8/15    Wow, i finally noticed what you guys keep talking about.
        The only non-tech. thread was deleted from the middle of the
        pack.  That's really fucked up.  (i mean, it wasn't a thread
        i was really participating in so i don't really care), but
        sheesh, why would anyone care enough to kill it? Censor
        explain yourself. -phuqm
        \_ Wasn't me, but the motd gets long and needs trimming.  It's the
           ignorant non-post-signing trolls (who're usually too wrong to
           feel comfortable identifying themselves) who're pathetic.  Of
           course it's your right to be anonymous, but you're still
           pathetic.  -John
           \_ Fuck all those anonymous losers.  Like the trolls who wrote the
              Federalist Papers which were originally published anonymously.
              \_Don't buy into his spin.  There is a world of difference
                between anonymous post versus anonymously edit/delete other
                people's post.  Those who censored MOTD justify their action
                because they believe anonymously silence opinion they don't
                like is a form of their freedom of speech.
           \_ you amaze me.  you hurl childish insults at people and get pulled
              in to flame wars that drag on and on for no reason, and then
              consider yourself superior because you sign your name.
              do you seriously think that your insults trolls and flames don't
              make you look like an idiot because you sign your name?
              i've seen posts that were funny, technically informative,
              interesting and thoughtful from anonymous people.  i cannot
              say the same for you(except for the technically informative
              part.)
                \_ I enjoy a good, intelligent debate.  Some anonymous posters
                   make well-thought out points, which I reply to, troll or no.
                   Then, while you're entitled to your opinions, I'm entitled
                   to mine.  The guy below is the first who's given a somewhat
                   rational reason for not putting a name on his posts.  I
                   sincerely doubt, however, if most of the trolls have ever
                   bothered to think that far (hence the "pathetic", which I
                   stick by in this case.)  And let's face it, comparing the
                   motd to the Federalist Papers takes the cake--that's the
                   funniest thing I've heard in ages.  -John
                   \_ It's not up to *YOU* to decide rather motd is relevant
                   \_ John, if the anonymous poster has made a well-thought
                      point, then it *isn't* a troll.  Let's stop using tom's
                      ill conceived "anonymous == troll" definition and keep
                      to the generally accepted internet definition of "troll
                      == trying to start flamefest on hot-button topic for
                      no reason other than to get people riled".
                   \_ The motd isn't the Federalist Papers.  However, the
                      concept is similar.  The authors of the FP wanted to
                      say their piece without their writings being judged by
                      the unimportant details of who wrote them.  Knowing the
                      author's home state, country of origin, religion, etc
                      would prejudice many readers at the time who would then
                      miss the whole point: the Papers themselves.  Anonymity
                      allows intelligent debate and discussion without making
                      it personal.  For example, you might note that one of
                      your fellow CSUA members has been updating his "twink
                      points list" religiously/insanely for years.  Yes, it
                      is a joke, however, it also demonstrates an excellent
                      reason to not post a name if you want intelligent debate.
                      A person who records their grudges permanently and who
                      brings those grudges to every discussion is not someone
                 a troll but that doesn't dimish the quality of my points.  It
                 only shows the opposition has to resort to ad hominen.
                      you'll be having too many intelligent debates with.
                   \_ It's not up to *YOU* to decide whether motd is relevant
                      or not.  If you actually live in a country which has
                      severe form of censorship, you will discover whatever
                      you are doing is no different from those government
                      agent.  I.e. silence people's voice based upon result
                      of a body who think his judgement is far more superior
                      than others
                      -someone who used to live in a place of heavy censorship
              \_ John knows his security and he knows his history and most
                 things European.  John doesn't know that getting dragged into
                 an idiotic flame fest on the motd over any topic and then
                 putting your name to it is insane for anyone who wants to
                 keep their current or get a new job.  All this stuff gets
                 archived forever.  My politics, although correct at all times
                 :-), are none of any employer's business.  It can only hurt
                 me if they find my name attached to some ridiculous time
                 wasting noise on the motd no matter how brilliant my points
                 or how well I back them up with solid research.  I put real
                 life above the motd and choose anonymity for safety in the
                 real world, not safety on the motd itself where I have no
                 real reason to care what any of you think.  I don't want this
                 all going to google or whatever with my name on it.  Call me
                 a troll but that doesn't diminish the quality of my points.
                 It only shows the opposition has to resort to ad hominen.
                        -- proud to be one of John's "trolls"
                  \_ You essentially have no politics unless you are willing
                     to stand up for your beliefs/opinions/wants/needs.
                     Democracy is not a spectator sport, if you want to
                     to be heard, stand up and fight for your platform.
                     It used to be called character, before the PC zealotry
                    an extremely brave thing to do.  I honstly don't know
                     turned everyone into spineless wimps. -williamc
                     \_ so you're arguing that signing posts shows
                        "character" and is therefore a good thing.  is the
                        purpose of posts on the motd to demonstrate your
                        personal character or is it to convey information?
                        i claim that for the vast majority of poeple who
                        will read your post, your name signed at the bottom
                        carries no useful information.  that is to say that
                        they will neither pay more atttention or less attention
                        to your words based on knowing your login.  i claim
                        that this is a good thing.  it means that arguments
                        are evaluated based on their own merrit alone.
                        if you want to see poeple relying on their reputation
                        to get people to listen to them, turn on the tv.
                     \_ Uhm, yeah that's mostly true...but this is the motd.
                        Are you seriously using the *motd* to make some sort
                        statement about this guy's character??        -mice
                     \_ Hint: Federalist Paper.  May be  you should of give
                        the authors of Federalist Paper a lesson in Democracy
                     \_ I'm not a revolutionary.  My job and the income I
                        provide to my family is infinitely more important
                        than the motd politics flamefests.  If you think my
                        points have no value simply because I don't sign
                        them then you either aren't old enough to be concerned
                        with the real world yet or you're just falling back on
                        ad hominen instead of the true value of debate which
                        is point and counter-point, regardless of the speaker.
                 \_ It is too bad that you are too cowardly to post your
                    name to your opinions. You should proudly sign your
                    posts. -anonymous coward
                    \_ *laugh*  Very funny.  Are you the Anonymous Motd Comic?
                 \_ If any of you ever lived in a country of heavy censorship
                    like I did, you will know that even anonymous post is
                    an extremely brave thing to do.  I honestly don't know
                    if anyone would knows the concept of freedom of speech and
                    expression without live through the experience of not
                    having it.