Art Bell

[Value Of Pi]

MV doesn't need me to defend him, but I ought to point out a couple of things.

BG is no different to every other part of life; there is good and bad on offer and you can always ignore the bad if you choose to. Nothing is won or lost here and if things get a bit tiresome (as they have for me on occasion) then it's a good idea to step away and do something else for a while. It's not worth losing sleep or hair in bothering about the opinions of a few anonymous posters. If he starts curating the forum rather than let it be itself then that's the very definition of the good intention that leads you straight to hell. Soon it would become unusable. MV would have created a precedent and would get besieged with messages demanding he expunge this or that post because it crossed an arbitrary line. The hands-off approach is really the only way to go if you want somewhere that is actually interesting, rather than a hang-out for cat-ladies. I don't think it's fair to see it as an endorsement. Free speech involves defending the right to speak for some pretty unpleasant characters. It has to be that way, because once you start censoring people, sooner or later the censoring process gets round to you too.

There's a lot of material here I skip over for one reason or another, mostly because it's boring, but you get to know the ones who are deliberately unpleasant and you develop a kind of mental filtering process, so soon you barely even notice they are there any more. Getting offended is your choice here. It's a gun that you load, point and fire at yourself. Nobody does that for you, and making a fuss just encourages the troublemakers to up the ante and do even more to piss you off. You are playing their game and getting sucked into their little world. It's really not worth your time.

I appreciate the input, but here are a few things to consider. First, I am not tearing my hair out over this issue since I have long since learned to directly avoid most of the toxic crapola that's out there and focus on the important things, This includes the time spent at BellGab.

This is not about being offended by a small (but growing) portion of the content here. It's about the tacit acceptance of its presence and protection of it by the powers that be, which in this venue and others threatens to normalize it in the eyes of those who don't know any better. It's about the policy and the extremely weak grounds that justify it.

This is not a freedom of speech/First Amendment issue, since government censorship is not involved. Many Americans don't understand that speech is limited all the time by private entities, like businesses and parents, to enforce whatever standards they value. People still get plenty of opportunity to express themselves freely in this society.

On the practical question of how to maintain the open and free-wheeling nature of the site while still taking out the trash as needed, I'll say this one more time. It's very doable. The problem is in not having the skills to manage the site to this end and, I would guess, not wanting to take the trouble to learn them. That, by the way, is as harsh a judgement on MV as it needs to be since he's the sole owner/operator. It's all on him.

This whole matter, by the way, is happening with a national election, and the spectre of Donald Trump, hanging over the country. There's a lot of the Trumpian mindset in MV's excuses for not taking a stand on the worst bigots and racists around us here on BellGab. Trump sets a great example for how to do that.

Anyway, here's one last bit of irony that I know you'll appreciate. I've gotten a much tougher tongue-lashing from MV for my views on dealing with racism and bigotry at BellGab than the racists and bigots have gotten from him for their postings. As I pointed out in my Top Right Corner quotation, these guys have a home and a safe space here and they know it.

[Donald Noory]

Well, the 'actual issue' is we have people who hate this country and want to destroy it, and others who use race to divide us for political purposes.  Sometimes it's difficult to tell them apart, but they all reside in the Democrat Party - chief among them is Barrack Obama.  We also have a bunch of easily led pukes who preen and try to impress by going along with it. 

[PB the Deplorable]

... and threatens to normalize it in the eyes of those who don't know any better...

The Liberal mindset at work.  We need them to tell us what to think, what to do, what to say and not say, to manage every aspect of our lives for us, because, you know, without them we just don't know any better and can't do those things for ourselves. 

And if you don't agree with them, if you don't go along, well, somehow you're a 'racist'.

[Donald Noory]

The Liberal mindset at work.  We need them to tell us what to think, what to do, what to say and not say, to manage every aspect of our lives for us, because, you know, without them we just don't know any better and can't do those things for ourselves.  And somehow you're a 'racist' if you don't agree with them.

[pate]

This Pepe Gurkha guy is actually a really talented ARTist when not creating one-off intartube droll grenouille memes.

Giuseppe Percivati's perception of l'histoire can be quite hysterical if properly view'd through rose (or commie-red, if you prefer) color'd glasses.

BellGab, I came for the Dave-Hatur-Nation but stayed for the meme-tastiness (mean nastiness?  Not Sure)

Voila:

a l'edituer:  heavy-handed forum moderators please delete this post if off-topic, TIA!

[someguy]

The Liberal mindset at work.  We need them to tell us what to think, what to do, what to say and not say, to manage every aspect of our lives for us, because, you know, without them we just don't know any better and can't do those things for ourselves. 

And if you don't agree with them, if you don't go along, well, somehow you're a 'racist'.

People are telling you not to be racist or say racist things because it's the year 2016 and it's not acceptable. Grow up.

[someguy]

the pepe meme is considered racist because it is being used primarily by alt-right white nationalists to promote racist views, which can be seen on bellgab in the political forum.

[Value Of Pi]

The Liberal mindset at work.  We need them to tell us what to think, what to do, what to say and not say, to manage every aspect of our lives for us, because, you know, without them we just don't know any better and can't do those things for ourselves. 

And if you don't agree with them, if you don't go along, well, somehow you're a 'racist'.

Not everyone is as smart and wise as you are. Not everyone is as impervious to the kind of nasty propaganda and messaging that has enabled the world's most dangerous regimes to take power. Mostly, that propaganda is directed towards blaming specific groups and turning them into villains.

Lots of people can fall under this spell. So, let's acknowledge this problem while also acknowledging that it's very annoying to have anyone try to force their point of view upon you. Liberal or otherwise.

[GravitySucks]

the pepe meme is considered racist because it is being used primarily by alt-right white nationalists to promote racist views, which can be seen on bellgab in the political forum.

Yep. It's all Katy Perry's fault.

Put your dog whistle back in your pocket. The first times I even noticed its use were all poking fun at Trump and mocking his hair. Now SJWs try and redefine the narrative.

https://twitter.com/katyperry/status/531011411720151041

[someguy]

Yep. It's all Katy Perry's fault.

Put your dog whistle back in your pocket. The first times I even noticed its use were all poking fun at Trump and mocking his hair. Now SJWs try and redefine the narrative.

https://twitter.com/katyperry/status/531011411720151041

So you condone the picture of pepe in a gas mask talking aobut gassing people with zyklon B which is posted on this forum?

[norland2424]

Yep. It's all Katy Perry's fault.

Put your dog whistle back in your pocket. The first times I even noticed its use were all poking fun at Trump and mocking his hair. Now SJWs try and redefine the narrative.

https://twitter.com/katyperry/status/531011411720151041

Niki minaj is also a nazi

[GravitySucks]

So you condone the picture of pepe in a gas mask talking aobut gassing people with zyklon B which is posted on this forum?

One image does not equate to:

the pepe meme is considered racist because it is being used primarily by alt-right white nationalists to promote racist views, which can be seen on bellgab in the political forum.

Do I condone it? No, I disregard it. Do I find it funny?  No. There are a lot of things I find crude, rude and socially unacceptable.

Would I rather have the /ignore function enabled?  Yes.

Call out the original poster if you see something that offends you. Or not. It's up to you.

[Big Chicken]

For Christ sakes.

These are frogs.  They are cartoons and puppets.  They are not Nazi's.  They are not real:



These are Nazi's.  They were real. They were bad news. They died along time ago.




Enough of the Frog bullshit..............

[someguy]

For Christ sakes.

These are frogs.  They are cartoons and puppets.  They are not Nazi's.  They are not real:



These are Nazi's.  They were real. They were bad news. They died along time ago.




Enough of the Frog bullshit..............

look at the pepe the frog thread on this forum to see the racist memes. thank you.

[PB the Deplorable]

People are telling you not to be racist or say racist things because it's the year 2016 and it's not acceptable. Grow up.

And we need you to tell us what is and what isn't?  We're too stupid to think for ourselves?


Oh yes, the Liberal Progressive Left.  The tolerant, enlightened ones among us.  Nonviolent, nonjudgmental, modern, 'progressive', accepting, compassionate, inclusive, and diverse.  Only them.

And if anyone dare disagree with them, they will show just how important their values are - with lies, smears, name calling, shouting down speakers, trying to intimidate.  They'll be out blocking streets and bridges, trashing cars, smashing windows, lighting fires, looting, attacking police - you know, because they care so much and are just so overwhelmed at 'injustice'.

Of course these are the same people telling us they're the peaceful ones, the ones who believe in free speech...

[pate]

look at the pepe the frog thread on this forum to see the racist memes. thank you.

Is there a link to the droll grenouille Art thread or should it be merged with this one?

Asking for a friend.

[someguy]

And we need you to tell us what is and what isn't?  We're too stupid to think for ourselves?


Oh yes, the Liberal Progressive Left.  The tolerant, enlightened ones among us.  Nonviolent, nonjudgmental, modern, 'progressive', accepting, compassionate, inclusive, and diverse.  Only them.

And if anyone dare disagree with them, they will show just how important their values are - with lies, smears, name calling, shouting down speakers, trying to intimidate.  They'll be out blocking streets and bridges, trashing cars, smashing windows, lighting fires, looting, attacking police - you know, because they care so much and are just so overwhelmed at 'injustice'.

Of course these are the same people telling us they're the peaceful ones, the ones who believe in free speech and all the rest.

I'm sorry, did I trigger you?

[Big Chicken]

I'm sorry, did I trigger you?

That is a Macro Aggression.   


Go sit in the corner and look at the wall for 45 minutes in penance and no internet access for a week.

[PB the Deplorable]

I'm sorry, did I trigger you?

You should be careful.  I'm not sure since it's still new, but it's likely that word may now only be used when accusing someone of subtle underlying racism - when to accuse them of overt racism would be absurd on it's face.

To use it in another context, such as this, may very well be a microaggression, and a demonstration of your White Privilege. 

[someguy]

You should be careful.  I'm not sure since it's still new, but it's likely that word may now only be used when accusing someone of subtle underlying racism - when to accuse them of overt racism would be absurd on it's face.

To use it in another context, such as this, may very well be a microaggression.

You're definitley triggered, perhaps you should take refuge in your safe space?

[PB the Deplorable]

You're definitley triggered, perhaps you should take refuge in your safe space?

Are you sure you should be culturally appropriating phrases and ideas from the persons of color community?

[someguy]

Are you sure you should be culturally appropriating phrases and ideas from the persons of color community?

I'm sorry pointing out that you are a racist has affected you so much. it must have really hit home. please take a break.

[norland2424]

I'm sorry pointing out that you are a racist has affected you so much. it must have really hit home. please take a break.

[ItsOver]

look at the pepe the frog thread on this forum to see the racist memes. thank you.

MV, please ban all threads about amphibians, especially the cartoon-ones, immediately.  Oh, the humanity.  Frogs uber alles.

[PB the Deplorable]

... And if you don't agree with them, if you don't go along, well, somehow you're a 'racist'.

... the worst bigots and racists around us here on BellGab.

... racism and bigotry at BellGab

you're a racist MRA with a mail order asian wife

... am I triggering you in your safe space forum by calling you a racist?

... pointing out that you are a racist...

In the end, when all the bullshit has been cut through, it really is all they have. 

[TigerLily]

The moderator of this forum is a very special friend of mine. Please all of you take your Nazi Racist bull shit back to the Politics threads. Otherwise, he will pay the price for this lack of discipline and flaunting of The Rules

Love, Mistress TigerLily

[ItsOver]

In the end, when all the bullshit has been cut through, it really is all they have.

Hater.

[Dr. MD MD]

Not everyone is as smart and wise as you are. Not everyone is as impervious to the kind of nasty propaganda and messaging that has enabled the world's most dangerous regimes to take power. Mostly, that propaganda is directed towards blaming specific groups and turning them into villains.

Lots of people can fall under this spell. So, let's acknowledge this problem while also acknowledging that it's very annoying to have anyone try to force their point of view upon you. Liberal or otherwise.

And here we get to crux of the biscuit, the essential problem with your philosophy. You assume that most aren't and could never hope to be as intelligent and well informed as you are. It's elitist and, frankly, not much different than how the Nazis thought about themselves.

BTW, how can anyone here "force" their point of view on you?! This is the internet. You can (and unfortunately always do) present your arguments against whatever you want. Is it the freedom that scares you? 

[K_Dubb]

And here we get to crux of the biscuit, the essential problem with your philosophy. You assume that most aren't and could never hope to be as intelligent and well informed as you are. It's elitist and, frankly, not much different than how the Nazis thought about themselves.

BTW, how can anyone here "force" their point of view on you?! This is the internet. You can (and unfortunately always do) present your arguments against whatever you want. Is it the freedom that scares you? 

I think what's at stake is the interpretation of the "guests" who view the threads without ever posting.  Currently there are five times as many lurking in this one.

You can either see them as dumber than you, in which case you mount your little soapbox, or (as I would argue) infinitely wiser for never posting here.

[Donald Noory]

And we need you to tell us what is and what isn't?  We're too stupid to think for ourselves?


Oh yes, the Liberal Progressive Left.  The tolerant, enlightened ones among us.  Nonviolent, nonjudgmental, modern, 'progressive', accepting, compassionate, inclusive, and diverse.  Only them.

And if anyone dare disagree with them, they will show just how important their values are - with lies, smears, name calling, shouting down speakers, trying to intimidate.  They'll be out blocking streets and bridges, trashing cars, smashing windows, lighting fires, looting, attacking police - you know, because they care so much and are just so overwhelmed at 'injustice'.

Of course these are the same people telling us they're the peaceful ones, the ones who believe in free speech...