This is a site for discussing roleplaying games. Have fun doing so, but there is one major rule: do not discuss political issues that aren't directly and uniquely related to the subject of the thread and about gaming. While this site is dedicated to free speech, the following will not be tolerated: devolving a thread into unrelated political discussion, sockpuppeting (using multiple and/or bogus accounts), disrupting topics without contributing to them, and posting images that could get someone fired in the workplace (an external link is OK, but clearly mark it as Not Safe For Work, or NSFW). If you receive a warning, please take it seriously and either move on to another topic or steer the discussion back to its original RPG-related theme.

Author Topic: An Open Letter to James McMurray  (Read 7819 times)

James McMurray

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • J
  • Posts: 4790
An Open Letter to James McMurray
« Reply #60 on: December 14, 2006, 02:30:02 PM »
It was brought to my attention that there was a question about whether I'd have chilled out sooner if people had let me know it was bothering them. I'd like to point out two things in regards to that:

1) When Stuart mentioned his annoyance at the derailing of his competitve play thread by me and Pundit's discussion of Hackmaster I apologized and immediately tried to get that thread back on topic.

2) When all this first came to a head I told Pundit several times that I was poking fun at him for my own enjoyment and that I'd continued in public because I'd gotten a few PMs from people who were also enjoying it. I didn't get a single PM from anyone but Pundit saying it wasn't appreciated. If I had, I'd have stopped immediately.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled whatever it is you're talking about. :)

rcsample

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • r
  • Posts: 264
An Open Letter to James McMurray
« Reply #61 on: December 14, 2006, 02:44:51 PM »
Quote from: James McMurray
I didn't get a single PM from anyone but Pundit saying it wasn't appreciated. If I had, I'd have stopped immediately.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled whatever it is you're talking about. :)



My only WTF moment regarding a comment you made was on the topic "The Green Ronin Ultra-Secret Moderators " in RPGPundit's Own Forum.  It didn't make sense (it is *his* forum after all) and didn't really add anything to the topic discussion, it just seemed like a cheap shot.  The topic fizzled and you didn't pile on with any additional smarm, so I thunk, live and let live and decided not to comment on it.  

I don't really care if you guys want to trade barbs, it makes me no never-mind, I guess we just need to let you and Pundit know(or you guys need to realize it yourself) when it's disrupting a thread's topic.

But back to you regularly scheduled program....

THUNDERDOME!!!!!
TWO MEN ENTER!! ONE MAN LEAVES!!!
THUNDERDOME!!!!!


P.S. I should also point out Pundit also makes me ask WTF!?!?...but such is the Tao of Pundit....

P.P.S - I'm not sure the "measures" against you were necessary,  I'm more of a "Deadwood" mind than "Law & Order".  Posters should go down in a hail of bullets and gunsmoke...or something.
 

James McMurray

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • J
  • Posts: 4790
An Open Letter to James McMurray
« Reply #62 on: December 14, 2006, 03:04:53 PM »
Yeah, someone else (Spike?) mentioned posting in Pundit's area too. That was pretty silly of me.

The explanation (although not excuse) is that at the time I was really enjoying the Amber forums. Then I'm reading along and stumble across Pundit's abusive reply to a poster that suggested that perhaps Amber isn't perfect as currently written. I'd really hoped that area would be free of that sort of thing, if only out of respect for Mr. Wucjick whom Pundit seems to really revere.

When it turne out it wasn't I lashed out a bit in an irrational response.

rcsample

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • r
  • Posts: 264
An Open Letter to James McMurray
« Reply #63 on: December 14, 2006, 03:11:54 PM »
Quote from: James McMurray
Then I'm reading along and stumble across Pundit's abusive reply to a poster that suggested that perhaps Amber isn't perfect as currently written.


I'd thought about going in the Amber forum and expressing my less-than-satisfactory experience with it.

But then I thought more about it and equated it to going into a Hell's Angels clubhouse and bitching about Harley-Davidson motorcycles...what would be the point?
 

James McMurray

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • J
  • Posts: 4790
An Open Letter to James McMurray
« Reply #64 on: December 14, 2006, 03:16:43 PM »
The post wasn't a bash on the game. It was just a guy that didn't like one aspect. There's lots of posts about alternative or house rules there, and I honestly don't know what was so bad about this one in particular.

David R

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • D
  • Posts: 6874
An Open Letter to James McMurray
« Reply #65 on: December 14, 2006, 04:53:50 PM »
James there is a perception out there about this site that we all think the same way the Pundit does. Add to this that some folks here were kicked out from TBP and we all know how the Pundit feels about that site, so naturaly this site is a breeding ground for Swine hate and all the stuff the Pundit rails against.

But the truth of the matter is, that there is a large group of folks who although they may share the same POV with regards to rpgs with the Pundit are not exactly proxies.

Now, many folks just want to come here and talk about rpgs and the occasional (from the usual suspects) flame about politics and stuff. That's cool. But, here's the thing. I've noticed whenever he makes a post in a style we are all familiar (and some detest) with, you are normaly the first one to reply. Sure he takes a dump on a subject but you are the first one (most times) to pick his poo and hurl it at him....sometimes derailing the conversation in the process. (I don't like the Pundit's style but he does raise some interesting questions and that's what I think this site should be about)

Which is fine I suppose but really, man, it seems like you are only here to face off with the Pundit. Which may not be the case, but it sure looks like it. Just don't rise to the bait and if you do, cut back on the snark...the Pundit sure has.

Really all this is unecessary, but it sure as hell looks as though you are stalking him. I mean, if Dom (no offence man :) ) can get by without so much as a warning, what the hell is an intelligent poster like you getting involved in shit like this? Cut back on the Pundit hunting...

Regards,
David R

Kyle Aaron

  • high-minded hack
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9487
  • high-minded hack
    • The Viking Hat GM
An Open Letter to James McMurray
« Reply #66 on: December 14, 2006, 05:13:09 PM »
James McMurray, your sin is not that you are flaming RPGPundit. He flames everyone and everything, so he brings it on himself and shouldn't cry like a little girl when some of the shit he flings at the fan spatters back at him.

Your sin is that you are repetitive and therefore boring. RPGPundit rants and raves and flames, but at least he varies his topics a bit. Isn't there anyone or anything else you hate? Rant about that, too! That's why we all make fun of Dominus Nox - he has just a couple of standard rants. We want variety in the mad rants and flamings. Entertain us, motherfucker.

RPGPundit's using the software to force you to put him on ignore is about the best solution, I think. It forces you to be more creative in your mad rants and flamings.
The Viking Hat GM
Conflict, the adventure game of modern warfare
Wastrel Wednesdays, livestream with Dungeondelver

jrients

  • robodroid warlock
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3318
    • http://jrients.blogspot.com
An Open Letter to James McMurray
« Reply #67 on: December 14, 2006, 05:18:04 PM »
Quote from: James McMurray
Have you been reading my posts since the truce? Do you think I've gone overboard anywhere (or even near the railing)? If so, please tell me where.


No, I haven't  I barely had time to write my last post.  I'm home with a sick kid today and my internet time is measurable in scant minutes.  I gotta say I am surprised to find this thread to be a couple pages longer than I last checked in.

I am exasperated.  Pundit, James asking you about your actual experience with Hackmaster is not an attack.  It's a legit question deserving an answer.  James, unless Pundit is talking 'bout your mama, the wise thing to do right now is to steer clear of responding to anything he writes.  You can complain that's not fair, but I'm not talking about right or wrong, I'm talking about what would be the smart move for you to make right now.  Both of you please stay your hand for a few days and let tempers cool.  James, you need to be cool if for no other reason than if Pundit over-reacts, I'm not here to talk him out of it.  Pundit, the way you handle this will be remembered by everyone out on the interweb who is gleefully waiting for you to fail.

I gotta go.  PLEASE: everybody be cool while I'm gone.
Jeff Rients
My gameblog

Mr. Christopher

  • Taste the Rainbow
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • M
  • Posts: 229
An Open Letter to James McMurray
« Reply #68 on: December 14, 2006, 05:22:46 PM »
Quote from: jrients
Pundit, the way you handle this will be remembered by everyone out on the interweb who is gleefully waiting for you to fail.

Quoted for truth. :pundit:
Why are there so many songs about rainbows and what's on the other side? Rainbows are visions, but only illusions, and rainbows have nothing to hide.

James J Skach

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5007
An Open Letter to James McMurray
« Reply #69 on: December 14, 2006, 06:38:50 PM »
Quote from: James McMurray
It was brought to my attention that there was a question about whether I'd have chilled out sooner if people had let me know it was bothering them. I'd like to point out two things in regards to that:

1) When Stuart mentioned his annoyance at the derailing of his competitve play thread by me and Pundit's discussion of Hackmaster I apologized and immediately tried to get that thread back on topic.

2) When all this first came to a head I told Pundit several times that I was poking fun at him for my own enjoyment and that I'd continued in public because I'd gotten a few PMs from people who were also enjoying it. I didn't get a single PM from anyone but Pundit saying it wasn't appreciated. If I had, I'd have stopped immediately.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled whatever it is you're talking about. :)

I know at least one (me) and I seem to recall at least one other who, in a thread (that I'm too lazy to look up), in public, not PMs, told you it was getting old.  You ignored it with some snide remarks. I didn't want to derail the thread any further, so I stopped objecting.

And this is the problem with community policing, as it were.  If the person being a dick doesn't want to listen when people are pointing it out, what do you do? Do you let the thread get derailed? Do you let, and I'm only using the case I saw as an example, James chase Pundit out of a thread because Pundit doesn't want to get into it with him and derail the thread further? Don't give me the pat silly answer that James chasing out Pundit is like...or that pundit shouldn't feel chased out. The fact is, if responding to someone more than once end up derailing a thread, what next?
The rules are my slave, not my master. - Old Geezer

The RPG Haven - Talking About RPGs

James McMurray

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • J
  • Posts: 4790
An Open Letter to James McMurray
« Reply #70 on: December 14, 2006, 07:32:47 PM »
David, we'd already called a "truce" and that behavior had stoped. This last bit was in reaction to our disagreement about Hackmaster, the worst of which involved him starting a thread to say that it's not a real game, and me questioning his ability to post anything but nonsense. In any case though, he's hidden his posts from me, so there's no way I could stalk him if I wanted to.

Quote
James, unless Pundit is talking 'bout your mama, the wise thing to do right now is to steer clear of responding to anything he writes.


Given that he's turned invisible, that's not an option anyway, even if he decides to talk about my mama.

James McMurray

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • J
  • Posts: 4790
An Open Letter to James McMurray
« Reply #71 on: December 14, 2006, 07:33:27 PM »
James, I honestly don't recall that, but if it happened shortly after the Amber incident I don't doubt it, and I apologize.

Blackleaf

  • Voodoo Member
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • B
  • Posts: 4735
An Open Letter to James McMurray
« Reply #72 on: December 14, 2006, 08:03:59 PM »
James, why not change your signature to something unrelated to the Pundit?  Focus on more positive things.

James McMurray

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • J
  • Posts: 4790
An Open Letter to James McMurray
« Reply #73 on: December 14, 2006, 08:19:40 PM »
I didn't have a signature before all this started (I rarely do). I was trying to avoid people seeing my posts and thinking I was spewing nonsense (except of course when I am spewing nonsense).

RPGPundit

  • Administrator - The Final Boss of Internet Shitlords
  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 48855
    • http://therpgpundit.blogspot.com
An Open Letter to James McMurray
« Reply #74 on: December 15, 2006, 02:04:18 AM »
Quote from: jrients
No, I haven't  I barely had time to write my last post.  I'm home with a sick kid today and my internet time is measurable in scant minutes.  I gotta say I am surprised to find this thread to be a couple pages longer than I last checked in.

I am exasperated.  Pundit, James asking you about your actual experience with Hackmaster is not an attack.  It's a legit question deserving an answer.  James, unless Pundit is talking 'bout your mama, the wise thing to do right now is to steer clear of responding to anything he writes.  You can complain that's not fair, but I'm not talking about right or wrong, I'm talking about what would be the smart move for you to make right now.  Both of you please stay your hand for a few days and let tempers cool.  James, you need to be cool if for no other reason than if Pundit over-reacts, I'm not here to talk him out of it.  Pundit, the way you handle this will be remembered by everyone out on the interweb who is gleefully waiting for you to fail.

I gotta go.  PLEASE: everybody be cool while I'm gone.


Yes, I agree, and its a double-edged sword. The problem is that if I did absolutely nothing, it would be a sign that this was definitely a blank cheque for a bunch of people who are NOT like James (ie. who don't have any real interest at all in participating in this site) coming in here and doing what James was doing but only much worse, to intentionally disrupt this site to the point of unusability.

On the other hand, they are all waiting for me to ban or censor someone so they can claim that I'm actually a hypocrite and as power-mad as any other Admin, as if one act on my behalf would somehow equate me to the hundreds of people who have been banned or the constant acts of censorship that occur on other boards.

As it is, I think that I've done the best thing I possibly could; I had provided countless attempts at communicating the problem, trying to negotiate a solution, and finally resorted to a measure that doesn't actually infringe James' freedom of speech on this site at all.  And hopefully, it'll be a temporary measure at that.

I want to make it clear that I'm sure that, someday, I will have to ban someone.  It should also be perfectly clear that James was NEVER under consideration for being that someone; and that whoever it ends up being will not be someone like James, but someone who comes here only and expressly to fuck up the site for all of us.

RPGPundit
LION & DRAGON: Medieval-Authentic OSR Roleplaying is available now! You only THINK you've played 'medieval fantasy' until you play L&D.


My Blog:  http://therpgpundit.blogspot.com/
The most famous uruguayan gaming blog on the planet!

NEW!
Check out my short OSR supplements series; The RPGPundit Presents!


Dark Albion: The Rose War! The OSR fantasy setting of the history that inspired Shakespeare and Martin alike.
Also available in Variant Cover form!
Also, now with the CULTS OF CHAOS cult-generation sourcebook

ARROWS OF INDRA
Arrows of Indra: The Old-School Epic Indian RPG!
NOW AVAILABLE: AoI in print form

LORDS OF OLYMPUS
The new Diceless RPG of multiversal power, adventure and intrigue, now available.