass, Squirrel. Sounds like you, and "Truth@the Ready" are ALL actually cockroach Ken. Get lost, you arrogant ass-hole!! It is clear, from your posts today and yesterday (+ the "safari" bonding thread) that you are tying to snow those unaware on this forum. ALERT!! ALERT!! To those who have been here less than 6 months: Little Kenny Decker(cockroach) is genetically unable to make a post(unless he is trying VERY hard to "make nice") without deliber- ately insulting someone/everyone. We should all give thanks to "whatever" supreme being that he is childless!!! Go Away Kenny!! (Brian- you just wait: within 2 weeks, cockroach Kenny will again attach you personally, in his own arrogant, condescending, hateful, snotty, yuppie-twit, not-a-clue-to-the-real-world-way!!! If you keep talking to him, you'll see!!! SHUN.....SHUN....IT IS THE ONLY SOLUTION!!!

-- catfish joe (joe6pack@bottomdweller.net), November 13, 1999.

Ken,

Do you mudwrestle? :)

-- (Horny@housewife.com), November 13, 1999.

Hi Kenny,

I think you and I are a bird of feather. Wana get together some time big guy. I think we would click well. May I get your COMPLETE stats. I'm 5'9 inches, tall dark and handsome. I'm a bottom. You sound like your a definate top.

-- Kennys Future Lover (Iwant@Kenny.now), November 13, 1999.

Brian,

C'mon, I have a pretty good idea of what I've written. There have been some verbal jousting matches, but you'll generally find me reasonable until someone starts to piss in my cornflakes.

Joe,

Check with the folks on the "preps" forum. See if you can find a single post from me. (Oh, if you do see my name, ask the sysops if it's my ISP. I'll bet you a dollar it isn't.) By the way, you can start shunning me anytime. I'm waiting....

-- Ken Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), November 13, 1999.

Im sure that all of the serious GIs on this forum are delighted to have another trailer trash dipshit like Catfish Joe in the house. Hey Catfish, just eat the shit, dont spit it out.

-- Truth (at@the.ready), November 13, 1999.

Well, I gotta tell ya. I love this place! True theater! Almost every weekend night one post brings out everyone and they fight it out for all to see in black and teal prose, salvos and mud buckets blazing. My nomination for Saturday is this one.

Back up (and maybe off) a little, reread these posts with tongue in cheek and have a laugh.

One of my all time favorite quotes is from a city where I used to live. Ben Franklin used to say: "If we do not hang together, we will most assuredly hang separately". Time is passing, at some point the passage of events will figure out who is more right.

-- Nancy (wellsnl@hotmail.com), November 13, 1999.

ALERT!!! All you newbies out there: Cockroach Kenny and Truth @the Ready....surely do seem like one and the same!!! Compare the styles of writing...."Truth" saying things that kenny doesn't want to put into print.[laughter!!]Are we getting a little sensitive kenny?? Still begging to belong to the "group"??As I recall, "Truth", Kenny said he NEVER VISITED THE PREP FORUM....I consider that a total lie. Note that he didn't say that he never posted there-it was "never visited there". You've worn out your welcome cockroach....you have nothing to add to this forum except smart-assed, hateful remarks about other participants...it's almost like you can't help it---in your genes. Pity your parents.

-- catfish joe (joe6pack@bottomdweller.net), November 13, 1999.

Joe,

Does this mean you aren't going to ask me to the prom?

-- Ken Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), November 13, 1999.

Oh, have the sysops check on the IP addresses... if you are so inclined. Is it a match? Sorry, Joe, but play again next week.

-- Ken Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), November 13, 1999.

Humm.

Wonder what a Ken moment consists of? (A digital slugfest?)

;-D

Diane, NOT Barbie

(And frankly, I DO ignore *most* your threads Ken... happy to oblige!)

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 13, 1999.

Ken: This is the first time I have ever said ANYTHING to you, despite the fact that I have been a lurker and poster since mid-1998. So I have been following your advice all along!

Flint: you know me somewhat by now and you would probably put me in the "doomies" camp, as you put it, though you know I aggressively resist being labelled, and I have never acted like a child on this forum. I refuse to say anything on the internet I wouldn't say to someone's face.

I will probably regret asking this, and please remember it is a very simple question that requires only the simplest of answers, but if you do not believe much bad will happen, why have you prepared so extensively? (sheesh, I already regret asking this.....)

-- preparing (preparing@home.com), November 14, 1999.

Carp, Catfish, Whatever.

When did you come up for air asswipe? Mr. Decker lives about 3000 miles from me and I do not always agree with his outlook on things Y2K. However, I am aligned with him on the subject of your abject stupidity. Ya see the problem here is that I am not quite as articulate as he and I have to stoop to your level for my retorts. You may be part of a group but it would be small and brain damaged. Dont drag the rest of this forum into your slop pit, stand-alone and be counted. Start at zero and work backwards.

-- Truth (at@the.ready), November 14, 1999.

But hey if we're getting into 17th century punishments, why stop at mere shunning ? There's a real treasure trove of creative stuff out there. A quick scan of Hawthorne will repay the reader many-fold:

In close vicinity to the sacred edifice appeared that important engine of Puritanic authority, the whipping-post,--with the soil around it well trodden by the feet of evil-doers, who had there been disciplined. At one corner of the meetinghouse was the pillory, and at the other the stocks; and, by a singular good fortune for our sketch, the head of an Episcopalian and suspected Catholic was grotesquely encased in the former machine; while a fellow-criminal, who had boisterously quaffed a health to the King, was confined by the legs in the latter. Side by side, on the meetinghouse steps, stood a male and a female figure. The man was a tall, lean, haggard personification of fanaticism, bearing on his breast this label,--A WANTON GOSPELLER,--which betokened that he had dared to give interpretations of Holy Writ, unsanctioned by the infallible judgment of the civil and religious rulers. His aspect showed no lack of zeal to maintain his heterodoxies, even at the stake. The woman wore a cleft stick on her tongue, in appropriate retribution for having wagged that unruly member against the elders of the church; and her countenance and gestures gave much cause to apprehend, that, the moment the stick should be removed a repetition of the offence would demand new ingenuity in chastising it.

The abovementioned individuals had been sentenced to undergo their various modes of ignominy, for the space of one hour at noonday. But among the crowd were several, whose punishment would be life-long; some, whose ears had been cropt, like those of puppy-dogs; others, whose cheeks had been branded with the initials of their misdemeanors; one, with his nostrils slit and seared; and another, with a halter about his neck, which he was forbidden ever to take off, or to conceal beneath his garments. Methinks he must have been grievously tempted to affix the other end of the rope to some convenient beam or bough. There was likewise a young woman, with no mean share of beauty, whose doom it was to wear the letter A on the breast of her gown, in the eyes of all the world and her own children. And even her own children knew what that initial signified. Sporting with her infamy, the lost and desperate creature had embroidered the fatal token in scarlet cloth, with golden thread, and the nicest art of needle-work; so that the capital A might have been thought to mean Admirable, or any thing rather than Adulteress.

-- Count Vronsky (vronsky@anna.lit), November 14, 1999.

With all due respect, Diane, your "moment" has a new age feel... I half expected Brian to start espousing the healing power of crystals.

"Preparing," what can I say but thanks?

"Count," shunning does not infringe on my rights (or yours)... in fact, from some I consider it more a reward than a punishment. As for the punitive measures of the 17th century... they hardly seem an option via the Internet (laughter).

-- Ken Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), November 14, 1999.

Ken mindfarted

"With all due respect, Diane, your "moment" has a new age feel... I half expected Brian to start espousing the healing power of crystals."

Ah and we are displaying our ignorance again on issues. I was going to drop the thread and stop commenting to you but here again immaturity and glib comments come through showing your side of ridiculing what you don't understand.

Show me where I have ever mentioned "new age" anything Ken. If anything I am "old age". By the way I carve crystals and cut stone. One of the oldest skills of the human race.

There is a big differance between ancient wisdom and new age fluff. Know the differance grasshopper.

Laughter

-- Brian (imager@home.com), November 14, 1999.

Oh I am sorry that must have been one of your "tongue in cheek" comments Ken.

Laughter :o)

I do love my opals though.

-- Brian (imager@home.com), November 14, 1999.