threads and posts being erased

[Geo]

Actually Geo, there is a real foundation that the zombie mythology is based upon. Here is an interesting article regarding real zombies and with Halloween coming up, its very timely! lol I will leave the God mythology for another day I think... ;-)

"Most of the historical research of zombie comes where they have originated, the Caribbean island of Haiti. The original type of real zombies are people who were manipulated by some kind of drug created by a voodoo priest and used as slave labor.The best documented case was by Edmund Wade Davis a noted anthropologist, ethnobotanist, author and photographer whose work has focused on worldwide indigenous cultures, especially in North and South America and particularly involving the traditional uses and beliefs associated with psychoactive plants. Dr. Wade Davis had been intrigued with a man named Clairvius Narcisse a man supposedly had temporarily become a zombie slave and after many years recovered his memory to tell about it."

real zombies

Also, here is another paper with a more scientific angle on the subject:

"In 1985, Harvard University botanist Wade Davis traveled to Haiti in search of the poison powder called coupe poudre, allegedly used to cause the death-like trance state induced in the process of zombification. His sponsors believed that if such a drug existed it would have valuable pharmacological usage. He published the results of his findings in two books The Serpent and the Rainbow (1985), and Passage of Darkness: The Ethnobiology of the Haitian Zombie (1988). In essence, Davis claimed that yes, there are indeed "zombies," and that they are created, at least in part, by a poisonous powder. But, Davis maintains that the poison in and of itself is not enough to create a zombie, rather that "set and setting" must be taken into account (2). This is the distinction that defines the field of ethnobiology, the idea that physical, social and psychological settings inform biological interactions."

You Think I Therefore Am?: The Ethnobiology and Ethics of the Haitian Zombie


So the zombie movie "The Serpent and the Rainbow" was loosely based on this as well!

Yep, I meant God.

 

[Andy A]

You have the same ability to use the report post feature as everyone else. That is preferred, and more effective, than playing the victim and pointing fingers after the fact.

Kurt, with all due respect, I have used the "report post" only once in all my time on SoWal. It was when I was called a particularly "dirty" name. What did it get? Nada. It almost seems more is accomplished when you post in "open forum" than complaining through the recommended channels. If I am wrong, I apologize in advance.

 

[LuciferSam]

Yep, I meant God.

God is a zombie.

 

[Kurt]

Kurt, with all due respect, I have used the "report post" only once in all my time on SoWal. It was when I was called a particularly "dirty" name. What did it get? Nada. It almost seems more is accomplished when you post in "open forum" than complaining through the recommended channels. If I am wrong, I apologize in advance.

Your action caused another action. Were you expecting a response?

 

[Teresa]

All I can say is that I'm less likely to read copy and paste posts from anybody unless they contain some sort of summary commentary. The summary could be opinion, or it could just be something like "hey this is interesting etc". An example of what I don't like is when somebody posted an article about Obama giving a televised speech to school children. He gave no real commentary but basically rolled his eyes and said WTF? I personally had no idea of his objections, only that he had some. I had no idea until later that he viewed this as indoctrination of children. From my vantage point it was a pointless post.

Excuse me, but I think you did not really understand my post. I STILL maintain it is the thread author who has a basic journalistic responsibility to the fellow Sowal readers. I think to create a thread that contains no references whatsoever as to why they are even posting it, is just wrong--whomever it is...

Sorry, I am NOT searching for clues to understand exactly why someone has posted something--this is not a game--the onus is on the thread starter. I am just saying be "upfront" as the thread author, whether you are Bob, Tom, or Santa Claus. I know Sowal is made up of a lot of people with fake names, and most of whom will never meet each other in person, but be upfront and be courteous with your threads!

It directs and drives the conversation much more efficiently which I feel most readers would appreciate.
Thank you!

great points you guys. thanks for saying this. I think its just common sense to explain your post and what you think of it. its just common courtesy, taking personal responsibility for your post and clearly communicating your take or at least stating why the post is interesting to you.

I also think Mermaid has a good point too. Some posters just operate that way - its part of their online personality. and that is okay too. as long as it isn't trollling behavior, or someone who is constantly sarcastic and meanspirited in their intention.

Though I admire SJ's posts very much, I certainly don't always agree with them. This is one of those times. It is my feeling that doing away with the national political and current events forum would be a travesty of epic perportions.
I don't agree with many of the posts in this forum and the downright lack of common sense is sometimes amazing. However, I learn as much from how people feel and react to different posts as I do from the particular post itself.
There is bound to be some rancor and derisive responses on the heated subjects that appear in this forum. To me, it makes the forum interesting and far from boring.
I, as others, am sometimes guilty of improper statements. But as I've said before, a poster can only be goaded so much before they respond in kind if they are so inclined.
I once had a flight surgeon who said to me, "Andy, we are all different breeds of cats." Those words say a lot about all who post if you take them in the proper context.
I am not, nor do I expect anyone else, going to change my thoughts or how I express them. The best I can promise is that I will be civil and courteous unless goaded.
One final thought. As has been said by others, if you don't like a thread or what a poster has to say, ignore it and move on. There is much to be learned here and purusal of the different threads belongs only to the individual doing so. No one is being made to do anything they don't wish to do.

thank you Andy A. for this great post. I agree 100%. By your participation and the above post, you demonstrate an open mind and tolerance for others who think differently. we should all take a lesson.

beanstalk, I'm simply saying, add something worthy, rather than regurgitating what the media calls news. Thus far, I see mostly the so called news without much opinion from the posters.

I don't agree with this one SJ. You are forgetting many many threads with in-depth discussion, wonderful analyses, outstanding resources shared, interesting personal stories and experiences, wonderful & well written viewpoints, much passion and a range of personal perspective from many posters. there is much to gain from those kinds of discussions - I can think of at least a dozen posters whose every post is thought provoking and meaningful, regardless of their political stance. there are many more excellent contributors but I can't think of all their names - hard to keep up (mostly ALL bring meaning & relevance to a discussion)... some may be regurgitating - but its the discussion and debate that makes us think, and in many instances makes us aware for the first time of a news report or current issue. without such discussion, would we ever really know the many views or opinions or others? most issues are complex - I can't think of a better way to read and see how people think about an issue, besides just my own opinion, or my friends who mostly come from a similar perspective. those discussions really bring an issue into focus for me. I may read or hear something on the news but discussing and sharing views with dozens of people from all over, with a wide range of opinions/perspectives, takes it to another level, at least for me.

but of course, lots of friends choose not to participate in the political forum. they often lurk and I suspect are enjoying learning about issues, and/or they are just greatly entertained and/or they are never tempted to join in the conversation because it is just not their thing. perhaps the lurkers are aghast! in any case, they are lurking.

but it is very irritating when the usual few show up and start killing the discussion with their BS. ignore ignore ignore ignore ignore. many threads are not worth the time or I have nothing to say or contribute, many are interesting but I don't care to participate which is fine - I can still take a look at what others are thinking, and then there are those threads that really generate passionate discussion with a huge range of views. now, that is what I really enjoy reading - discovering so many different views/resources/experiences contributed by quite a few amazingly intelligent posters.

 

[Andy A]

Your action caused another action. Were you expecting a response?

Since I feel sure the report post button is not often used, a PM or some kind of acknowlegement would have been nice. I was left unaware that any action was taken and since I felt the reported post was especially offensive I would have welcomed an acknowlegement of it having been received. I consider myself thick skinned but occasionally some things are beyond the pale.

 

[Gidget]

YouTube - How to post in the Forums

Hee hee - I even learned a few things!

G

 

[poppy]

I can't think of a single poster who would be so stupid and of such a simple mind to actually listen to the crap Olby delivers each night, can you?

No, I since I don't and can't recall him being quoted in these threads.

 

[Blair]

God is a zombie.

 

[Beanstalk]

Check out post 66. It is written by Jack but says Bob posted it. OMG- can you imagine if Jack and Bob are the same person!!! hahahahahaha

Geo, rest assured we are not one in the same. (But I have a feeling you already knew that) However I had thought that you and Bob were at one point. Sometimes things get all twisted around. I just figured it was your turn since the tag team has arrived..... Next?