NCE/Politics Staff. Do we dare let you ask questions?

[the Colonel]

Try to be nice. That's all I ask. :sorry:

[carmi]

I don't know whether it's a nice question ... might be too inquisitive.
Feel free to ignore it.

I was just wondering about your username. Is there a story behind it / reason.

[HeatherJay]

Don't you guys ever get depressed at all the bad news that gets posted in there? I have a theory that too much bad news is unhealthy, lol, seriously. How are you feeling, btw? ;)

[the Colonel]

I don't know whether it's a nice question ... might be too inquisitive.
Feel free to ignore it.

I was just wondering about your username. Is there a story behind it / reason.

YES! :)

When I first ventured onto the internet (~97), my focus was on forums that discussed the war/strategy games I liked. I would use famous generals' names, like Guderian, Manstein, etc.

Well, I always liked the rank of Colonel. When I got involved in Civ:Call to Power and joined Apolyton, I tried to use a famous Colonel's name but they were all taken. So, I thought for a moment. There was a very interesting name of a unit in that game: Kraken [at the time I had no idea what a kraken was]. I thought it sounded cool, so I signed on as "Colonel Kraken".

Well, I then came to be known as "CK" which you will actually see in the last line of my sig!

When I joined CF, I really didn't want to use "Colonel Kraken", but I thought it would be cool to still have the "rank" of Colonel. Hey, why not just "the Colonel"?

And there you have it! :D

[the Colonel]

Don't you guys ever get depressed at all the bad news that gets posted in there? I have a theory that too much bad news is unhealthy, lol, seriously. How are you feeling, btw? ;)

I slice and dice those forums. I don't read 'em . . . much. :D


I used to! That's all I did when I first joined CF.

[murron]

Don't you guys ever get depressed at all the bad news that gets posted in there? I have a theory that too much bad news is unhealthy, lol, seriously. How are you feeling, btw? ;)
I'm a "news junkie". First thing every morning I sit down with my coffee and start hitting my news sites. I have 10 usual sites I read each day; local, national and international. So, I'm already pretty well informed of the bad news before I even get to NCE, lol.

[loribee59]

Ok...question about posting in NCE.... could you explain your position as to why sarcasm isn't allowed in NCE. I understand it can't be used against a PERSON, but of the statement made in the post?

*runs*

[the Colonel]

Whatcha running for, Lori? :P

Can we plead the 5th? :sorry:

[loribee59]

Whatcha running for, Lori? :P

Can we plead the 5th? :sorry:

I'm running cuz well, I'm running..LOL j/k I just wasn't sure how my question would be accepted, but I'm just curious as to why sarcasm wasn't allowed.

and NO, you can't plead the 5th...;) I just want to understand the staff's position for that particular rule.

[the Colonel]

Ok, here goes. I'll try.

Sarcastic quips lead to more sarcasm. More sarcasm leads to insults. Insults lead to belittling. These lead to outright flaming.

1.1 You will not post any messages that harass, insult, belittle, threaten or flame another member or guest.


This is from the main forum rules. Notice the words harass, insult and belittle. Such things are not tolerated.

Obviously, some sarcasm is an effective tool to make a point. Typically, however, the vast majority of sarcasm used in NCE and Politics did anything but add to the "peace and harmony" of the forum.

2.1 You will not post anything that disrupts the peace and harmony of this forum.


How was that?

:)

[loribee59]

so in a sense, it meant a lot of work for NCE mods to clean up and try to keep the OP 'clean'.... I don't envy your job.

I use sarcasm to make a point....and it was never directed to the person, OTOH, someone could take up my sarcasm...and create a snowball effect...when it was never my intent to begin with.

yeah, I can see that now.

BTW, I thought you're 'the Colonel' due to being a fan of Stargate. Good thing I didn't know til now.

Thanks for your input! :thumbsup:

[loribee59]

Don't you guys ever get depressed at all the bad news that gets posted in there? I have a theory that too much bad news is unhealthy, lol, seriously. How are you feeling, btw? ;)

sin nature in mankind = bad news/sad news = depression....in a nutshell.

[carmi]

YES! :)

When I first ventured onto the internet (~97), my focus was on forums that discussed the war/strategy games I liked. I would use famous generals' names, like Guderian, Manstein, etc.

Good to see some Prussians mentioned :)


When I joined CF, I really didn't want to use "Colonel Kraken", but I thought it would be cool to still have the "rank" of Colonel. Hey, why not just "the Colonel"?

And there you have it! :D

Yes, because that's why your username struck me. No name, just the rank.
If I weren't so lazy, I would be in serious danger to get up and stand attention ;)

[Victorian Rose]

Ok, here goes. I'll try.

Sarcastic quips lead to more sarcasm. More sarcasm leads to insults. Insults lead to belittling. These lead to outright flaming.


This is from the main forum rules. Notice the words harass, insult and belittle. Such things are not tolerated.

Obviously, some sarcasm is an effective tool to make a point. Typically, however, the vast majority of sarcasm used in NCE and Politics did anything but add to the "peace and harmony" of the forum.


How was that?

:)

Excellent! Couldn't have explained it any better.

[PACKY]

http://www.closecombat.org/forums/images/smilies/aaa.gif
*infallible runs in checks out thread and runs out before flashing PM naughty light comes on** LOL

[Redneck]

/me says something.

I have no idea what I just said.

Anyhoo, Hello.

/me drops out of sight faster than Slim Pickens in his avatar

[Victorian Rose]

http://www.closecombat.org/forums/images/smilies/aaa.gif
*infallible runs in checks out thread and runs out before flashing PM naughty light comes on** LOL


ROFL!!!!! :D

[the Colonel]

http://www.closecombat.org/forums/images/smilies/aaa.gif
*infallible runs in checks out thread and runs out before flashing PM naughty light comes on** LOL

LOL. "I'm not afraid." "Oh, you will be. You will be!" :D

[PACKY]

LOL. "I'm not afraid." "Oh, you will be. You will be!" :D

colonel If i see you in a thread I split..!!!

[the Colonel]

colonel If i see you in a thread I split..!!!

ROFL!! ^_^ Exactly, why would that be? :sorry:

[PACKY]

ROFL!! ^_^ Exactly, why would that be? :sorry:

Because I have been very naughty boy.....

http://www.siouxland.net/dynaimg/content/arts_theatre/ralphie_soap.jpg

[the Colonel]

Admitting we have a problem is half the battle! ;)

[I'ddie4him]

colonel If i see you in a thread I split..!!!


HAHAHA, His bark is worse than his bite mike.

Just gotta be afraid if he is as clever and inventive as MacGyver was.:D :D :D

[the Colonel]

HAHAHA, His bark is worse than his bite mike.

SHHH!! :P But, I don't know. Infallible sure has been bit a few times. He has the tooth marks to prove it! ^_^

Just gotta be afraid if he is as clever and inventive as MacGyver was. :D
I only wish! Actually, I wish I were so clever and witty as the character portrayed in my avatar: Colonel O' Neil. (still Richard Dean Anderson, of course) :)

[Redeemed_Warrior]

Hi Colonel

So what is your favorite snack food :D

[I'ddie4him]

SHHH!! :P But, I don't know. Infallible sure has been bit a few times. He has the tooth marks to prove it! ^_^

I only wish! Actually, I wish I were so clever as the character portrayed here: Colonel O' Neil. :)


I got a few bite marks too, Not from you tho ..............From my crabby cat.;)

I wish I were that inventive too. :thumbsup:

[the Colonel]

Hi Colonel

So what is your favorite snack food :D

Snack food. Hmmm. All I eat is snack food! Wait. That can't be right. I'm not sure I have a favorite. If I had to pick one, it'd have to be Cheese Nips. Yeah. Cheese Nips are pretty yummy. :wave:

[ZACTAK]

How did you find CF originally?

[the Colonel]

"DOES NOT COMPUTE . . . DOES NOT COMPUTE . . . ."

"John"
"Yes, HAL"
"I think we've crossed a new horizon."
"I think so too, HAL."

^_^

[the Colonel]

How did you find CF originally?

Hey, you changed your post!

Anyway, I was tired of the crud at the forum I frequented, so I googled for "christian forums". BLAMO!

[ZACTAK]

Hey, you changed your post!

Anyway, I was tired of the crud at the forum I frequented, so I googled for "christian forums". BLAMO!

Yep, I changed my post, I figured you shouldn't help me with my algebra homework... just kidding.

[Redneck]

Hey Colonel, does it say Colonel on your uniform? :P

[the Colonel]

Hey Colonel, does it say Colonel on your uniform? :P

Hee hee. That's from Stargate. I remember that . . . I think. :scratch:

[Redneck]

Hee hee. That's from Stargate. I remember that . . . I think. :scratch:

No. That's from Wormhole Extreme! :P

Hehehe!

[the Colonel]

No. That's from Wormhole Extreme! :P

Hehehe!

Smart-alic. :banned:

[Redneck]

Smart-alic. :banned:

Actually that's smart=alec.

It is a real show right? :P

[elanor]

Hi Victorian Rose. :wave:

Okay, Colonel, I'll bite. ;)

I'll start with the 'easy' question. Why can't we discuss the political issues surrounding gay rights in the NCE and Politics forums? It's a political forum, and this is a political issue. (I live in California, and just this week we've had the legislature and assembly vote in favor of same-sex marriage, with the governor threatening veto.) I know some people would try to pull a thread about that off topic and drive it into the 'homosexuality--right or wrong' quagmire. But if that were nipped in the bud whenever it started, maybe we could have a real discussion about the legal and social effects of such a law, how support or opposition could affect a lawmaker's political future, what sort of actions grassroots groups on both sides of the issue are taking to forward their cause, etc.

I know the answer to my questions is that discussion of homosexuality is restricted to specific forums. But I think moving every discussion of the subject to the designated forums almost ensures that they will degrade into the same old arguments and end up closed. I'd be interested in seeing some discussions about this obviously important topic that aren't funneled down that same wellworn rut in the road.

[murron]

Hi Victorian Rose. :wave:

Okay, Colonel, I'll bite. ;)

I'll start with the 'easy' question. Why can't we discuss the political issues surrounding gay rights in the NCE and Politics forums? It's a political forum, and this is a political issue. (I live in California, and just this week we've had the legislature and assembly vote in favor of same-sex marriage, with the governor threatening veto.) I know some people would try to pull a thread about that off topic and drive it into the 'homosexuality--right or wrong' quagmire. But if that were nipped in the bud whenever it started, maybe we could have a real discussion about the legal and social effects of such a law, how support or opposition could affect a lawmaker's political future, what sort of actions grassroots groups on both sides of the issue are taking to forward their cause, etc.

I know the answer to my questions is that discussion of homosexuality is restricted to specific forums. But I think moving every discussion of the subject to the designated forums almost ensures that they will degrade into the same old arguments and end up closed. I'd be interested in seeing some discussions about this obviously important topic that aren't funneled down that same wellworn rut in the road.
I'm not The Colonel, but as another NCE/Poli mod I think I can answer this one for ya, but keep in mind this rule was put in place long before I came on staff, so my knowledge of this is from hearing the 'old timers' talk about how bad it was back then (how long till The Colonel catches that?).

It wasn't always the case, that this topic was restricted to a specific set of forums. Unfortunately it became obvious that this topic was one that could not be discussed with civility and when it was an option in multiple forums, it created a disaster. The sad truth is there are simply some issues, no matter how "popular", which the vast majority of people cannot discuss politely.

FWIW, this particular rule got me in trouble before I was a mod. In my own denomination (Anglican), this issue has caused a great deal of turmoil and I got caught up in a discussion about it in one of the forums where it is not allowed.

[the Colonel]

Actually that's smart=alec.

It is a real show right? :P
Wormhole Extreme was a spoof on Stargate that the Stargate show used to make fun of itself. But, I'm sure you already knew that. ;)

[the Colonel]

To further answer your question, Elenor, topics that have anything to do with homosexuality always devolve into the moral issue. ALWAYS (I wish it were not so; and, to tell you the truth, I would love to allow you to discuss legislation and such topics concerning that issue. Unforutunately, it would seem most members are not able to keep the moral and political discussion separate [can they really be separated?]). Thus, members may not even discuss "simple" news or political issues concerning that topic. This has been my experience from the beginning (I have modded NCE and Politics since I first came on staff).

Thank you for your question.

[Redneck]

Wormhole Extreme was a spoof on Stargate that the Stargate show used to make fun of itself. But, I'm sure you already knew that. ;)

I've seen that episode multiple times. It's pretty funny.