Rabbi Sues, Christmas Trees Removed from Airport.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alnilam @ Dec 12 2006, 01:43 PM) [snapback]361002[/snapback]</div>

How come no one ever talks about King Leopold of Belgium?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KMO @ Dec 12 2006, 04:30 PM) [snapback]361084[/snapback]</div>

That seems an eminently sensible suggestion. I can't imagine the Fred's threads (as much as I have participated in them myself) make a very good impression on people checking out the site.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mystery Squid @ Dec 12 2006, 04:17 PM) [snapback]361076[/snapback]</div>

Promises, promises....

If a few patrons are having a food fight, do you shut down the restaurant, or throw the offenders out? Some of us are perfectly capable of discussing any subject with respect, and some of us aren't.

 

I don't mind having a diverse mix of topics on this site. I do, however, mind when people attack eachother. It makes for an unpleasant visit.

I don't believe that what KMO suggests would work. Too many topics of discussion are governed by politics and/or religion and we would be reduced to discussing only the Prius. Even that could makes its way to a political discussion if comments concern the environment or the reduced tax credit, etc.

I think posters should simply pay mind to being respectful to eachother even if they don't appreciate the other's viewpoint. The recent attacks on dbermanmd come to mind, for me at least.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mystery Squid @ Dec 12 2006, 03:45 PM) [snapback]361094[/snapback]</div>

I would never throw the baby out with the dirty bath water.

 

I heartily agree with TonyPSchaefer and KMO - this has really gotten out of hand.

I've found the off-topic threads to be good....until it turns to religion and politics. This thread is a textbook example of how flame-baiting those two hot topics makes this an unpleasant reading. Some of the posts on this thread are nothing less than hate-speech at various faiths/beliefs. Sadder still is a few apparently oggle this bickering - I for one do not, nor do I see much good out of it. There are plenty more threads like this one, including ones with flame-baiting topics that remind me of The Jerry Springer Show. It seems very easy to have some of these discussions without the vitrol, but some relish it. {sigh}

I hope those that have been reporting threads continue. The ones flame-throwing have exhibited such a lack of self-control and civility so far - they must expect to do threads like this indefinitely. Go ahead - push the envelope a little more....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delta Flyer @ Dec 12 2006, 04:04 PM) [snapback]361107[/snapback]</div>

I seem to believe by your statement above having read the entire thread that you would condone anti-Semitism?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Dec 12 2006, 04:07 PM) [snapback]361114[/snapback]</div>

You just can't resist jumping to conclusions can you?

When Delta had a problem with is the tone of post and specific attacks from multiple people in the thread. He said absolutely nothing about the content of the posts or the ideas expressed therein.

What surprises me most is how unwilling some members are to read something, just say "boy, what a horse's nice person s/he is" and move on. (This is now your or MS's cue to call me a horse's nice person and move on).

And, just to avoid having words put in my mouth. I do not condone anti-semitism. Nor do I condone censorship.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Dec 12 2006, 03:07 PM) [snapback]361114[/snapback]</div>

Never!

In a perverse way, it's good you are unable to stop your urge to bait - maybe that will be addressed.

I want to apologize in a PM that might have made some incorrect assumptions, dbermanmd. While I agree on some of your positions, I see endless debate counter-productive.

 

Posts concerning limiting discussion to aspects related to the Prius: Thats what the first 9 topics in the forums are dedicated to (ie ToyotaPrius Forums). The next 4 (PriusChat Forums) are dedicated to other things, in order to allow discussion of subjects not related to the Prius (lets face it - the Prius subjects start to repeat after you've been here a bit, and variety is the spice of life).

So i say keep FHOP a bastion of free speech. However, there should be limits - for example, when a thread starts to get out of hand with personal attacks, etc a mod could post a simple warning to "play nice" or something, and if it continues out of hand lock it. a policy of this nature will allow discussions, even heated political discussions, so long as people aren't personally attacking each other and being extremely unpleasant about it.

 

eagle33199,

I definitely believe it's possible to have such discussions in a more placid manner as you are suggesting. I would be comfortable with that. If this thread had been conducted in that manner, it would have been no problem at all.

 

By the Power vested in me by Godwin's Law, I declare Mystery Squid as the loser in this thread, and that this thread should be closed! Heil PriusChat Hitler!

(Sorry for being late on this. Maybe the mods will give me special thread closing powers...)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(huskers @ Dec 12 2006, 08:25 AM) [snapback]360902[/snapback]</div>

Hell yes! If they don't put up a beer volcano I'm going to sue!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Dec 11 2006, 01:10 PM) [snapback]360380[/snapback]</div>

I don't know, the athiest have what they want, right? NOTHING! That's what they believe, and that's what they got. As Evan says, we could have all the various icons with a space, than also a few blank spaces that rep those who believe nothing, or unsure, or that the nothing represents their beliefe that nothing CAN represent their belief. We can market these thingies in 3 feet by 3 feet plastic containers and make a ton of dough! :^)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mystery Squid @ Dec 12 2006, 05:23 PM) [snapback]361130[/snapback]</div>

Squid and Berman the same person? Neigh, says the horse.

Squid and that hitler poster, maybe...(But I think it's Tony)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hill @ Dec 12 2006, 07:23 PM) [snapback]361197[/snapback]</div>

I don't think any one got what they wanted from this. Not the rabbi, not the airport...well, maybe Squid for stirring the sh!t yet again...

The Rabbi was only asking for equal treatment, not 'nothing'. If we're going to 'lord' one religion over another, that's an issue. But there's an easier way. Surely there's room in an airport - and in our minds - for a few more symbols of celebration.

The tree and the lights and the feasts this time of year originate with the solstice, and the celebrations are an affirmation of life and hope and sharing. Even as an athiest, I'm quite comfortable participating. Yes, the commercialism has gone too far, but that's true of far more than Christmas. As for the ancient traditions of sacrificing virgins and dancing naked in the moonlight, well, you can't have everything.

 

I saw on the 10:00 news tonight where they put the Christmas Trees back where they were and the Rabbi, instead of suing, is going to be included in next year's decoration planning. What a wonderful solution. We had this happen at work one year. One of our Jewish doctors complained about there not being a Menorrah (sp?) so we added one for him. There were no hard feelings. We had a Christmas tree one side of the hall and the Menorrah on the other and they were both enjoyed by all.