Some thoughts...

[_mentalgymnast]

Hey guys, this is interesting and all, but I'd like to wait and see what Shades has to say in response to my questions/comments. He said he'd return and report. At this point I don't have much interest in the chatter surrounding the situation. Chap, I know you're trying to cover for grindael but I'm much more interested in what he has to say and how it may relate to Shades' actions.

Frankly, who the hell cares what you'd like to do?!?!? We'll discuss whatever the hell we want to in your thread, like you do in all of the others.

And frankly, who cares that you do?

Go right ahead.

Regards,
MG

[_Lemmie]

You meant to call someone a loser? You meant to rudely mock another? well, that's you all over, mental.

Hey guys, this is interesting and all, but I'd like to wait and see what Shades has to say in response to my questions/comments. He said he'd return and report. At this point I don't have much interest in the chatter surrounding the situation. Chap, I know you're trying to cover for grindael but I'm much more interested in what he has to say and how it may relate to Shades' actions.

Regards,
MG

Frankly, who the hell cares what you'd like to do?!?!? We'll discuss whatever the hell we want to in your thread, like you do in all of the others.

Either:

1. You have a truly astounding lack of self-awareness. You think you have the right, as the thread-starter, to place rules on the discussion and exert control over the thread. Yet you repeatedly disregard the wishes for the direction of discussion of another thread starter. I find your recent behavior to be fairly disgusting. It is the type of behavior I see in small children, where one is angry and trying to get away from the other and the other is following the first around and won't leave them alone. Guess which one I reprimand?

- or -

2. You *are* a disingenuous troll.

Which is it?

Can we vote for both?

[_mentalgymnast]

1. You have a truly astounding lack of self-awareness. You think you have the right, as the thread-starter, to place rules on the discussion and exert control over the thread.

That's exactly what grindael was requiring in his now infamous thread(s). Of course much of the thread(s) were moved downstairs or into oblivion. And on top of that grindael deleted a number...who knows how many, I didn't count them...of posts. I, as a matter of fact, remember that he wanted total control over his thread.

I could care less, again, if you continue to "chatter"on this thread. It's just that I think it's basically a waste of time. But here I am having to protect my good name by chattering with you.

Regards,
MG

[_mentalgymnast]

2. You *are* a disingenuous troll.

No. But in the past I have mentioned some folks that I would say are. It is in the eyes of the beholder(s), isn't it?

Regards,
MG

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

This will be a one off post on my part since I'm not a huge fan of engaging MG's narcissism, but whatever.

Here's the bottom line with him. He's displayed classic characteristics of an addict. I suspected it before, but now I have no doubt that his narcissism, inability to take responsibility for his behavior, blame shifting, apologizing-turned-victim routine are simply behavioral pattern indicators of deeper issues. These issues are almost universally shared with addicts.

So. MG was an addict, and is most likely in some sort of recovery program or process (think 12-step).

Much like LDSFAQs, MG is driven by a compulsion based in selfishness that lends itself to a fundamental inability to be introspective and effectuate lasting change. He's here because he needs the drama, the only kind of drama that an addict craves, by stirring the pot which deflects his responsibility to be a sober adult. In other words, the drama he creates is a proxy for his past addiction which, in of itself, anesthetized him from taking responsibility for his life.

Honestly, the best way you can help an addict is to stop being codependent and enabling his BS. He'll either figure it out (he won't), or he'll find another avenue to get the attention and thus the diversion from living he so desperately craves.

It's up to you all if you want to keeping aiding and abetting this man.

- Doc

[_mentalgymnast]

This will be a one off post on my part since I'm not a huge fan of engaging MG's narcissism, but whatever.

Here's the bottom line with him. He's displayed classic characteristics of an addict. I suspected it before, but now I have no doubt that his narcissism, inability to take responsibility for his behavior, blame shifting, apologizing-turned-victim routine are simply behavioral pattern indicators of deeper issues. These issues are almost universally shared with addicts.

So. MG was an addict, and is most likely in some sort of recovery program or process (think 12-step).

Much like LDSFAQs, MG is driven by a compulsion based in selfishness that lends itself to a fundamental inability to be introspective and effectuate lasting change. He's here because he needs the drama, the only kind of drama that an addict craves, by stirring the pot which deflects his responsibility to be a sober adult. In other words, the drama he creates is a proxy for his past addiction which, in of itself, anesthetized him from taking responsibility for his life.

Honestly, the best way you can help an addict is to stop being codependent and enabling his ****. He'll either figure it out (he won't), or he'll find another avenue to get the attention and thus the diversion from living he so desperately craves.

It's up to you all if you want to keeping aiding and abetting this man.

- Doc

Supermassive derail. (nod to Muse)

I know Shades is busy with life, and I'm sure that he will finish this thread off by coming back to answer the questions that I've posed and some of the comments/concerns I've made/expressed towards the beginning of this thread in a couple of posts. In the meantime, carry on with the chatter.

I have a friend in the Bishopric who is a psychiatrist. I suppose I will need to get with him this Sunday and make an appointment...and not just for tithing settlement. Either that, or I'll have to have a chat with my father who has also practiced in the field of psychiatry. Usually we chat about politics and religious belief, etc. Boy, is he going to be surprised when I throw the good Docs' diagnosis in front of him. He'll think I'm crazy...but not in the way you might like to think.

Thanks for another diversion.

I suppose we may never find out why grindael deleted his own posts on his own thread before going to Shades to have his thread basically trashed. I promised I wouldn't interfere with his thread...by the way, it looks like it's really going places...and he has adamantly committed to not showing up on any thread that I begin. Thanks Lemmie for that reminder. I had honestly (believe it or not) forgotten that he had said that.

The whole thing seems rather fishy though as far as the timing, etc. Maybe Shades can clear it up.

Regards,
MG

[_Polygamy-Porter]

MG, I hope the "appointment" with the shrink is for you.

You seem to have some compulsiveness.

Honestly, why do you post here?

You know we all know you are wrong. While it is entertaining, at least to me, I am curious why you keep coming back.


Hey! Your wife is gone for a few hours.. shopping, go ahead and sneak a couple of those Snapple Iced Tea drinks that you hid.

[_mentalgymnast]

MG, I hope the "appointment" with the shrink is for you.

You seem to have some compulsiveness.

Honestly, why do you post here?

You know we all know you are wrong. While it is entertaining, at least to me, I am curious why you keep coming back.

As I said to Ceeboo, it used to be for the conversation/discussion. You do ask a good question. Why do I continue to post here?

I suppose it's with the hope of being able to share ideas and also glean new/different ways of looking at the world of Mormonism. But as I said many months ago...there is nothing new under the sun. The same topics. The same answers and/or non-answers. The same mockery. Etc.

Those days may be gone.

This does seem to be sort of a waste of time, in some respects.

I think of the lurkers, however, and especially those that may inadvertently come across this place thinking it is a safe place to read a balanced approach to seeing the world of Mormonism. Without folks that are basically balanced/even handed, all they will see...more or less... is the type of stuff that leads in only one direction. I guess I don't think that is fair to them. My hope is that some of these folks can see the general spirit of cynicism/meaness (ol' Jo Smith, etc.)/hard heartedness towards Mormonism...and find that the church actually is a pretty nice place to hang up their spurs and hats.

Much of that cynicism/meaness isn't manifest in all its glory unless there is someone for the enemies of the church/gospel to throw their barbs at.

So I'm the whipping boy.

But it is getting old, I must admit. Is that my passive aggressiveness coming through Doc?

Still waiting to hear from Shades. Chatter on.

Regards,
MG

[_Polygamy-Porter]

Why do I continue to post here?

I suppose it's with the hope of being able to share ideas and also glean new/different ways of looking at the world of Mormonism. But as I said many months ago...there is nothing new under the sun. The same topics. The same answers and/or non-answers. The same mockery. Etc.

MG, you are effectively defending your belief that Santa Claus really does fly around the world in ONE night and deliver *Carl Sagan voice* Billions and Billions of packages..

I think of the lurkers, however, and especially those that may inadvertently come across this place thinking it is a safe place to read a balanced approach to seeing the world of Mormonism.

Balanced as in FACTual????

Without folks that are basically balanced/even handed, all they will see...more or less... is the type of stuff that leads in only one direction.

So, in your humble opinion, feelings Trump facts. OK. Got it.

I guess I don't think that is fair to them. My hope is that some of these folks can see the general spirit of cynicism/meaness (ol' Jo Smith, etc.)/hard heartedness towards Mormonism...and find that the church actually is a pretty nice place to hang up their spurs and hats.

Says you, who really knows no other life, and quite frankly, is too scared to even attempt.

So I'm the whipping boy.

You are no more "persecuted than the FLDS, actually FAR LESS, so please STOP with the persecution complex.

But it is getting old, I must admit. Is that my passive aggressiveness coming through Doc?

Who is the appointment for again??

[_Lemmie]

Mental's last post just drives Doc's point home.

Much like LDSFAQs, MG is driven by a compulsion based in selfishness that lends itself to a fundamental inability to be introspective and effectuate lasting change. He's here because he needs the drama, the only kind of drama that an addict craves, by stirring the pot which deflects his responsibility to be a sober adult. In other words, the drama he creates is a proxy for his past addiction which, in of itself, anesthetized him from taking responsibility for his life.

mentalgymnast and ldsfaqs. What a pair.