Originally Posted by Jon Toner

Adios folks. I am tired of wasting personal bandwidth on Ozstamps Talk. Life is too short.

Folks will notice I'm no longer on the list for the Catman Do. I hope my spot can go to someone who can enjoy himself/herself there. I cannot. Some may call me a coward for it - so be it.

But I can't go to an event and "make nice", and I would rather cut off an appendage than disrupt Catman's event.

I have tried to take a Voltairian stand (disagreeing with what some may say, but defending their right to say it), with a lot of this foolishness, but lately I've grown tired of it. It is painfully apparent to me that these battles are the price to be paid for using Flyertalk, and frankly I'm not willing to pay it anymore.

Oz. You exhibit sociopathic behavior. I seriously recommend you consider some kind of counseling. Every flame war exhibits the following pattern. It has become clockwork.

The spark
Someone posts something. Oz lights a match with a snotty remark, or takes offense and launches personal attacks.

My post count is larger than yours.
Oz begins his “Don’t you know who I am?” campaign. He points out how a few of his posts have the highest number of replies, and challenges the others. He claims his posts are more important, helped more people, etc.

Who Dares Question the Great and Powerful Oz?
Oz berates anyone daring to question HIM. Personal attacks zestfully posted. He has met Randy. They are best buddies. In fact, he can personally vouch for Randy’s sexual orientation!

Do as I say, not as I do!
Start accusing others of the high crime of multiple identities. Note: Only a high crime when OTHERS do it – not a high crime by Oz. The crusade to “out” imposters will never lack a standard bearer with Oz around.

The silence is deafening...
Oz points out the silence of others as proof he is right. Or he points out the silence of others as proof that the other person is wrong. Or he points out the silence as having some quasi-mystical power which makes him omnipotent King of FlyerTalk.

Don’t trouble me with facts, I’ve made up my mind.
Oz ignores points he cannot rebut, and widens the argument into new areas, especially by infecting other threads. Challenges others on meaningless (to the discussion) things like how much charity work they do.

Declare Victory and Retreat
Oz decides to declare victory, pompously pointing out he is going to take the high road and not responding any more ... but not before having the final word.

More farewell performances than Barbara Streisand
Despite the promise not to post any more on a thread, returns to throw a little more gasoline on the fire. Declares victory again. Repeats as often as necessary.

Who, me? What did I do?
He then shrugs his shoulders and wonders why everyone is getting so worked up on other infected threads. Asks Randy to close down the threads in the name of civility. Thank God for Oz, the voice of reason.

We don’t need no stinking moderators
Oz becomes amazed and appalled when others begin to wonder publicly whether moderators might not be in order. Points out how Randy considers him the best FT’er and wishes he had more like him. After all, he has met Randy. They are best buddies. In fact, he can personally vouch for Randy’s sexual orientation!

Cult of Personality
Come meet the great and powerful Oz. In person, he’s oh-so-charming and witty. Of course so was Adolf Hitler. I hear Joseph Stalin was fun to drink with. And let’s not forget Idi Amin – what a card.

So long folks, it's been a lot of fun.


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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."