Periodic Table of Swearing

[Tony Parsehole]

Does the name Priscilla Parker ring any bells?
http://rockbeyondbelief.com/2012/08/27/ ... f-and-die/

She's posting on Jason Blog... a total wackaloon: http://freethoughtblogs.com/lousycanuck ... ogosphere/

Poor Justin.

As you say, a total wackaloon.
The trouble is, you really need to see her to be convinced of this. She writes with a slight degree of plausibility and unless you've seen the videos of her turning up at his house in the middle of the night, trying to get him back, you might think there's no smoke without fire.
As far as I can see Justin got drunk at a party and ended up going to bed with her. She's been stalking him ever since.
He's not completely innocent in the matter - unless you go by Rebecca Watsons definition of rape- in which case he's a rape victim.
I feel his days at FTB are numbered. Unfortunately he's not such a good writer or indeed thinker, that he'd be snapped up by another network, although it would be funny to see him move to Skeptic Ink, if only to see the reaction back at FTB land!

I remember the video of Priscilla Parker showing up at Justin's house in the middle of the night to return a mug. Scary stuff.

For anybody who hasn't seen the video here it is:
[youtube]ynWTKiaiSQo[/youtube]

[Al Stefanelli]

Al Stefanelli at http://www.slymepit.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... 200#p39185) said:

Justin Griffith is good people, AFAIA concerned. I've known him a long time. Pre -FTB days. He's a stand up guy, and has been through a world of shit. I read his blog post, and can tell you with certainty that he's not crazy or making shit up. I was there.

OK, that's fine; that's good. But, and considering your first-hand information, you should be able to authoritatively answer these questions:

1. Why is Justin Griffith such an on-again-off-again, not to mention two-faced, hypocrite about those of us who support him, never mind his ever changing, and panty-hiding story about us, Abbie/ERV, and the whole Laden insanity.

2. Why did he so aggressively dismiss all so-called SlymePit folks who supported him when he was butt-smacked by the egregious Lord PeeZuss?

3. Why is he now so cozy-comfortable with editing, deleting, and banning of people and their comments who bring up points of argument with which he is too uncomfortable to answer honestly (I mean seriously, "You cannot bring up past history as an argument"? -- give me a fucking critical thinking break please).

Seriously Al, I cannot dispute you, and I respect you, but what the fuck is going on with that viscerally obscene grovelling email that Justin Griffith sent to that obcsene and pathetic piece of shit Laden all about, if it is not just a blatant case of cave in, kiss ass, and beg for re-admition to the cult?

Seriously, mate, if you have so much valid first-hand info of his "good peopleness", please, fill us in with something substantial; something beyond "I like the guy".

Those are extremely valid questions, and I am going to have to figure out how to answer then without breaking a promise I made to Brayton that would not reveal anything that went on in the FTB backchannel - a promise I fully intend to keep.

Gimme a while, please

[Skep tickle]

Besides, it was quite satisfying to fall on my sword only by posing questions that anyone looking at PZ's post skeptically should have asked.

Here -

Glad to provide material for a page! (PZ take a bow; you contributed mightily.)

[mordacious1]

Has anyone told ERV that viruses can make you sick? (I can write that because she's sick in bed) Probably some type of Entero RhinoVirus or ERV (I made that up). My excuse...splitting headache from someone else's cigarette smoke and I'm trying to get rid of it by taking pain pills washed down with beer (yeah, not too bright).

[birdterrifier]

In the event anyone has something to meme Greg with, but lacks the Photoshop skills...

http://memegenerator.net/Gregladen

Jesus. Now I'm staying up far too late memeing Laden. Will the madness ever cease?!

[bhoytony]

So I said "Slap that!" and ride the ripples.
I've just got to get me gob around her greasy nipples.

Oh dear, I've been away from the thread for a couple of days in my annual bid to escape fucking christmas (writing this in another airport lounge) and I come back to this. The Macc Ladds? Do you know the damage you could do to the innocent minds at FfTB if they were to discover the Macc Ladds? I'm pretty sure their tiny little heads would explode.
Anyway back to my christmas dinner of a ham sandwich and a coffee.

[dougal445]

de-lurked.
So Al, seems to be implying (like Thunderf00t) that there is some unsavoury secret shananigans in the FTB backchannel.
Al you appear to me to be a decent stand up guy who is in a dilema, an internal conflict, because of your moral compass. I respect that.

[mordacious1]

Okay, I'm not making any more jokes tonight, not even about PZ's backchannel. Oops.

[Phil_Giordana_FCD]

Dougal:

I think Al is his own man, and if he has promised not to divulge backchannel talk, all the better for him to stick to his vows. I will admit to a strong curiosity towards what's been going on there, but not strong enough to ask for backstabbing.




I just wrote that comment so I could bitch about english double consonants yet again. <--- me bitching.

[dougal445]

phil.
I guess i could be more eloquent. But that was pretty much the exact sentiment i was trying to convey.

[dougal445]

i,m doing this from my hatefull piece of crap of a phone so im rather clumsy. Gotta work out quoting etc yet.

[Steersman]

Besides, it was quite satisfying to fall on my sword only by posing questions that anyone looking at PZ's post skeptically should have asked.

Here -

Actually, that’s not quite true, that “all traces of what Skeptixx wrote in this 'free’ discussion that was promised was promptly erased so no one could actually read them and draw their own conclusion”.

Seems from a recent review of Myers' post at least two of Skep tickle’s posts are still there, only that they are differently numbered from when she posted screen shots of them here: #317 and #340 now in the Pharyngula thread, but #315 and #337 here.

The difference in the numbering is possibly due to some posts being held in moderation, although there are other possibilities. However, I think the more important issue is that PZ apparently didn’t even respond to or acknowledge the content of Skep tickle’s posts before banning her with “extreme prejudice”. Rather like condemning all blacks or all women for the transgressions or failings of the few ….

[John Greg]

Al Stefanelli (at http://www.slymepit.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... 250#p39212) said:

Those are extremely valid questions, and I am going to have to figure out how to answer then without breaking a promise I made to Brayton that would not reveal anything that went on in the FTB backchannel - a promise I fully intend to keep.

Well, you know, hmm, Al, I am beginning to grow a great deal of respect for you ... you fucking Great White Cock of Authority you.

Or is that Great Hunters Hat of Racism?

....

Man, you have flummoxed me a bit.

You said: "... a promise I made...." which is a very valid constraint. I respect that promise. Nonetheless, it leaves me in moot mutatus, so to speak.

Fuck me. For the moment I am stymied. Yes, if you made a promise, you should indeed stick to it, even if those obscene fuckers from FfTB have broken all their various and variagated commitments to you, but still, well, I suspect you know where I am pondering from.

"Gimme a while, please"

My friend, please, take all the time you need. I suspect we will all be here for a while.

And, by-the-by, thank you for a gracious reply. We have never met, and almost certainly never will. But I can tell from your response that if we ever got together for in vino veritas, it would be a grand good time.

[jg64]

Just dropped in quickly to wish everyone a merry christmas, good health and peace. Have a great holiday.

[dougal445]

oh crap!
Just tried to register abd i think ive trypo'd my username and now i cant get in. SkepticFAIL.
Fuck it another westvlet. Merry xmas all.

[Steersman]

As for the slymepitters…they’ve lost all presumption of charity long, long ago. Of course I’m going to shut down dedicated dishonest propagandists the instant they show up.

[bolding mine]

So that's why he bans us? We're "dedicated dishonest propagandists"? Project much PeePee? It's not that some of us show up and disembowel your idiotic posts? And just when it becomes apparent that you're losing the argument, the banhammer shows up. I thought it was obvious to everyone, and from reading that thread at B&W, it appears you've banned non-slymers also for the same reason. You're a small weak pitiful little "man" PeePee (and most people other than your sycophants know it).

Hmmmm. I was assuming that the reason he banned me the 1st. time was because I was a slymepitter.

Now I see that perhaps the banhammer went down it because it may have been that I disagreed with his proposition (if I remember his position correctly) that gays being free to not reproduce as a result of being allowed out of the closet will result in a diminishing percentage of the population.

....
Oh Dearie me! It never occurred to me that one of his pet peeves was that someone could dare to disagree with him and cite authoritative papers as evidence for the rational of the disagreement.

PeeZuss Christ!

(can not be arsed to dig up the link to the post right now. I will if one of you fucking hyperspectical homophobic mysognistic cunts demands it though).

When you had a moment, this “hyperspectical homophobic mysognistic cunt” – and one who is both “pop-culture deficient” and has a noted “inability to source information” – wouldn’t mind taking a gander at the comments and thread that led to your banning there as I’ve periodically wondered about it. Particularly as your signature line suggests that your e-mail address alone was sufficient to cause PZ to haul out the “holy” water and wooden stakes ….

[John Greg]

Oh, and I forgot, as I am now, at this veritasitis moment, deeply in vino veritas (being Christmas amid complete isolation), I would like to post an unnecessarily sentimental and almost weepy/whiney post to those who I know best, being sacha, franc, welch (why have youse guyz all gone lower case), Phil_teh_G_Francophonetical_Frere_Musicalis, Lsuoma (how the fuck is that pronounced, phonetical-wise?), ERV-the-beloved, who without intending to, brought us all together (my great googlemoogley but you are a very special person Abbie/ERV), acathode, Tuvok, Scented Nectar (so glad you lowered your standards enough to join us, SN, and I will probably be in TO within the next few years and we should get together for beerses, yes?), AndrewV69, windy, decius, the mighty Notung, ZaZen, Gumby, the great great satirical artist JanSteen, Tigzy, MKG (wherever you are, and deep heart felt condolences for you loss), rayshul, Rystefn (really, really good to come across your no-holds-barred commentary again, after all these years), and all the rest of you wonderful Hoggle Sock Puppet People.

All of you, have a truly wonderful, warm, invigorating, sexually, emotionally fulfilling Christmas, Xmas, Solstice, or whateverthefuck you want call it.

We do not have the right smiley (and anyway, I would hate to upset franc or sacha, but Smiley cheers and raising of mulled wine, mead, and so forth and so on to you all.

....

I will now return to my dark chthonic dusty corner.

/collapse

[Jan Steen]

http://i.imgur.com/aG59f.jpg

[John Greg]

Steen, you really are a very good satiricist.

Bravo.

[Steersman]

Oh, and I forgot, as I am now, at this veritasitis moment, deeply in vino veritas (being Christmas amid complete isolation), I would like to post an unnecessarily sentimental and almost weepy/whiney post to those who I know best, being sacha, franc, welch (why have youse guyz all gone lower case), Phil_teh_G_Francophonetical_Frere_Musicalis, Lsuoma (how the fuck is that pronounced, phonetical-wise?), ERV-the-beloved, who without intending to, brought us all together (my great googlemoogley but you are a very special person Abbie/ERV), acathode, Tuvok, Scented Nectar (so glad you lowered your standards enough to join us, SN, and I will probably be in TO within the next few years and we should get together for beerses, yes?), AndrewV69, windy, decius, the mighty Notung, ZaZen, Gumby, the great great satirical artist JanSteen, Tigzy, MKG (wherever you are, and deep heart felt condolences for you loss), rayshul, Rystefn (really, really good to come across your no-holds-barred commentary again, after all these years), and all the rest of you wonderful Hoggle Sock Puppet People.

All of you, have a truly wonderful, warm, invigorating, sexually, emotionally fulfilling Christmas, Xmas, Solstice, or whateverthefuck you want call it.

We do not have the right smiley (and anyway, I would hate to upset franc or sacha, but Smiley cheers and raising of mulled wine, mead, and so forth and so on to you all.

....

I will now return to my dark chthonic dusty corner.

/collapse

Cheers – and a merry “xmyth” – as well to you John – and to the rest of you Pitters and reprobates and heathens as well! Happy trails!

Over and out for the nonce ….

[Scented Nectar]

Let's not forget that (apparently) Justin himself posted on the original 'slimepit' for a while, after all that happened.

While I do feel sorry for him, I can't trust him. Whoever mentioned that he's like an abused kid defending their parents, has it totally spot on.

Even though he posted here, two things stick out.

One, I think he had himself ready and primed and predetermined to dislike us without good reason right from the start, in order to gain approval from the abusive blogging 'friends' that he has. I don't think he'll ever acknowledge that they are just plain mean, and that he does NOT deserve this kind of treatment from them (eg; Greg's abusive emails, PZ's shunning of him for months and months now).

Two, he started pulling some sort of 'hey guys, I'm suicidal' while he was here, and that seemed like a cry for attention type rather than a for real "bye all". My ClusterB spidey sense was flashing on overload.

[Scented Nectar]

Re: that copper & UK radfems

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Gua ... bbins1.jpg

People who have the inclination and vitriol to make that copper's life difficult must surely also include Martin Robbins (who has a gig at The Guardian) [in addition to Skephick Tracy King, Rhys Morgan & Hayley Stevens]

I don't know if Robbins is a paid employee or a volunteer blogger. (To his credit, he has done some good writing w.r.t science issues). What I wonder is, if he's able to misuse his connections. He's a total twat; I recall he did his best to smear Vacula. We must give him the benefit of the doubt, assume he hasn't done anything underhand [in this case].

If only there was an effective way to let his employers know these claims are vexatious. Anyone fancy doing a Freedom of Information request [to that Copper's Police Force] (if appropriate)? Imagine if the paper trail actually lead back to one of them.

CLS is also the guy who Watson sent an uninvited, graphic, sexually violent image to, in an email. Exactly the sort of thing she would consider sexual harassment if it happened to her. I wrote about it in a two part article:
http://scentednectar.blogspot.com/2012/ ... llows.html
http://scentednectar.blogspot.com/2012/ ... t-lie.html

If anyone is doing things to counter the feminist's attack on him, feel free to pass along these links to the police or anyone else, if you want to show some history of them picking on him. Shows the (lack of) character of the people making any false claims about him to his employer.

[Scented Nectar]

Oh, and I forgot, as I am now, at this veritasitis moment, deeply in vino veritas (being Christmas amid complete isolation), I would like to post an unnecessarily sentimental and almost weepy/whiney post to those who I know best, being sacha, franc, welch (why have youse guyz all gone lower case), Phil_teh_G_Francophonetical_Frere_Musicalis, Lsuoma (how the fuck is that pronounced, phonetical-wise?), ERV-the-beloved, who without intending to, brought us all together (my great googlemoogley but you are a very special person Abbie/ERV), acathode, Tuvok, Scented Nectar (so glad you lowered your standards enough to join us, SN, and I will probably be in TO within the next few years and we should get together for beerses, yes?), AndrewV69, windy, decius, the mighty Notung, ZaZen, Gumby, the great great satirical artist JanSteen, Tigzy, MKG (wherever you are, and deep heart felt condolences for you loss), rayshul, Rystefn (really, really good to come across your no-holds-barred commentary again, after all these years), and all the rest of you wonderful Hoggle Sock Puppet People.

All of you, have a truly wonderful, warm, invigorating, sexually, emotionally fulfilling Christmas, Xmas, Solstice, or whateverthefuck you want call it.

We do not have the right smiley (and anyway, I would hate to upset franc or sacha, but Smiley cheers and raising of mulled wine, mead, and so forth and so on to you all.

....

I will now return to my dark chthonic dusty corner.

/collapse

I hesitated for the first week or so that the Pit moved here, since I thought there were going to be tone rules and too many threads to follow due to the new forum-style. But the tone rules were decided against, and this never ending thread means I can follow it Pit-style and ignore the other threads, except maybe once in a blue moon. So, I didn't lower my standards. The Pit decided to keep the original good standards.

And by all means, let's meet for drinks, if you're in Toronto. Let me know at least a day in advance though. I'll probably just have a coffee, but don't let that scare you. I'll drink it at the table and not in an elevator with you. :)

Only once every couple of years do I try drinking. Usually I'm not successful. It makes me feel sick BEFORE catching a tipsy buzz, but sometimes, I DO get a nice tipsy buzz (= 1 or 2 glasses of wine) without getting sick provided I stop drinking more at that point. I just can't drink enough to have a full-on drunk. There are 2 different genetic SNPs that can cause a bad reaction to alcohol. I don't have the one that 23andm3 tests for, so I figure I must have the other one.

In a few days, when I'll be near the liquor store anyways, I'm going to buy a bottle of wine and give it a good try once again.

[Eucliwood]

Hai guys! What have I missed? The usual witchfinding business?

I'll just leave this here: http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/12-12-12/#feature

He's getting asked in the comments about his phrase "It's a guy thing". If I remember correctly, Notung also mentioned that point on Twitter.

I'd like to have other people's opinions, but the way I'm reading it, he didn't say atheism or skepticism were a guy thing, he said that "standing up and talking about it, going to shows about it, being intelectually active about it" was a guy thing.

Yes, that's the only way it makes sense.

He was stating/implying that men tend to be more active about things than women, tend to go to more conventions and speak more about it.
Is it true? I don't know, we could probably apply some (insert scary lightning) Evo pscyh to the question.

Yes, sort of like most celebrity chefs being men doesn't imply that men do most of the cooking. It could conceivably be because of (scary lightning!) structural sexism, maybe women's contributions tend to be less valued/taken for granted, or women on average have less time to dedicate to their careers because of family responsibilities. But it would be silly to shout down alternative explanations to the gender bias of celebrity chefs by referring to the whole population (SO YOU THINK WOMEN CAN'T COOK??)

It's so annoying when someone says "it's a guy thing" as if to imply someone cannot understand X becuase they are a woman or only disagree because they're a woman. Kind of like "you just don't get it"..no, I don't agree.

There's nothing on this earth that's a gy thing besides pissing with a penis, having a penis, scratching one's balls, deepening voice (even if some women have this), shooting semen, etc.

[Eucliwood]

Yes.

They should just encourage more women or whatever to sign up, not push speakers in because X characteristic. If it seems like X person is pretty similar to Y person but got rejected, and it keeps happening, then there's something goin on.

[Barael]

http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/ ... 433142.jpg

Please, someone tell me you made that. It's just too priceless if it's the handiwork of Greg Himself.

[AnonymousCowherd]

Yes.

They should just encourage more women or whatever to sign up, not push speakers in because X characteristic. If it seems like X person is pretty similar to Y person but got rejected, and it keeps happening, then there's something goin on.

I don't think that "it's a guy thing" has to imply any more than "guys are more likely to do it", and it needn't imply anything about non-guy ability. I took Shermer's meaning more in that light.

If men and women were equally likely to offer to speak at conferences etc (all other things being equal), why would you need to "encourage" women more than men? Again, it says nothing about ability, perhaps just who is more "pushy".

As for two people being "pretty similar", maybe a significant difference is, as you say yourself, that one needed more encouragement. Perhaps it makes for a better/more well known/shitstirring etc speaker? I don't know, but that appraently similar people are treated differently, even multiple times, doesn't tell us what might be going on.

[AnonymousCowherd]

http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/ ... 433142.jpg

Please, someone tell me you made that. It's just too priceless if it's the handiwork of Greg Himself.

No idea who made it but I can see why people looking for "Princess Leia hair" tips might search for Laden. Maybe they think he blogs at Skepchicks. Maybe he does?

[franc]

Justin Griffith is good people, AFAIA concerned. I've known him a long time. Pre -FTB days. He's a stand up guy, and has been through a world of shit. I read his blog post, and can tell you with certainty that he's not crazy or making shit up. I was there.

Yeah. Everyone is a nice guy. I bet the guys that loaded Zyklon B cannisters into gas chambers at Auschwitz were nice guys too - y'know, responsible family men who were honest, kept their wives and kids happy, contributed to their local communities and took care of sick animals.

Sorry, that line doesn't cut it for me any more. The basic reality is that there no longer are any grey areas about the disgusting and malicious behaviour of FfTB. At all - it's there in black and white and outside the inner sanctums you are hard pressed to find anyone that will still offer excuses for them. Anywhere.

Turning a blind eye to what FfTB does whilst remaining a card carrying member and riding on its coattails for personal advantage - be it monetary or propagandistic for your own pet causes - is complicity to what FfTB does. No ifs or buts. It's the same as blogging at Stormfront and saying "but I'm not racist". That's not gonna ride anywhere. Nor do the excuses of FfTB folks outside of the FC(n) ride with me. They are complicit.

There's a saying about people that have a spine and basic integrity - "If I don't like the party I leave". It took you longer than it should have Al - but you finally stood up and left. That restored faith in you for a great many people, not least myself. I worried for a long time, but resisted making any comment on your temporary collusion. I am glad I did.

As for Justin Griffith... He may very well be a nice guy. He may even have principles. But as far as having a spine or being someone I'd trust, he's baboon through and through. To simultaneously put on a sincerity act here in person to look for sympathetic ears, whilst at the same time calling us violent, misogynist filth in private elsewhere for other sympathetic ears is pretty contemptible. At best it's just a fucked up and confused insecure basket case grasping at straws. At worst it is a professional manipulator a la the pudgy pink princess.

I am willing to concede Justin may be just fucked up and insecure. I hold no grievance against him. Nor do I want anything to do with him. And if he is genuinely fucked up, then the worst place in the universe for him to be psychologically is inside the madhouse that is the FfTB politburo. If you really are his friend Al, on more than a superficial level, that should concern you. It is not a good place for him to be and things aren't going to get any better. If he was my friend, I'd be wanting to get him the fuck out of there ASAP.

As for the rest of the so called "innocent" FfTB cadre -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banality_of_evil

[Mykeru]

Apparently you first posted the “sex tapes” here on Dec 14 and made a follow-up comment on them a little later in the day here. But according to Zvan’s post you tweeted them three times – once each on the 14th, 16th, and the 23rd.

So, what you are saying is I posted it it one day, with an associated tweet, and then when the butt-hurt bitching started, I did it again, just to be annoying, completely forgot about it and then when it got dredged up as part of Stephanie Svan's victimhood dance card, I did it one more time, just because I'm kind of an asshole that way.

Obviously I am monomaniacally obsessed. Dear God, stop me before I do it again. Even worse, I have dragged you into my obsessed little world because you have now posted about it roughly the same number of times I initially posted it. Oh my, what have I done to you?

I have a coupon for some Electro-convulsive therapy, let's go put this ugly ugly episode behind us by making our cerebral cortex as smooth as a baby's ass before it's too late.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8212/8302 ... 1f43_o.gif

Nooooooooooo!

But I have to wonder what your purpose is for doing that. Just for the “lulz”? Achieving “serenity through viciousness” – for yourself maybe, although unlikely for many others?

Mostly, because the GIF made me come in my pants a bit.

[Eucliwood]

Yes.

They should just encourage more women or whatever to sign up, not push speakers in because X characteristic. If it seems like X person is pretty similar to Y person but got rejected, and it keeps happening, then there's something goin on.

I don't think that "it's a guy thing" has to imply any more than "guys are more likely to do it", and it needn't imply anything about non-guy ability. I took Shermer's meaning more in that light.

If men and women were equally likely to offer to speak at conferences etc (all other things being equal), why would you need to "encourage" women more than men? Again, it says nothing about ability, perhaps just who is more "pushy".

As for two people being "pretty similar", maybe a significant difference is, as you say yourself, that one needed more encouragement. Perhaps it makes for a better/more well known/shitstirring etc speaker? I don't know, but that appraently similar people are treated differently, even multiple times, doesn't tell us what might be going on.

I think it's kinda crazy to assume that SPEAKING is a guy thing because more guys are there. It could be a combination of things. How many more guys are there? We can start by asking them, if their female wives,friends, or associates do agree with the speaker, then why aren't they there? I've never heard someone generalize that speaking at X place is "a guy thing."

I also take "a guy thing" to mean a generalization. Only really valid when talking about things involving gender roles. I'm not fanatical. I'll excuse calling football a guy thing and stuff. But that's just ridiculous.

[Eucliwood]

I just want to say that ceepolk is totally mean and judgmental. Seriously. She is so lucky I'm not near her.

That's all.

[Jan Steen]

Steen, you really are a very good satiricist.

Bravo.

Thanks, John. Merry Xmas to all. Today is a special day in support of the wine producers of the world.

[mikelf]

Let's not forget that (apparently) Justin himself posted on the original 'slimepit' for a while, after all that happened.

While I do feel sorry for him, I can't trust him. Whoever mentioned that he's like an abused kid defending their parents, has it totally spot on.

I said it dfferently before, but Justin's behavior only makes sense when you realize he puts far more value on "unit" than on "self." Nothing is more important to him than staying part of the team, even if he has to subsume his dignity. Threaten him with expulsion and he will fall back into line tout de suite.

[AnonymousCowherd]

I think it's kinda crazy to assume that SPEAKING is a guy thing because more guys are there. It could be a combination of things. How many more guys are there? We can start by asking them, if their female wives,friends, or associates do agree with the speaker, then why aren't they there? I've never heard someone generalize that speaking at X place is "a guy thing."

I also take "a guy thing" to mean a generalization. Only really valid when talking about things involving gender roles. I'm not fanatical. I'll excuse calling football a guy thing and stuff. But that's just ridiculous.

Shermer's off the cuff quote re alleged gender imbalance in speakers at atheist conferences (as shortened by OB);

“It’s who wants to stand up and talk about it, go on shows about it, go to conferences and speak about it, who’s intellectually active about it; you know, it’s more of a guy thing”

And I doubt that was Shermer's "assumption", since he was offhandedly attempting to explain why there were "more guys".

[Stretchycheese]

Speaking of satire, whatever happened to Peezus and O?

[Darren]

Dougal:

I think Al is his own man, and if he has promised not to divulge backchannel talk, all the better for him to stick to his vows. I will admit to a strong curiosity towards what's been going on there, but not strong enough to ask for backstabbing.

Seconded.

[AnonymousCowherd]

Over and out for the nonce ….

Are you threatening to kill Garry Glitter?

[AnonymousCowherd]

Hope all the Pit Crew survived the Xmas Xcess as badly as the gang here at Palazzo Privilegio. Boxing Day is a bitch.

[mordacious1]

franc said:

I am willing to concede Justin may be just fucked up and insecure. I hold no grievance against him. Nor do I want anything to do with him. And if he is genuinely fucked up, then the worst place in the universe for him to be psychologically is inside the madhouse that is the FfTB politburo. If you really are his friend Al, on more than a superficial level, that should concern you. It is not a good place for him to be and things aren't going to get any better. If he was my friend, I'd be wanting to get him the fuck out of there ASAP.

I agree. He obviously has some issues. I respect him for what he did at Fort Bragg, that took balls and effort. But he should stay away from FfTB because they are toxic. Most of them are wannabees who use blogging as a power trip so they can "be someone". He doesn't need to come here either. He should just find a neutral site where they don't eat their own to get ahead (FtTB, not here). He's way over his head with these guys and seems too fragile to handle their manipulative antics and just plain meanness. It doesn't look good for him from my perspective if he stays where he is. I wish him luck though.

[Gumby]

How do you save threads again?

http://freethoughtblogs.com/rockbeyondb ... rinciples/

Looks like Justin Griffith is a reader of this place, because he links to PZ's "It Works, Bitches" post on Sciblogs as an example of PZ using gendered insults.

Hi, Justin! :D

[Scented Nectar]

Let's not forget that (apparently) Justin himself posted on the original 'slimepit' for a while, after all that happened.

While I do feel sorry for him, I can't trust him. Whoever mentioned that he's like an abused kid defending their parents, has it totally spot on.

I said it dfferently before, but Justin's behavior only makes sense when you realize he puts far more value on "unit" than on "self." Nothing is more important to him than staying part of the team, even if he has to subsume his dignity. Threaten him with expulsion and he will fall back into line tout de suite.

He really needs to join a different team (like one of the other atheist blogging networks) if he sincerely wants a team that will appreciate his loyalty, instead of picking on him, like the FTBullies do to him. Did PZ ever start talking to him again? What kind of team is it when the only support you get are whispered from some of the others who are scared to say it out loud, since it would get them into as much trouble as Justin G's been having.

[lost control]

LOL!

Hey PZ, feminist hero, love your new sponsor. :lol:

[img]snip[/img]

If you can't read the logo on the feminist's shirt, it says:

"Admit it.
You'd go to jail for this!"

:shock:
Ahem...
[img]snip[/img]

Even funnier is the logo on the other T-shirt modelled by the same girl!

[img]snip[/img]

Bad Idea T-shirts?

There might be a clue in the name!

Fuck this shit, I haven't actually laughed out so loud in a long time, I guess this was the first time I actually literally LOL'd about something I read on the internet. I knew it'd pay off to read everything on the Pit, even though I'm countless pages behind.

Crap, the slymepit is my new time-sucker, totally replaced inane shit from facebook, and I wanted to just quickly send a message to my aunt on FB (which I haven't done yet) cause she told my Mum that it's nice I sometimes write updates, but sadly only in English, and she struggles to comprehend them somewhat.

Well, the few cents they got from your hitting FTB without ad-blocking were well-spent. Hilarious. Dare I say hysterical?
Does that mean, PeeZus' divorce is upcoming, since we saw who the future Trophy Wife is?

Now, I'm in a rather good mood, my gal's finally out of the hospital since Sunday noon. (Her release papers start reading like a rather big excerpt of the ICD-10 manual, but so far she's fine... we'll see, what the upcoming re-checks will bring...)
She got her first presents on the same day. Understandably, she wanted to stay home for the first two nights. I left at 2 a.m. on Sunday cause I fell asleep and she didn't wake me up, even though I told her to, but when I left she told me the sweetest thing: "Can't wake you up, you look so cute while sleeping". Fuck, I'm blessed (forgive me) that she manages to like me.
Sadly, postal service didn't bring the second present from her sister in time, so she didn't have any mail yesterday, but my oldest brother sent me a card addressed to both of us as '"family <her given name> & <my given name> <my surname>", so she still could open something 'yesternight'. And she even liked the card, despite my brother not yet having met her. He chose well with something glittery. But, she really is herself again, jokingly asking - paraphrased: "family? you haven't married me while I was out of my mind, right? Don't tell me I made something that stupid while I was fucked up."
Argh, babbling again, and weirdly explaining the funny situation, but I suck at describing it: She's got an aversion against marriage and kids. (Well, in that regard we fit great. I still like kids, as long as they're not my own, and commend everyone for going that route.)

Last night, she woke me up at 1:30 a.m. while crawling into bed again...
Me: (of course, falling asleep again during the Xmas TV movies, not being able to sleep the night before, cause I didn't want to risk oversleeping and not getting to the drug store for her meds in time)
"shit, sorry, shall I leave so you got your tiny bed for yourself?"
Her: "don't. just hold me. btw, I drank all the beers."
Me: "ah, that's why you didn't wake up?"
Her: "Nah, cute, you know. Well, of course it's the beer, dummy, you even went back to your place to get us some alternative food (the plan was for wine and cheese fondue at my place), and only brought four beers? It's your own fault you fell asleep, otherwise you'd gotten a second one."

Sorry for getting all emotional, but it seems I finally might run into a slip of the tongue and actually tell her that I love her. I fear she might not really like that, it's been about one year and a half, and we're still only telling each other that we _like_ each other.

Now, I'll have to finish up some chores to prep the flat, and 'drag' her over to my place. Can't wait to finally give her my present. I even thought about doing seasonal decorations, something I'd thought I'd never even contemplate.

Great end of the year festivities to all.

[papillon]

http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu11 ... 2299cc.jpg

[Gumby]

Sorry, after Gumby's masterful visual illustration of Lsuoma's assessment, I had to change my avatar again.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3zeo ... 1_1280.jpg

[windy]

You know, funny story about Santa. The only reason I'm not religious is I didn't quite work out religion was still a thing until quite late in life, but I did get Santa. I fucking believed in Santa. I prostelised for Santa. I went round at school finding kids who didn't believe in Santa and told them that they wouldn't get presents. I was fucking Santa's biggest schill. It kept going until I was about nine and I think one of the teachers probably brought it up with my parents and suggested I might be a little too old to believe and also I was aggressively promoting Santa in a way that was a weeee bit culty. Did not believe them when they eventually told me, went into a bit of a kiddy depression after discovering he wasn't real. Came out clean.

He's real, just look at this documentary evidence:

[youtube]kCaC-uaMsvg[/youtube]

Thanks for the seasonal wishes John and everyone, and merry Pitmas!

[Gumby]

Oh, and I forgot, as I am now, at this veritasitis moment, deeply in vino veritas (being Christmas amid complete isolation), I would like to post an unnecessarily sentimental and almost weepy/whiney post to those who I know best, being sacha, franc, welch (why have youse guyz all gone lower case), Phil_teh_G_Francophonetical_Frere_Musicalis, Lsuoma (how the fuck is that pronounced, phonetical-wise?), ERV-the-beloved, who without intending to, brought us all together (my great googlemoogley but you are a very special person Abbie/ERV), acathode, Tuvok, Scented Nectar (so glad you lowered your standards enough to join us, SN, and I will probably be in TO within the next few years and we should get together for beerses, yes?), AndrewV69, windy, decius, the mighty Notung, ZaZen, Gumby, the great great satirical artist JanSteen, Tigzy, MKG (wherever you are, and deep heart felt condolences for you loss), rayshul, Rystefn (really, really good to come across your no-holds-barred commentary again, after all these years), and all the rest of you wonderful Hoggle Sock Puppet People.

All of you, have a truly wonderful, warm, invigorating, sexually, emotionally fulfilling Christmas, Xmas, Solstice, or whateverthefuck you want call it.

We do not have the right smiley (and anyway, I would hate to upset franc or sacha, but Smiley cheers and raising of mulled wine, mead, and so forth and so on to you all.

....

I will now return to my dark chthonic dusty corner.

/collapse

You have a wonderful end-of-year holiday as well.

And to everyone else, thanks for making this year so much fun.

[mikelf]

Let's not forget that (apparently) Justin himself posted on the original 'slimepit' for a while, after all that happened.

While I do feel sorry for him, I can't trust him. Whoever mentioned that he's like an abused kid defending their parents, has it totally spot on.

I said it dfferently before, but Justin's behavior only makes sense when you realize he puts far more value on "unit" than on "self." Nothing is more important to him than staying part of the team, even if he has to subsume his dignity. Threaten him with expulsion and he will fall back into line tout de suite.

He really needs to join a different team (like one of the other atheist blogging networks) if he sincerely wants a team that will appreciate his loyalty, instead of picking on him, like the FTBullies do to him. Did PZ ever start talking to him again? What kind of team is it when the only support you get are whispered from some of the others who are scared to say it out loud, since it would get them into as much trouble as Justin G's been having.

I absolutely agree (This!). And when he finally comes to see how they are manipulating him, it will get ugly. His publication of the recording of the phone conversation with Greg is an intimation of things to come. All those knotheads better hope they didn't communicate with him outside the backchannel. If I had to guess JG will honor the code of omertà regarding the backchannel, but any external correspondence would be fair game for publication.

And, if I had to guess, there probably is ample external communication. Most of the bloggers at FTB are a lot like Laden. They think they are smarter than everyone else. Unfortunately, they aren't nearly as smart as they think they are and they don't really game out the possible outcomes resulting from their actions. They are all tactics and little strategy. They have gotten pretty far by just being the loudest person in the room. But, the time will come that they will go up against some cold, calculating motherfucker who thinks things through and has a plan of action for every contingency. And it will be a thing of beauty.

[ThreeFlangedJavis]

Steers:

But I have to wonder what your purpose is for doing that. Just for the “lulz”? Achieving “serenity through viciousness” – for yourself maybe, although unlikely for many others? Sure doesn’t seem likely to convince anybody on the other side of the fence of the error of “their” ways or lead to any epiphanies about the wisdom of “ours”. Many unbiased, skeptical or uncommitted observers are, I think, more likely to see it as further evidence of some similarities with the feuding of the Hatfields and McCoys

Viciousness! Shorely shome mishtake? Now ask yourself, would you not see Lord PeeZus and the apostles as just a tiny bit more human if they took to using jibey cartoons instead of the deadly serious character assassinations and underhand tactics? Ask 2 questions. Is one approach trying to convince people of untruths? Is there any danger that the other is going to be interpreted as documentary?

[Gumby]

If I had to guess JG will honor the code of omertà regarding the backchannel

I'm not so sure. He may very well honor that code. But even in the military, there's a point where you have to stand up and reveal very bad things, especially when doing so helps your fellow rank-and-file soldiers. At this point, I'm guessing he may not stay too much longer (can you imagine the backchannel now? lol). And if and when he does leave, he may consider some of his fellow bloggers, and ponder the ideal that FtB was supposed to be but wrecked by PZ and his loons, and be willing to break his silence in order to speak out against the viciousness that FtB has become. And what Jason has on the backchannel could very well see the light of day. If PZ and his henchcunts are counting on Justin to play the for-the-team little soldier forever, they may be in for a surprise. Just my pure speculation, of course. Who the hell knows what will actually happen.

[Dilurk]

Beautiful post at http://unsolicitedcomment.wordpress.com ... n-of-rape/

I am quoting the last few paragraphs here. Read the entire piece as linked above if you can spare the time.

Now, I agree that when a sober person decides to have sex with someone who is so drunk that they are unable to consent, that the sober person has committed rape. The sober person can be male or female and drunkenness (at least as defined by Rebecca) is not necessarily indicative of an inability to consent. There is a level and the being ‘drunk’ is not necessarily the same thing as that level.

In any event, my primary concern with this is her treatment of the man as always in control of himself and the woman as not in control of herself. This undermines any concept that men and women are equal and both able to make mistakes while drunk. This lowers the woman to the level of a child – with the effective argument being that whatever you do (proposition a girl in a lift or have sex while the both of you are smashed), you shouldn’t have done it, she’s a girl for God’s sake.

This continues to concern me about the atheist movement. We let it be hijacked by those with insane concepts of gender relations in a pseudo-feminist movement where exceptionally strange rights issues grip our attention and cleave the movement in two.

Really, what we should be now aiming for is a clear recognition that those who purport to be our leaders (like Rebecca Watson and her cohorts) are not really our leaders.

It is like a homeopath walking into a hospital, declaring himself a doctor and the rest of us (like foolish interns) following him around and assisting him in dispensing his magical water. We shouldn’t peddle nonsense. It’s the exact opposite of what we are about.

[welch]

Justin Griffith is good people, AFAIA concerned. I've known him a long time. Pre -FTB days. He's a stand up guy, and has been through a world of shit. I read his blog post, and can tell you with certainty that he's not crazy or making shit up. I was there.

Yeah. Everyone is a nice guy. I bet the guys that loaded Zyklon B cannisters into gas chambers at Auschwitz were nice guys too - y'know, responsible family men who were honest, kept their wives and kids happy, contributed to their local communities and took care of sick animals.

Sorry, that line doesn't cut it for me any more. The basic reality is that there no longer are any grey areas about the disgusting and malicious behaviour of FfTB. At all - it's there in black and white and outside the inner sanctums you are hard pressed to find anyone that will still offer excuses for them. Anywhere.

Turning a blind eye to what FfTB does whilst remaining a card carrying member and riding on its coattails for personal advantage - be it monetary or propagandistic for your own pet causes - is complicity to what FfTB does. No ifs or buts. It's the same as blogging at Stormfront and saying "but I'm not racist". That's not gonna ride anywhere. Nor do the excuses of FfTB folks outside of the FC(n) ride with me. They are complicit.

There's a saying about people that have a spine and basic integrity - "If I don't like the party I leave". It took you longer than it should have Al - but you finally stood up and left. That restored faith in you for a great many people, not least myself. I worried for a long time, but resisted making any comment on your temporary collusion. I am glad I did.

As for Justin Griffith... He may very well be a nice guy. He may even have principles. But as far as having a spine or being someone I'd trust, he's baboon through and through. To simultaneously put on a sincerity act here in person to look for sympathetic ears, whilst at the same time calling us violent, misogynist filth in private elsewhere for other sympathetic ears is pretty contemptible. At best it's just a fucked up and confused insecure basket case grasping at straws. At worst it is a professional manipulator a la the pudgy pink princess.

I am willing to concede Justin may be just fucked up and insecure. I hold no grievance against him. Nor do I want anything to do with him. And if he is genuinely fucked up, then the worst place in the universe for him to be psychologically is inside the madhouse that is the FfTB politburo. If you really are his friend Al, on more than a superficial level, that should concern you. It is not a good place for him to be and things aren't going to get any better. If he was my friend, I'd be wanting to get him the fuck out of there ASAP.

As for the rest of the so called "innocent" FfTB cadre -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banality_of_evil

Or they could actually publicly disagree when they legitimately do.

The thing with the backchannel is: STFU about it. if it's not publicly available material, then it's not valid as proof of anything. People support Justin in the backchannel but not in public? Fuck that shit, doesn't count. You want to support someone, do it in the fucking sunshine where people can see, or fuck off back to cowardville. Backchannel has all kinds of info, "but I can't talk about it"? Then stop talking about it at all. It's just another douchey version of "I know something you don't know, but i can't talk about it. However, it proves you wrong/right/anything"

Bullshit. It can't prove a fucking thing unless it's available for examination. Super Sekret information doesn't fucking count for beans, and people constantly talking about it are just perpetuating a false validity.

[welch]

If I had to guess JG will honor the code of omertà regarding the backchannel

I'm not so sure. He may very well honor that code. But even in the military, there's a point where you have to stand up and reveal very bad things, especially when doing so helps your fellow rank-and-file soldiers. At this point, I'm guessing he may not stay too much longer (can you imagine the backchannel now? lol). And if and when he does leave, he may consider some of his fellow bloggers, and ponder the ideal that FtB was supposed to be but wrecked by PZ and his loons, and be willing to break his silence in order to speak out against the viciousness that FtB has become. And what Jason has on the backchannel could very well see the light of day. If PZ and his henchcunts are counting on Justin to play the for-the-team little soldier forever, they may be in for a surprise. Just my pure speculation, of course. Who the hell knows what will actually happen.

ACtually, in the military, if you see things that are illegal/wrong, you have a specific, explicit, enumerated duty to report them. Unit cohesiveness is not a license to kill, as it were. The UCMJ et al are clear on this.

[Phil_Giordana_FCD]

747 is the Pit's Jumbo Page!

That is all I have to say right now...

[Gumby]

Beautiful post at http://unsolicitedcomment.wordpress.com ... n-of-rape/

I am quoting the last few paragraphs here. Read the entire piece as linked above if you can spare the time.

Now, I agree that when a sober person decides to have sex with someone who is so drunk that they are unable to consent, that the sober person has committed rape. The sober person can be male or female and drunkenness (at least as defined by Rebecca) is not necessarily indicative of an inability to consent. There is a level and the being ‘drunk’ is not necessarily the same thing as that level.

In any event, my primary concern with this is her treatment of the man as always in control of himself and the woman as not in control of herself. This undermines any concept that men and women are equal and both able to make mistakes while drunk. This lowers the woman to the level of a child – with the effective argument being that whatever you do (proposition a girl in a lift or have sex while the both of you are smashed), you shouldn’t have done it, she’s a girl for God’s sake.

This continues to concern me about the atheist movement. We let it be hijacked by those with insane concepts of gender relations in a pseudo-feminist movement where exceptionally strange rights issues grip our attention and cleave the movement in two.

Really, what we should be now aiming for is a clear recognition that those who purport to be our leaders (like Rebecca Watson and her cohorts) are not really our leaders.

It is like a homeopath walking into a hospital, declaring himself a doctor and the rest of us (like foolish interns) following him around and assisting him in dispensing his magical water. We shouldn’t peddle nonsense. It’s the exact opposite of what we are about.

That was a great article indeed.

The dissent grows.

http://www.bschool.com/wp-content/uploads/MrBurns.gif

[Gumby]

ACtually, in the military, if you see things that are illegal/wrong, you have a specific, explicit, enumerated duty to report them. Unit cohesiveness is not a license to kill, as it were. The UCMJ et al are clear on this.

That is, in my fumble-brained way, exactly what I was trying to communicate.

[CommanderTuvok]

Lousy is really pissed off at Justin, and has post-moaned at least half-a-dozen times on his blog.

PZ's backchannel must be on fire with fellow Baboons telling him to get Justin silenced, and then sent to Siberia for treatment.

[CommanderTuvok]

Justin will need to put on that shirt...and another one, a jumper, a coat, goggles........

http://i.imgur.com/XiG5c.jpg

[windy]

Beautiful post at http://unsolicitedcomment.wordpress.com ... n-of-rape/

Going by Rebecca's comments about the drunk driving analogy, she thinks that sex is something that "is done to" the woman.

[Lsuoma]

Just want to wish everyone a Merry Yithmas!

May be online later.

Hope you get the donkey balls you want, Abbie.

Also, thanks to everyone who's made this place what it is since it was dug in early July. Now, it looks like the sun is over the yardarm, so I'm off to grab a cranberry vodka.