Here is the thread by pollythinks about "steven benson".

http://exmormon.org/phorum/read.php?2,1965886

I've done my usual and arrived late to the party so polly's thread is closed and I had a couple of teensy points to add.

First, point of order: I thought it was "stephen", not "steven". (I know, I'm OCD, sorry. I could also be wrong. It happens every once in a long while).

Second, one of the replies wasn't very friendly (well, okay, more than one but this remark especially caught my eye):

"...this website isn't about you so quieten down a touch and let other people enjoy the forum without having to climb over your vapid ramblings."

There's a very easy way to avoid anybody's 'vapidity'. Just. Ignore. Them. Don't. Read. Their. Posts. Don't. Reply. To Them. Or About Them.

It's not up to us to tell somebody else what to do. Most of us had a bellyful of that in Mormonism and other fundy religions (certainly in my case).

The irony is I guess I'm somewhat telling that poster how to proceed. But I just wanted to say that we can be masters of our own destiny. Be free to do things our way. And learn how NOT to tell others what they should do and how they should do it.

As for people ranting, raving, remonstrating and reacting on this site?

I figure they've earned it. Especially those who came through and out of Mormonism the hard way. Born in. Stuck in. Out but family ties still bind.

Live and let live. Try it. You may grow to like it.

That's what I've found anyway.

To paraphrase Orwell, Nightingale, on this forum, "All opinions are equal. Some are more equal than others."

Hi caffiend. I'm not sure if that's a dig at Admin or at Benson or ???

Or maybe I just missed your point altogether. (It likely isn't the first time!)

Meanwhile, how was your Easter?

I look forward to it every year for the very secular (or at least non-religious) reason that it's a four-day stat holiday up here in lovely Canada. Yet, every year I end up working, as occurred again this time. Boo hoo. I am feeling very sorry for myself.

So now I'm hitting the Easter chocolate. Violently chewing it all up, iow. :)

I think the thread showed that a number of posters,polite or not, are tired of posters who use half truths, snide comments, mockery and rudeness on a regular basis and generally get away with. Yes, some of the comments were rude, but then so are Benson's.

Yeah, I wasn't commenting on, or judging, the rudeness factor, on that thread or others. (Who would have the time to measure it all, haha).

Just saying it's not up to us to tell others to quit posting, or whatever.

Like some haughty bishop shaking his finger at me and saying "Sister Nightingale, you just don't get it".

Well, you're right. I so don't. (Mormonism that is. It confused me from the get-go. That shoulda been a clue. A big fat one. Stupid me for rushing headlong into the mystifying, misleading, mundane, mortifying, moribund font).

Agreed. The mods are the only one who.have that right.

It's the mod gods who decide what to do about it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2017 01:36AM by steve benson.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2017 10:55AM by steve benson.

^^^^^

Indeed.

Maybe the Good Goddess is anti-male? Even male animals were not allowed at her ceremonies.

But snakes were. Hmm...not understanding the 'venom' comment(s) then.

I like most men just fine, thank you. Same with women.Depends entirely on the person.

Well to let you guys know that those who believe in steve don't ever call him Steven ok?

Just sayin.

I bet when he was in trouble his mom called him Steven.

Just sayin ....

Of all people, I bet his mom called him Stephen (if not Steve). :)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/17/2017 11:29PM by Nightingale.

(Notice they both spelled "Stephen" correctly).

My younger bro calls me "Steve-O;"

My youngest sister calls me "Stevie."

I call people out, and that's when folks really start calling me names. :)



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2017 01:17AM by steve benson.

And all is fair in love and war ... considering the alpha personalities scattered throughout the forum, there's inevitably give and take - with some more give than take.

Key: is "to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
Know when to run
You never count your money
When you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the dealin's done."

~ The Gambler ;)

I haven't been following this spat so I'm not throwing my rock in the hat. But I did think of an interesting take on your lyrics.

Key: is to know when to scold 'em
Know when to troll 'em
Know when to talk away
Know when to poke fun
You never count your offenses
When you're sittin' at the computer
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the posts are gone.

~ The Internet Gobbler ;)

. . . I have managed to win the pot three times in my life--all my accident.

As to folding, I tell ya, some folks, when hit with deserved criticism over their nutty ideas, fold like a soft taco on a hot Phoenix afternoon.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2017 01:16AM by steve benson.

Point of order re you, ok Nightie?

Have I told you lately that I love you?

. . . as "Sordid Steven" afflicts the comfortable.

Nice to have emergency backup when needed. :)



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2017 01:20AM by steve benson.

We are fortunate to have Steve among us regularly tolerating digs and half digs. Steve is a stomping essayist on Mormon stuff.

Raving? Dealer in half truths? Dishonest pseudo scholarship? You're having a Turkish.

If any of you disagree with any aspect of Steven's 'scholarship' in any of his essays, then deal with that in fact or evidence at the time, and if factually or evidentially and sincerely based, you fairly contribute to the theme and our collective research can progress incrementally.

In dark-side solidarity and best regards to all esias

I stand by what I said and gave some examples in the previous thread. You have a right to your opinion as do I.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/19/2017 12:46AM by bona dea.

... I've always considered Steve a 'satirist' in both his offerings here and his cartoons

Satire, by the way, isn't so much 'raving' as it is defense of reason.

Hi, Nighty!

Timothy

I see it all the time in my profession.

My grandfather was "mechanical superintendent" at the old Chicago Daily News back in the 1940s. He kept copies of good satire and bad satire, cartoons and I don't know what.

I wish I had his scrapbook!

It's always good to see that you're still around. Perhaps enjoying the Friday night drinking threads. And everything else life has to offer, way post-mo as many of us are now.

"Matthew 7:15-20New King James Version (NKJV)

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

Are you a giver, taker, or a matcher? I can readily recognize the members here by their "fruits" and what they contribute. It's easy to complain about forum members, but what have you done today to match their contributions here?

Watch this:

https://www.ted.com/talks/adam_grant_are_you_a_giver_or_a_taker/up-next

Speaking of bear, bears and beareth (bear-eth?); Steve, your drawings of bears are absolutely beautiful!!

Maybe I can find a link to one.