Civility

[BlueLawyer]

I get it now. I see that in discussing how there is competition in the umpiring community AND in the courtroom, two lessons I did not need, you chose, of all the metaphors in the world, to say, "cut your throat and sell my grandmother." And you chose, as the group upon which to express that metaphor, the group I belong to in my "real" job, attorneys. I'm inclined to believe that wasn't an accident.

Quoting you is not twisting your words. Quoting you is posting your words. I have to confess some amazement at your faux applause at my "lawyerly" skill of twisting words, something I am not doing, while all the while telling me I must be no good as a lawyer. What I am doing is akin to having the reporter read back your testimony.

When the talking point stops working, switch it up. Turn it upside down. That's the oldest propaganda technique in the book, predating Machiavelli. I have never insulted lawyers on this board, and you are insulting me by saying so. How dare you? We have never been at war with Oceania . .

I get that the world doesn't love lawyers as a group. In general, the world doesn't like used car salesmen, journalists or politicians, either. I get it that there are jackasses in my professions- all of them. Again, I don't need lessons from you in this, but your point is well taken, if redundant.

Two posts ago you were pouting because I took my ball and went home. Now you want the last word. A2D with yourself, I suppose, but it makes it much easier for the rest of the world who has to deal with you when you A2A with yourself, and stick with one not mutually-exclusive story.

Here's what you don't get, despite my plain English: being your competitor does not provide me, you or anybody else with the excuse to "cut your throat and sell my grandmother", whether that competition is on the baseball field, in the courtroom, or in the general world. I can compete with and beat someone while respecting him and leave both our dignities intact. It's called class. It's called honor. I don't claim to have a corner on the market, but I'm doing my dead-level best to get better at it.


Strikes and outs!

[NFump]

Here, here! Well said BL! WWTB you're up.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Your Honor, I move for a change in venue, and if that is denied, at least a gag order!

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

I get it now. I see that in discussing how there is competition in the umpiring community AND in the courtroom, two lessons I did not need, you chose, of all the metaphors in the world, to say, "cut your throat and sell my grandmother." And you chose, as the group upon which to express that metaphor, the group I belong to in my "real" job, attorneys. I'm inclined to believe that wasn't an accident.

Apparently you did need the lesson, as you wrote that umpires are a family. No, umpiring is a profession and a very competitive profession at that. I don't count the guys that volunteer their umpiring skills as part of my 'family'. They may make the same calls and wear a uniform, but we are not part of the same 'family' any more than the ambulance chaser is part of yours. I chose the legal profession because of your nom de net - it was not a metaphor, but rather an analogy. I'll write slower next time.

Quoting you is not twisting your words. Quoting you is posting your words. I have to confess some amazement at your faux applause at my "lawyerly" skill of twisting words, something I am not doing, while all the while telling me I must be no good as a lawyer. What I am doing is akin to having the reporter read back your testimony.

Quoting out of context is twisting words. I used many of yours and you accused me of the same thing. I believe you even wrote not to use your words against you. Ha, lah me!

When the talking point stops working, switch it up. Turn it upside down. That's the oldest propaganda technique in the book, predating Machiavelli. I have never insulted lawyers on this board, and you are insulting me by saying so. How dare you? We have never been at war with Oceania . .

Classic Rutism...when you can't answer the charges or they hit too close to home, claim that the other guy(s) aren't playing fair. Remember what I wrote about words not hurting? Good lord, if you want a match of wordsmiths, I'll happily oblige. Just make sure you read them before responding.

I get that the world doesn't love lawyers as a group. In general, the world doesn't like used car salesmen, journalists or politicians, either. I get it that there are jackasses in my professions- all of them. Again, I don't need lessons from you in this, but your point is well taken, if redundant.

Sure, you did, that is why you wrote that I disparaged your group. I guess calling them jackasses was a term of endearment. Okay, I know how I shall start referring to you.

Two posts ago you were pouting because I took my ball and went home. Now you want the last word. A2D with yourself, I suppose, but it makes it much easier for the rest of the world who has to deal with you when you A2A with yourself, and stick with one not mutually-exclusive story.

Two posts ago, I reminded you that you acted like a spurned school girl. "If I can't have my way and convince the world that I'm right, then I'm not going to listen anymore." You keep refusing to acknowledge that your supposition about umpire competition is without merit. Even the volunteers at LL are jealous of the guys that get asked to do the playoffs. They wonder aloud why so and so got the call when I'm so much better. Then they work to position themselve in a better light than the next guy. Wake up, blue...you're missing a good game.

Here's what you don't get, despite my plain English: being your competitor does not provide me, you or anybody else with the excuse to "cut your throat and sell my grandmother", whether that competition is on the baseball field, in the courtroom, or in the general world. I can compete with and beat someone while respecting him and leave both our dignities intact. It's called class. It's called honor. I don't claim to have a corner on the market, but I'm doing my dead-level best to get better at it.

I never said that being competitive precluded or enabled animosity, I simply explained why it occurs. I guess you don't read the papers because I see countless stories of jealous rages and uncivil behavior amongst competitors. People who hire hitmen to kill rivals, colleagues who get into fisticuffs over a professional slight, husbands/wives who run over alleged spousal suitors, etc...I'm not making an excuse for it, but I'm not saying that we should all just get along. Rivalries make us better - knowing that I have a fellow umpire nipping at my heels for a playoff spot makes me work harder. His insults and taunts make me stronger. Your Christ-like posit of turn the other cheek is noble but ridiculous. You have just served up a couple pages of examples of how to do the opposite of what you spoke. Rather than accede to my A2D post, you continued to mock and stir the waters. Is this the idea you were espousing?

Your idea of honor differs from the Muslim extremist. My idea of class varies greatly from the guy in the doublewide. Tolerance is not something that is universally accepted. Maturity dictates that if my words or actions offend you, walk away. I believe that is what you were alluding to before. Don't pontificate that your sense of right and wrong is any more honorable than mine. I've read your posts and you've scanned some of mine. You made judgements here and in other threads that were off the mark. I shouldn't be surprised by them, but they've lost all sense of worth and humor. Go back to my original retort and you'll find that I made very succinct and direct replies. You may want a vanilla world but who gets to decide if we should have burquas or mini skirts? This idea of family is practical on Sunday morning...then the real world arrives.

[briancurtin]

[PWL]

SOUNDS TO ME LIKE TWO OLD WHITE GUYS ENGAGED IN A GANGSTA RAP WAR.

YO, BOY!!!!