From: mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Circular Flames
Date: 30 Sep 92 18:48:52 GMT
Article-I.D.: claris.15237

In article <1992Sep30.102041.19221@tfs.com>, ecsd@tfs.com (Eric C. S. Dynamic) writes:
> 
> mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner) writes:
> >
> >Wrong.  I criticize, insult, attack, put-down, and flat-out flame only those
> >people who have insulted, attacked, put-down, and flat-out flamed first.
> >What you are ignoring is that you are the one who initiated the flames and
> >attacks.  You are reaping what you sowed (to wax Biblical for a moment).  If
> >you are so thin-skinned and insecure that you can not take your own medicine
> >(to mix metaphors), you shouldn't have started it in the first place.  You
> >are merely getting what you deserve.  Oh yes, there is another difference; we
> >post under our own names, whereas you are too much of a coward to post under
> >your own name.
> > 
> >> This is no definitive study here, but I have known enough people over enough 
> >> time from enough places that a pattern is quite clear: MENSA is considered 
> >> insignificant and ridiculous. Why should this be so?
> >
> >Because those who consider Mensa insignificant and ridiculous are themselves
> >insignificant and ridiculous, and feel the need to vent their frustration
> >about this fact, rather than seek the help they so obviously need.
> >
> >You are a pathetic representative of the human race, Tai.
> 
> This is reminiscent of Arabs vs. Israelis. After a while it becomes stupid
> and pointless to try to go back to first causes.
> 
> I'm a well known pariah on soc.bi, for getting into heavy trashing, especially
> trying to point out hypocrisy. People with closed ears do not hear.
> 
> Point to you, and to Tai, is to try it in reverse:
> If you believe in the Golden Rule, then whose ego is large enough for them
> to be *nice* first, and see if the other responds in kind? If all you see
> is the last insult, and reply in kind, then consider that your opponent
> has you quite well figured out; you're just pumping each other.
> 
> >You are a pathetic representative of the human race, Tai.
> 
> You [steiner] should know what you're doing here.
> If Tai characterizes your past behavior correctly, the first thing to do
> is acknowledge it - "yes, I know that I evidence behavior X". So what?
> We are all fuck-ups. Much easier to say so and to get on with it.
> 
> So, I leave you to think about this . . .

Tai began his Mensa-bashing in this newsgroup almost from its inception.
When he first began, we responded with logic and decorum.  His response was
more bashing, and then flaming.  I, and a few others, began to flame him back.
all that did was invoke more flames from him, but eventually he left; then the
newsgroup settled down--until he returned.  When he returned this time, one of
his first messages took a slam against me, and the content of the messages had
not changed from his previous appearances here.  I see no reason to treat him
any differently than I had.  I'd not reply to him at all if no one else replied
to him, but since they do, that encourages him to keep posting; therefore, my
keeping silent would not do anything towards shunning him.

As I told Tai, I don't flame unless flamed first--and I consider flaming Mensa
Mensans in general the same as flaming me the same as I would consider an
anti-Semetic comment to be directed against me as well.  BTW, I consider Tai to
be no different than any other bigot.