I participate regularly in an internet forum. There are a lot of nice people on there with interesting things to say, and a range of views on political, social, and other topics.

But there's this one guy on the forum who has a serious anger management problem, and when anyone disagrees with his hard right point-of-view, he SHOUTS AT THEM BY TYPING IN CAPS and instead of maturely debating with them, calls them childish names like "LibTard" and "Shit Sucker".

How can I show this petty, foolish individual the error of his ways, and help him to be a Better Person?

You need to lose that zero and get yo self a hero.

Jamie, the problem is not this one guy, but it is within yourself that the problem lies. Presumably, you seek dialogue with others to challenge yourself, to open yourself to new ideas, to row your world, and yet it seems that you are only content when you surround yourself with political yes-men, who will validate your feelings-based belief system, instead of challenging you with facts, and alternate philosophies of what is right and wrong. It appears that the petty, foolish one, Jamie, is you - as you seemingly cast the same aspersions that you claim to dislike - throwing stones from inside your own glass house is most unwise, my friend.

You claim he uses labels - suggesting you find such labels offensive, while you yourself clearly do the same within the context of your own complaint, do you not?

So Jamie - my recommendation is for you to open your mind, and enjoy the full spectrum of dialogue - as the real world itself it a full spectrum. Don't dismiss variety, but embrace it. Or do you seek to live in a grey, colorless world of single ideas, and singular people?

@ Krellin:

"It seems that you are only content when you surround yourself with political yes-men, who will validate your feelings-based belief system, instead of challenging you with facts, and alternate philosophies of what is right and wrong."

You are mistaken on this point, actually - although I recognise that far too often, participants on online forums merely engage in repeatedly shouting their own views at each other, without properly listening to the other side. However, in my case, as a matter of fact, over the past few years I've changed my previously held views on several topics, partly as a result of conversations on this very forum. Can you say the same?

Who throws stones inside their own house anyway? I'm not a nutter.

didn't Blankflag make a similar thread once?

@Jamie - Regarding your last two posts...was there a moral dilemma you wanted addressed concerning yourself? This forum is not about me...it is about me helping you...but I will so indulge you, because I think it is important for yoru soul that I do so.

Yes, I have moderated and changed my views on issues since having been on this forum. I do not attribute these changes solely to this forum, but as it is a part of my life and my intellectual exercises, it has impacted me. Further, my alcoholism has been a topic around here in the past, particularly when I was a raging asshole, and a few individuals where very supportive of me, both openly and privately, which had a great impact on me personally. These people were both political "friend" and "foe" alike.

Does that help Jamie?

And...as you confess you have changed views, that I think there is perhaps hope for you in the long run, and maybe, in time, if you would put down your bag of pebbles and examine the content and logical consistency of the arguments of whomever this person is that irritates you so...perhaps you will find even more of your view moderate.

I would suggest you do this, Jamie: Look for logical consistency *from topic to topic*. This is very important when examining a person's overall philosophy. For example, if an individual states that it would be morally deficient/evil for the government to NOT act to save lives in some narrow discussion of government involvement in a particular matter...thus, someone advocates a reduction in individual rights for the greater good of saving just one life, then ask that person if you believe the government should remove/reduce rights in *all* areas of life to save just one life. Often time you will either find consistency in a person's arguments when you apply their philosophy to a greater range of topics, or you will see them sputter and fail, and there will be no consistency in their arguments as they flail about from one topic to the next.

So let me recommend that in your next debate, you define a person's philosophy on the topic at hand, and then challenge them to apply the philosophy elsewhere and see if it holds up, see if they are consistent. If they are inconsistent in their application of their stated beliefs, then you are probably dealing with a philosophy which is reactionary or truly unexplored, or you are dealing with an unstable mind.

Now...do you have another moral dilemma, or can we clear the stage for someone else?

@Fasces - blank who? I cannot speak to that...but I have availed my wisdom to others before...

Now...do you have a dilemma?

I see you have some Mindy & Body remedies, what about the Soul ??

@Nigee: If your soul needs soothing, I will endeavor there as well. By the way, I understand your wife is Hispanic Eskimo...would that, perhaps, be the nature of your concern?

This is my woe, I get tempted to play non-gunboat because I think I should make the effort and then I can't be arsed to be nice to people so I do exceedingly bad, and also I'm surprised that even in 'friendly' games people can get very uptight and serious. If you ally with them they need constant reassurance, is it me or is it them?
I want to enjoy talky games and have a bit of fun but serious people are spoiling them for me, what to do?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnoUlZnwYy4
Geno - Dexys Midnight Runners

@Nigee - First, I'm surprised that this wasn't something over the religious significance of whale blubber in sexual gratification...but...anyway...

Second, DMR -- great throw back to the past, but I am unfamiliar with the tune in particular, and therefore may have missed a reference...though I did enjoy the sax and horns....and no, that has nothing to do with whale blubber, either...

Finally, though your language seemed a bit confused (no doubt due to your excessive angst...) I'm gathering you want to play "real" diplomacy...the talky-talk kind instead of teh mockery that is "gunboat"...and yet you feel compelled in such cases to maintain some sort of decorum, to adhere to some insane set of unspoken rules about what you can say to whom when...as if calling someone out as a festering anus zit is at times unacceptable, and yet your loins yearn for such release? Is this the case?

Well my friend, it seems there is a chap out there...he's a good sort, though some fail to recognize this...who has a series...something like the "Call me a Rats ass..."...no...no...it's the "Call Me a Dirty So-n-So" game, and I believe he is currently gathering the real men for the third go 'round...CMADSnS III...look him up. As I say, good fellow, a little rough around the edges at times, but plays a fair game him and the gathered crew, and I assure you that you will feel *no* compulsion whatsoever to be "uptight and serious".

Good Luck!

krellin i know +1's don't really mean all that much but i sincerely hope you get the picture being painted here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKOtzIo-uYw
Krell - You're Killing Me Softly Man

I did play in one of your games but ended up next to Dipplayer, he is about as lively as a librarian on lithium.......I had the kerosine and matches on hand in case it got much worse

I think Krell is great, when he rants I just imagine him at home (or at work) with a bottle of home made liquor in one hand and typing furiously with the other and then howling and throwing stones at the moon, he could be worse, he could be boring :-)

@PE....uhh....no, I don't get the picture. Do you have one to show? The irony, dearest PE of what I believe you are implying is that whomever it is you discuss - this chap with his caps and his name calling or what-have-you...the irony, dear boy, is that all those that claim they dislike such behavior *utilize the same behavior* against him and others. Oh, for certain, you may claim it is a matter of degrees, of amplitude, etc...but I'm certain this fellow believes if you are going to play rough, play to win. But let me assure you, this fellow spends a good deal of time reading the mindless insults of others, and watching others avoid direct conversations about a topic, and ignoring direct questions, etc. So whatever you are implying, I'm certain it falls on deaf ears, because this fellow probably doesn't give much regard to *hypocrites* and fools.

Anyway - do you have a moral dilemma? Or are you here to distract and pull the thread of topic?

Dear krellin

I am a long supporter of capitalism and firmly believe that in such a system those who work hard are rewarded. However, last week I bought some Royal Mail shares at a government privatisation and essentially made $1000 dollars sitting on my arse. How do I shake off that annoying feeling that those accusations of "blood sucking capitalists" that left wing loonies love throwing about occasionally have a ring of truth to them?

@Nigee...in truth, this Krell that you speak of, I'm certain he is probably sitting in his family room with the wife and kids on his laptop. There is probably conversation going on about homework if the kids are doing school work, or perhaps they are all watching another episode of "Fringe" or "Malcolm in the Middle" off Netflix. At some point, he probably puts aside the laptop to eat ice cream, or maybe a piece of pie (pumpkin or multi-berry...this Krell's guy is a bit of a pie chef, you see, and loves to make a good pie for the family...). Anyway, I'm certain he sits there quietly...*maybe* he occasionally laughs a bit at something...and he, no doubt, imagines all the frothing, raving Liberals out there and wonders why they are so angry about everything, and why they insist on calling people names and being insulting so often.

"But everyone else is doing it!" is not a very good argument in favor of insults and caps lock.

KRELL4MASTEROFTHEUNIVERSE2015

@Octavious - I'm not certain with "Royal Mail" is or why making a $1000 is a concern. After all, it seems that you have "invested", did you not? By my reckoning, these left wing loonies state that the highest and most noble attribute of government is to have those with money involuntarily give it to them, so that they can "invest" the money in the needs of others who are most often sitting on their arses.

Indeed, it seems that this $1000 that you have made by "sitting on your arse" is a small pittance compared to the wealth that is being tossed around and about and to many a good Americans that are sitting on their arses waiting for a government check.

If anything, my good boy, it seems you have gotten screwed in the deal! After all, each individual in the country just went another $2800 in the hole by the actions of our government...which means that some laughing Chinamen just walked off with a $1 Trillion of your money for doing nothing other than waiting for the United States to act irresponsibly again and then writing them an imaginary check!!!

So...yeah...your tiny little cash problem is really of no interest..and you have just wasted everyone's time!

@2WL...Do you have a moral dilemma, or must I mute you? Good for the goose, 2WL...stop being such a hypocrite. That's a little unasked-for free moral advise to you...

Aww, you won't mute me krellin. Without commie liberal bastards like me, who would you yell at?

2WL - I hate mute...don't believe in it...but this thead is not the attack Krellin thread unless you are witty enough to put it within the context of a moral dilemma...which you are not. So...<Boom> I've muted you for a day.

I love you krellin.

See what he has done, muted someone for a day, who else does that ...... Mods, he is already equipped with the necessary skills to be a Mod,
Krell can you please tell me in less than 20,000 words why the Bourgeois Elite won't make you a Mod?

krellin,

I'm in love with a beautiful, red-haired woman who drives by my house on the highway every day at 5:17 PM in a green '83 Toytal Tercel. The only way I can meet her is to cause an accident right before she drives by, and I feel that this would be unethical. What can I do?!

NOTE: She has long lashes, a Mount Washington sticker, and a Pomeranian.