opinion of removing your avatar on 9/11

[ElectionsGuy]

I don't get why not having an avatar is honoring people that died.

[memphis]

At least with the D-MO avatars, people were directly showing displeasure to the authorities here and, should opebo, have looked at some threads as a guest, he would have been comforted to know that not everybody here is a unbearable prude. I doubt very much that any 9/11 victims are comforted by removing an avatar. 

[dead0man]

...and they'd be even less impressed with a bunch of <generic insult here> complaining about the removing of avatars.  Of all the sh**t to impotently whinge about, this is what you asshats chose?  It don't make no sense.

[memphis]

Another poster asked for opinions. I gave mine. That is all.

[Mr. Illini]

I have to say when I decided to remove my avatar to commemorate 9/11 I never envisioned it being something that would cause such negative reaction.

You don't have to do it, but I don't understand why you would make a thread about it or respond to said thread with negativity. Childish and disrespectful, frankly.

[Mr. Illini]

9/11 was a good thing

Goodbye, joke or not.

[Mr. Morden]

9/11 was a good thing

Osama bin Laden was an Uncle Tom.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

It's your gesture, and done in a particular spirit. But it is a gesture and you have to equally understand why some people see it as an empty gesture and are calling it.

While it's a good-natured gesture - the subject matter doesn't protect it from criticism, nor should it.

[Mr. Illini]

It's your gesture, and done in a particular spirit. But it is a gesture and you have to equally understand why some people see it as an empty gesture and are calling it.

While it's a good-natured gesture - the subject matter doesn't protect it from criticism, nor should it.

outofthebox asked people to change their avatars to R-CA on the anniversary of Reagan's death. I saw no mocking threads about it, despite that being one death and this being 3,000. So no, I really don't understand, and don't feel like I should.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

It's your gesture, and done in a particular spirit. But it is a gesture and you have to equally understand why some people see it as an empty gesture and are calling it.

While it's a good-natured gesture - the subject matter doesn't protect it from criticism, nor should it.

outofthebox asked people to change their avatars to R-CA on the anniversary of Reagan's death. I saw no mocking threads about it, despite that being one death and this being 3,000. So no, I really don't understand, and don't feel like I should.

I don't endorse the thread, nor what you perceive as mocking. But this is a democratic forum where people have the right to have their views heard.

[dead0man]

and the nonasshole (ok, less assholeish) posters have the right to think substantially less of the douchebags mocking it.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

and the nonasshole (ok, less assholeish) posters have the right to think substantially less of the douchebags mocking it.

..again, that's their right.

[Mr. Illini]

It's your gesture, and done in a particular spirit. But it is a gesture and you have to equally understand why some people see it as an empty gesture and are calling it.

While it's a good-natured gesture - the subject matter doesn't protect it from criticism, nor should it.

outofthebox asked people to change their avatars to R-CA on the anniversary of Reagan's death. I saw no mocking threads about it, despite that being one death and this being 3,000. So no, I really don't understand, and don't feel like I should.

I don't endorse the thread, nor what you perceive as mocking. But this is a democratic forum where people have the right to have their views heard.

And I am allowed to call them disrespectful and childish for it. I didn't ask for the mods to take it down. I just said it was a ridiculous thread with a lot of ridiculous comments.

[Oakvale]

those people died so reagan could live. Avatar solidarity.

[dead0man]

sheesh...we get it, you're an asshole.  Laying it on a little thick tonight ain't we?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

It's your gesture, and done in a particular spirit. But it is a gesture and you have to equally understand why some people see it as an empty gesture and are calling it.

While it's a good-natured gesture - the subject matter doesn't protect it from criticism, nor should it.

outofthebox asked people to change their avatars to R-CA on the anniversary of Reagan's death. I saw no mocking threads about it, despite that being one death and this being 3,000. So no, I really don't understand, and don't feel like I should.

I don't endorse the thread, nor what you perceive as mocking. But this is a democratic forum where people have the right to have their views heard.

And I am allowed to call them disrespectful and childish for it. I didn't ask for the mods to take it down. I just said it was a ridiculous thread with a lot of ridiculous comments.

...yes, that's the point.

[patrick1]

those people died so reagan could live. Avatar solidarity.

Oakvale, kindly stop.  For many of us this isnt an abstraction. We knew people who died, were hurt, or lucky to get out safe. You are free to post whatever but you must know that there are still wounds on this.

[bedstuy]

those people died so reagan could live. Avatar solidarity.

Oakvale, kindly stop.  For many of us this isnt an abstraction. We knew people who died, were hurt, or lucky to get out safe. You are free to post whatever but you must know that there are still wounds on this.

Yeah, I think one of the basic rules of decency is not criticizing how people grieve.  If someone wants to commemorate something tragic in their life in way that you find "pointless" or "dumb," just shut your mouth.  It's just the right thing to do.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I think you'd be very mistaken to take what Oakvale is saying at face value.

[Mr. Illini]

Just because he isn't being serious doesn't mean he isn't being a giant douchebag and incredibly disrespectful.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Just because he isn't being serious doesn't mean he isn't being a giant douchebag and incredibly disrespectful.

OK - he's not 'joking' he's actually making a very clear and serious point. And it's clearly being missed.

[bedstuy]

Sorry, but as someone who knew people who died in the attack (albeit as a kid in elementary school), I'm a lot more bothered by shallow "commemorations" that take the form of self-absorbed online slacktivism. We're marking the thirteenth successive year of obligatory flag pins, for Christ's sake, and I'm fed up with reflection that refuses to look outward rather than inward for answers.

People do a lot of this kind of behavior.  Bumper-stickers, pointless facebook updates that sound like press releases, RIP car decals, flag pins, commemorative plates, RIP t-shirts, etc.  I agree that sort of thing can strike you as tacky and weird.  But, it's fairly benign.  It's not the way you deal with sadness, but it's not a big deal.  And, just because someone wants to wear a flag pin, it doesn't mean that's all they're doing.  This is just a little symbol, they might also be thinking and ruminating about what this tragedy means to them in a mature, sober way.

[patrick1]

Sorry, but as someone who knew people who died in the attack (albeit as a kid in elementary school), I'm a lot more bothered by shallow "commemorations" that take the form of self-absorbed online slacktivism. We're marking the thirteenth successive year of obligatory flag pins, for Christ's sake, and I'm fed up with reflection that refuses to look outward rather than inward for answers.

I think people feel helpless and powerless over large events out of their control.  They think they need to do something. I'd prefer something more concrete in the form of action to help people in general but hey.

And I get oakvales point too. Not something on either ledger to get all worked up about, there are plenty of big issues to resolve in the world than avatars.

[Mr. Illini]

Sorry, but as someone who knew people who died in the attack (albeit as a kid in elementary school), I'm a lot more bothered by shallow "commemorations" that take the form of self-absorbed online slacktivism. We're marking the thirteenth successive year of obligatory flag pins, for Christ's sake, and I'm fed up with reflection that refuses to look outward rather than inward for answers.

I get that, but I really don't understand why you would be more bothered by an honest attempt at solidarity as Americans than by blatant disrespectful trolling.

It was a very simple gesture to attempt to symbolize that we were not separated by party labels on that day and each year we ought to strip away those divisions once again in respect and recognition.

As I said, I never would have expected it to blow up in my face. If I offended anyone I am sorry, but I really wish it could be taken for what it is - a simple gesture of respect.

[Peeperkorn]

Happy Christmas!!!