TO: Amy Alkon
RE: [Not Quite Totally-OT]
“The vast majority of people who have kicked/banned/killed me have been atheists, like yourself, dearie. And all because I was expressing my christian ethics in a manner that was obviously proving to be too effective for your personal form of ‘Faith’ to cope with.” — Chuck Pelto to Amy Alkon
“This isn’t the case.” — Amy Alkon
What’s not the case? That the vast majority of ‘killers’ have been atheists? And you’re saying you’re a Christian now? Couldn’t say that from the what I’d read on your blog, let alone the vulgar language you used in your intro to this thread.
“And Chuck, I’ve only banned, I believe, five people, since 2003 — most of them for posting libelous stuff under the name of an actual real person. (One woman in Wisconsin pretended to be a guy in Texas from “Ain’t It Cool.”)” — Amy Alkon
I really don’t care how many notches you’ve carved on your monitor. That’s not important….to me. I’m more interesting in why they were carved. Allow me to state that I fully understand it’s your blog and you can jolly well do what you like with it.
“Plenty of people of faith post on my site and are not banned,” — Amy Alkon
Yeah. I was tripping all over them on your blog. So many that we could have sung Handle’s Messiah this next Christmas. I sing high-baritone, myself. Love that one about “All We Like Sheep”.
However, I suspect that you may be playing word games here with the concept of ‘Faith’. I’m certain that everyone who walks the face of this ball-o-dirt has SOME kind of ‘Faith’. What it is is not necessarily ‘Christian’.
“….I believe that free and open debate is the best way to advance thought on an issue. Also, I really enjoy it.” — Amy Alkon
I’d call that a serious misrepresentation. More on that a bit later.
“You have to be REPEATEDLY abusive to get banned from my site, and to a great degree.” — Amy Alkon
So. Please show all of us, someplace, how I was ‘abusive’ and ‘to a great degree’.
I say my comments on your blog were nothing more nor anything less than what I’ve done HERE. And people who’ve seen me comment elsewhere can attest to that. I don’t use vulgarity nor do I call anyone 57 varieties of MoFo. It’s unnecessary and ineffectual.
If such comment is what you consider ‘abusive’ and ‘to a great degree’, I suggest that you are either (1) overly sensitive—for such a vulgar woman—or (2) doing what Solnit wishes she could do with the menfolk who stand up to her in social gatherings.
Fortunately for you, on your blog, you have that (1) power and (2) opportunity….to ‘kill’.
This flies gives the lie to your claim to (1) “….believe that free and open debate is the best way to advance thought on an issue.” and (2) “…. I really enjoy it.”
You claim to believe it. And enjoy it. But you do not behave that way. Rather, you ‘kill’ those who effectively oppose you or your compatriots….when you have the chance.
“Shockingly, it seems I’m one of many people who has considered you repeatedly abusive.” — Amy Alkon
I can count them on two hands. And maybe one foot. And, as I stated above, the vast majority, as in about 90% are atheists. That’s over 6 years now. Well…actually, 14. The first ‘killer’ was Tim ‘DaveGin’ Maclemore of Time Magazine over on AOL. I spoke out about homosexuality and WHAMO! Oliver Willis and Armed (il)Liberal came in, close together in 2002.
[Note: Funny. You haven’t provided a better link for the latter to explain/justify his decision to ‘kill’.
By the way....next time you see him, tell him, “Just Kidding” for me. Will ya?]
“If many of those who ban you are atheists, perhaps that’s because you post on a lot of atheists’ sites, and are anything but “Christian” in your behavior.” — Amy Alkon
And atheists so strongly “….believe that free and open debate is the best way to advance thought on an issue.” and (2) “….really enjoy it.”
On the other hand, “Crushing into Silence” is a GREAT technique to stop the spread of ideas detrimental to ones own. Don’t you think? I’m sure Solnit would love the ability at social gatherings that your practice on your blog.
And, if you understand Christian ethics so well….please show me where Christians are required to be silent? Book/Chapter/Verse, if you will.
You’re digging your own grave with each finger-stroke, dearie.
“Finally, I bet a lot of people here post on a number of sites. Like me, they have probably never been banned by one of them.” — Amy Alkon
“And not because they necessarily have opinions concurring with those whose sites they post on, but because they are not abusive jerks who turn every discussion into a personal grandstanding opportunity.” — Amy Alkon
So….why did you bring up Solnit, if not to ‘grand stand’.
Your only problem was that (1) I saw it [Note: Thank the BlogFather for that] and (2) connected the dots and (3) came out to show you the correlation between you and she.
I’ll wager that one of the factors in your starting this thread was over that business of
Hi, I’m the syndicated columnist (banned from LA Times’ features sections, I might add) who wrote the above piece.– Amy Alkon; Apr 14, 2008 – 8:45 am
Obviously, you take some degree of umbrage at being treated thusly as well.
“When you buy the bandwidth, you’re free to turn your own comments section into a tedious and highly repetitive flurry of posts….” — Amy Alkon
As I stated (earlier) I’m aware it’s your blog.
“….about your MENSA membership, and what it means. Have at it.” — Amy Alkon
Thanks for bringing that up. For two reasons.
[1] It provides FP with a frame of reference on my background. So he will know better than to pursue his argument that I’m some form of moron.
[2] Allows me to present an interesting study in psychology.
You see….the only reason that came up in the first place was because someone, somewhere else on your blog, i.e., another thread, made allusion to my lack of mental skills. Sort of like FP does (above). And so I asked him to show me his Mensa membership number. And I said I’d show him mine.
Ever since then, OTHER people on your blog—just like you have HERE—have been throwing that in my face. As if I should be ashamed of what gifts I’ve been given.
There are other aspects of my background that came up for similar reasons, i.e., answers to allegations of lack of ‘understanding’ in some field/venue or another. In fields/venues in which I am VERY well versed/familiar. I’m sure you and some others I’ve encountered on the web can recollect them. Feel free to bring them up when you think it apropos.
Isn’t that curious? Reminds me of my days in high school, where I was ridiculed for being ‘smart’.
How sophomoric of you.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
[Having gifts differing....
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
-- Romans 12:6-20]
P.S. If he/she is ignorant, disabuse them.
P.P.S. Please be advised….I do not hate you, nor any of the others who have ‘killed’ me. Indeed, I bless you, because you have done me great honor…out of your ignorance. As it is written, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” — Matthew 5:11-12
Rather, I wish you’d learn better…..behaving as you claim to behave.
P.P.P.S. Am I ‘abusing’ you now?
