Marc, try counting to ten and give your post a quick re-read before you push the "Post Comment" button. If you had said something like "If you're unwilling to listen to the opinions of those that disagree with you, then you probably *should* keep your opinions to yourself", it would have had the exact same meaning as what you actually posted, but with a far smaller chance of getting yourself timed out (again).

it would have had the exact same meaning as what you actually posted

......and it would not have been so funny.

I am not meaning to play devils advocate here but Mumble, this is what we all missed about Marc when he was gone. If he would have responded as you describe above, I would be looking for him to be making a post later saying it was his brother, not him.

I do not want to see him get banned either, but man, his comments are priceless.

Speaking of brothers, I have 5 of them. I know what he speaks of. I no longer live with any of them, and the net didn't exist back then, but they found other ways of being dorks.

I do not want to see him get banned either

This was indeed the reason for my comment. I don't want to stifle his creativity, and I’m pretty sure that won’t happen regardless of what I say. I was just hoping that he’d take just a little bit of the edge off and not skate on such thin ice. For example, just leaving out "the hell" in the comment I made reference to would be all one could ask. Would that have made his comment *that* less funny?

Couldn't seem to edit my post.

I just wanted to add that I thought his first post was far funnier.

Tbh I believe him on the little brother thing. My little bro can be a right pain. Anytime something bad happens, it's him. Me? insult someone? no, him. I'm wonderful and kind and PUPPIES AND RAINBOWS LAALLAALLALAALALALALALL.

Sarcasm with just the barest threat of insult. Now that's funny, offends no one, and is more creative than simply throwing a few damns and hells around, isn't it?

ok ok you got me.

You are right.

Still Marc though.

If ever there was a thread you'd think Wheeloffire would post in this would be it!

Perhaps if we take out an add stating that CARRIERS WILL NEVER HAPPEN!!! We might avoid threads like this in the future.

And Zendo, as it seems like you are indeed telling the truth, we'll save the well polished left boot of Kryo for SuperBartMan......My Apologies

ok ok you got me.

Actually, you are right as well. If Marc didn't have the propensity to explode on occasion that first post wouldn't have been as funny.

Still Marc though.

No doubt about that. Couldn't change that even if I wanted to. Just wanted to instill the slightest pause before pulling the trigger to think, is this *really* what I want to say.

And Zendo, as it seems like you are indeed telling the truth

Actually, only time will tell, the jury's still out on that one.

I am not meaning to play devils advocate here but Mumble, this is what we all missed about Marc when he was gone.

Yes, yes, yes. We don't ever want to stifle the creative muse of others or else it would make the world a dull and boring place to say the least! And Mumblefratz, I see that we are really trying to live down the title of diplomat, aren't we now?  (quick poke in the ribs)  

Yes, yes, yes. We don't ever want to stifle the creative muse of others

This is indeed true. It just so happens that I have a perfect example of this from another thread.

So can't we all just get along, sit in a circle holding hands, and sing Cumbaya now? I would like you to stop this ShuShu, or I will strike thee down with all the wrath and vengeance the nine gates of Hell can muster... Seriously, this cutesy phrase has to stop, please

This is classic Evil Stormbringer. Except, wait, what's this last little word? "Please" from Evil Stormbringer? It's a small thing, hardly even noticeable, but "please" was not in the Evil Stormbringers vocabulary that I met three months ago. The Evil Stormbringer that I first met was constantly being crucified in pretty much every thread he commented on, and in general, deservedly so.

And to point out that this wasn't just a fluke, from another thread, where an obvious noob posted about carriers.

Please be gentle people for he knows not of what he speaketh!

So what's different now? Not really that much. Evil Stormbringer is still Evil Stormbringer, with just a little bit of the sharp edges removed. At the risk of causing you to puke on your keyboard (give my apologies to your boss), I would suggest that it's a kindler, gentler Evil Stormbringer. In my opinion anyway, a better Evil Stormbringer.

I see that we are really trying to live down the title of diplomat

Actually, it's more that I'm trying to live up to it.

Perhaps if we take out an add stating that CARRIERS WILL NEVER HAPPEN!!! We might avoid threads like this in the future.

Been there, done that. Where else do you think superbartman got this stuff from? He's been trolling with those three for a while, all AFTER the "dead horse topics" stuff got put up.

Trooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooll.

The whole triple-evil-topic-of-doom thing kinda reminds me of a quote I like.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH I HATE YOU GODDAMNIT JUST SHUT THE HELL UP DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE UNTIL YOU DIE TO DEATH FROM IT! SPORKS IN YOUR EYES! SPORKS! SPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORKS!

(Unknown author)

Actually, it's more that I'm trying to live up to it.

Hah, now Mumble's a "social experiment." When I taught, I often asked students whether they thought gaining a title like Justice of the US Supreme Court changed people or whether new office-holders are more likely to change the institution they join. Mumblefratz seems to be experiencing the former.

The whole triple-evil-topic-of-doom thing kinda reminds me of a quote I like. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH I HATE YOU GODDAMNIT JUST SHUT THE HELL UP DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE UNTIL YOU DIE TO DEATH FROM IT! SPORKS IN YOUR EYES! SPORKS! SPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORKS! (Unknown author)

Quixen, Still Marc though. Yes indeed.

Actually, it's more that I'm trying to live up to it.

Yeah, yeah, that was what I meant!  But thank you for the "correction" of sorts. Not to tread too far off topic but I am intrigued at these "casual observations" that some of you are making regarding my "attitude", ahem. Unfortunately, for some at least, I am a straight shooter who holds nothing back. Now I may be wrong sometimes, I may be right sometimes, but I will still call it as I see it. I have noticed that there are some people who just can't handle someone like myself, and that is fine. It won't sway my position. If I am wrong, I will eventually admit it. Remember, as we learned from LordPinko, you cannot judge a book by it's cover, ever. If any of you truly knew me, I believe you would understand where I come from alot better than the internet can convey. My final thought on it is this... whether good or evil, right or wrong, as long as you speak the TRUTH you are a redeemable person, whose character flaws can be accepted, so long as you know and speak the TRUTH. Peace people, and thanks for "reading" my "rant"!  

whether they thought gaining a title like Justice of the US Supreme Court changed people or whether new office-holders are more likely to change the institution

I think maybe I'll hold off on submitting my application for the supreme court just a bit longer.

But in response to your premise, and at the risk of turning this thread in a more political direction, I do believe the office changes the person at least as much as the person changes the office, at least if said person has even the least little bit of conscience (for extra credit please diagram this sentence). Actually I think we would be far better off today if Ben Franklin had got his wish and only people that didn’t want the job were allowed to be political candidates.

As a footnote to my rant I just wanted to add something trivial but enlightening. If I was to tell you to "STFU", and you know what that means, you really don't know if there is a smile on my face (which there usually is) or not. I realize that maybe some of you don't talk to eachother this way on a daily basis, but my co-workers and I do. And yes, we all get along in case you were wondering.  

If any of you truly knew me, I believe you would understand where I come from alot better than the internet can convey

Truly knowing someone even in the context of face to face interaction is difficult at best. In the context of occasional, anonymous posts on the internet, as you say, it's even more so. But over time some knowledge and understanding does begin to creep through. Perhaps, the bulk of any perceived attitude change is actually just a bit more understanding and knowledge on "our" part rather than actual change on yours. But "casual observation" or not, I do believe that to the slightest extent possible, you are a more pleasant presence in these forums than you used to be.

Now please don't go and get yourself a time out just to spite my observation.   

If I was to tell you to "STFU", and you know what that means, you really don't know if there is a smile on my face (which there usually is) or not.

Actually, I do know what you mean. At one of the best places I ever worked a group of guys would greet each other daily with "go f yourself". It was sort of like a mantra. It gradually became shortened to "have you been told today?". Great guys. I miss that job.

I do find "sporks" to be intrinsically funny.

Actually I think we would be far better off today if Ben Franklin had got his wish and only people that didn’t want the job were allowed to be political candidates.

Oh, don't get me started...The old DC Legion of Superheros had a lot of painfully silly stuff in it, not least of which was the character Matter Eater Lad. But I'll be darned if he didn't stick in my brain for decades b/c he had to leave the Legion to answer a draft notice *from his home planet's legislature*.

p.s. If anyone's even half-seriously interested in the notion of reluctant leadership by design, read up on the Council of 500 in classical Athens. WWW Link (not endorsing the publication, just a handy place to start)