And discussing a problem that you see with RSL seeming to act in violation of what his website has promised might be something that you could have talked to him about in a PM.
Why should I treat RSL any differently than I treat others or others treat me (see the StopVisionFromFeeling thread)? It's a discussion forum. He started a thread. I gave my opinion. That's how it works. It kind of defeats the purpose to use PMs to discuss what we're discussing in threads.
I agreed with you from the beginning. I don't think it's a good policy to make threads about SSB emails even if they are self-deprecating (as I am sure it was intended to be...) RSL agrees with your analysis now. But really, this entire thing could have happened in PM's. Unless someone wanted to make this about embarrassing RSL instead of about the issue itself...?
RSL is in Wikipedia. He got the first ever award from the JREF. Do a search for his name and Sylvia's in Google. He's been written up in all sorts of places. Like it or not, he's a public figure in the world of skeptics.
So, why in the world would you say that he deserves some privacy regarding opinions about his public activities as a skeptic? Do claimants, most of whom have no idea what they are getting into, get that kind of consideration? Did the IIG get that kind of consideration regarding VFF's test? Once again, this is a discussion forum, and we discussed the OP.
If it "embarrassed" RSL, well, it's not the first time anyone on this board has been embarrassed today.
Did this thing need to unfurl before us all? And in front of the GS&P public? Really? And bringing up the stroke as a possible cause for what now RSL admits might have been an error?
As for your accusation about the stroke being a possible cause for some change, who said that? I never said anything about the stroke. I simply pointed out that the tone of the website itself and the promise made on the Contact page seem in conflict with the tone and content of RSL's post.
I did see where Brattus noted that the RSL from two years ago wouldn't have done this and said, "I know you've been very ill but come on." To me that's decidedly
not blaming it on the stroke but pointing out that the stroke shouldn't matter.
RSL himself brings up his stroke a lot. He's started a number of threads about it, which is his right. They belong in Community where he and his friends can talk about it all they want. But he's also brought it up in GS&P threads quite a bit. So, really, where do you get off telling others they are not allowed to bring it up, even if it were true?
Here are some selected quotes from threads that weren't updates on his progress or other personal issues. Make of it what you will.
"Perhaps the stroke has robbed me of some of my ability to make my meaning clear."
"Yes, sorry for the typo. darned stroke."
"I posted it (and a couple of the others) not to expose the correspondents to ridicule, but mostly to show examples of Browne's fans blaming my stroke on my web site."
"I have sites planned fcusing on Peter Popoff, Benny Hinn, John Edward and Kevin Trudeau. The stroke has delayed progress on these, but they are still planned."
"I had hoped to have some content on those sites by now, but that pesky ol' stroke cramped my style."
"I think that I will stop for now with posting these emails. These were all from the backlog since the stroke."
"By the way, I recently read an email which Heather sent to Susan and me when she (Heather) found out about my stroke."
"Ever since they caused my stroke, I have avoided them." (joke about aliens)
"I am pleasantly surprised that I have yet to receive an email which says that my stroke was a result of my "negativity" or some such crap."
"Well, tday I have finally gotten around to digging through the SSB email bag, stuffed with correspondence since my stroke."
"I could probably write a :"Stroke/Coma Diet" book and make some serious money."
"yes, and the email in the OP was amazingly accurate (at the time) in referring to me as a 'fat guy.' Thanks in part to the stroke, I've lost around 150 lbs. since then."
Tacky, pointlessly cruel, mean-spirited and petty.
Why didn't you send this to me via PM? Hypocrite.
The vast majority of the "personalizing" in this thread has been from the chorus people who feel the constant need to either tell everyone what a wonderful guy RSL is or insult those people who dare to criticize him. Why the mods allow all this off-topic stuff is beyond me.
We are skeptics. We are logical and address problems and concerns, certainly. But HOW we choose to do it defines us as human beings and as members of a community.
First off, not everyone here is a skeptic. Second, not all skeptics are logical in all matters and even "logical" skeptics disagree on many issues. Third, posts on an Internet forum don't "define" who we are as human beings (what drama!). Fourth, WTF does any of it have to do the topic of this thread? Do you go around to all the threads lecturing people on what they should and shouldn't post publicly? Did somebody appoint you as Keeper of the Moral Center?
From where I sit, I see a bunch of people engaging in a little hero worship and shouting down anyone who dares to criticize the great and wonderful RSL. I don't recall RSL asking people to defend him. It doesn't sound like he needs it - he's a big boy. If he does need it, then he shouldn't be posting in the first place.
Yeh, RSL had a stroke and things have been rough. There are a few thousand other active members on this board and 100,000+ visitors every month. His is not the only tragedy to have struck in the last 18 months, only we don't hear about most of the others. I've made a few friends here and in that small circle some people are going through rough times. I don't jump to their defense every time somebody disagrees with or "embarrasses" them. I'll defend or attack their positions just as I expect them to defend or attack mine, our personal feelings don't matter all that much. Adults can disagree, vehemently at times, and still grab a beer together.
So, really, lighten up and show some respect for RSL. He's a big boy and can defend his ideas and actions without a chorus of people shouting down those who disagree. It's a sad state when someone as hard-nosed as Desertgal feels like she needs to stay out of Sylvia/RSL threads because of the reactions from the peanut gallery. Fortunately, I don't give a **** if I'm a pariah or not.
