Is it hot in here, or is it just me? [View All]

[WilliamPitt]

Yikes.

I've been mostly gone today, and came in to find more than a few supernova threads cooking here. People talking about leaving the country, getting bagged on for it, and then a blazing row back and forth. Another thread to ask liveoaktx to come back, and all the reminders of the ugliness that caused her unfortunate departure. Another fight here, another fight there, etc.

This is not a call-out thread. Repeat, not a call-out thread. I cast no aspersions toward any opinion expressed in the brawls lately. Just pointing out that it's getting hot in here. Again.

I've often compared asking for calm and order in this joint to yelling at a thunderstorm. Good luck, have fun, all you're gonna get is wet. I am, in particular, someone of absolutely no standing when it comes to this particular issue. If I had a dime for every snarky retort I've fired off, every fight I've started or gotten into...well, I'd have a lot of dimes, anyway.

So I'm just writing to remind you that you are all patriots. Most, if not all of you, have seethed lo these last five (yeah, it's been five) years. Most, if not all of you, have put your time and money and effort where your mouth is. You know who you are, you know what you've done, and if you look around, you'll see that you're surrounded on all sides by people just like you whenever you come here.

I'm also writing to remind you of an axiom I try, and sometimes succeed, to live by. If you find yourself bellowing in rage at someone who agrees with 95% of what you agree with, one of you might be a zealot, and a zealot cannot be convinced of anything they don't already believe. If you're not the zealot, a deep breath and some distance between you and the keyboard for a time do wonders. If you are the zealot, rock on. Ain't no one can stop you, anyway.

You're all patriots, wherever you are and whatever you do. Sure as hell you're not alone. So Happy Patriots Day from your friends in Boston.

:toast: