So, PZ is a stone-cold racist.

[Kristie]

I would invite all skeptics of Ratz to real my posts. All of them. Then decide.

No one has that much time. And besides, who could understand them anyway?!

[Bella Fortuna]

I would invite all skeptics of Ratz to real my posts. All of them. Then decide.

No one has that much time. And besides, who could understand them anyway?!

It's true. It's like trying to read a dead language...

[Thumpalumpacus]

Pappa's joke was stupid, no question about it. But you know what?

Nothing is sacred.

Nothing.

Everything is on the table, and is a viable target. The reason I hold that view is not because I want to offend anyone, but rather because I don't trust someone else with the power to determine what is and isn't acceptable personal expression, in the absence of physical danger (the "fire!" test).

I do not have the right to be free of any possible offense, and I understand this. There are presentations I see every day which stereotype my demographic (white male, for those unaware), but I understand that speech which needs protecting is often the least popular; and I also understand that my sensibilities aren't regnant. Castigating the entire forum as irrational (as PZ insinuated in his OP) is clearly wrong, an overbroad generalization. I'm cool with it. We're all wrong on occasion, myself included, and I'm not going to get butthurt about a judgement laid upon me from a guy I don't know from a can of paint. I think the lockstep mentality shown by the crowd over there is a sight to behold, though. There is a deep, and disturbing, irony to a "freethinker" posting this urge to conformity:

Why isn’t Pappa immediately socially untouchable, a pariah?

(#91, http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/ ... /#comments)

It'd be nice, PZ, if you actually took part in a substantive discussion, rather than dropping in to leave your little two-line insults and then bailing. But it's all good. I imagine you're off at some gala event, "representing" me.

Butcher:

That took balls, and commands my respect. I think making one's peace with the past is an incredibly difficult thing sometimes, and I admire someone with the courage to take that task on publicly.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I would invite all skeptics of Ratz to real my posts. All of them. Then decide.

No one has that much time. And besides, who could understand them anyway?!

It's true. It's like trying to read a dead language...

Gobbledegook is NOT a dead language. Just check the spell checker.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

This post left intentionally paisley.

[hadespussercats]

Pappa`s OP did not bother me; I thought it was tasteless, but harmless. PZ and his minions bickering and whining for apologies in a fucking supercilious manner set my teeth on edge , though. Those fucking whiners do not seem to realize that a comment can be ignored, but to fucking carry on and lambast everybody left and right is abuse which brings back bad memories to those of us who were abused, physically or sexually. I remembered being beaten with a belt and then told to apologize, but I was too young to know what I had done wrong. Sexual abuse after that. I tried drinking myself to death but realized maybe I was OK after all. I still have trouble associating with people, and I`m 62. Funny how hard it is sometimes to slip back from being a survivor to a victim. The trigger is always an argument, not a comment or a joke. An argument is done from a position of authority, that is where all the abuse starts. And the body always remembers and overrules the brain.
Whew. I never told anybody this before. I`m OK now. for a while.

They didn't break you. And now you're building. And then some.

[FBM]

Thanks, folks! This forum is good therapy for me. I feel that people care here, even though outsiders might not always see it that way. You cannot reduce this forum to one post and extrapolate from there. Reminds me of the three blind men describing an elephant.

Cool, Woody.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

WB,

[Bella Fortuna]

Thanks, folks! This forum is good therapy for me. I feel that people care here, even though outsiders might not always see it that way. You cannot reduce this forum to one post and extrapolate from there. Reminds me of the three blind men describing an elephant.

Cool, Woody.

Damn straight.

[lordpasternack]

Pappa`s OP did not bother me; I thought it was tasteless, but harmless. PZ and his minions bickering and whining for apologies in a fucking supercilious manner set my teeth on edge , though. Those fucking whiners do not seem to realize that a comment can be ignored, but to fucking carry on and lambast everybody left and right is abuse which brings back bad memories to those of us who were abused, physically or sexually. I remembered being beaten with a belt and then told to apologize, but I was too young to know what I had done wrong. Sexual abuse after that. I tried drinking myself to death but realized maybe I was OK after all. I still have trouble associating with people, and I`m 62. Funny how hard it is sometimes to slip back from being a survivor to a victim. The trigger is always an argument, not a comment or a joke. An argument is done from a position of authority, that is where all the abuse starts. And the body always remembers and overrules the brain.
Whew. I never told anybody this before. I`m OK now. for a while.

I'm new here, and just met ya', but that took guts. Thanks for sharing , and I'll add in some too for good measure.

It's kind of a hallmark of this place.

And you eventually get used to the cockroaches...

[Badger3k]

Dealing with Offended, I found this posted elsewhere:

[cogwheel]

And you eventually get used to the cockroaches...

[Badger3k]

And you eventually get used to the cockroaches...

You know, I've never eaten bugs (intentionally - in the Army and while landscaping, I did eat a lot of bugs unintentionally - never did Jungle Survival), and am not big on trying new things until recently, but that actually looks good.

[Bella Fortuna]

That stuff I just said about you fitting in? RETRACTED!

[Badger3k]

That stuff I just said about you fitting in? RETRACTED!

ETA "I'm the wind, baby...."