Time to move on.

[Sir Big Jugs]

Yes. I agree with both MothBalls and Coda.
This forum is very European dominated, and I have seen, just like all of you, some very rude threads critisizing the USA posted by people who might never have been to the US. The American average person shouldn't be blamed for ANYTHING to do with what his/her government has done. It just isn't their fault! I may be 100% Finnish, but I've lived 1 (almost 1.5) years in the USA and will move there again next July for 2-3 years. That one year there was the best year of my entire life, and I am looking forward to living there again.


PROUD OF ALL AMERICANS, WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO THIS WORLD AND WHAT THEY WILL DO IN THE FUTURE.

[Gizzmoe]

Originally Posted by Sir Big Jugs

It just isn't their fault!

Right, and AFAIK there wasn´t a case here where anyone said that it is the fault of the American people as a whole. Like I said, criticism doesn´t equal hatred. Coda and Mothballs were totally overreacting.

[Sir Big Jugs]

I disagree but don't have time to debate on it ATM, cya in ~9 h when I get back home. If this thread isn't locked by then...

[Sea Demon]

Wow. What's happened since I've been away?

Just looking at it, I also tire of the stupidity of the anti-Americanism some take refuge in here. And also the "Bush is Hitler" stuff is rather tiresome also. Another theme that is beyond idiotic is the "America is on the verge of collapse" stuff. There is no intellectualism in any of these things. And I choose to participate in some of these conversations, and others I won't touch. Yet, none of them will stop me from coming here. Subsim is the BEST forum I've ever been apart of.

Despite the fact that there are a few immature trolls here who love to start flaming wars, you still have a choice whether or not you want to be a part of it.

[joea]

I agree the anti-Americanism gets overboard at times, but there are other groups who come in for hatred or shall I say criticism (very strong) as well.

Sorry to see you go Brad.

[SimNut]

Originally Posted by Gizzmoe

Umm... We do? :hmm:I don´t think so. Check the Iraq Conflict thread for example, where I´d removed all the anti-American nonsense. Not only because it was OT, but also because it was stupid.

BTW, the amount of hatred is small in this forum, but there´s a lot of criticism. Criticism!=Hatred

1 thread. The only one, the rest were left to run free.

Originally Posted by Gizzmoe

Right, and AFAIK there wasn´t a case here where anyone said that it is the fault of the American people as a whole. Like I said, criticism doesn´t equal hatred. Coda and Mothballs were totally overreacting.

Just one reply earlier you said criticism does equal hatred. ?? <look up>

I’m not trying to debate with you or slam you, just get you to take an honest objective look. Take a step back for 1 minute.

It isn’t happening to you, your people, your government, your country, so it isn’t really happening. It does seem to be bothering more than a few people and you just refuse to see it. If you were on the receiving end of it you would see it plain as day.

It’s human nature. When backed into a corner people lose the ability to take an objective view, they take a defensive position and will stand their ground until the end. That’s what is happening here. I hope someday you’ll be able to see anoher viewpoint.

Best of luck to you in the future. I won’t bother you or any of the other good people here any longer.

[Gizzmoe]

Originally Posted by SimNut

1 thread. The only one, the rest were left to run free.

Ok, what should I have done in your opinion? Censor those threads? Or lock them? Tell people via PM to please shut up? Sure, I could have done all that, but apparently I didn´t think those thread were really that bad.

Doing any of these would have been censorship. I have no problem with that, but what would you have thought? After all you wrote in another thread: "When one person decides who can talk about what, or how, or when, it ceases to be an open forum. I hate the thought of someone leaning over my shoulder with a padlock. This really, just sucks."

Originally Posted by Gizzmoe

Just one reply earlier you said criticism does equal hatred. ?? <look up>

No, I wrote Criticism!=Hatred. "!=" means "unequal".

It isn’t happening to you, your people, your government, your country, so it isn’t really happening. It does seem to be bothering more than a few people and you just refuse to see it. If you were on the receiving end of it you would see it plain as day.

The receiving end of what exactly? Criticism? War in the ME? Terrorism? Or all of that?

[Skybird]

People who can't make a difference between a people and the policy of the nation they live in, who feel personally offended when one is criticisng a leader or policy, who can't take an argument from others on that there may be a difference between how they wish their country to be and how it really is seen by others, and how a country was once meant by it's founders and constitutional values and how it has changed from that until today, and people who think that this kind of related criticism is automatically general anti-americanism or even hate on American people - still have some thing to learn in life. for example that there is a world beyond america, and that one needs to learn to differ between how one wishes things to be, and how they really are.

Often it its this kind of people who are not shy to silence anything from Germany automatically by saying that Germany better shut up because of it's Nazi past. Or that all French are cowards. And more generalizations.

Over the years I have learned to respect Brad - although we had many harsh words in the beginning, years ago. That's why I mean it honest when wishing him well for farewell. The others who followed him because of all the "injustice" being done to their nation - I already have left alone before. Some of what was said in this thread is just theatralic, and narcistic.

[Gizzmoe]

Yep, couldn´t agree more!

[sonar732]

I'm still trying to find the post that spawned his decision. One minute his debating AL over which administration didn't do enough against terrorism, and the next he's leaving the community.

[The Avon Lady]

Originally Posted by sonar732

I'm still trying to find the post that spawned his decision. One minute his debating AL over which administration didn't do enough against terrorism, and the next he's leaving the community.

The last thing I was discussing with Brad was roasting marshmallows and global warming concerns if and when they burn Ted Kennedy at the stake.

[fredbass]

Remember, the only consequence of posts in this forum are basically what kind of an effect they have on you. I guess Brad couldn't handle it. I've been sensored and had posts deleted, but I've learned that it isn't really that important. I find it rather entertaining, challenging and fun to spar with certain misguided individuals. If you can't deal with it then don't. So Brad made that decision. Ok, now go enjoy life while you can.

Good luck pal






From a patriotic U.S. citizen

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by sonar732

I'm still trying to find the post that spawned his decision. One minute his debating AL over which administration didn't do enough against terrorism, and the next he's leaving the community.

I think it was not one special thread or decision alone, but a general makeup of his mind over how things have turned. He has come up with several politcal and congress-related threads recently, usually he did not do that so much himself in times and years before, as far as I remember. I saw it, and saw last days events, and just thought: how long until he will be tired of it? My impression of him is that he does not play endlessly in this style. By guts feeling, I saw it coming, and if I am right with my assumption, I can understand him.

Just my subjective view of "virtual Brad". I could be wrong.

[bradclark1]

Bottom line is that if you don't like it and can't change it, then go elsewhere. We all have that choice.

Thats the decision I made. I feel that if a forum can be moderated on personal dislikes it's no longer fun to be a part of. I can't change it. Neal and Gizzmoe had their say so I have decided to leave.
I honestly can't say I have seen any anti-U.S. threads in a very long time. I have seen anti-Bush or administration threads but thats ok thats what a general topics is for, even if you aren't American. Not to mention I'm way up there in those threads.
I have met a lot of of good people and have enjoyed fencing with them. It was fun but it's not fun anymore.
Thank you for the kind words,

Brad

[Skybird]

Take care -it's a zoo out there!