[meteorite-list] The Scorpion and the Turtle wasList policies and ad posts thoughts

[E. L. Jones]

AL Mitterling wrote:
Hi Robert, Jerry and list,

 >Might I suggest?? dividing the list into areas of interests. We could 
have topics like: Meteorite Information, Meteorite >Questions, Meteorite 
discussion, Meteorite AD's, New Members Area, etc. and so forth. (other 
ideas would be up to list >members) 

 This can be the Meteorite Fables, complete with morals and talking animals

Or how about we just shun the aberrant personality until he leaves for 
good? Boycott buying and selling to him and he might find another 
community to self destruct in.  I still remember the wenching Joel 
Warren brought to this group.  this Sscorpion is more damaging.

It isn't "ads" per se, it is that the integrity of the community is 
breeched by a personality that holds himself as an honest, uprigh, 
leading member of the community and to my knowledge has NEVER kept his 
word on anything EVER posted to the list-and 90% of what goes on off the 
list. That is am impressive track record for someone who has over 800 
posts to the list.  The list isn't any different from real life--The 
members desire to associate only with persons of integrity and who they 
feel safe with and who isn't taking advantage of their hospitality.   
Some of those members are beginning to vote with their feet.  I may soon 
join them.  I happen to believe that you don't drop your guard around 
philosophical scorpions you'll be prey of you'll spend most of you 
energy defending friends from being preyed upon

My objections are the repeated pattern of unethical behavior , mind game 
manipulation, and the theft of enjoyment he brings to the community 
using WWF Smackdown Tactics of playing everyone off against another.  
Some people aren't happy unless they can influence the way of things and 
this particular individual choses to do so by destroying and 
disrupting-- He is a scorpion it is just his nature.  It always has been 
and always will be--it is just his nature--it- is -j u s t-- h i s --n a 
t u r e.. It isn't going to change.  This Sscorpion doesn't act with 
malice, it is just his way, it is the standard he lives by and It is 
nothing personal-- it is just who and what he is.

Sstamp out Sscorpions!

Elton

For those unfamiliar with the fable...
The Sscorpion and the Turtle...(adaptation by EJ)

In rising tide waters a turtle was preparing to raft the whole community 
of creatures on MetList-island  to another shore when the group was 
approached by a scorpion for a ride  too.  The turtle is taken back for 
he knows of the deadly insidious ven-AD-om of the arachnid-- he has seen 
the scorpion often inject others with his ven-AD-om  All his life he was 
taught to avoid the beast and his kind for their treachery was well known.

"Ahem.... Dear Turtle! ole buddy! ole pal...how about a piggy-back ride 
to dry land lest I drown?  I am a lowly innocent loving caring,  team 
player amongst the creatures here on MetList-Island ! I am generous 
beyond imagination, and in spite of my appearances  I assure you I am 
harmless...A true leader amongst purveyors of phony  er  precious pieces 
of plasmasphere particles ...Why.. you hear from me daily so you 
shouldn't have any worrys about me and my reputation--Surely You don't 
pay attention to the things you've read about my private behaviors " as 
he preened his pinchers and thought to himself.." How can anyone resist 
my Cc-charm?  I am sooo coooool and these are chumps for the picking if 
you suck up to them"

Shaking his head no, Turtle speaks up..."Oh No! Sscorpion.  If I gave 
you a ride and you stung me in the river we'd all die.  And you are 
certainly preceded by your reputation over and over again. The older 
turtles who started this island have often spoken of the risk and urged 
me to never associate with Sscorpions." 

"Ah my Dear Turtle, ole buddy, dearest friend..I can see I can't fool 
you...Yes I was once a piggish brute but I promise I'll never be that 
way again-- cross my heart and hope to die..Why if I am not who I say I 
am...I banish myself from this community!  But you wouldn't want me to 
be left here alone and without friends.  Why even if I have been a 
piggish  cad , a egotistical heel, a sycophant  lier AND have broken 
every deal I have ever uttered and have never done pentance...I promise 
I'd never ever harm you...I am changed-- You are one of my Sspecial 
friends. You CAN tust me THIS time.  I'll trade ya this lovely morsel of 
starrock...if you'll like me and give me a free lunch    er free ride to 
dryer ground"  he seductively whispered.  "Frankly, I am totally 
misunderstood and am persecuted without reason." Sscorpion confided to 
all that wouls listen.  "I really need your sympathy and 
understanding."  "How about a ride? ", he presses.  " My Ven-AD-om is 
harmless and it really isn't my choice it is just what I am...  you 
don't have to take it if you choose not to-- just walk around it and 
stay clear of my sPAMtinger when you see it swinging.  It isn't my 
responsibility to control its gyrations-- afterall this is a free 
country, well at least I am not paying for it.. tee.hee hee and I can 
let it swing where it wishes Nana naa naaaa naaaa--it is just who I am 
("delete it if you are not interested" echos off a nearby clift).  The 
sPAMinger is simply an annoyance, it is how I eak a living, it is 
harmless-- in and of itself  but I need to ego feed daily --it is just 
who I am."

"No can do!  If you were  broke your word, I risk death to me and to all 
my friends"  your ven-AD-om numbs the brain and sucks the joy from me 
and the stupor it brings would cause me to lose my strength and desire 
to carry on --  in water that is an assured death!  Being around your 
fumes is harmful to me.  I have to stay in my shell most of the time to 
avoid your sPAMtinger."

With eyebrow raised, smirking mandable to mandable, Sscoripon looks his 
mark straight in the eye and says.." Yes but I give away star rocks!  
You love star rocks don't you?"  Please give me a ride, Special 
Friend?"  I promise I'll behave like the rest of the friendly turtles, 
you won't even know I am around."

The other members on the  ride were divided.  Many who had been savaged 
by the Sscorpion's past treachery were firm in the danger to them all if 
the Sscorpion was allowed along.--expressing that if Sscorpion staid 
they would have to go elsewheres.  But a few more scoffed.."Ahh  what 
harm could he really do? Turtles' have a hard shell anyway...  Aww come 
on give him a ride". The words were confusing to Turtle...but in the end 
the vocal minority won out and convinced Turtle to take Sscorpion 
along.  Against his better judgment ,Turtle was persuaded to ferry the 
parasitic Sscorpion to another shore.  Thirty minutes later in 
midwater,  Turtle starts believeing Sscorpion-- lulled by  Sscorpion's 
"passion", "enthusiasm", and child-like demeanor. " Awwww someone this 
sweet can't really be harmful.  I'll trust him this once and give the 
fella a hitch" thinks , Turtle.

Midway across , Turtel feels the thrashing of of the 
stinger...wham..wham wham.  Horrified betrayed and bewildered the turtle 
eyes the Sscorpion and asked.."Why  did you do that? You promised you 
wouldn't sting me...now we are all going to die". 

"I know"  said Sscorpion without concern , remorse, or awareness of 
danger to the whole community he hath wrought " I know..." ..then 
another attack Wham- wham- wham... he stings again...  Beyond belief, 
Turtle again asked "Why did you break your promise? You knew if you 
stung me we all would die, You've destroyed us all....Why....?"

Sscorpion only shrugs his sshoulders and without remorse  or emotion 
says.."  I couldn't help myself, nothing personal...it is just my nature 
, it is who I am"

When you assocate with Sscorpions-- knowing their behavior never 
changes  it is not IF but WHEN you'll fall prey even if it takes you 
both down.