Peanut Gallery Commentary on the Staff Log of Bannings and such like.

[Kingpin]

I'm kind of annoyed that Randy was banned. Jenny says she banned him for plagriarism and that this was a majority decision... Ok. For one, it seems like a pretty silly offense, and even if you want to justify such a ban per the rules of the forum (which I would criticize in Randy's case, as he always engaged specific critiques), why disallow PMs?

This, i.e. the elimination of all "our" more engaging opponents, is what makes me completely disinterested in these forums at this point... it's like this place is only useful if I get the urge to come smell my own shit.

I recommend that you start arguing with lkingpinl.  He is full of silly beliefs, which makes him a bit like Randy, but he is very much unlike Randy in tone and demeanor.  lkingpinl is generally very pleasant. (One can easily imagine him as an excellent next-door neighbor.)  Unless you liked rude and obnoxious, lkingpinl should be a better option anyway.  I will be very much surprised if he is ever banned.

I am also rather surprised that you regard plagiarism as a "silly offense."  Aside from being illegal in most jurisdictions (including the jurisdiction of this forum, if my memory is correct of which jurisdiction applies to this forum), you might want to think about how your professors would react to you turning in a plagiarized term paper.  

It is not difficult to put a quote in a quote box, or put quotation marks around something, and give credit to the rightful author.  So it is silly that he refused to do that, when he was repeatedly warned that it was something for which one could be banned.  I believe just quotation marks and link (or name of author) would satisfy the requirements of this site.  It is not like there is a troublesome exacting academic notation that is expected of anyone.

Nestor and I have had some discussions before.  I have to say I enjoy discussion with both Nestor and Pyrrho.  Their weapon is their mind and they use it well.  

I couldn't act like Randy if I tried.  I don't believe in preaching to people or telling people they are wrong.  Disagree with conclusions, sure.  But hey we're all still people.  

Cya around neighbors!