‘Course you do, Frank. Never said you couldn’t (nor could I stop you). I just stated that I don’t care what you say because your words have no power over me unless I let them have power. Threatening me with insults, for instance, is useless. Surely you must have a similar way of coping with the arrogant and the crass.

*As to whether I m here to pick a fight: Perhaps I am mistaken, but I ve usually been attacked or answered with condescension or arrogance before I respond in kind.*

In your defense, you do get attacked a lot.

But a couple of examples:

Thread: The Media Jackels, fifth post down.

“Did you eat your lunch just before, or just after you posted that, Oliver?”

He hadn’t attacked or answered you before you responded in kind (unless you consider the host of the blog “fair game”. He still didn’t attack you personally, by your definition). Or perhaps you only count direct assaults rather than, say, ones where you criticize an entire group, such as here:

Thread: The Progressive Century, tenth post down:

*There is no  rational system of measuring academic performance which will be accepted by the money hungry,  feel good social worker wannabes who pass for teachers in our country today. They don t even major in college in the subjects they teach  now that would be a start!*

I’m about to become a teacher. Any other educator on this site would have been insulted enough to smack you. You have no idea what you’re talking about, and yet you act like an expert. Arrogance. It was probably that statement alone that had me single you out.

You’re no angel. Maybe I’m hoping you’ll see that. I’m not claiming I am, either. I usually don’t pick fights, but I did this time.

*I just  pack up my keyboard and go home because RTKguy thinks I should?*

Well, yes. (that’s an opinion)

or:

*You think the blog world isn t really the place to change minds?
Who says?
You?*

Well, yes. (that’s also an opinion)

or:

*As I alluded to above, there are lots of reasons to post on opposition blogs, some of which are the reasons I do it.*

and:

*What if my reasons to do so are not your reasons?*

It’s all opinion, Frank. My opinion and your opinion. That’s what I’ve been driving at here. Why should you listen to me, and why should I listen to you? We don’t know each other and we clearly don’t like each other (albeit, I threw the first punch on this one).

It’s about respect. We don’t have it, obviously, and I doubt we going to give it to the other. What makes you think I would respect what you’re saying and listen to you with the record of posts you’ve got on this site? What makes you think I would expect you to respect and listen to me?

If we were face to face, I suspect we wouldn’t be acting like this. Respect is mutual, and it’s something both parties have to give.

Oh, and what “are” your reasons? You can’t expect me to take your points into consideration without an example or two of your own thinking.

*And I love remarks like  I consider you fair game, Especially coming after your statement that I seem to be here  only to pick fights. Fair game? Square that with  cordial debate .*

Look at my post again. It said, *Pick a fight, vent your rage, or try to win a futile contest of wills.* Correct the list rather than being mysterious and splitting hairs. And I’m not going to engage in a “cordial debate” with someone I believe has shown (repeatedly) that he doesn’t respect others with differing views than his own.

You can’t escape your words, Frank. They’re all over the place. People are going to see that.

But I lied. This isn’t really fun. This is one of those “futile contest of wills” that I don’t like to do. This was an experiment for me, exercising a bit of battle lust, and it’s just… useless. Nothing was accomplished. Nothing. I just feel empty. Debate has to be towards a goal, not just egos clashing.

Not that you were worried, but I’m not going to single you out anymore. I won’t attack — unless you say something stupid about teachers again. I’ll just post as I have been — seldomly, and when the mood hits.

If you want to end this on a good note, don’t reply. Forget my earlier questions. Let’s get rid of the egos and go our separate ways.

As to whether I’m here to pick a fight: Perhaps I am mistaken, but I’ve usually been attacked or answered with condescension or arrogance before I respond in kind.

Why do I post here?
Why do lefties post at right wing blogs? It may not be “logical” to you, but a) It need not be; and b) What if my reasons to do so are not your reasons? Is that it? I just “pack up my keyboard and go home” because RTKguy thinks I should?

You think the blog world isn’t really the place to change minds?
Who says?
You?

And, even if it’s not, that doesn’t mean going to opposition blogs is not a good idea. As I alluded to above, there are lots of reasons to post on opposition blogs, some of which are the reasons I do it.

And I love remarks like “I consider you fair game,” Especially coming after your statement that I seem to be here “only to pick fights.” Fair game? Square that with “cordial debate”.

RTKguy:
You have the last word. It s yours, you’re keeping it. I can t have it.
Everytime. Every single time.

Translation: I can’t let you guys have the last word.

*Yes, the thread is stupid and monotonous  like your comments (you insult me, I insult me  that s how it works here. You stop, I stop)*

A few things you should take into account, Frank:

You are nothing more than some unknown writer to me. You have no power over me. Therefore, your insults have absolutely no weight with me. So here’s how the game is played: you stop saying silly things, and I’ll stop pointing them out. I’m having fun, and I don’t care a wit what you think of my comments or whether you are offended or not (though, my friend, if I actually wanted to insult you, I wouldn’t be calling you “silly”).

Why this attitude, you might ask? Simple. I’ve been mostly a lurker on this site and I’ve read enough of your posts to generaly believe you are not someone I can actually debate with cordially. Now, that Duggar fellow irks me on occasion (as I’m sure I would if I was a more prevalent poster), but he’s a civil debater. You’ve proven in this thread alone that you’re not here to debate, but to either pick a fight, vent your rage, or try to win a futile contest of wills that cannot be won. Neither you nor your opponent is going to change their minds. Why would they, or you?

Honestly, why do you post here? Sure, freedom of speech. Great. But to what end? And I ask that of all “righties” that frequent this site. Do you think anyone’s going to listen? Do you think someone other than a fellow rightie is going to agree? It’s about as logical as myself going to Red State.org and trying to change minds by ranting about how all Republicans want to rule the world. This is a place for “lefties” to rant; most aren’t receptive. And the blog world isn’t really the place to change minds. Honest debate is decided face-to-face, in person, and with a civil tongue. The fact that many lefties here are about as rational as you are simply denotes the futility of your tactics.

Now, if you want a cordial debate, I’d suggest you watch what you say. Otherwise, I consider you fair game. Your best bet would be to ignore me, but that doesn’t mean I’ll leave you alone. I will continue to point out your logical inconsistances until you wise up or (much more likely) I get bored.

So let’s see how far you want to take this. If you reply to this post (stating my name or implying my name in this thread) you will be greeted with this:

“I have the last word. It’s mine, I’m keeping it. You can’t have it.”

Everytime. Every single time. It’s quite juvenile, but I’m having fun.

Your move, Frank.

Are you proud?

BTW. did you read the essay linked above — or are you still more concerned with busting my chops?

No silly, we just thought you were gone so we started talking about you behind your back. That’s not an invitation.

http://www.sluggerotoole.com/archives/2005/09/ill_wind_may_no.php

RTK: I was “invited” back into the thread by posts addressed to me after I left.

Yes, the thread is stupid and monotonous  like your comments (you insult me, I insult me  that s how it works here. You stop, I stop)

Yes, the thread is stuoid and monoyonous — like your comments (you insult me, I insult me — that’s how it works here. You stop, I stop)

Somehow we are not getting the press coverage New Orleans is getting, but don’t you worry, plenty of people here are pissed. Plenty.

*It s time for me to leave&
*I ll come back when you re out of that  We re so much better than those  eeeww  smelly Republicans are mode.*

And then:

*I m not leaving the blog, just this monotonous, stupid thread.*

Four posts later, he’s still posting to this “monotonous, stupid thread.” And I’m pretty sure none of us are out of “Smelly Republican” mode.

You really must work on your gratious exits, Frank. Again, you’re looking silly.

Mouse, not boring you is what I live for.

Some might even say (affectionately, of course) that you’re a bit of a drama queen.

Of nothing else, you are certainly not boring. And for this, I thank you.

This thread is nearing it’s end.

Are you one of those people who won’t say shit even if you have a mouthful.?

That’s your wiggle room for remaining above the fray?

Just another whitewashed grave, appearing pure and white from the outside, but on the inside is found every unclean thing.

And you’re a poopyhead!

You’re mama’s so fat…