So we need a new host.

[Goblinmonger]

This discussion thread was locked by EvolveOrConvolve (a host of the Atheists & Agnostics group).

Those of you unaware why can check out this thread to find out the details.

It is with heavy heart that I have to post this for I feel that laconicsax will be sorely missed. If this seems too soon for me to be posting this, know that I just was in email contact with laconicsax and he made it clear that we need to do this sooner than later.

Also, I would like it for this thread not to become too much of a meta discussion of what happened, though I realize that is going to be nearly impossible. At least let's not make this a thread that calls out a bunch of people. Please.

So, let us know if you are interested in being considered for the new host position and then we will start a new thread for the voting process.

[Warren Stupidity]

1. So I think we should discuss it. What laconicsax did was wrong, she will be missed.

I dont want to host here.

[Starboard Tack]

5. I agree. What laconicsax did was wrong, to put it mildly.

Whether she will be missed or not, depends on who was a victim of her attacks and divisiveness and who fell for her disingenuous bullshit. I admit to falling for some of it, by giving her the benefit of the doubt, even after she had stalked me and my wife, PM'd me using my first name, which has never been used on DU. She brushed it all off as being insignificant and felt that by offering me her first name, that would make up for her sneakiness and veiled threats.
I also find it interesting that goblinmonger, her supposed friend, always refers to laconicsax as he, yet she gave me a decidedly female name when trying to reassure me of her good intentions. Maybe she was the first girl to have a Bar Mitzvah, or maybe she forgot to tell her "friend" about her gender reassignment.
Someone has been asleep at the wheel.

[Goblinmonger]

7. laconicsax was a male.

He told you and cbayer that a few times and when you continued to use a female pronoun, he went along with it. It was kind of funny; not in a malicious way.

[Starboard Tack]

10. Which might have been funny in a different context.

I'm glad you found humor in it. To me it was just another lie. And what's worse is, you knew it was a lie. This asshole stalked me through posts my wife made on DU2, none of which mentioned my name. He had to really hunt to find a family photo and figure out which one was me to get my name. That, my friend, is some sick shit. So, as you well know, when I confronted him, he blew it off, telling me his name was Diane and in his mind, that made us even. Double bullshit.
What I want to know is, why are you still standing up for this piece of garbage?

[Goblinmonger]

11. How is it a lie?

He told you you he was a male several times. You continued to think differently. Seems like your problem, not his.

I have not defended him for the rug incident. Outside that, he is a good guy.

[Starboard Tack]

13. Wrong, he never told me he was male. Several others refer to him as a her.

Not important. If he is a male, then the lie was in saying to me "If it makes you feel any better, my name is Diane."
That doesn't sound like a good guy. Sounds more like a condescending sack of shit. I hope he is a good guy, but if so, he sure as hell cashed in a lot of gold stamps. I hope he's giving some serious consideration to the principle of karma.
How do you know he's a guy? Are you friends IRL? If not I think you got played, big time. And maybe you're still getting played.

[Starboard Tack]

18. I really think you've been gamed. Sorry.

Check this thread
http://www.democraticunderground.com/124035518#post21

[Goblinmonger]

21. I'm really done with this discussion.

I know you didn't like laconicsax and go ahead and be happy he was PPRd, but you really think I'm in the mood for this right now?

[Starboard Tack]

29. I am not happy laconicsax was PPR'd.

Nothing about this makes me happy, nor should it.
I didn't start this discussion and your mood is none of my concern. If you're done, don't respond.

[kdmorris]

22. Check out this one

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1139&pid=1507

laconicsax was born male, but gender-wise is female. That is all he was ever saying.

[Starboard Tack]

32. How do you interpret that from the post you linked to?

"In the interest of transparency, I feel that I should point out that I'm a "he" and not a "she."

I don't mind if anyone wants to keep calling me "she," but it's only fair to let the truth be known."

I don't see anything about transgender and the opposite of transparency. What am I missing here?
Not that I give a damn what gender anyone is, it is only relevant as to how one presents oneself to others. I have transgender friends and they always present as how they see themselves. Looks like he/she is as confused as everyone else, but I see it as being coy, or sly, because when I asked her how she knew my name, her response was "a little birdie told me". And "if it makes you feel any better, my name is Diane". Now, which one am I expected to believe? Jekyll or Hyde?

[eqfan592]

33. .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1240&pid=49719

[kdmorris]

36. Transparency in that laconicsax was a co-host of the FEMINIST group

And wanted to make sure that no one would have a problem with it.

[tkmorris]

26. Who cares?

Does it really matter in some fashion I have yet to understand? I've seen you complain about people calling you a homophobe before and I gotta tell ya you aren't doing yourself any favors with this particular obsession.

If you want to start a thread telling everyone in the world how much you hate laconicsax might I suggest you head on over to Thunderdome (Meta) and have at it? This thread is about finding a replacement and unless you want to apply for the position I'd suggest you've had more than your say already.

[kdmorris]

27. Another one

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1240&pid=49719

[eqfan592]

35. wow...

[kdmorris]

37. Oh... you want basic honesty?

See here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1230&pid=8756

As my husband said... you are completely derailing this thread... It's about finding a new host...if you don't wish to participate in that discussion, please go grave-dancing in meta.

[Warren Stupidity]

42. Huh. Why did I think he wasn't?

[Warpy]

2. Oh, crap. Is s/he being given a time out in the corner

Last edited Wed Jun 27, 2012, 05:44 PM - Edit history (1)

or is s/he gone for good? If it's the latter, s/he will be missed.

[WhollyHeretic]

3. I'll throw my hat into the ring

[eqfan592]

4. Damn. I was really hoping it wouldn't come to that.

Last edited Wed Jun 27, 2012, 05:16 PM - Edit history (1)

What laconicsax did was wrong, but still, she'll be sorely missed. I do hope she's let back in eventually.

I'd toss my hat in, but not sure if you have to be a star member or not.

EDIT: Given that I see at least one other host here who is not a star member, I have to assume it is not a requirement. With that, I throw my hat into the ring.

[Starboard Tack]

8. Do you mean "sorely missed" like missing hemorrhoids after laser surgery?

What will you miss about her/him exactly? His/her finely tuned concept of karma? Or will you miss the warm fuzziness of being cyber stalked, manipulated, set up and knifed in the back by your friendly smiling inquisitor host?
I wonder how she enjoys reading about herself on a message board where she cannot respond? I wonder if she contemplated that when setting up rug to be PPR'd, or when she was trying to set me up as a supposed homophobe, or when she announced the blocking of cbayer (my wife btw) from this group, creating a massive flamefest in meta.

[Goblinmonger]

9. The blocking of cbayer

was a unanimous decision. One I still stand by.

[Starboard Tack]

12. I never had a problem with the blocking and said so at the time.

I had a problem with how it was handled, as did many others. She knew my relationship with cbayer and tried to use it against me. I defended my wife because she was unable to defend herself and laconicsax used that to bait me and turn others against me. I felt our relationship was irrelevant to the discussion and still do. We are independent people who have different ideas on lots of things. I defended rug in the same way and I don't know the guy, but I will stand up for those who are falsely accused and unable to defend themselves.

[Goblinmonger]

15. We are just going to have to disagree about that

And this is one of two scenarios I didn't want to happen; the grave dancing. So I'm going to bow out of this discussion at this point before I say something that is unbecoming to a host.

The other scenario that worried me is bashing on the other party which hasn't happened, thankfully.

[Starboard Tack]

28. I am not grave dancing. I wish none of this had happened.

I am offering a little transparency, so that others may have some clarity and come to their own unbiased conclusions. I have remained silent until now, because I took you and her/him at your word. I would never have uttered another word about her/his past behavior, but this latest fiasco shows that nothing was learned, except how to be even more devious.
I am not happy to see laconicsax PPR'd, I am saddened that he/she stooped so low as to try to have another member PPR'd by setting them up.

[tkmorris]

30. Again, this isn't about laconicsax

This is about finding a new host to replace him. You grok that? Your "transparency" has no place here as this isn't about him, just as it isn't about you. You grok that too, yes? It's about finding a new host.

New host. New host. Finding a new host. Keep repeating that to yourself like a mantra every time you are tempted to post another screed about... whatever. Let's stay on topic.

[eqfan592]

31. Ya know, I really try my best to avoid putting people on ignore.

But it's posts like this one here that make it exceptionally difficult to try and stick to that. That is literally the nicest thing I am capable of saying about you right now, ST.

[JNelson6563]

61. And yet here you are trashing one who is banned.

To the best of my knowledge PPR'd means you can't post to defend yourself. What a horrible thing to do!1! Unless it's someone you don't like, right?

How hypocritical. Dare I say, Christian-like even.

Julie--who's got your number

[kdmorris]

14. You are a first class jerk

Can't you go gloat somewhere else? I mean... is there ANY fucking way you can just be... I don't know... classy for once, instead of coming here and attacking us?

And laconicsax was male.

We still have two hosts that can block you, you know. Just fucking stop, please.

ALL blockings are announced here. I hope yours will be soon.

[eqfan592]

16. +1

And sorry for calling you "she," laconicsax. I kept seeing "she" used so just assumed. lol, my bad!

[Starboard Tack]

19. You might want to see his/her own explanation

http://www.democraticunderground.com/124035518#post21

[EvolveOrConvolve]

41. Respectfully, I'm going to ask you this only once, ST

This is a difficult time, and you're not making things any better.

I'm asking you to stay away from the A&A group for a week or two until things are better. It's evident that a number of people here are not okay with your presence, and there's nothing you can do to change that. There's really nothing here for you right now.

[Goblinmonger]

45. Let me also add

since I'm sure you are still reading this thread and you seem to want "transparency" that even though you think laconicsax and the other two hosts have it out for you that it is only because of us that you aren't blocked from this group. If we went by what the VAST majority of people post in this group and what they PM us, you would have been gone long ago. But we thought that you deserved another chance. Even though you have stated that my state of mind is unimportant to you, you may notice by my tone here and EoC's tone just above me that we have pretty much had it with your shit. So take EoC's advice and back off for a couple of weeks because the only two people that are standing between you and a block aren't happy with you. And if you also couldn't tell, you will not have a lot of supporters in this group if we do block you. Yeah, sure, you can go whine about it in the Thunderdome, but I promise you, in the interest of "transparency," you won't have group member support.

[Warren Stupidity]

47. Yup.

[enlightenment]

48. Thank you for posting this.

And ST - take it seriously, please. Goblinmonger is being very transparent. Whatever your reasons are, you are making this forum an unpleasant place to visit.

[Warren Stupidity]

43. That does not belong in this forum.

What a crap post.

[2ndAmForComputers]

63. OK, hosts, can you do what needs to be done NOW? Please? Pretty please?

[SidDithers]

64. +1. Enough is enough...nt

Sid

[dimbear]

6. Like walking a mountain trail protected by a fragile fence, we're always just one

rotten post away from the abyss.

Laconicsax: smart as hell and feisty.

Hope we see you again.

[kdmorris]

17. That really sucks

What he did was wrong, but I will still miss him.

Maybe they will reconsider after a time out?

[Starboard Tack]

20. Do you believe in reincarnation for everyone?

[kdmorris]

24. I do not believe in reincarnation at all

But being reinstated on a forum is hardly reincarnation.

[daaron]

23. Sorry to hear that.

Some of the gloating and airing of dirty laundry is distasteful. I don't know any of you, including laconisax, from Sam Hill. Now you know what it looks like to an outsider. Ugly. Does this always happen when people are banned from forums or the site?

Just a few days ago laconisax chatted about math by private message. I suggested a few books and resources for studying differential equations and linear algebra.

Truthfully, I should probably be reading a math book, too. Maybe I will. It's time better spent than this, and that's a plain fact.

[cynatnite]

38. Well, I'm not here to throw my hat in the ring...

Just wanted to say that I liked and respected laconicsax. This is sad.

[redqueen]

39. +1

[trotsky]

40. The incident serves as a reminder...

that no matter how badly someone else behaves, or how much they goad and insult and passive-aggressively attack those they don't like, you simply CANNOT stoop to their level. Like in football, they only penalize the one who retaliates.

[onager]

44. I also thought the irony was amazing.

Enough said, most likely.

Not here to throw my hat in the ring either. I've had a brutal couple of work weeks, which is why you haven't seen me around much.

And also one reason why I can't be a host.

Just wanted to pop in and say how much I will miss laconicsax too.

Also that any of the people who have volunteered so far would make fine hosts, AFAIK.

[mr blur]

59. Indeed

but I'll miss laconicsax.

[Goblinmonger]

46. OK, slight--though not unexpected--derailment aside; back to finding a new host.

I believe we have the following throwing their hat in the ring for new host:

WhollyHeretic
eqfan592

Anyone else? Did I miss someone above?

[A HERETIC I AM]

51. I'll volunteer. I'll be the perfect host.

I won't do a damned thing.

Except lay out the occasional plate of cookies.

And bourbon.

Can't forget the bourbon.

[eqfan592]

52. Did you say bourbon??

Hmmm, might have to take my hat back out of the ring if it means some bourbon...

[A HERETIC I AM]

53. Digital bourbon.

[tkmorris]

54. I'd be willing as well Goblinmonger

And I'm fairly sure my wife (kdmorris) would be interested too but cannot say so as she is locked out of this thread after her series of altercations with our Starboard leaning friend.

However, isn't it possible laconicsax will be rejoining us? Sure he got banned but I think the admins might allow him to return if he did so with his hat in his hand and an apology on his lips. He and Rug had an animosity towards each other that goes back a long way and I know he regrets letting his judgement lapse in dealing with him. Under the circumstances is it really necessary to replace him immediately?

[Goblinmonger]

55. I brought something similar up to laconicsax

The reply was that it was more important to get another host at this point than wait for any possible appeal. It was after that discussion that I posted this thread. I think the timeline on this is to give this thread a couple days for people to throw their hats in and then start a new thread for votes.

[eqfan592]

56. You make an interesting point.

If the vacancy needs to be filled rapidly for some reason, perhaps it should be thought of as a temporary position, pending the outcome of any appeal. However, if there is no need for haste, maybe holding off a bit is the right call.

[Goblinmonger]

57. In an effort for some look into my thinking:

I think it may get ugly for a little bit. I hope I'm wrong, but I think the possibility is there. If that is the case, I would rather have 3 hosts for an odd number and another voice to deal with those issues if they come up. And, frankly, if a decision that I think needs to be made comes up having to be made, it would be nice if it wasn't just EoC and I making that decision but having new blood agreeing to that decision as well. If it is the general consensus of the group, I would have no problem with this being a temp position in lieu of a possible appeal that would become permanent if that appeal doesn't happen or doesn't work.

[eqfan592]

62. Thanks for the clarification.

I'm good with it being a temp to perm sort of thing assuming the general consensus of the group is good with that as well. And I totally understand your reasoning for wanting a replacement ASAP.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

66. I'll echo what Goblinmonger said and add...

that it would be temporary until we reach a point where we know what the future of the group's going to be. Probably at that time, we'd put it to a vote of the full membership, depending upon circumstances. Whatever happens, it will be a group decision because it shouldn't just be Goblinmonger and I calling all the shots.

At this point, laconicsax doesn't sound keen on asking for re-admittance, but who knows what will transpire in the coming weeks.

[WhollyHeretic]

49. I haven't been online since this afternoon but this thread went pretty much exactly how I expected

I won't get into that anymore. I'm sorry to see laconicsax gone. I did have a feeling when I saw the stuff in R/T last night that he might get PPR'd. Maybe he can ask for reinstatement after some time has passed.

[enlightenment]

50. I don't believe I have the talent

and I'm pretty sure I don't have the time to be a good host - and there's no point in being a poor one. I'm not a very active member of this forum, either, and I suspect that might make for a better host in the minds of most . . . so I'll not toss in my hat.

I will say that I am saddened by what has happened. It seems like there is so much crazy on DU these days that it's starting to effect people I would never have thought would succumb.

[Evoman]

58. I'm not here enough, and I'm too chaotic to be a host of anything.

But I just wanted to say....man this sucks. Im kinda mad at laconiax for doing something dumb enough to get banned because I liked the hell out of that asshole. I've been here for ages, and he's been here longer I think.

Sorry for the derail. And seriously...grave dancers fuck off and take your douche selves to meta.

[JNelson6563]

60. I see you have some fine volunteers.

I would offer if you hadn't gotten such fine offers already.

I see the classless one has showed up to do their usual shitting in our living room, how thoughtful.

Let's mourn our loss and then arrange for another....one that won't be mourned...

Julie

[SidDithers]

65. I vote yes to any of the volunteers who've stepped forward...

and I too miss laconic. They fucked up, but I can understand why they did it.

Hugs to you laconicsax, if you're still reading.

Sid

[EvolveOrConvolve]

67. Locking

This thread has become too much about laconicsax and not enough about finding a new host.