Invite Midtowner back???

[Doug Loudenback]

When I started putting together my downtownOKC pages/images, I think 3/2005, I didn't even know this place existed, but Google produced some image (I forget what, in the "vintage" cagetory here. Checking that out was my first tippy-toe into OkcTalk ... and at the time, Midtowner was a mainstay of this forum ... in terms of posts ... in terms of provoking thought ... and ... of course ... that means controversy. The posts which I read of his were a main "draw" for me to become involved here, which, of course, is the fact today, at least on topics which catch my fancy.

Sure, he was provocative and challenging. Though I don't know why, I've not yet publicly received that label here, though I'm not shy to speak when I care to do so ... but it's probably because I don't do so as often as he did - his interests were and are much broader than mine are. Unless I see something that irks me, or otherwise catches my attention (all may be aware of some recent exeptions vis a vis the Singles forum), I tend to stay put in just a few forum arenas. He ventured well beyond my personal points, and he was was relentless in his discussion. I just spout off and wax ad naseum every now and then. But, truth is, at 62 years of age, I don't have the astonishing breadth of knowledge (and I'm talking knowledge, not just factually unsupported opinions) on such a widely diverse group of topics/subjects as he did, he being only in his early 20s I think. His breadth of factual knowledge amazes me.

That's probably a threat to some, but it's not to me ... I love to learn, and to think, and to discuss, and, even sometimes, to change my mind, on topics that interest me. Those kinds of qualities were what made, and make, Midtowner a very very special person at OkcTalk before he was banned. I think, shortly after that same time, I came pretty close to that happening to me ... the intervention of the Downtown Guy (don't you love and miss him) averted that and the result was that I support and like this place more and more, and more than I ever did at that point in time.

So, Patrick, you asked for points of view that lapsed the old and the new. Now, you have mine ... though you've had it for several months now, don't you know. You have it again, since you asked.

[Doug Loudenback]

Rev. Bob,

Sorry you feel that way and that you don't have it in you to countenance an aggressive difference of opinion. All you need do, in response to such posts, is to adequately or not defend your point of view. Is that asking so much?

You have been aggressive; you have been aggressive against MrAnderson; MrAnderson has been aggressive; and Shaggy has been aggressive. You have wrongfully (IMO) chastised MrAnderson on moral grounds in another thread; I haven't followed Shaggy's posts except here. But, it seems that the 3 of you have common cause.

Perhaps it would be good for the three of you to discuss your views, arrive at a past and present consensus, and then venture into the arena debating a common position ... or would that not be appropriate?

I'm also curious, since you label yourself a "Rev", what are your credentials in that respect and of/in what denomination? Are these fair questions, Rev. Bob?

[Jay]

I think he should come back. I will admit he always annoyed the living @!#? out of me but, in restrospect I took his posts personally and took them as if it were an attack on me.

His style of arguing is not one I care for because he has a way of making you feel stupid for believing in your points of view. Not to mention he always has to have the last word.

However, with that in mind I do not think that is grounds to keep him from coming back. He strongly belives in his points of view and he has a right to express them. That is what this board is all about (people's opinions)

I think he would give Scribe, Shaggy and Rev. Bob a run for their money. No offense guys but, sometimes some of the things you do remind me of midtowner.

The most important lesson I learned from my midtowner expierence is this.

This place is just a discussion board when you get fed up stop posting on that topic and pick something else to talk about. No need to take anyone person or topic too seriously.

[Doug Loudenback]

I think he should come back. I will admit he always annoyed the living @!#? out of me but, in restrospect I took his posts personally and took them as if it were an attack on me.

His style of arguing is not one I care for because he has a way of making you feel stupid for believing in your points of view. Not to mention he always has to have the last word.

However, with that in mind I do not think that is grounds to keep him from coming back. He strongly belives in his points of view and he has a right to express them. That is what this board is all about (people's opinions)

I think he would give Scribe, Shaggy and Rev. Bob a run for their money. No offense guys but, sometimes some of the things you do remind me of midtowner.

The most important lesson I learned from my midtowner expierence is this.

This place is just a discussion board when you get fed up stop posting on that topic and pick something else to talk about. No need to take anyone person or topic too seriously.

OklaCity_75, I think that you've summed it up well. Perhaps in the future he will avoid having to have the "last word". But, as to those who assume to think they will make "unchallenged" posts as to mores, morals, religious and/or political views which are "safe" to say (will not evoke a challenge, e.g., Rev Bob), Midtowner would not be a guy you'd want back here, because that wouldn't happen.

As it is, Midtowner is not here.

And, so, without such controversy, Rev Bob is about to post is credentials, I am sure.

Rev Bob ... the floor is yours.

[Jay]

I think it might be a good idea for the political forums to be moved into the Nose Bleed Section. Then people would know before they enter that if they present a point of view it will be challenged by other members who disagree.



This would also allow you people that love to go ten rounds a place to duke it out without having anyone getting offended.



I personally choose to stay away from the political issues on here. I get my fill of politics on talk-radio and TV news. After I get my daily dose, I cannot handle anymore of it because what it always boils down to is this; the left thinks the right is wrong, the right thinks the left is wrong and those in between think everyone else is wrong.



My question on politics is this: When are we all going to meet each other halfway and start solving some problems?



Since the last election all politicians and political junkies do is, complain. Nobody takes any action.



I am a moderate conservative. I vote in every election big or small. I educate myself on every issue I am asked to decide on at the polls. Most of the time my vote supports conservative efforts sometimes my vote supports liberal efforts. I decide every issue and choose each canidate by how it will affect me.



I do not come to this discussion board to pound my chest and scream I am right you are wrong; however, I do think that those of you do need a place you can do so without restrictions.

[Jay]

Did I miss something today? My last post has been deleted so I am assuming it must of started something.

Mods can you please IM or email me about what happened to my post?
If I posted something foul I need to know about so I can prevent it from happening in the future.

[Patrick]

Whoops, sorry oklacity75. I was deleting a couple of posts that users asked me to delete, and I hit yours by mistake. I'll reinstate it.

[Intrepid]

Whoops, sorry oklacity75. I was deleting a couple of posts that users asked me to delete, and I hit yours by mistake. I'll reinstate it.

Several of my posts were deleted as well.

[Patrick]

Intrepid, did you read the PM I sent you?

[Jay]

No problem....... I just making sure everything was cool and nothing bad happened.

[Intrepid]

Intrepid, did you read the PM I sent you?

Affirmative

[Patrick]

I sent you guys a PM to try to explain today's events! LOL!

[dirtrider73068]

Well I was here when midtower was here. His opion's and post never really bothered me or some didn't make much sense. The way I looked at them was if I didn't like it I didn't read or didn't post a reply back to him. I never had a problem with him, I didn't post much when he was around so as not to have him post something to get me going which wouldn't have taken much at the time casue of what I was goping though. I think he shoudl have a second chance, only to be known that he needs to folllow rules then and current ones, and go by the TOS like everbody else that signed up has. Everbody deserves a second chance at least to redeem themselves, if those that don't like midtower don't read or reply to his post. There have been numerous post I have started to read then stopped cause I didn't like it or wasn't going to get involved in the discussion.

"Thats all I have to say about that"-forrest gump

[downtownguy]

If I wanted to read only thoughts and opinions that match my own, I'd buy software that clones my every keystroke and reproduces it into the most intelligent, thought-provoking and brilliant web site ever imagined.

I visit this site because I want to be exposed to others' opinions and ideas - even if I don't like them.
- The Downtown Guy

[windowphobe]

I thought I was running that.

[Todd]

Hey windowphobe, do you check your PM's?

I need to send you one on another subject that has nothing to do with Midtowner.

[sweetdaisy]

Why are posts being deleted on this forum?

[Patrick]

Oh Scribe and I were playing a joke on Todd. We pretended like we were getting in an argument. He finally got the picture. We deleted the posts because we didn't want anyone to think a real fight had taken place.

[sweetdaisy]

Oh, gotcha. That's cool.

[El Gato Pollo Loco!!!]

Well, seeing as how I haven't hung around here for a while, I'll still give my opinion....to be perfectly honest, I am quite indifferent to whether Midtowner is allowed back. I will agree that he did have some thought provoking posts, but he sure had his share of totally plain dumb posts and threads as well. I won't cry outrage if he is kept off the board but I will not hail him with trumpets and rose pedals if he is reinstated, though I probably will say "welcome back man"...that's just me...

[El Gato Pollo Loco!!!]

By the way...why exactly has this come up? I don't think I could see any answer through the poo flinging...

[Midtowner]

Thank you to the 76% who supported the lifting of the ban. Those who didn't, I hold no grudges and don't take this message board thing personally.

[Doug Loudenback]

I figured you'd get a kick out of this thread!

[Karried]

LOL Midtowner, isn't it cool that you are such a hot topic for discussion?!

[Midtowner]

Karried: As if I needed anything else to inflate my ego...