Fun memories:

Remember when this POS suggested if Hitler were around today, he'd at least eliminate bloggers

I think the funniest part of the thread was floppy posting the wiki entries for Sexual Attraction and Determinism.

(Predictably Irrational is on my amazon wishlist.)

JUburton wrote:

FTN wrote:

JUburton wrote: Don't think this is a good time for a 'this is just how some people are wired' PSA. I have no doubt that some people are hardwired this way but there's a difference between acting on it and getting the help you need to control it. It might be different and more difficult for people who can't afford the right kind of treatment but there are no excuses for the Conlins and Sanduskys of the world.

when is the right time? how much money you have doesnt make it easier for you to get help. in fact, id argue that his status makes it much more difficult. how your brain is hard coded, your genetics, influence everything you think and do in life. its applicable now. and every minute of every day

With all the resources that they had they could go to any respectable psychiatrist they wanted with little chance of what they were seeing them for getting out.

FWIU, psychs/therapists/conselors are required to report to law enforcement if a patient is deemed a danger to others. Confidentiality would apply if the person only has "tendencies" (thoughts), but once the psych knows that the person has either acted on it, or has yet to but has "targets" (specific children thought about), they are required by law to report it.

It's rare for pedophiles to seek preemptive help. Many of them don't think there is anything wrong with their "tendencies", and those that do are humiliated by it.

Guys, I've been stewing all day, reading this thread, the thread in which some dude attacks the Voxes that was completely insane, and also taking in conversations I've had lately....

We've lost the ability to have reasonable, decent discourse with each other. I woke up this morning not knowing if I can be a pastor anymore, because everything, the Penn State thing, Homosexuality in the ELCA, politics, EVERYTHING seems to have come down to an "all or nothing" discussion with little thinking or consideration of opinions that are not one's own.

I am not offended when people say they are athiest. Whatever, either at the end of time I'm going to dissipate into nothingness or they will be revealed a truth that will be a great surprise to them. Either way, what does it really matter?

Same deal with the Penn State thing. I tend to side with the "Paterno should have done more" club, but you know what? Others have their opinions, coming from their own places, and that's just the way it is.

If we can't talk to each other like reasonable people I don't know what to do anymore.

Can we please just live and let live?

Beez,

i think you're overreacting.

the Voxes thread wasn't attacking them, either, as stupid as it was

I think what the Rev may be getting at (and correct me if I'm wrong, Rev) is that it seems more and more difficult for us to have a serious, reasonable, non-confrontational discussion on this board (and I don't exclude myself). Of course, civil discussion is difficult on the Internet generally, but here we're a Band of Brothers with at least one common interest. So one would hope the discussions might be a bit more civil than the normal Internet free-for-all.

Discussions tend to degenerate pretty quickly into insults (especially if there's a whipping boy like PtK to jump on) with everyone trying to be more clever and funny than the next. There's also often a very distinct groupthink/gang mentality which brooks no dissent, reasonable or otherwise.

Again, that's the way of the Internet, so there's probably little or nothing that can be done about it. No one forces anyone else to be a part of the discussions around here, so if any of us is offended, we're free to go elsewhere. But I don't think it's wrong for the Rev (and I can't think of anyone more appropriate) to request that we make some attempt to treat one another a bit better and try to raise the level of our discourse, especially when we're discussing serious topics such as pedophilia. If nothing else, it's the time of year for Peace on Earth and all that good stuff.

the only time i've really seen things break down around here is in political threads(cmon, we all hate republicans), PTK, and Cballs.

i didn't even think the PSU thing really broke down that bad. the Conlin thing will because everyone hates Conlin.

Yeah, I'm not a long-time poster here, but I've never seen anything get too heated here outside of the PSU/Sandusky/Paterno stuff. Most sports message boards I've been around get far worse than this place, even within the fan base. That's one of the reasons I really like it here.

yeah well fuck your face

Woody wrote:yeah well #$!&@ your face

on the serial tip, I feel you beez. People seem to be allergic to relaxing and considering a compromise or giving way and finding middle ground.

Soren wrote:

Woody wrote:yeah well #$!&@ your face

You are just laughing at his stupid jokes because he nominated you for a Wheelie

I'm a whore and there's nothing wrong with that.

PS

Rev_Beezer wrote:Guys, I've been stewing all day, reading this thread, the thread in which some dude attacks the Voxes that was completely insane, and also taking in conversations I've had lately....

We've lost the ability to have reasonable, decent discourse with each other. I woke up this morning not knowing if I can be a pastor anymore, because everything, the Penn State thing, Homosexuality in the ELCA, politics, EVERYTHING seems to have come down to an "all or nothing" discussion with little thinking or consideration of opinions that are not one's own.

I am not offended when people say they are athiest. Whatever, either at the end of time I'm going to dissipate into nothingness or they will be revealed a truth that will be a great surprise to them. Either way, what does it really matter?

Same deal with the Penn State thing. I tend to side with the "Paterno should have done more" club, but you know what? Others have their opinions, coming from their own places, and that's just the way it is.

If we can't talk to each other like reasonable people I don't know what to do anymore.

Can we please just live and let live?

Most people don't like to spend 30 minutes crafting a response for a message board. Some people like doing this, and as someone who occasionally spends way to much on a post, I understand what it's like to get shot down by silly one-liners and "too long, didnt read" comments. But it's the internet, and not everyone has the time nor inclination to debate these topics seriously. So comments like "lol small ball" will exist. And in my opinion, these comments are what forums and the interwebs are all about. If you want to debate charged topics in detail with a guarantee of no interruptions, invite some like-minded friends over for some beers. Or wine.

random thoughts:
Why would you be offended at someone telling you they are an atheist?
The discourse here IS better than elsewhere.
Every person draws the line of "appropriateness" at a different spot.
I'm having difficulty understanding why the level of discourse affects your decision to be a pastor, but I'll assume that your comment is more of a tangent, and concerns a thought that' simply on your mind. Breakout thread?

Turns out it was just an autocorrect problem.

He really was typing "Kink of the World" all these years.

/concept stolen from the editor of the Roxborough Review on my brother's FB wall

I blame Jaime and his rampant bigotry, especially against us innocent Irish. He's a degenerate of the first degree and his behavior has shaken the faith of our resident man of the cloth. His only path to absolution is to take all of us of Celtic heritage to Monks and pick up the tab. Weekends are best for me.

Woody wrote:yeah well #$!&@ your face