Originally posted by NGC2736
So I'm going to go out on a limb here and see if I can point out a problem.
You willingly join a group with some history, rightly or wrongly gained, for being less than above board. This group has "secret" rites and is
considered a SECRET organization, at least to the general public. You are closed group, meaning that there must be some standard decided on by those
already involved to allow a new member to join.
Collectively, Masons here (at least in my tenure) have been the ones to take the ATS mission statement to heart despite all that has been said to the
contrary. That said, would it be more palatable that we say nothing at all rather than go against the desired antagonistic flow? How exactly does this
improve the quality and level of discourse on ATS SS? Not at all, IMHO. Mind you, to a certain small demographic, I'm sure that would suit just
fine.
Originally posted by NGC2736
And yet, you get all up in arms and act surprised when people question the aims and purposes of the group?
Not at all. I'm a big boy with thick skin. Where it gets vexing is when you get Kandahar'd for trying to correct a wrong.
Originally posted by NGC2736
You expect that you can participate in a CONSPIRACY forum without anyone ever seeing a conspiracy angle to your group? You think that just because you
say "It ain't so" everyone who fails to automatically believe you is persecuting you?
No I don't. The Twitchy's of ATS I can deal with just fine, thank you very much. But if Masons aren't 'dog piling', what's the issue?
Originally posted by NGC2736
What planet do you live on? Conspiracy is seen in everything by the people that come here. This board is aimed at finding conspiracies, and these are
found by questioning what is told to the masses. If there is no conspiracy, then all you need to do is let the anti-masons hang themselves for lack of
facts. Instead, your rabid defense and attack in anger mode just makes a lot of people think you have something to hide or you wouldn't be so
touchy.
Try looking at the opening responses in the Obelisk thread. Tell me that they were rabid. Really. Tell me that it wasn't after repeated attempts in
reasonable tones that thread began to go off the rails.
And again, looking at that same thread, when have facts gotten in the way of anything?
Originally posted by NGC2736
Instead of trying to force your innocence down everyone else's throat, have you considered calmly forcing the opposition to prove it's own points?
Same thread. Wanna guess what my answer'll be?
Originally posted by NGC2736
Your taking the heat because you're taking the lead by trying to prove yourselves lily white and without fault. (Ask any cop, the cases that are
hardest to get evidence in are the ones where the accused makes the system do all the work.)
As I pointed out in my response to SO, I don't and I think I can reasonably speak for the other Masons on the board when I say that no Mason has
either. But again, are we just supposed to let the turd sit at the bottom of the pool?
Mebbe so!
Originally posted by NGC2736
In other words, by it's very nature, a conspiracy site will bring out people that think Masons are some evil empire. Expect that, and stop reacting
like it's unfair that it would even happen. If incorrect assertions are brought forward, ask for proof, and then attack the proof.
Done and done. The Obelisk thread's a wonderful example of how that approach proved absolutely useless with a poster with an agenda. All 20-odd pages
of it.
Originally posted by NGC2736
If something is negative on a personal level alert us to the post. (BUT, bear in mind, you chose to join a group with a somewhat negative image, so if
the negative vibes are about Masons in general, then suck it up and take it as part of the image you chose.)
Negative I can deal with. It's the unfounded, damn-near-psychotic-negative that's the problem. Again, shall we ignore the turd until lack of
attention makes it a de facto fact? Damned if you do......
Originally posted by NGC2736
I think a lot of the problems on this issue are because almost everyone involved has gotten to the point they have run out of material and are down to
using mud as their main weapon, on both sides.
Lack of new material doesn't mean lack of reposting of the same old material. Over and over and over again.
I certainly have NEVER heard that response before haha.. in the south if that is what you seek? 
