NYSW3022 wrote:uzplayer wrote:
Good... I'm getting a headache from reading all of your idiotic responses. All you are trying to do is win the argument at this point. Sorry... Not happening.
You really are are a moron. It's called a multi-pronged attack. The citizens support the service, NJT supports it, the politicians then need to support it.
I've seen people banned for less on these boards. Cruiser has been delivering counter arguments to your arguments, which is the point of a debate. What is going to happen when you take your cause public and the mayor of some town opposes your opinion? Are you going to call his responses idiotic and call him a moron? The moment a debate sinks itself into name calling, that person loses the high ground. You have lost the high ground. If this is to go forward I would ask the believers in this cause, do you really want someone like this representing you? This could be the difference between the project getting political support in a town like Stockholm vs. another hostile Sparta on your hands. Just a thought.
Regarding the banning, I've banned very few users (not including spammers) in the time I've been admin here; slightly less than a year. I think at most I've banned five, maybe ten, permanently. Most were due to "flagrant fouls" where the behavior was abusive or included moderator abuse (call me a Nazi, and you'll find out what I"m talking about); some were erratic non-sensical behavior. Members who frequent the NJT board know who I'm talking about.
I'd like to think I've loosened things up a bit here. The aim is not to sanitize the discussion, but to facilitate it. Sometimes we succeed. Sometimes we don't.
As for this thread, Nick has it exactly right; personal attacks are not tolerated. I reviewed the last two pages at his request. For now, I will not issue warnings. I've seen it on both ends of this argument, whether it's a condescending tone, or pejorative terms (moron, idiot, etc.), expressed frustrations at people with alleged poor reading comprehension, people talking past each other just ot make a point, as well as unfounded accusations of malingering on the job.
Look, we like a collegial atmosphere on here. But as I've said on other threads that have gotten a lot more heated than this. Go read the Conway Scenic thread in New England Railfan. Read the Downeaster Thread in Amtrak. The former was very contentious, but with moderation, we've gotten some good points out of it. It took a while to get there, though. The latter (Downeaster) thread has a lot of disagreements, but the discussion manages to remain polite and on point, without ever degenerating into "you're a doody head". I always point to the Downeaster thread as to how a discussion with opposing viewpoints should be conducted.
It's not always going to be rainbows and leprachauns, lollipops, milk and cookies. Sometimes, you're just not going to be able to play in the same sand box. Agree to disagree and move on. Leave the hyperbole' and ad hominem stuff at home.
No need for anyone to explain themselves or anything; we're all passionate about what we do or how we feel. I"m going to leave this locked for a while. If there are any developments, PM a moderator or me, and we'll unlock. But for now, everyone, just take a deep breathe and relax.
And, of course, compliments to Nick and Kaback for moderating this forum. I haven't had to come on here in quite some time, except to ask for photoshopped P42s as the Space Shuttle.