My take

[_Gadianton]

For "the issue" at hand, I wasn't planning on offering any opinion. I didn't see the exchange, don't know what thread it's on, don't know the context, the details, and I've only read about 8 of the posts about the incident. My opinion was asked on it, so clearly it's a big deal. It was suggested I might know something that could put more perspective or say something that could help. I don't think so, but I hope so. I'm giving it one shot, and that's it, don't want to make it worse. This covers the various issues.

1) Goodk, I think the right thing to do is let it go. That's my opinion. I know you're your own man, that's why I haven't said anything so far, but I'm going to ask you as a friend, to let it go. That's all I can do.

2) Order of events: scratch left, later I saw some of the "aftermath", later, I eventually got in touch with Scratch via email, we discussed his decision to quit the board, nothing came up that would suggest to me he's "in on it". So if this is all some elaborate scheme, I've been had, big time. (please read this primarily to read that in my heart of hearts, GoodK made his choice for his reasons, Scratch has nothing to do with it, but if I'm wrong, man, I am wrong.)

3) If Scratch is working with GoodK on this or influencing him on it, encouraging him to do it (Goodk doesn't strike me as the type that's easily manipulated) assisting with plans etc., then my judgement is way off on both of them, and I will end my career as a commentator on anything Mormon if that's what's going on. Quite simply, I wouldn't be able to trust my own judgement anymore.

4) If Scratch is Kishkumen, I will end my career as a commentator on anything Mormon. I am not Scratch or Kishkumen, by the way.

5) I am not going to lurk on this thread, I won't read what anyone writes, or respond. I will respond to GoodK or Shades in PM only if they feel they have a need to PM me. Ah -- Shades can PM me if 3) or 4) forces me to quit as I anticipate the obvious cheap shot against me...

I really do care about everyone on this forum, that includes GoodK and even DCP. I've had this post up for three hours, writing and re-writing in between other things, because, really, I don't know what to say, but feel I should say something. Hope I didn't make this worse.

[_Kishkumen]

Thank you so much for chiming in, Gad. You can see that things have gotten pretty far out of hand since Scratch's departure. Too bad that you won't be reading my reply.

I too have advised GoodK, although I certainly do not know him as you do, to let it go. The tenacity of the Mormon aristocracy knows no bounds, and I would hate to see him caught in its voracious maw. I also concur with you when you opine that Scratch is not involved in assisting GoodK in a legal capacity.

Thanks also for confirming that I am not Scratch. Your witness on that account is undoubtedly the most credible, since you seem to know Mr. Scratch so well. I am sorry our interactions were cut short in the past. I feel that I missed a rare opportunity to work with truly talented critics of Mormonism.

Best of luck to you, sir. I will miss you as I miss Scratch.

[_Scratchopolis]

Thank you for your incisive post Dr Robbers. It's a pity that the third Book of Mormon antichrist is not here to make this a perfect representative hearing.

I for one find the current situation very disturbing and think that if DCP would just apologize sincerely this whole mess would go away. Still, with his track record this is most unlikely.

[_Ray A]

1) Goodk, I think the right thing to do is let it go. That's my opinion. I know you're your own man, that's why I haven't said anything so far, but I'm going to ask you as a friend, to let it go. That's all I can do.

I agree with this. Apart from the costs and time involved, and the potential harm to both parties, the idea of "free speech" isn't lost on me. That idea is soured by the fact that MDB, which initially boasted of being a "free speech" board, could possibly end up being the first Mormon-related board from which a lawsuit was launched (as far as I'm aware). That would be terribly, and negatively ironic. I just have an overall bad feeling about this. Love or loathe him, and in spite of his unpopularity with many here, DCP is still a member of this community. Unlike so many of his Mormon peers who refuse to post here, and even if he only comes here for an "experiment", with more than 4,600 posts here, I still consider him a part of the MDB community, albeit a dissenting one. Remember, "every opinion is welcome here", even those that may not sit well with most.

The suggestion of banning GoodK is an extreme and unnecessary one, but I think the sentiment reflects how deeply most here feel about fee speech. You do not conquer your "enemies" by shutting them up. You conquer them with better arguments.

[_Trevor]

Love or loathe him, and in spite of his unpopularity with many here, DCP is still a member of this community. Unlike so many of his Mormon peers who refuse to post here, and even if he only comes here for an "experiment", with more than 4,600 posts here, I still consider him a part of the MDB community, albeit a dissenting one. Remember, "every opinion is welcome here", even those that may not sit well with most.

Ray A is once again the voice of reason. We need more of these right now.

Unfortunately, I don't think that I will be sticking around to see whether more join in.

Really, I can't believe what I have been witnessing here. The whole thing is beyond bizarre. I guess the truth is that I missed some of the good folks here, but the negative vibe is overwhelming, and with the fear of lawsuits floating around, well, I have enough stress in my in real life existence. Sorry, but I don't need this. Best of luck to you all.

My condolences to Dr. Peterson for getting threatened with a lawsuit. Maybe you should join me in taking a break from MDB, regardless of how people try to pull you back in.

[_Jersey Girl]

You do not conquer your "enemies" by shutting them up. You conquer them with better arguments.

I hope that GoodK reads the above.

[_Ray A]

I hope that GoodK reads the above.

He already knows my feelings privately, but the choice is entirely his.

(Now it's back to the real world for the next several days. Have a good night.)

[_JohnStuartMill]

Thank you so much for chiming in, Gad. You can see that things have gotten pretty far out of hand since Scratch's departure. Too bad that you won't be reading my reply.

I too have advised GoodK, although I certainly do not know him as you do, to let it go. The tenacity of the Mormon aristocracy knows no bounds, and I would hate to see him caught in its voracious maw. I also concur with you when you opine that Scratch is not involved in assisting GoodK in a legal capacity.

Thanks also for confirming that I am not Scratch. Your witness on that account is undoubtedly the most credible, since you seem to know Mr. Scratch so well. I am sorry our interactions were cut short in the past. I feel that I missed a rare opportunity to work with truly talented critics of Mormonism.

Best of luck to you, sir. I will miss you as I miss Scratch.

Sorry Scratch, but we're not dumb.

[_Kishkumen]

Sorry Scratch, but we're not dumb.

Wow.

[_JohnStuartMill]

Seriously, you should just give up now. The jig is up (as if it were ever down in the first place).