Merry, Nick, I respectfuly must disagree. This is still a great board with many wonderful people. It is great to see you back, BTW.

Yes, there have been some inexcusable, childish outburst as of late, but they should be treated in exactly the same manner a wise parent treats poor behavior in their children at home--Rule #1 of raising children.

Praise the good behavior and ignore the bad.

It works for big children just as well as little ones.

I don't understand why in a thread like this people include stupid http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gifs [before you flame me, I am NOT saying that the people who included http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gifs are stupid]. There's nothing funny or happy about this thread. I don't see this as a joking matter. FT - posters like Catman, PremEx etc. = CRAP.


[Grammar edit]

[This message has been edited by NYC1 (edited 03-02-2001).]

Thank you, Punki. I agree. However, I must say that it's getting quite hard to ignore what's happening. I have for the most part, totally ignored Ozstamps/Glen. But hasn't this gone too far? Maybe if we DO totally ignore him and ALL his posts, NEVER replying...always pretending he isn't there, he'll get the picture?
It's still a great board. I agree. But with the departures of late, it's lost a few of the great jewels in it's crown.

Catman- I am so sorry to see you go...maybe you will reconsider at a later date when things simmer down a bit. I hope to see you at the CMD ! I am still waiting for a space to open up. Good luck- I understand your reasons for leaving fully. It is a sorry day when so many valuable contributors have to say goodbye. I will stick it out here and see what happens.....

------------------
MRKEY

Sorry Catman - legal loophole here (I'm no lawyer, but I play one on TV):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/000577.html

In this thread, you say you'll never leave unless asked to do so by Randy. Therefore, you are trapped like the rest of us rats...

------------------
Take a deep breath, and remember what's really important...

Great catch BIM!!!!

You must stay Catman!!!

Will you stay for your Secret Santa? or do I need to threaten you with more of those airline treats?????

Just relax... take a deep breath... and use the gift I gave you....

There, feel better?

William

Since I've seen lyrics by Glen Campbell, Quotes by Kris Kristoferson,etc. in regard to this topic how about a little Barbara...

"Acting more like children...then children"

Punki,

Sorry, I disagree. As much as people on FT act childish they also act as bullies...and bullies cannot be ignored. Just last month "bully kits" were sent out to Canadian schools to help teachers and staff recognize the problem before bad stuff happens.

Personal rant:

In grade 3 I acquired a bully in grade 5. Over 1 1/2 years past and I grew to fear recess and the end of the school day...as we would both walk home the same direction.

Finally one winter recess I snapped. I was on a pile of snow at the end of the ice rink. It was a temporary structure erected with plywood and metal t-bar's pounded into the ground (like snow fence bars). The bully came right towards me. I was in total rage. I grabbed him by his hat and hair and began pounding his head on the top of the bar...which was truly quite astounding as I was just over half his size/weight.

Well, the ambulance came and went...and he returned to school over a week later.

I was never punished, talked to OR hassled again. School went on as if nothing happened...not my teacher or the principal uttered one word about it...as they stupidly knew I was being picked on for years.

Ignore? Wow...that is really tough over time.

Dorian

Dorian:

As much as you didn't ignore, you also didn't walk away, either...

------------------
Take a deep breath, and remember what's really important...

[This message has been edited by BIM (edited 03-02-2001).]

Bim,

No I didn't walk away...I ran...for 1.5 years. Reading problem?

Dorian

Dorian, lighten up. I'm sorry that you feel the need to be hostile. I can read just fine. With due respect, perhaps you might re-read my post...

My point was, regardless of the years that passed, you (eventually) confronted your problem, as opposed to oh, say, transferring to another school...

------------------
Take a deep breath, and remember what's really important...

[This message has been edited by BIM (edited 03-02-2001).]

Catman, please stay. All of us enjoy your contributions to the boards. Kindly reconsider.

Bim,

Don't worry...I don't need to lighten up...you are justing reading tone into my words...I am super calm.

FYI...it would have been pretty tough to transfer out of a grade school in a rural area. I guess I coulda tried to convince my parent's to move?

Dorian

Catman-

Attention getters tend to be very instant gratification-oriented. I trust that you and your compatriots (PremEx,drone, Jon, etc.) have a key advantage... perseverance!

Your patience and tolerance (OK, willingness to ignore) are the best defense against the flamers who count on responses/attention for their quick fix.

Like the consensus here...stick around!

Dorian - I have no wish to beef with you. My intent in the original post was merely to build on your anecdote about the bully as an example to support my opinion that there are better/different ways to deal with the current unrest on the boards. I happen to disagree with the strategy of those who are leaving.

Whether or not you could move away is irrelevant to the discussion - I'm not trying to debate what you did those many years ago.

Thanks for the opportunity to explain, I hope you'll agree with me when I say "No blood, no foul".

Cheers