What's interesting to me is that we seem to have some trouble quantifying just exactly what is wrong. Yes, there's some profanity and vulgarity and what-not, but these things are not by definition uncivil. Lack of civility stems in large part from the way in which these things are used...are they being used in a fit of ill temper or as a means of beating somebody down, or are they being used in a more playful context. And don't tell me you've never enjoyed using vulgarity in a playful context, you dirty dogs, you.
Perhaps I'm a bad person to discuss the matter because for the life of me I just can't take much of anything Mark's saying seriously, and so I'm not offended by it. Maybe I'm just in a fey mood where a certain amount of crudeness just hits the funny bone. Not all humor can be high and dry. Of course, if the humor ceases to be playful and becomes tedious, then it's a lot more spamlike. I can see why people are complaining. I'm just having the hardest time worrying about it except when something that looks like an excessive response rears its head. Instead of focusing on the "to ban or not to ban" angle, I'd suggest trying to find a way to allow Mark to express himself without inconveniencing those who feel inconvenienced. Think of it as practical problem solving. If nothing works you can still ban the hairy-palmed mandroid as a last resort, you know. Marvin Long Austin, Texas "Never flay a live Episiarch." -- Galactic Proverbs 7563:34(j)
