Having a slight position of authority here does not mean that I can no longer have an opinion on the threads posted here. I ALWAYS treat people with the utmost respect in all of my interactions with them, here and in real life. Only after someone treats me with disrespect does my attitude change. As a person, I give back as I get. Would it be your preference that I just start deleting things and giving people time-outs? But then, I'd have everyone complaining about all the deleted posts.

Hmm. What's a fellow to do?



There are steps between taking it on the chin and cutting off the other guy's head - verbally or through mod action. Taking on the job of Mediator, you should know them and practice them.
"Giving back as you get" is precisely the opposite of a Mediator's job.

I'm so glad we're all listening to LadyX's words.

I may have to modify my statement if a "Mediator" is different or has different powers than a "Moderator". If a mediator's jobs and powers are less than those of a moderator, and you can't close/delete threads or censure/remove posts, or warn or ban users, you have my sincere apology for any incorrect assumptions I've made. I'll gladly eat that crow.

If a "Mediator" is only supposed to mediate a thread, e.g. remind people to keep people in the rules and/or maintain civil dialog, you're still a bad one. "Responding in kind" is the antithesis of mediation, and you, NP, should not have those privileges or that title either.

In all honesty, Brooke, I think I've been more than patient with the aforementioned poster. I treated her fairly, and without rancor, even AFTER she called me those names. Now, I'm simply tired of her attitude, and I'm done with letting her address me any way she sees fit without responding in kind.


Translation: I don't abuse my power unless I'm really annoyed, which by definition makes abuse of power OK. Then I'll get away with acting a bully and ass because I have the power to do so with impunity.

Moderators don't "respond in kind". They moderate. They close or remove threads, they warn users on improper conduct, or edit term-breaking posts, or if need be censure/ban/report to the admins. NP, you're a bad moderator and don't deserve the title or the power that goes with it.

Hypothetically speaking, if the President ordered this to happen (which I doubt) or if he knew about it but did nothing (more likely), what should happen to him? Does he qualify for impeachment or any other punishment?

Both are highly unlikely to have happened. The IRS is not part of the administration, and has overreached its authority plenty of times before Obama took office.

That's his favorite way of arguing. He's like Rush Limbaugh. He spins things, claims you said things you haven't, and then claims that you're just not intelligent enough to see why you're wrong. It's actually kinda funny, if you look at it the right way.

Lies. But no surprise.

The bridge I'm trying to build is to get people to think for a moment, about just what the laws they're proposing will actually do to fight crime. So far, the answer is nothing. If anyone can come up with a new law that actually will help, I'm all ears.

You're not trying to build bridges, NP. You're building platforms to stand on to harangue those who disagree with you, or to cry personal persecution from. Your "The answer is nothing" is proof by assertion, and nothing else.

Leif Ericson Galactic Cruiser

frank dot bol dot ucla dot edu/le.html#

You guys don't know what you're missin', which is fine - I'm sure other genres have large followings elsewhere but not here. It's a whole subculture, not far removed from aliens/monsters/weres and assorted scifi/horror erotica.

I get a kick out of people who defend the Washington petty dictators who are trying to change our country into a wonderland like nazi Germany or China.

I get a kick out of people who make up stories by pulling fictions out of their asses.

(Author's note: Yes, this is a Holiday Contest entry, and yes, I am cheating, sort of.) Our sleeping bags zip together perfectly, something we discovered by accident a few trips ago, and have taken shameless and wanton advantage of ever since. When two of you are heating the same small, well insulated space, the need for thermal underwear, or indeed any additional layers at all...

Added 28 Oct 2009 | Category Straight Sex | Votes 8 | Avg Score 4.63 | Views 3,852 | 2 Comments

Long day. It was the end of a long day, at the end of a long week, and Rachel was tired. Worn out, feet aching, she had opted out of the Friday Club-a-thon with work friends, riding home to her small flat, grabbing the fixings of a quick dinner at the corner market next to the bus stop. She was shimmying out of her knee-length blue skirt even as the apartment door was closing, kicking it...

Added 07 Oct 2009 | Category Supernatural | Votes 17 | Avg Score 4.82 | Views 9,792 | 7 Comments

Last summer, I'd been living in the City since the previous fall, and was finally used to the noise and bustle. I worked at the Big Bean slinging coffee, spending my pay as it came in on rent and fun. I went to casting calls when they came up, and was avoiding deciding whether I was going to try college the coming fall if the stage didn't end up calling my name, or if I would roll another year....

Added 19 Apr 2009 | Category BDSM | Votes 0 | Avg Score 0 | Views 4,625 | 1 Comment

I'm awakened to the feel of the silk blindfold being lowered over my eyes. I mumble and stir, and my lover's quiet voice hushes me. "Shh, just you relax. We're going to play another little game this morning," he tells me. "mmmmm" is my sleepy reply. His games are always exciting, and through my grogginess I feel a spark of interest and excitement kindle inside. He shifts on the bed,...

Added 16 Apr 2009 | Category BDSM | Votes 4 | Avg Score 4 | Views 5,521 | 4 Comments

We went to bed spooned, as we often do, but this evening I just couldn't seem to fall asleep. My mind wouldn't relax, and my body, though comfortable, wouldn't really let go. You know how that happens sometimes. The mundane niggling events of the workday just wouldn't leave my head. I tried to distract myself with songs, memories, even sheep for goodness sakes, but nothing worked. I was...

Added 07 Dec 2008 | Category Wife Lovers | Votes 13 | Avg Score 4.54 | Views 19,711 | 3 Comments

A dream... The scene is clearly one of a dream. The big, floppy recliner I sit in is the only thing really in focus. The room is bright, but grey and indistinct, because it's not really important. You are there. I see you are... smaller than you are. And grayer. And cold, sad. I beckon you to me and you climb onto my lap. My arms encircle you as you curl up. I feel larger than I am....

Added 07 Dec 2008 | Category Straight Sex | Votes 9 | Avg Score 4.44 | Views 1,503

Monday She was at the sink doing her morning ablutions in her short summer robe, having just showered. Her dark still-damp curls, held back from her face by a berrette, tumbled down her back almost to her slender waist. She leaned slightly over the sink, looking into the mirror as she prepared to brush her teeth, her legs about shoulder width apart. I ducked quietly into the bathroom...

Added 07 Dec 2008 | Category Straight Sex | Votes 12 | Avg Score 4.08 | Views 3,418 | 1 Comment

@@@@@@@ The restaurant, her choice, was as fine as she'd said it would be, and the play, my choice, was as good as the reviews had promised. Her dress, black and slinky, teased me all evening, with her shoulders and back semi-hidden under a filmy shawl, and the skirt slit up to just there... She had learned that part of me rapidly and well. We had learned each other actually, and surprisingly....

Added 28 Feb 2007 | Category Straight Sex | Votes 30 | Avg Score 4.5 | Views 5,263