There has to be some point where we differentiate the needs of the whole from our own. It's a common sense issue, to me.
Reading over the posts in this thread thus far, I see many excellent points being made. Gruntboy is my personal friend, someone whom I respect and admire a great deal. His straightforwardness and honesty are refreshing, and in many ways he and I are alike in this regard. Having said this, though, like me Grunt is a soldier. One of the most important aspects of being a soldier is accepting being held accountable for your own actions, living with it, and driving on (Thug stated this concept in a different way in his post
). For whatever reason, Grunt felt he needed to do what he did. In so doing, he also understood that he would be "standing tall before the man" for it. It was a risk he was willing to take.
I don't believe, for a moment, that his subsequent banning was unfair. I also know that he doesn't feel this way, either. We can open a can of worms if we wish...but tell me, in the end, what purpose will it serve other than creating more strife? The Forum Rules are very clear and concise, posted above in a sticky for all of us to read whenever we desire. At some point during our time here in SYM, most of us have voiced our support of these rules. Why change that now, especially when a member so flagrantly violated them? That the member in question happens to be a friend of mine does indeed make it more difficult for me to remain objective, true....but that's where I "suck it up and drive on." How can we, in good conscience, be willing to subject others to the rule of law, but strive to spare either ourselves or those we care about from it? If it doesn't apply equally to us all, then do away with it - it's useless.
Although I shall miss Grunty here in SYM, my association with him is far from being over.
I have every intention of meeting him some day in a seedy bar - whether it's in the UK, or here in the States - and downing several rounds of the revered Guinness with him. And although he's KIA here in SYM, his legacy of pantlessness shall live on. There's more than one soldier in the pantless brigade.
All of this aside, I do feel that a great deal can be gained from Grunty's banning that might improve SYM. I think Scayde and dragon wench raised some issues that are certainly worth looking at. One does not have to employ profanities in order to offend, inflame, or goad another individual. Some posters are particularly accomplished at the art of the subtle flame, escaping the notice of disinterested parties as they perpetrate what I feel is a patricularly odious and nasty form of trolling. Most recently, this has manifested itself in the infamous "debate" threads, where on a number of occasions I have either observed this in action as a neutral party, or nearly became a victim of this tactic myself.
If there's one thing I would like to see changed, it's this: that trolling needs to stop. All it causes are ill feelings, for "justice" is not served when the hammer only falls on the victim of this ploy, and the perpetrators continue on without so much as even a reprimand.
