There is a lot of good, normal, day-to-day stuff that goes on here; people helping each other out with practical things like the price of asparagus and information on the St. Pat's parade. But, except for the food thread, they are created to ask a question, the information flows in, and then they disappear. Unfortunately the topics that go on and on are the contentious debates over health care, etc. I don't think they're any more mean spirited than the debates that go on every day on FOX or MSNBC. But that's not an indictment of TTS. It's our society, for the time being. At least we're talking rather than throwing rocks.

Here's an article I came across that was written a few years ago. In it you'll find clues to why conversations about big issues deteriorate. Here's the website it refers to. These are remnants (getting older now) of the Whole Earth Catalog.

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Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth. -Oscar Wilde (anticipating, well over 100 years ago, anonymous Internet discussions)

Helpful is located in aisle two: "Where Can I Find... ". The Square hasn't lost its meaning: it largely consists of "vibrant conversation and a broad exchange of ideas." What does seem to get out of hand is the flaming tactics of the trolls. It would be great if TTS could block abusers I.P addresses, or provide an ignore or block button.

Generally ignoring a troll is the most effective since they crave attention, get off on the fact their threads last so long, find pleasure in attempting to hurt others,and/ or create havoc by using others' user names in hopes of getting the original user banned.

It has been said,"You can't have a picnic without ants."

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"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." -- Mahatma Gandhi

Instead of wanting it to end...wouldn't you just stop coming to it ? Meg has not been the moderator for a long time.

Interesting comments coming from someone who has been part of the problem, in my opinion. You devoted your twelfth post to a personal attack on me. Would you have said this "eye-to-eye" to me? I doubt it. I don't know whether you're one of the trolls. sometimes you sound like one and sometimes you don't. But I do know that your comment about me was as "mean spirited" as anything else I've read here and I also know that you're mocking prodigal with your use of ellipses....not typically part of your posting style.

Ending TTS seems to be Sybil's objective and now you're calling for the every same thing. What a coincidence. Nobody's forcing you to read posts in TTS or to post here. So why do you care whether or not it continues to exist?


"Topic: Ban Trolls like Fatlady, and you'll have a better square.
green day Posted: Friday, October 16, 2009 1:25:19 PM
i thought this was supposed to be an informative tool. I am new to town square all I see is name calling of other members.
Why are those members not banned from this forum? .

Also it seems to me it is taken over by "nancy" is this Nancy Square?
Lets get on with helping each other out not crud remarks and dominance by one member...you should only be allowed so many responses.

I can't believe I am even addressing this because this is what nancy wants...kinda like the "ballon family" ATTENTION OF THE WRONG KIND "

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The difference between humans and other mammals is that we know how to accessorize.

Madeleine Albright speaking on the uses of jewelry in diplomacy.

Responses are exactly what I expected from the same people....those who answered my question are appreciated the others I will ignore....copy and delete

The Troll thinks some substance in your hot air makes a green day

Green day is looking for love. He/she has started a lonely hearts thread for that purpose. No takers so far, unless Troll's interested.

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The difference between humans and other mammals is that we know how to accessorize.

Madeleine Albright speaking on the uses of jewelry in diplomacy.

The Troll awaits the frolicking peasant girls.

This is really interesting, I have to agree with Green Day. I came later to the party ( was here at the beginning but got away from it) Meg has biases too and that is why she sometimes doesn't respond or deal. Sorry Meg you love Hoyt pool and others do not. When this first started she told me to move because I criticized the project. I've lived here for 41 years and my family is here and our work so that is not an option.

So it is a top down problem. Mean spirited people do seem to post sometimes frequently. I'm not saying, I haven't been mean-spirited ( even tonight) but it is in reaction in general. Just because I'm conservative and somebody thinks I'm and old man, I get crap. That is not fair. People need to be self aware and contemplate how others will respond to their posts. You reap what you sow. ( I'm a gardener!)

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TT

You do reap what you sow, dude.

It's interesting that those of you who like to complain the loudest about the behavior of others in TTS are among the rudest and most confrontational. You can dish it out, but you can't take it.

If you want people to take you seriously, I would suggest that you spend less time complaining about the unfairness of it all and more time researching before you post. People are poking holes in your arguments because it's easy. Make it more difficult by using actual facts to back up your ideas and not editorials from the Washington Times.

Meg has not moderated the forum for years. It is essentially unmoderated although TosaNOW staff will respond to complaints. There was a recent effort to get rid of the Trolls but that failed, evidently. You can e-mail Mark Maley if you have a concern. He will address real problems, but he isn't going to instruct a forum member to stop disagreeing with you.

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The difference between humans and other mammals is that we know how to accessorize.

Madeleine Albright speaking on the uses of jewelry in diplomacy.