An appreciation thread for The Magistrate

[jazzimov]

Perhaps this belongs in Meta, but I thought it would get more views here.

The Magistrate, despite his low level of posting (relatively), has greatly enhanced DU for at least 2 reasons that I would like to mention here.

1 - He is just so damned polite! If for no other reason, he has elevated the discussion here simply by his use of "Sir" and "Madam". I have noticed that in replying to The Magistrate people automatically use these honorifics. I have also noticed that others have begun to use the same honorifics. Without realizing it consciously, I believe that this has sub-consciously elevated the level of discussion helping to avoid the "name-calling" that is so common on so many sites to actually constructive conversation, in that we actually respect the opinions of others.

Using such honorifics does not preclude such respect, but I think it does have an underlying effect. If someone shows open respect for you as a person, then it is easier for them to have an open discussion with you.

2 - Impeccable logic. I would like to suggest a meme - "don't fuck with The Magistrate". I don't see him posting here until he has had time to thoroughly think things out. Once he has made a decision, his logic is almost unassailable. He also has a knack for explaining his logic for the layman. I get the impression that in many issues he is waiting for more information. But once he posts an opinion, you better believe that he has thought it out and his logic is impeccable. If you try to argue with him, he will (respectfully) tear apart any argument you can imagine with logic that cannot be argued with.

Personally, the only reason I would ever argue with The Magistrate would be to "pick his brain" and learn from him.

DU is lucky to have MANY excellent writers, and a plethora of opinions. I would personally like to see The Magistrate post his initial impressions more, just so that I can see how his thought processes evolve. I am sure that sometimes his opinions change over time.

Which is what we need - initial impressions are often driven by emotional responses. Many times people cling to their initial emotional response. But what we need is serious analysis, even if it means that we change our opinions and have to admit WE WERE WRONG.

[MrSlayer]

1. I'm a fan.

The Mag has great style and substance. Always worth the read even if I disagree.

[silverweb]

2. Hear, hear!

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]For some reason, I always sit up a little straighter when reading The Magistrate's opinions, too.

[calimary]

3. I love the "Sir" and "Madam." The dignity of it all always sort of elevates the discussion.

I like these posts when other DUers are singled out for great posts - or collections of posts. Much deserved. We've got an embarrassment of riches here!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

4. to Sir, with love!

Magistrate, Sir,
Your most recent OP was a great example of logic and knowledge. Worth reading again, which I will, because it's complex and not my field.

Thanks for being you--I've always loved your posts.

[grahamhgreen]

5. K&R

[love_katz]

6. Count me in as one of his fans.

I always read his posts, and love his replies.

Like jazzimov said, we need serious analysis.

Loves me The Magistrate.

[freshwest]

7. K&R

[awoke_in_2003]

8. I disagree sometimes...

but the discussion is always civil.

[malaise]

9. The Magistrate is one great DUer

Last edited Sun Feb 10, 2013, 09:16 AM - Edit history (1)

'To Sir with Love'!!!

[busterbrown]

10. I respectfully disagree. Usually when some uses these terms, it just sounds phony and sarcastic to

me. It sounds almost professorial so then when I am being corrected I automatically react in a very defensive
manner. To make it simple if one calls me sir, unless I’m in a store, hotel, restaurant etc. I’m not gonna respond very well.
Impeccable logic and analytical skills are great but by no means are they a reason to put anyone on a throne.
I find that i enjoy a well thought out argument, but many of them become maze like and don’t hold my interest.
I don’t consider myself to be on the same level as “The Magistrate” as you define him, however I will
definitely look forward to reading his posts or threads.

By the way, emotional responses are are in my mind welcomed on my threads because I appreciate all
sorts of styles in my world..... And I have no trouble admitting I’m wrong if someone shows me my errors.

Admitting one is wrong is no big deal,,,,In fact it helps control our egos which I think is helpful in making better conversation.

By the way is the Magistrate impeccable in his knowledge of Blues, Rock and Roll and sports? If yes I just can’t wait..

[dixiegrrrrl]

23. Down here in the South, saying sir and "ma'am" is wonderfully normal.

Brings a whole new tone to conversations.
thus I appreciate the Magistrate's tone very much, and often wonder if he is one of our southern gentlemen.

[lunatica]

55. The Magistrate grows on you once you realize he isn't being phony

His use of Sir and Madam put me off at first too. But I love it now.

[busterbrown]

60. Thank you...

If its sincere like you say, I’m cool.....
Puts an awful lot a pressure on the Magistrate, however. I know this tribute thread, would screw me up.
Almost puts one in a celebrity class.... But you know what? If he’s worth it. Thats great.....

[lunatica]

62. Appreciation threads are pretty common on DU

We're not allowed to call each other out in a nasty way, but this is allowed. During the hearts fundraisers you can see who the really popular people are.

[busterbrown]

64. Funny Story...When I first got my computer 2 years ago ( I’m technically challenged).

I was just getting use to finding these political sites( ranting and fighting on these sites especially when Rand Paul idiots were peaking. So I found D.U, realized it was a progressive site and in my first post went after Harry Reid, just because I was sick of old, “golly gee” nice guy democrats.

Boy did I get my ass handed to me. Within 2 minutes I received about 30 replies just pummeling me.
I didn’t understand the loyalty to Harry. so I started replying as fast I could using some foul language and I was immediately tagged and kicked off the site within 20 minutes.

I’m still not a big Fan of Harry Reid, however he did a nice job going after Romney, only to disappoint me last month with his Filibuster fiasco.

That was my quick introduction to D.U.

[lunatica]

65. It was most likely your low post count that got you in trouble

DUers must have thought you were a troll who registered just to dump on a Democrat. And when you responded with foul language that impression was enhanced.

Welcome back.

[busterbrown]

66. Funny, I now check post counts as well..

Sometimes I wish there were more trolls.....Ron Paul Trolls were the best...They would keep coming back for more and more abuse...

[jazzimov]

67. Well,, I guess that calls for a busterbrown appreciation thread!

Just kidding!

when I first read one of The Magistrate's replies, I thought he was being "condescending" and "sarcastic" at first. But as I continued reading, I realized that he was just being polite and respectful as his reply was that way.

However, he can slice you to pieces with logic that's almost impossible to refute. But he does it in a way that is respectful. He definitely elevates the conversation and can change the way you view a situation.

[busterbrown]

68. Where is the Magistrate? I wanna buy him a few rounds of drinks....Well only of course....

[The Magistrate]

70. That Happened To Me, Too, Sir

Not long after I signed up, back in '01, my log-in did not work once. I assumed I had made some sort of mistake, and the next time I came back it did work, so I figured I had not made whatever mistake I had before that time. Weeks later I found in my e-mail account a note from Mr. Skinner apologizing for a moderator having decided I was a troll and shutting off my account, and telling me it was re-instated.

I share your low regard for Mr. Reid, by the way. Though he played up trumps during the Presidential campaign, he has reverted to form since....

[BainsBane]

90. I can't imagine anyone thinking you are a troll

You're so polite.

[The Magistrate]

94. It Was Over Policy, Ma'am

Apparently the person in question disagreed with my views on Afghanistan. Moderator routines were a good deal more ad hoc then, I gather.

[Jackpine Radical]

101. As I recall, you served as a moderator (and a moderate one at that)

for many years, back in the days of the DU AdHocracy.

Cheers.

Sit back and enjoy your well-deserved tribute.

[The Magistrate]

105. Yes, Sir, My First Stint, As Mr. Jack Rabbit Recalled Below, Was Dealing With Israel v. Palestine...

Back in early '02, there was a 'Law west of the Pecos' air to the thing....

[cer7711]

11. Polite, Calm, Thoughtful & Courteously Respectful of Honest Differences of Opinion . . .

Last edited Sun Feb 10, 2013, 06:18 PM - Edit history (2)

. . . is indeed the better way of engaging in meaningful dialog and grounded dialectic as opposed to simply flinging your poo at the screen.

Three cheers for "The Magistrate!"

[redgreenandblue]

12. This is for that whitesplaining/sophistry thread about how we need martial law because of Muslims?

Don't get me wrong, I like the politeness. But I do not see a lot of impeccable logic.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

27. I didn't see any logic in his thread.

He certainly wasn't polite, and his argument devolved into a "If you disagree with me then you must be a fool" rhetoric. I don't call that "impeccable logic."

[jazzimov]

53. It's for ALL of his posts. He always puts a lot of thought

into his posts. He seems to have few OPS (at least that I have seen) but his replies are always well-thought out and well-researched.

Also, I have to respectfully disagree with your summary of that particular OP.

[whathehell]

13. Where is he?...I want to give him a heart!

I sometimes disagree with you, Magistrate, but I do like your style!

[lamp_shade]

14. Cheers for The Magistrate.

[FleetwoodMac]

15. I've never read any of his posts before, but I am always appreciative of knowledge tempered

with manners. Courtesy among strangers is a rare thing indeed, and should be applauded.

Will definitely be checking his posts out soon.

[lamp_shade]

16. Here >

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022321830

[Cal Carpenter]

43. Wow, that is awfully polite

for such a big pile of equivocating word salad!!

[kestrel91316]

45. Nothing The Magistrate says even remotely resembles word salad.

You clearly don't know the meaning of the term.

He writes in legalese (almost) - very verbose, long drawn out explanations. But if you read it, the meaning is always clear. He leaves little if any room for misinterpretation.

Word salad is lots of words just strung together that don't form understandable sentences or paragraphs or rational thoughts at all.

Your contempt for one of our favorite DUers is duly noted.

[Cal Carpenter]

51. I'd rather misuse the phrase 'word salad'

(although I beg to differ on that) than defend the indefensible a la The Magistrate in that linked thread.

Contempt for the man behind the words? No, I don't waste my emotional energy on things like that. I wonder what you do with those notes though.

[malaise]

81. +1,000

No thread is safe on DU these days.

[FleetwoodMac]

91. Thank you for the link. Interestingly...

it would seem that I, with noticeably less grace and panache, am of the same opinion as he on the subject.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022327597
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022323564

[monmouth3]

17. The Magistrate is the most interesting man on DU. Stay informed my friends...n/t

[xchrom]

18. du rec. nt

[great white snark]

19. K&R

[Kingofalldems]

20. The Magistrate rules.

[redwitch]

21. I too appreciate The Magistrate.

You Sir, are a gem.

[etherealtruth]

22. The Magistrates posts are a joy to read !

[bigtree]

24. to Sir,

. . . with love.

[Festivito]

25. He rarely Sirs the Ma'am or Ma'ams the Sir. How? One wonders.

I was a little put off at first -- no longer. I find him truly gifted.

[RKP5637]

26. K&R and +++ 1,000 +++ n/t

[socialist_n_TN]

28. Yep, I like him too.......

Agree or disagree, I always pay attention to his posts.

[grantcart]

29. Everytime I see his name this is what I think of

Schooling the conservatives one idiot at a time.

[slackmaster]

30. He's very polite and logical, except when he's not being polite or logical.

[2ndAmForComputers]

31. He pisses off the right people.

And I mean "right" in more than one sense of the word.

[annabanana]

32. He is wise to remain polite. His threads often attract

some of the nastiest parsing on DU. If he didn't remain doggedly cordial the flames would burn the house down.

I don't always agree with him, but I always appreciate the tone.

[union_maid]

33. Love the Magistrate!

I always look forward to his posts. I also have wondered if he writes professionally at all. Seems like he could if he wanted to.

[The Magistrate]

34. What A Pleasant Surprise To Encounter Over Coffee, My Friends

Your kind words are much appreciated.

And than you, Sir, for posting this up.

[socialist_n_TN]

37. This is an "alert" waiting to happen.......

Could somebody that does that kind of shit do it?

[ScreamingMeemie]

38. I just cast my vote.

[SidDithers]

39. Oh, you're back again....

And another pizza for you.

Sid

[Cirque du So-What]

40. And who might YOU be?

Not that matters. Is constructing a brief-ass existence just long enough to post your shite - a single time - really worth it?

[Robb]

88. Our feelings were thus even before the checks cleared, Sir.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

95. I didn't see what Congresswhatever wrote, but signs point to it having been negative, so,

even though it's gone now, I want to put in a good word in an attempt at counterbalance.

Long have I admired your high quality contributions to DU. (Even before I signed up yours was one of the few names I remembered.) You deserve all of the kind words in this thread, and I salute you, sir!

[Octafish]

35. The Magistrate is TOPS!

Agree or disagree, he treats all with respect. The gentleman has been that way since he welcomed me to DU1 way back when I was "Oblomov." Other than me, he's worked to keep the standards up ever since.

[greatauntoftriplets]

41. I'll toast The Magistrate!

[lillypaddle]

42. I appreciate the Magistrate!

He is a pleasure.

[RudynJack]

44. He makes me nervous...

the only time people call me "Sir" it's followed by "we'll have to ask you to leave."

[SunSeeker]

52. LOL nt

[kestrel91316]

46. I love him. Sometimes he's the only grownup in the room, lol.

[Jack Rabbit]

47. He and I worked together as mods on the contentious forign affairs forum about ten years ago

The dominant discussion was I/P, which has since spun out to its own forum.

Working together, we helped to bring a semblance of civility to a forum that was noted for frivolous accusations of antisemitism from one side or charges of sympathy of human rights violations from the other. The Magistrate was a pleasure to work with.

[The Magistrate]

61. We Did Indeed, Sir, And Collaboration With You Remains The High Point Of My Time Here

Always a great pleasure to see you about the place still, my friend!

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

111. The Law West of the Pecos

That's how he always referred to the two of you.

Enjoyed enforcing justice, too.

[William769]

48. Highly recommended.

[PeaceNikki]

49. Cheers to him.

:cheers:

[myrna minx]

50. Hear Hear.

[SunSeeker]

54. He makes excellent points, but I prefer a leaner, Hemingway-esque prose. nt

[Duer 157099]

56. The Magistrate is a "he"?

Oh. I thought she was a woman.

[jazzimov]

57. Actually, I don't know. Whenever I read one of his/her posts

I hear it in my mind as a deep masculine voice. But I imagine that is merely the influence of Hollywood and the "James Earl Jones" syndrome.

Regardless, The Magistrate's posts elevate the discussion here - whether he/she is male or female. But thanks for the info!

[Duer 157099]

58. Actually I don't know either.

And I'm a Mag fan too. I find after reading one of his/her posts, suddenly I'm thinking and speaking in a similar manner. OK, not speaking but thinking

[The Magistrate]

82. The Uncertainty Owes To My Laziness, Sir

I have never bothered with re-entering things into the profile on this site things that were entered on the former one.

I am an old man, with an adventurous youth behind me....

[Zorra]

59. I have often marveled at the clear, succinct, scathing logic and reasoning

of The Magistrate while he was taking righties to the woodshed.

[intheflow]

63. Hear, hear to Mags!!

One DU's finest!

[libodem]

69. Hail fellow

Well met!

[ewagner]

71. Yes...I appreciate TheMagistrate

I don't know how many times I've seen TheMagistrate pull a thread back on topic in order to debate the issue at hand.

Happy to read his posts any time.

[WillyT]

72. K & R !!!

[Rowdyboy]

73. A gentleman of the first order....His posts are always interesting and I usually agree with him 100%

[Happyhippychick]

74. He has always been very nice to me so I will join in the appreciation!

[AnotherMother4Peace]

75. Yes, a polite & honorable person - someone to emulate. I had the honor

of his/her wise input on one of my threads.

[LiberalLoner]

76. +1 Hear, hear

[stevenleser]

77. K&R x 1000

[patrice]

78. Everyone is partly right & wrong. The Magistrate calls on each of us to recognize how much of

which, right:wrong, for one's own self.

The Magistrate is good for DU.

[judesedit]

79. I'm personally sick of people being over polite.Look at the dems.They are afraid to call it like it

is, so they are called spineless. It's pussy-footing over the realities. You can tell they have no worries. Only the spoiled, comfy, and relaxed have time for that. The rest of us have too may problems to sit around playing with words. I say call it like it is in as least words as possible. Most people only have time for sound bites anyway. Did I offend anyone?

[DevonRex]

80. I was awake to be the first Rec last night

but not awake enough to post in tribute to one as eloquent as The Magistrate. I didn't want to embarrass myself, having already taken my Topamax and gotten completely bleary eyed and fuzzy minded. DU would be a less logical place without him. He teaches us so much. I am grateful for all the time he puts into it. There are many of us who are eager for many more lessons to come.

[tavalon]

83. You just explained the two reasons I have loved the Magistrate for, well, as long as I've been here

Just his use of "Sir" and "Madam" have a way of starting the conversation off right. And it is a conversation. He doesn't throw useless one liners as far as I've seen.

[FredStembottom]

84. Count me in!

I sure noticed that he was gone a couple times. Sorry to learn it was due to poor health.

Stay well, Mag.

[sellitman]

85. I'm not a fan of these type threads

But this one actually is one I agree with. I've always appreciated his style , intelligence and his bedside manner.

Cheers Sir!

[yardwork]

86. I'm a fan.

[proud patriot]

87. He has my respect and admiration

plus I love him and think he rocks

[w4rma]

89. The Magistrate is awesome. I, for one, am extremely happy that he posts here. (nt)

[Sugarcoated]

92. Thumbs up for The Magistrate

I always look for his posts!

[stevenleser]

93. K&R

Cheers sir!

[cliffordu]

96. Kicketty.

LOVE the Magistrate.

In a wholesome, non-stalking kind of way, of course.

But I believe she has me on ignore. Dammit.

[The Magistrate]

112. I Have No One On Ignore, Sir, And Never Have Had

I do not recall having seen you about the place much lately, and am glad to see you here now.

[cliffordu]

113. Why thank you, M'am -

I've been on the bicycle.

San Fran to LA recently - great ride and worth the effort.

I'll be riding further and checking in less - But I always look forward to your words here.


You are stellar. In logic and content and character.

It is an honor to read what you write.

I had a glass of wine tonight and might be profligate with praise, but not by much.

Not by half.

Thanks,

c

[juajen]

97. I must say that the Magistrate is my favorite DUer. Always has been.

Being around for a number of years, you get to feel as if you know some of the people who post; and, I feel that he is a just as polite when away from DU. I love his wit and knowledge. Happy Yourday, Magistrate. Long may you post!

[The Magistrate]

98. Again, My Friends, That You Very Much For The Kind Words

[nadinbrzezinski]

99. Fan, even if at times we politely disagree

[PaddyIrishman]

100. Fan here

I usually find myself in agreement with the Magistrate, he has a talent for putting his (my?) thoughts in an effortlessly elegant fashion.

His polite but ruthless put downs are a joy to behold and any time I read something of his, even if I don't agree wholeheartedly, I am always better informed for having read it.

[Fresh_Start]

102. I'm a fan. nt

nt

[Ian David]

103. All glory to the Magistrate! n/t

[Ian David]

104. I would love to see The Magistrate and William Rivers Pitt host a Webcast together. n/t

[cleanhippie]

106. Oh, now come on. He name-calls just like the rest of us. His is just couched in eloquent prose.

Name-calling is name-calling, no matter how pretty the words.



But he is a smart cookie. I'll give him that.

[AverageJoe90]

107. .....

He also has a knack for explaining his logic for the layman.

Damn, man, I wish I was as fortunate.....sad thing is, I've had to learn the hard way that having a valid opinion doesn't necessarily mean shit if you can't defend it.....

[Tom Rinaldo]

108. He may well be my all time favorite DU poster. Here! Here! n/t

[The Magistrate]

109. Much Appreciated, Sir: You Are Yourself A Splendid Ornament To This Forum

I always find your pieces informative and instructive.

[Uncle Joe]

110. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, jazzimov.