Poll: Should the Parker/Squires threads be deleted?

[JimHow]

Because I am a kind and benevolent dictator, I have decided to allow BWEers the rare opportunity to experience democracy.
As many here know, I have vociferously voiced my objections to the obnoxious censorship going on at the Parker/Squires site.
I believe they have erred in the recent situations involving the foreign trips of Mark Squires and Doctor Jay Miller, and that the censorship of dissent on the website of this market-altering "brand" is outrageous.
Even though I am not a participant on that board, I have decided not to renew my subscription to the Wine Advocate as my own little protest.
I have sought to be acerbic and cutting in my commentary here on BWE because I feel it is important to police the thought police over on the other board.
However, I have now lost so much respect for Robert Parker that I question whether this lightweight is even worth our continued attention.
For the "yes" vote to prevail and the existing threads to be deleted, it will have to garner more votes than the "no" and "Stefan" options combined (because, at least to this point, Stefan's position has been "no").
Otherwise, the winning vote between the "no" and "Stefan" options will dictate the outcome.
So it is written, so it shall be done.

We will take votes in this poll for four days.

[jal]

Why would you even consider it? BWEers posting here want to be heard without fear of censorship or banishment. I, for one, will be reluctant to post again if I felt any of my posts was going to be deleted (obviously, unless my conduct warrants it, but I believe I've always been a good boy )

[FrankD]

ditto Jacques

[William P]

No, if you don't like them, don't read them.

[Houndsong]

I'm not sure why or how deleting the threads would matter. This is not 1984. I'm also not sure how or why this poll fits any agenda. I must therefore abstain. I'm curious though Jim why did you delete your "Damn you Hound" post in the "Forthcoming" thread? To me it was a badge of honor. Then you tore off my epaulets and broke my saber over your knee.

[JimHow]

Hmmm I don't remember what I did this morning, Hound, let alone what I did in a "Damn you Hound" post from the past.

I am proud of those who have voted "no"!!

[SteveH]

I vote Nay. We have never hesitated to tell it like it is.

[JimHow]

Ah yes, now I remember what you are talking about, Hound.

Rieslingfan was offended by the fact that we were apparently making fun of his North Korean dictator reference, so I decided to delete my post. I apologize for leaving you hanging out there on your own.

[JimHow]

SteveH, you are the man!

[gmarie]

Are you kidding? Deleting this post would ruin my late night entertainment.
Much better than The Office reruns.

[JimHow]

Lol, I'm proud of all BWEers.
The true spirit of revolution!
I really thought the yes vote was going to win.
Well, still more than three days left to vote, though.
What was I thinking, allowing this poll, compromising the ideals of BWE?
I will never question the spirit of independence here, ever again!
What a different culture here than over on the Kim Jung Squires site!

[JCNorthway]

I think I have not posted anything on the original thread to preserve. But that aside, I vote NO. To my way of thinking, that would go against the grain of what we've created here. I do not always like some of the posts that end up here (only occasionally), but I do like the atmosphere that has been created and promulgated here. In my mind, nothing would be served by deleting it.

Jon

[DavidG]

No. It would lower you to the same level as the crew over at the Squires board. This board's strength is it's light moderation, tolerance of all opinions, and free and unfettered discussion without fear of censorship.

Even if your purpose in deleting them were to reduce the amount of attention given to Parker and Squires, still no. You would end up degrading the quality of BWE more than any effect you would have on them.

[stefan]

>>
No. It would lower you to the same level as the crew over at the Squires board.
>>

Has The Square ever conducted a poll on whether a certain thread should be deleted?

stefan, tied for second in the election

[JimHow]

I gave you the lone vote, Stefan!

[DavidG]

>>
No. It would lower you to the same level as the crew over at the Squires board.
>>

Has The Square ever conducted a poll on whether a certain thread should be deleted?

stefan, tied for second in the election

Not that I'm aware, but he has a long track record of deleting posts and censoring individuals. We don't want to stoop to that level by deleting threads on a relevant topic. Spam, porn, blatently hateful posts, threats - sure, delete those. But not controversial criticism or commentary on a relevant topic.

[rjsussex]

No

Richard

[Elmo]

I, too, voted 'no'. Though I do wish we'd all move along...

[stefan]

>>
I do wish we'd all move along...
>>

Yeah, Elmo. Maybe it is time to get back to bashing The Sucker. Hasn't he written or done something outrageous lately?

stefan

[William P]

I know let's jump Tanzer.

[jal]

I do wish we'd all move along...

There were so many threads over the years where I also "wished we'd all move along" ; almost every quarrel between Alex and Jeff or between Ian and Jeff or the Joe Belmaati saga, or with Jerry from Texas, or that weirdo Roi de Mouton. You know what? I learned not to look when I was uncomfortable.

In this instance, I am, like Jim, so fed up with Parker and his clique of censors that I'm glad BWE is providing a forum where people can express their views. The threads will run their course when the story ends. So far, I don't believe we're even close to the last chapter.

[dstgolf]

I vote no and enough of this dead horse. I couldn't care less what goes on somewhere else. That's why I have stayed on this side instead of moving somewhere else. Just make sure that calmer heads continue to prevail here.

Danny

PS Where do I officially post a vote?Can't figure that one out being a computer simpleton.

[HarryKaris]

Common Jim, I think its time to move forward, think positive, believe in our own strength, existence as BWE and talk about way more important and fun issues...................

Harry

[Houndsong]

I like that sentiment Danny. The only time I ever go to ebob is when someone posts a link here. You gotta be a playah to hang over there. I aint a playah.

[Houndsong]

I do like the polling feature though. Can we put a bosox yankees rays poll up there Jim?

[JimHow]

I appreciate the sentiments asking us to stop, but I personally am glad we made a strong statement against what is going on at the Squires/Parker site. I have posted tens of thousands of extremely positive notes on BWE over the past ten years, and continue to do so to this day, and I'm not going to apologize for posting a couple dozen notes over a ten day period in response to the brazen arrogance over on the other site. This issue will die off, like all of these incredibly serious, earth-shaking "controversies" <rolls eyes> in the ever so important world of wine always do. Maybe next time Squires/Parker will be a little less arrogant in the way they handle their business, although, judging from what I've seen in just the past couple days, I highly doubt it. I can't delete threads or even ask people to stop posting on the subject, Harry, because that would reduce me to the very low level of Mark Squires.

I'll be in Chicago the next couple days and won't be posting here anyway, so there will be a break over the weekend, anyway, and maybe this issue will have died off by the time I get back.

Besides, this is all that monster Stefan's fault, I said I would delete this stuff if he only had said the word....

[Houndsong]

Jim, you/bwe need a twitter feed. I want to know what you think of Parker 24/7.

[stefan]

I note that I am still tied for second in the voting.

stefan, savoring his new status as monster

[JCNorthway]

Funny that Hound mentioned the Tweeter feed. I was thinking the same thing earlier today - What if BWE was on Tweeter? Of course then I would have to figure out how to do that, too.

Jon

[PappaDoc]

Maybe four years back a new member that used to post here asked me why I didn't post on Squires Board. I told him I don't like "Mosh Pits", physical or verbal.

[PappaDoc]

I voted for Stefan "The Dark Horse".

[SteveH]

So, Pappadoc and Stefen himself constitute both yea votes?
Not even Lucie would stand by her man, the kids, the daughter-in-law, the ... ?

[stefan]

Thanks, Pappa; I'm all alone in 2nd!

Hey, Steve, I did NOT vote for myself! That would show a lack of couth.

stefan, a couthy monster

[Houndsong]

I also voted for Stefan. I believe he won and the tally above is rigged. I believe him to be the new, lawful BD of the site. I'm expecting a knock on my door any night now. If I should suddenly be absent from this site (or should you note a lack of what I like to call humor in "my" postings - call it what you like) you'll know Jim has disappeared me. Allons, allons to the barricades.

[stefan]

Thank you, Hound, for the strong show of support. Being from Texas, I am familiar with with rigged elections, and even have an uncle whose nickname was Landslide by virtue of winning an important election with the support of the zombie vote.

Having said that, I am content with being the power behind the throne and have complete confidence in our moderator and his assistants operating BWE properly (under my watchful eye, of course).

stefan, Benevolent Monster