PRS, Censorship, Moderation, etc...

[VEO]

Why has Mr Shimel been banned from this forum? This was open, then "moderated", then re-opened. Now we have a member banned?

Mr Shimel may be abrasive and his delivery might lack subtle graces, but he's simply expressing his opinion and declaring his actions. His authenticity is alarming. I only wish there were more people who say what they mean and mean what they say AND are then willing to walk the walk regardless of popular opinion.

I do not agree with Mr Shimel's opinion. I personally do not care for his methods. I'm on record on this for a long time and have had some heated conversations with him in regards to the PRS over time.

But I do not understand why his posts are not allowed. I do not see him "ruining" The Game, I do not see him "ruining" the games he's playing in.

Regards,

Brad Brunet

[Branthus]

I had just finished reading both threads when I returned to the main page and found one missing. Within minutes the other had been deleted as well. I am outraged that Harlequin would do this. I read both the threads and find no reason whatsoever that they should be removed. I am outraged. This should be an open forum. Frankly if they continue to block him from this forum and delete his posts I will no longer continue to play MEPBM.

Frankly I think that Harlequin's customer service is worse than my opinions about the method of calculating VP's and the PRS. Many of you should have read my feelings about them unless they too have been deleted.

Let's see if I too can get deleted and banned. Harlequin, I think that your customer service sucks. I think that banning Darrel from this forum and deleting those threads was a bad choice and reminds me of the behavior of a child. Your tact is that of a left handed quadriplegic monkey with Napoleon's syndrome. So delete me too Harlequin.

But wait, just be aware that when my post goes missing I will take it upon myself to personally email this post to the players of this fine game until I feel satisfied. I will post it and post it under however many different accounts I need to create until the majority have heard it.

Stop the censorship and let Darrel back in.

[Brad Jenison]

I just noticed that my post on the censorship issue has been deleted as well. Is that an oversight or overly active delete button reflex Clint?

I don't mind PRS, I don't accept Darrell's position it will ruin the game. I still don't see any utility in the PRS so to me this is a tempest in a tea cup. I do however see a problem with censorship or the banning of a player who is obviously active in games from posting on a site that is supposed to be for the exchange of views between those who play the game. If people can only post what is pleasing to the moderator then this ceases to become a forum and becomes simply a house rag.

There have been much more objectional threads here recently than Darrells and they were allowed to go on and on with no imput from the moderator. I personally find Ben's "I don't give a **** about the whole state of Michigan" objectionable we all know what the asterix are supposed to stand for and yet he is allowed to post that any time he wishes with nothing said to him about clean it up. Darrells sin is he gets on Clints nerves and won't go away.

Clint, he cannot have a debate if you don't respond. So he doesn't like PRS so what. Can he make you make it go away by saying so. Are you seeing people leave the game because of PRS or because of Darrell's strident objection to it? If the answer is no, blow him off. If the answer is yes maybe you do need to reconsider.

Darrell give it a rest. I really don't think it is worth the effort.

Again my view is no censorship other than for commonly accepted levels of decency belongs on this forum.

Brad

[benmin18]

Pathetic. This is NOT a public forum. This is a PRIVATELY owned and operated message board. Yes, free speech is all great and wonderful, but not when someone is footing the bill. Get over it. The board is already moderated for language and other inappropriate topics. Shimel has decided to turn it into his own private rant against PRS, Clint, and whatever else his dazzling intellect can come up wih. If he wants to rant so much let him start his own website and quit wasting bandwidth here.

- Ben

[Brad Jenison]

The first time Clint stepped in and moderated the board and essentially hamstrug postings he asked if he should butt out and was essentially told yes he should. So am I correct in understanding you don't mind censorship as long as he is silenceing someone you don't like?

Careful here Ben,


As for pathetic, I don't find myself pathetic at all. I don't feel I am wasting bandwidth in my calls for an open forum. After all forum was the public market place where views could be exchanged. I am not trying to make anything personnal here. I have said what I have based on principle. I believe Brad Brunet has voiced a similar if not exactly the same view. Don't make the mistake of turning everything into something personal. While you're at it moderate yourself and get thinly veiled profanity off your posts.

Brad

[VEO]

Ben: Who owns and operates it? It was originally set up by a Player, NOT the company. That player proposed it as the replacement for the former pbmforum, invited MEGames (Clint) as an Administrator and MEGames (Clint) accepted and they (MEGames/Clint) "support" it, whatever that means besides a link on their website. So, if you know who is paying and therefore who is not paying, please tell us. It might make both your post and this discussion more meaningful.

Whether you agree/disagree or like/dislike the individual involved, the point is simply that Darrell has been effectively banned from posting in Both the moderated and unmoderated forums simply for voicing his opinion. Irrespective of the manner of his doing so, I don't understand what threat he poses to the bottom line of the company in so doing, and would dearly appreciate a reasoned explanation.

Is he driving newbies/new paying customers away? Maybe MEGames can send out a polite request for information to all their dormant accounts asking "Why" they're dormant. I'd hate to think this is simply a personality-clash type hissy-fit.

Brad Brunet

[murmur]

Mr Shimel may have been annoying and more than a little ludicrous, but what *actual* harm was he doing? I`d like to know.

Censorship on the other hand is just plain wrong, especially in a game. It`s just a game. We enjoy it. Hell, some of us even enjoy that rants of "other-minded" people. Also when you have to censor the voice of dissent, doesn`t it smack of desparation?

What is the full story behind the decision, i`m sure the forum [open or in-house] would like to know....

[88 Noldo]

It seems to me that all this reading, evaluating and deleting consumes a finite amount of company manhours. This adds to the expense of the PRS.

Let me propose a solution. The GM just says the PRS is not a topic of conversation on the forum and he asks the membership not to post on the subject. The great majority of the membership will respec that and the small handful who will not can just be ignored.

[benmin18]

Originally posted by VEO
Ben: Who owns and operates it? It was originally set up by a Player, NOT the company. That player proposed it as the replacement for the former pbmforum, invited MEGames (Clint) as an Administrator and MEGames (Clint) accepted and they (MEGames/Clint) "support" it, whatever that means besides a link on their website. So, if you know who is paying and therefore who is not paying, please tell us. It might make both your post and this discussion more meaningful.

Whether you agree/disagree or like/dislike the individual involved, the point is simply that Darrell has been effectively banned from posting in Both the moderated and unmoderated forums simply for voicing his opinion. Irrespective of the manner of his doing so, I don't understand what threat he poses to the bottom line of the company in so doing, and would dearly appreciate a reasoned explanation.

Is he driving newbies/new paying customers away? Maybe MEGames can send out a polite request for information to all their dormant accounts asking "Why" they're dormant. I'd hate to think this is simply a personality-clash type hissy-fit.

Brad Brunet

Whatever the case, Brad, this is still not a public forum and free speech doesn't apply here. It's a privately owned and operated messaged board by some individual or entity. Clint and whoever else controls the board has every right to moderate however they see fit because they own/operate it, not us.

As for my opinion of Shimel, everybody already knows that. But this has nothing to do with my opinion. Clint voiced his reasons for banning him, whether or not I agree with them is not relevant. It's the same argument as you or someone else made before: throw water on the waiter, expect to get thrown out.

- Ben

[blind one 118]

I'll always take the side of free speach within limits....I can see where his personal attacks on the company would have been aggravating to those involved and it's easy for me to say he didn't cross the line since I wasn't the target of those attacks...but I don't think censorship is the way to go...it kind of reminds one of the cops hauling the homeless man with "the world is ending" sign off to jail

[benmin18]

*Sigh* It's not censorship if it's a private forum that's open to the public.

- Ben

[Nick]

The question was what did he hurt. Well look at all the recent posts. They all had to do with shimels rants err "cuse me free speech. The fact that people were not talking about ongoing games is a detriment to the buisness. Hardly any insults being bantered back and forth. Any newbie reading lately would get the wrong idea about how this forum usually works and what goes on. Anything that doesn't help a buisiness hurts it.
I don't think Clint would allow any one person to threaten another player in some form and get away with it.In fact I know this to be the case. Why should he not protect himself and company when a threat was specifcally aimed at him. You can call me an ahole all you want but not where I have control and the right to stop it. Shimel has the right to stand on the street corner and call harly names,he has the right to start his own group and call people names, he does not have the right to go on a private board with controls, rant against them and expect nothing to happen. That ain't the real world.
I could care less what shimel would do in a game with with me. It might help , it might hurt, that's the breaks. People have been doing what he was treatening for years.
By the way if that homeless man threatens to bash your childs head in with that sign should he be allowed to that . I think he went way over the line for the basic intent of this forum.
This is probably the last for me as I have 3 turns coming in today and tomorrow.
nick

[benmin18]

Does it really matter if Shimel hurt anything? This isn't a public forum.

- Ben

[blind one 118]

I don't recall threats of violence...did I miss something somewhere?

[daehir]

So is any mod from this forum or Harly going to post the new modified requirements for posting here or does Ben speak for the company?

Very few dislike Darrell as much as myself (dating back to GSI) but repression of a differing opinion is a cowardly act.
Is the mod/Harly going to post some comment about what has happened or hide in shadows?

Personally I think you are all seeing what happens when MEG games is pushed on an issue, their so-called great customer service goes in the tank. I have witnessed this in a recent exchange of heated emails. Since that time, I have gotten my 3rd choice in both games I requested. I believe that the game mod’s do take things personally and they do react accordingly despite what they say to the contrary.

Sort of strange that people that did not want to read about PRS seemed to lack the ability to skip over that thread and still use the forum for their own ends.

Steven McAbee

[benmin18]

Then don't play, Steve, if you're not happy with the product and/or the service. Customers can always take their business elsewhere, or in extreme cases, start their own business and provide competition.

I am not speaking for Clint or the company, but I do recognize that the moderators of this board have the right to oversee the board and its discussions as they see fit because it is their board. We have the privelege of posting here so long as the topics covered are relevant, aren't hostile towards the administrators/moderators/each other, and/or blatantly offensive to the general public (interpret that as you want).

As for my commenting on PRS, I could care less about it. I'm more interested in those people who see this as a forum against censorship and to argue that what Clint and other moderators are doing isn't censorship rather keeping their board tidy and free from distraction.

- Ben

[blind one 118]

ok...so if this forum isn't the place to discuss changes in company procedure that effect the game <ie shimel strongly believes that the prs effects game play although I haven't seen any evidence of this and don't agree with him> then where is the place to do that? should there be a place where only disenfranchised players gather to argue over these things when obviously they can do little about changes without inputting into the company? I see the entire shimel arguement as actually beneficial to the company <albiet in a rather aggravating form> in that there has been no jumping on the shimel bandwagon to get rid of the prs thus they know it isn't having an immediate adverse effect on game enjoyment...I still say he's harmless and has the right to be heard..it's not like he's getting on here insulting an entire state of people............... GO BLUE!!!

[Nick]

Violence, where do I say violence. Where does anyone say that.There's more kinds of threats than just violence. Please find and educate me where you found the word violence.
nick
Turns coming in. bye

[blind one 118]

well nick..you made a comparison to a threat of violence..that is a rather poor comparison on your part if he didn't indeed make one...a threat of I'll get rid of the prs through my constant nagging is a hell of a lot different then I'll get rid of the prs through bashing your head in with my "end of the world" sign...wouldn't you say?

[Nick]

The threat was let's stop clint from making money.
The homeless man thing was a response to your homeless man. A seperate statement altogether maybe poorly worded. Your homeless man to me had nothing to do with the discussion and my response was meant in kind.
nick

[benmin18]

Originally posted by blind one 118
ok...so if this forum isn't the place to discuss changes in company procedure that effect the game <ie shimel strongly believes that the prs effects game play although I haven't seen any evidence of this and don't agree with him> then where is the place to do that? should there be a place where only disenfranchised players gather to argue over these things when obviously they can do little about changes without inputting into the company? I see the entire shimel arguement as actually beneficial to the company <albiet in a rather aggravating form> in that there has been no jumping on the shimel bandwagon to get rid of the prs thus they know it isn't having an immediate adverse effect on game enjoyment...I still say he's harmless and has the right to be heard..it's not like he's getting on here insulting an entire state of people............... GO BLUE!!!

*Chuckle*

The Tressel era has begun, and so goes the downfall of the University of Michigan and all their foolish followers.

Back to the point. Shimel made his point, and he does have a valid one in that PRS can encourage bad play. The problem, as I see it, lies two fold.

First Shimel has decided to turn himself into a martyr, or as I see it a fool in Middle Earth clothing, and prove his point by ruining one game, 233 in particular, by altering his playing style to run up victory points. Granted this is one of the many aspects of PRS but the Victory Point aspect is what he objects to and has decided that he would take it upon himself to demonstrate its weakness by trying to ruin the game for as many people as possible. And that's fine, he can do that, and as retribution my fellow Dark Servants in 233 and I have agreed that we will eliminate his nation so he can't win and watch him throw a hissy fit in the process.

However the second reason is more telling. Clint had repeatedly told Shimel the reasonings behind PRS, why it would stay, and had made it clear to him that further discussion, private or otherwise, would not change the company's policy. Not having personally read the e-mails that were exchanged between Clint and Shimel, Clint felt they were no longer constructive and became abusive towards himself and the rest of the staff. This is the same as a customer walking into a store and knocking over display cases because a particular item is out of stock or a refund not being granted when there is clearly a NO REFUNDS sign visible or something to that nature. In short the customer is not always right, especially when said customer is being rude and abusive.

Is Shimel harmless? Quite. Is he a nuisance? Quite. Is this censorship as he claims? Not a chance in hell. Is Shimel still a fool? Of course.

- Ben

[blind one 118]

awww..come on nick...can't you picture shimel as that homeless man with the end of the world sign? lol <sorry shimel but you are too funny with the endless predictions of doom and gloom>...as far as doing economic harm to the company...as far as I can tell he's pretty much limited to the power possessed in his own wallet...was he being rude in emails...probably..I have no reason to doubt that...the conversations on here were getting very rude and not just by him either I might add...I imagine emails were worse and I wouldn't blame clint and company if they deleted without response every time...doesn't change my opinion that he should be allowed to post if for no other reason then the slippery slope theory and what effect it may have on the forum long term

[Clint]

Hya Guys - okay I've banned Darrell from this for 3 months. He's been sending flames and personal attacks for a period of time, off list and on-list. He's damaged the game, and despite my best attempts at reasonable dialogue he's chosen to ignore those posts.

I've been very patient with him and asked him to provide a suitable system but also mentioned that for a period of months I wanted to just try it out. His reply was that he was going to deliberately attempt to derail the system - bringing a lot of heartache and unpleasantness to the game. He's personally attacked me on multiple occasions and basically slurred us constantly.

His constant spamming of the list (and emails) to me have caused a lot of player discontent - this is my livelihood and that of my staff so I wish to protect that and the game. The number of attempts Darrell has had to derail something that he doesn't agree with verge on nearing 100 postings - and I find it a bad precedent to bow to one player complaining for the good of the other players in the game.

I have warned him for his abusive language and personal attacks on others and so he has a 3month ban. Not a lifetime ban, and at present if he's prepared to accept that then I'm more than happy to have him play the game but if he's going to attempt to break the game as part of his personal crusade then I might be forced to take issue with that.

In 11 years of GMing this is first time I've taken such action of banning a player. I did this because I feel that this is that dangerous an attempt of a player attempting to blackmail or damage our reputation into doing what he wants himself to do and has basically lost control.

Most players support the PRS, or at least are happy to let it carry on and see what happens. Darrell offered to create a new system but has yet to come through on that (I offered support on that if he wanted to do it). His attempt to slur the PRS (and other aspects) have clearly damaged this. This is a service that we provide to you the players, that we support and we reserve the right to have a policy where players respond so civilised debate and discussion, not shout until they drown everyone else out. It's called common decency and Darrell has gone way beyond that I'm afraid.

As to the other comments about the game and our service I think that a private email to me about that is fine if you want to discuss it, or if you want to discuss that in public that's fine as well but often it will get tied up in other issues and get sidetracked. If you aren't happy with the way we do things then I find it's easiest to bring that up in private so that we can resolve the issue but am content to discuss it in public if you want. As usual I'm happy to listen, discuss the details in depth and try to sort things out to the best of my ability and help where I can.


Clint

[Clint]

Since that time, I have gotten my 3rd choice in both games I requested. I believe that the game mod’s do take things personally and they do react accordingly despite what they say to the contrary.

Sorry I don't agree here Steven. It's nothing personal you've just been unlucky in that and the way things change. No ulterior motive or anything like that. :-) As an example of this sort of perception I've had many complaints in the past when players get a Downgrade order or 525 fail (or multiple ones) to be statistically unlikely. BUT I've never had a player complain that they've had all their 185s or InfOther attempts work when that was very unlikely. Just human nature. :-)

Although I don't enjoy being attacked I keep a professional distance from those insults and have a pretty thick skin. It's the only way to remain impartial and fair. I'm human and don't get it always right, but I don't then bump a player to worst choices for example or anything like that. I doubt my reassurances will help but I don't think that there is anything that I could do that would help here other than see how things develop. We get unhappy players from time to time - not much I can do about that other than try to run the best game and best service that we can. If that's not good enough that's a real shame but more service and other bits that are requested would cost more time, effort or energy and I try to support the game as best I can.

Hope that helps.

Clint

[benmin18]

Hey Clint,

Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!

- Ben

[Nick]

Ben how about one last YOU SUCK.
I always admired your eloquence thru brevity. :>)
nick

[Clint]

I've just received this from Darrell. I think it clearly shows intent to damage the game and is very threatening. I do not know what he intends to do but I find that this blackmail is somewhat disgusting.

Clint

"You should not fire the first shot, unless you are truly prepared for war.

I know you don't want me dedicating ALL my free time to doing some REAL damage to the game, now do you.

I know you don't want me dedicating ALL my free time to doing some REAL damage to the game, now do you.

So far, I've only spoken. I WILL not be silenced.

At this point, you can stop the war.

Or, you can let it continue to escalate. I promise I will not shut up, and I will not go away. And posting to the forum will be the least of your problems.

I will give you 72 hours to think about your next move. If your position is that you will not allow me to say things you do not like, then it will officially be all out war.

Yours,
Darrell Shimel"

[Clint]

"Hey Clint,

Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!

- Ben"

You know my mother? :-)

Clint

[benmin18]

Originally posted by Nick
Ben how about one last YOU SUCK.
I always admired your eloquence thru brevity. :>)
nick

"We're not gonna protest!"
"We're not gonna protest!"
"We're not gonna protest!"
"Shimel is a tool!"

- Ben

[benmin18]

Originally posted by Clint
"You should not fire the first shot, unless you are truly prepared for war.

I know you don't want me dedicating ALL my free time to doing some REAL damage to the game, now do you.

I know you don't want me dedicating ALL my free time to doing some REAL damage to the game, now do you.

So far, I've only spoken. I WILL not be silenced.

At this point, you can stop the war.

Or, you can let it continue to escalate. I promise I will not shut up, and I will not go away. And posting to the forum will be the least of your problems.

I will give you 72 hours to think about your next move. If your position is that you will not allow me to say things you do not like, then it will officially be all out war.

Yours,
Darrell Shimel"

Ahhhhhh, such a wonderful husband and father figure... Charles Manson would be proud.

- Ben

[Nick]

I think it's quite clear what shimels all about. I hate seeing anyone squeezed as clint and crew . The only way I see is to let him back on and no one but no one respond to him . Agree or disagree he should be shunned. Let him rant to himself.

[Clint]

Presently trying to find another solution. Ben, please don't attack Darrell personally. :-(

Thanks

Clint

[benmin18]

I WILL NOT BE CENSORED! I HAVE A RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH! I WILL MAKE MY VOICE HEARD! I WILL RANT AND RAVE! I AM NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER! SOMEONE VALIDATE MY EXISTENCE!

- Ben

[blind one 118]

ok...prozac time...wait...does middle earth have prozac? <maybe just mushrooms and some good pipe weed would work...in the best of hobbit traditions>

[VEO]

Ben.

There, validated, now, shut up and build that bridge... ;)

Interesting discussion and I appreciate the point of views put forward. Thanks to all.

Brad the Thread Starter

[Clint]

I just noticed that my post on the censorship issue has been deleted as well. Is that an oversight or overly active delete button reflex Clint?

Sorry accidently done it. Not intentional. Does anyone know who Paddy McDermitt is? I've checked our files and can't find that player, nor has he responded to my email. Anyone able to help?

Clint

[DaveHolt]

Where's the NooNoo???

if only the NooNoo could come along and SLLLUUUUURRRRPPP up all the MESS on this particular topic. *sigh*

My thoughts:
a. Darrell should shut up about PRS, move on & play the game
b. Ben should shut up about Darrell, move on & play the game
c. Clint should NOT barr either from this board irregardless
d. This board should be independent - by & for the players. If it's not, that's too bad.
e. By & large, there is great respect & support from the player community for customer service from Harley. IMHO it's better than it's ever been in MEPBM. Part of that is Clint's willingness to accept dissenting voices. Such voices aren't bad for business. If a message resonates with the player community, it's free market research and provides Harley an opportunity for improvement the data for which cost nothing to gather. If the message is shouted down by the player community, then Harley looks good for allowing the discussion, and no one is harmed. I frankly believe the Darrell ranting falls into this second category and that Clint would be far better served allowing Darrell to rant until his face turns blue because all it does is further make Darrell look silly. And Ben would be far better served allowing Darrell to look silly than to rant back and look just as silly.

ok. Now Ben can rant at me some... :-) And I don't even live in Michigan. Ben, what do you think of California? ;-) ;-) ;-)

cheers
Dave

[88 Noldo]

Ran into Paddy in the old GSI days, but no contact in 5 or 6 or more years. From the cadence of the writing, I'm sure Paddy and Darrell are not the same person.

[Branthus]

Before anyone else claims that they have "ran into me" or that we're long lost brothers I suppose that I will speak up. I'm not going to disclose who I am but I'm not going to cover up who I am either. There is enough in my posts that Harlequin can directly link me with who I am. I've posted many times in different forums and have always used an alias, it is my method and my way. I prefer to remain anonymous. If Harlequin can use the few clues they have to figure it out then so be it, that is fine by me. In fact the clues are there because I let them be. If I absolutely did not want my identification known they would not be there.

My name is not Paddy McDermitt. It is in fact a name that I had found on the middle earth website. Under the section PRS-Equations page, just beneath the topic "Council of the wise" there is an "end of game nomination form" with an example of how to fill it out. Underneath best team player, Paddy Mcdermitt comes in third just after Fred Bloggs and John Doe. Two people that some of you also may have ran into. With my last post I actually did not sign off as Paddy because I did not want to build a rapport with the community on the board and lose their trust (for lack of a better word) if it was found that I was not that person. Now that the proverbial Pukel Creature is out of the bag I may go on using Paddy.

I can assure you that I am not Darrel Shimel and in my recollection I have never crossed paths with him before. He is as much a mystery to me as I am to him and the rest of you.

No Clint, this is the forum where this discussion can take place. As you stated just recently

"If you aren't happy with the way we do things then I find it's easiest to bring that up in private so that we can resolve the issue but am content to discuss it in public if you want. As usual I'm happy to listen, discuss the details in depth and try to sort things out to the best of my ability and help where I can."

As stated you are content to discuss it in public if we want. That's the way I would prefer it. Otherwise email me. I hadn't realized that I was emailed. I've now read the email and find it a little disturbing. So that everyone might know it's contents here is the content of that message in it's entirety.

Hello Paddy - who are you and what's your account? I'll be happy to reply to your email on the forum then.

Thanks

Clint


The reason I found it disturbing is the plain fact that all you want is to know who I am and my account. This could be construed as a veiled threat. As if somehow it might affect any game I might be in. I see no necessity for you to know that information. If you really want to know who I am then you should put your Hercule Poirot hat and mustache on. If you'd like you can quiz me about the game to make sure that I in fact even play. I can assure you my knowledge of the game is quite extensive. My knowledge has actually corrected information that was listed on CbZach's and Stormy's websites when they existed. When Bobbins first came up I emailed him a few corrections as well, and a few other sites. My attention to detail is quite acute. I could tell this very minute that the DosMap by Ian Keane has more wrong with it than just a couple of pop centers. There is one hex listed as plains when it is actually a hills and rough hex.

All that matters is this. I am now part of this conversation. It shouldn't matter if I have an account or not, which I do. I have posted three times on this topic now and the content of those posts have been assimilated into the discussion. If you have answers or comments about my public posts then you should be polite enough to post back in public so everyone who has been following this topic can hear it.

Paddy Mcdermitt

[Clint]

All that matters is this. I am now part of this conversation. It shouldn't matter if I have an account or not, which I do. I have posted three times on this topic now and the content of those posts have been assimilated into the discussion. If you have answers or comments about my public posts then you should be polite enough to post back in public so everyone who has been following this topic can hear it.

Hello "Paddy" as mentioned in an email I just sent you I generally only reply to players who sign their posts with their name. That way I know who I am "talking" to. I've had people post under false names to support a viewpoint in the past. Especially in a delicate situation like this with Darrell and myself attempting to find a common ground (which we're working on at present). More than happy to answer your questions then as a paying customer.

If you've got nothing to hide then there's no reason for me not to know who I am talking to uh? :-)

Clint

[Branthus]

Ahh, but I do have something to hide, my identity. Like I said, the clues are there. Some may not be easiest to figure it out but there is a key that will open the door. You have your policy and I have mine. I will accept the fact that you refuse to reply under those circumstances. I just thought that it would be nice that the others might hear them.

Never the less I will continue to post when I feel the need. Perhaps if you feel the need and reply back is entirely up to you.

Please Clint, don't get me wrong, I don't mean to be a thorn in anyones side or to interfere with anyones livelyhood. I have my beliefs and sometimes I feel the need to share them. This topic has just pulled me in.

Paddy

[88 Noldo]

So, you wre not the Pat McDermett that was the Easterlings in game 257 back in 1996? Or , were you using the alias way back then also?

[S. Whiplash]

Originally posted by Branthus
[ I've now read the email and find it a little disturbing. So that everyone might know it's contents here is the content of that message in it's entirety.

Hello Paddy - who are you and what's your account? I'll be happy to reply to your email on the forum then.

Thanks

Clint


The reason I found it disturbing is the plain fact that all you want is to know who I am and my account. This could be construed as a veiled threat.
Paddy Mcdermitt [/B]

Or, he could simply like knowing who he is talking to....:D Sounds kinda like "Who says I'm paranoid??!! And why??!!!


Mark

[blind one 118]

even paranoids have enemies <looking around nervously>

[88 Noldo]

As Henry Kissenger once said "If they are really trying to get you, you are not paranoid".

[Branthus]

He also Said...


"Intelligence is not all that important in the exercise of power, and is often, in point of fact, useless."

But his best was...

"No one will ever win the battle of the sexes; there's too much fraternizing with the enemy."

[RKFloyd]

This thread is hilarious at 4:30 in the morning after a 12-hour workday. Thanks for the laugh, community. Now it's alcohol time.

-Russ the Tired Lush

[benmin18]

Originally posted by DaveHolt
And Ben would be far better served allowing Darrell to look silly than to rant back and look just as silly.

ok. Now Ben can rant at me some... :-) And I don't even live in Michigan. Ben, what do you think of California? ;-) ;-) ;-)

cheers
Dave

Can I continue to make fun of him? That's not really ranting, and it's entertainment for all.

And California is fine, except the Pac-10 sucks.

- Ben

[benmin18]

Originally posted by blind one 118
even paranoids have enemies <looking around nervously>

BOO!

[blind one 118]

oh hell....nobody from ohio is scary lol

[benmin18]

Originally posted by blind one 118
oh hell....nobody from ohio is scary lol

That's it, I'm going to spend all my time and energy to show you the power of the BUCKEYE STATE! I will shower you with Buckeyes until you acknowledge that I'm right and PRS is a TERRIBLE menace upon the MEPBM Community!

- Ben

[blind one 118]

so...a buckeye is a poisonous nut from ohio huh? and you want to be the team mascot? lmao

[benmin18]

With magical powers. Buckeyes have been known to cure hangovers, gout, broken bones, turn lead into gold, water into wine, make it rain frogs, and other miracles. It's like a magic elixir... Like beer...

- Ben

[Nick]

Buckeyes,pac-10 ha ha. Everyone knows the SEC rules and LSU is the king.

Beer is for the children. Jack and shine are the man's choice on the bayou.

Tigers forever

PRS--- what's the big deal. When your wife/girlfriend has it ,just hit the bars for 3 days. Doesn't bother me there.

nick

[benmin18]

You guys down south couldn't play football in real weather. Always gotta play indoors or when it's nice and sunny out. Wimps. The SEC is full of'em. Come up north and play in Ohio in November and let's see how well you do.

LSU, bah.

- Ben

[Nick]

We'll have to as you snowbirds would melt down here in our nice sunny climate.

[RKFloyd]

<<You guys down south couldn't play football in real weather.>>


Yeah, we don't have real weather down here. 100 degrees, 100% humidity, the hot, baking sun filling up half the sky . . . mosquitos the size of human babies flying about sucking the living blood from your liver . . . "fire ants" ready to burst from the ground if you take one wrong step and treat your flesh like the 24-hour Buffet at Denny's . . . plants that poison you with the slightest touch and leave you with boils and pus-filled sores all over your body and, yes, in your eyes (been there . . .) . . . You have to be tougher than a Waffle House steak to make it down here. How many times now have I watched some poor yankee move down here for "employment opportunities" only to be consumed and spit out by local wildlife and fauna and then left to dry his carcass in the hot, baking sun . . . best stay up North where you're "safe", Ben, and where the only thing your players have to worry about is if their mommies catch them outside without a scarf in the chilled air.

-Russ

[benmin18]

Blah blah blah... all this hot weather talk is boring. Football is not meant for sunny days and a nice breeze. Take any of your candy ass teams from down south, stick'em up north where real football is played, and watch them freeze like a frickin' igloo.

GO BUCKS!

- Ben

[Brian Mason]

Originally posted by benmin18
You guys down south couldn't play football in real weather. Always gotta play indoors or when it's nice and sunny out. Wimps. The SEC is full of'em. Come up north and play in Ohio in November and let's see how well you do.

LSU, bah.

- Ben

Hey, Ben, try two-a-days in South GA in August. Cold? That ain't nothin'. All you gotta do is move and you stay warm enough.

Brian

[benmin18]

It gets just as hot in Ohio in the summer. Easier dealing with heat. You can't feel anything through frostbite.

- Ben

[Nick]

True but your summer starts in july and ends in August. We started last month and it ends in December. 3 days of winter and back to summer.

[benmin18]

Indian summer, baby... Indian summer... They can stretch into September, early October.

- Ben

[murmur]

We had our summer!

It`s called yesterday...

but it was nice...i`ll cherish it forever...

[Feathalion]

Originally posted by Clint
Hya Guys - okay I've banned Darrell from this for 3 months.
Clint

You're too kind, Clint. If I ran a business and someone made threats like that to me, I'd cease to do business with them permanently.

And all the noise about 'free speech' is a crock. You run a service business and your only obligation is to run your business within the law. Anything else is fair game, and if your customers don't like it, they can stop buying your service. If they have a real (vs a personal) issue, they should hire a lawyer.

Of course, if you are smart, you'll keep the bulk of your customers happy. Not that anyone should have such a complaint as to quit. IMHO, customer service is greatly improved over GSI days.

Gene Chipman