Another One Bites The Dust (Wizbang)

Yet another member of the Wizbang audience has been promoted to Commenter Emeritus. BarneyG2000 decided to challenge Cassy on the veracity of one of her pieces. Then, when she didn't respond by his 2-hour deadline (which he didn't even bother to announce ahead of time), he called her a liar and suggested that I could help her "lie her way out of this."

I felt kind of mellow, so I gave Barney a chance to back away from the cliff. I said he could have 24 hours to back up his accusations, withdraw them, or go elsewhere. He chose to instead add more personal insults.

He chose poorly.

Oh, well. His loss is our gain. I'm trying to remember the last time BarneyG2000 offered a single thing of substance or worth, but none comes to mind.

Remember: Wizbang is probably the most tolerant of dissenting comments of any big blog, but our patience is not infinite and commenting is a privilege, not a right. And that privilege can be revoked at any time, for any reason, or for no reason.

I like to think that we are exceptionally fair in using that club. (As the guy whose job it is to most frequently take up Olaf The Troll God's Hammer, I'm pretty proud that it spends so much time on the shelf of The Magic Box.) But there are a few sure-fire ways to get pounded with it. Making accusations such as lying against the authors, and refusing to back them up, is one way pretty much guaranteed to work. Offering nothing but personal insults against the authors is another.

Barney scored a double, and got squashed.

Olaf's Hammer is back on the shelf. Please let me leave it there for a while. My back ain't what it used to be.

Credits

Section Editor: Maggie Whitton

Editors: Jay Tea, Lorie Byrd, Kim Priestap, DJ Drummond, Michael Laprarie, Baron Von Ottomatic, Shawn Mallow, Rick, Dan Karipides, Michael Avitablile, Charlie Quidnunc, Steve Schippert

Emeritus: Paul, Mary Katherine Ham, Jim Addison, Alexander K. McClure, Cassy Fiano, Bill Jempty, John Stansbury, Rob Port

In Memorium: HughS

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Comments (54)

Wizbang is probably the ... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by mantis | March 26, 2008 7:12 PM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)

mantis:

Wizbang is probably the most tolerant of dissenting comments of any big blog

It's true, and that's one of the reasons this is such an interesting site.

Bye Barney. Good riddance.

Btw Jay, I just did a search of his name, and boy does that goofball have no life. The first page of results yields comments on no less than eight different sites.

Posted on March 26, 2008 19:12

You just sent KOS the best ... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by Scrapiron | March 26, 2008 7:27 PM | Score: 8 (10 votes cast)

Scrapiron:

You just sent KOS the best author they will ever have.

Posted on March 26, 2008 19:27

BLOOD FOR ODIN!See... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by Son Of The Godfather | March 26, 2008 7:29 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)

Son Of The Godfather:

BLOOD FOR ODIN!

Seeya Barney. Please send a postcard or two from whatever planet your from.

Posted on March 26, 2008 19:29

your = "you're" PIM... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by Son Of The Godfather | March 26, 2008 7:30 PM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)

your = "you're"
PIMF

Posted on March 26, 2008 19:30

You're right, Jay. I'd say... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by LaMedusa | March 26, 2008 7:32 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)

LaMedusa:

You're right, Jay. I'd say Barney's thread-jacking was more of a nuisance, almost as bad as...well...blog-hacking.

Posted on March 26, 2008 19:32

There is a God. And his nam... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by Peter F. | March 26, 2008 7:34 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)

Peter F.:

There is a God. And his name is Jay Tea.

(After I had the annoying experience of realizing Barney couldn't understand that when a paragraph or a sentence is italicized within an article by an author that that portion being excerpted is NOT in the author's words but in the document being cited (he based an entire argument around just the opposite), I tried not to get into conversations with the man.)

Posted on March 26, 2008 19:34

Actually I think his asshat... (Below threshold)

7. Posted by David | March 26, 2008 7:42 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)

David:

Actually I think his asshatery was rather mild relative to other dung droppings he has dropped here. I assume the being a jerk is cumulative.

Posted on March 26, 2008 19:42

I guess it's for the best. ... (Below threshold)

8. Posted by Oyster | March 26, 2008 7:45 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)

Oyster:

I guess it's for the best. How are we supposed to exercise our brains if we're forever fighting with those who show up unarmed?

Posted on March 26, 2008 19:45

Like I miss Muirgeo, I shal... (Below threshold)

9. Posted by Herman | March 26, 2008 8:13 PM | Score: -11 (13 votes cast)

Herman:

Like I miss Muirgeo, I shall miss Barney. He tried his best to educate and enlighten the conservatives, with some of his posts being quite articulate and informative.

**************************************************
Back I go to The Underground. (And no, I don't mean the sewer.)

Posted on March 26, 2008 20:13

Herman, you're always welco... (Below threshold)

10. Posted by Jay Tea | March 26, 2008 8:18 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)

Jay Tea:

Herman, you're always welcome to start your own blog and invite them to join you. Personally, I don't miss them one damned bit.

Hell, track down and astigafa and nogo postal while you're at it.

Posted on March 26, 2008 20:18

Good riddance. Although I ... (Below threshold)

11. Posted by SPQR | March 26, 2008 8:28 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)

SPQR:

Good riddance. Although I shall miss the entertainment I have had spanking the incompetent.

Posted on March 26, 2008 20:28

"I felt kind of mellow, ... (Below threshold)

12. Posted by Herman | March 26, 2008 8:29 PM | Score: -14 (16 votes cast)

"I felt kind of mellow, so I gave Barney a chance to back away from the cliff. I said he could have 24 hours to back up his accusations, withdraw them, or go elsewhere. He chose to instead add more personal insults." -- Mr. Tea

THE READER IS INVITED TO NOTE THE TIMES STAMPED FOR MR. TEA'S WARNING, AND FOR MR. TEA'S FIRST DECLARATION OF BARNEY'S NEW EMERITUS STATUS:

"Barney, I'm feeling generous. You have 24 hours to back up your accusation against me, apologize for it, or find a new blog to infest.

J."

18. Posted by Jay Tea | March 25, 2008 4:34 AM

"Congratulations, Barney! You've been promoted to the exalted rank of Commenter Emeritus, joining the illustrious ranks of astigafa, muirgeo, and nogo postal among other worthies. I hope you enjoy bright future as some other blog's pain in the ass.

22. Posted by Jay Tea | March 25, 2008 12:35 PM

Doesn't it seem to you, dear reader, that the posts are only eight hours apart?

*********************
Back Herman goes to The Underground.

Posted on March 26, 2008 20:29

Herman,From the or... (Below threshold)

13. Posted by cirby | March 26, 2008 8:35 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)

cirby:

Herman,

From the original thread:

18. Posted by Jay Tea | March 25, 2008 4:34 AM"

Considering that this post was at 7 PM on the following day, it's much more than 24 hours...

Posted on March 26, 2008 20:35

Herman, with his usual mend... (Below threshold)

14. Posted by SPQR | March 26, 2008 8:40 PM | Score: 7 (9 votes cast)

Herman, with his usual mendacity, omits to mention that Barney responded to Jay Tea's invitation with defiance.

Good job, Herman, showing your dishonesty.

Posted on March 26, 2008 20:40

Actually Herman, with a lit... (Below threshold)

15. Posted by jpm100 | March 26, 2008 8:41 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)

jpm100:

Actually Herman, with a little reading comprehension, you would realize that before Barney's 24 hours were up, he used his time to toss personal insults at Jay Tea, instead of civilly responding.

Posted on March 26, 2008 20:41

HermanMoveable typ... (Below threshold)

16. Posted by Melissa | March 26, 2008 8:45 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)

Melissa:

Herman

Moveable type has a little quirk that puts the time stamp on when the author begins the post, not when said author hits the publish post key.

With that in mind, I would say Jay started the post then held off until he knew for certain that Barney was not going to reply then went back and hit publish.

Posted on March 26, 2008 20:45

jpm100, it was not a lack o... (Below threshold)

17. Posted by SPQR | March 26, 2008 8:53 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)

jpm100, it was not a lack of reading comprehension, Herman did not miss Barney's comment. He omitted mentioning it intentionally. Herman has no integrity, no honesty and almost as much incompetence as Barney. Its why he's a fan of Barney.

Posted on March 26, 2008 20:53

SPQR has it right. No, I di... (Below threshold)

18. Posted by Jay Tea | March 26, 2008 9:08 PM | Score: 10 (12 votes cast)

SPQR has it right. No, I did not wait 24 hours to pull the plug. I took Barney's insulting response to be a declaration that he had no intention of either backing up his accusation or withdrawing it, so I banished him.

Not a single regret about it, either.

Posted on March 26, 2008 21:08

"Oh, well. His loss is o... (Below threshold)

19. Posted by Tom Blogical | March 26, 2008 9:09 PM | Score: 5 (7 votes cast)

Tom Blogical:

"Oh, well. His loss is our gain. I'm trying to remember the last time BarneyG2000 offered a single thing of substance or worth, but none comes to mind."

His loss is definitely our gain, but the single thing of substance or worth he provided was getting permanently banned from the site.

Posted on March 26, 2008 21:09

"Btw Jay, I just did a sear... (Below threshold)

20. Posted by capital L | March 26, 2008 9:17 PM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)

capital L:

"Btw Jay, I just did a search of his name, and boy does that goofball have no life. The first page of results yields comments on no less than eight different sites."

I can't tell if this is sarcasm? I visit more that 8 sites in a typical half an hour of web use, and I comment whenever the mood strikes me.

Posted on March 26, 2008 21:17

"I said he could have... (Below threshold)

21. Posted by Herman | March 26, 2008 9:26 PM | Score: -15 (17 votes cast)

"I said he could have 24 hours to back up his accusations, withdraw them, or go elsewhere. He chose to instead add more personal insults." -- Mr. Tea

"No, I did not wait 24 hours to pull the plug." -- Mr. Tea

That Mr. Tea, obviously a man of his word. NOT!!!

Posted on March 26, 2008 21:26

We've already learned all w... (Below threshold)

22. Posted by SPQR | March 26, 2008 9:30 PM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)

We've already learned all we need about your honesty, Herman.

Posted on March 26, 2008 21:30

Keep going, Herman. I'm ch... (Below threshold)

23. Posted by Tom Blogical | March 26, 2008 9:33 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)

Keep going, Herman. I'm cheering for you to be next. Go ahead...call Jay Tea a liar, instead of just omitting key parts of his comments. I triple dog dare ya.

Posted on March 26, 2008 21:33

Herman, he had up to 24 hou... (Below threshold)

24. Posted by Jay Tea | March 26, 2008 9:35 PM | Score: 8 (10 votes cast)

Herman, he had up to 24 hours to answer. Note that that is considerably longer than he gave Cassy. He chose to answer in less than that time.

And if you're bucking to join him, you're gonna have to do better. I don't take out Olaf's Hammer unless I really need to.

Posted on March 26, 2008 21:35

Herman (!) queue Munsters..... (Below threshold)

25. Posted by HughS | March 26, 2008 9:40 PM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)

HughS:

Herman (!) queue Munsters...has a well deserved reputation here. His words and comments speak for it (him) quite well. I can't remember the last time it (Herman) articulated an argument beyond the level of troll dropping.

Posted on March 26, 2008 21:40

Clear case of everyone exer... (Below threshold)

26. Posted by Faith+1 | March 26, 2008 9:45 PM | Score: 9 (11 votes cast)

Faith+1:

Clear case of everyone exercising their rights. Barney exercised his right to act like an ass. Jay Tea exercised his right to treat him like one.

Posted on March 26, 2008 21:45

Herman -Barney cou... (Below threshold)

27. Posted by JLawson | March 26, 2008 10:03 PM | Score: 7 (9 votes cast)

JLawson:

Herman -

Barney could have apologized. He could have backed down. He could (odd idea, this) actually have posted links to back up his accuations.

He chose not to - instead, flipping the metaphorical bird at the host when called on his rudeness. I see no obligation on Jay Tea's part to give him a full 24 hours, when it was quite clear what the response would be.

Or do you think that at 23 hours and 57 minutes, Barney would have posted a retraction?

I don't see it as unfair at all.

Posted on March 26, 2008 22:03

JayOlaf The... (Below threshold)

28. Posted by HughS | March 26, 2008 10:10 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)

Jay

Olaf The Troll God's Hammer is wielded very carefully here. I recall Jimbo from B5's experience at KOS.

http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/189677.php

And the question remains, who is more patient and tolerant? I recommend Goldberg's book on the Left to find the road to Fascism.

Posted on March 26, 2008 22:10

Buh-bye, Barney. We hardly ... (Below threshold)

29. Posted by Clay | March 26, 2008 11:25 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

Clay:

Buh-bye, Barney. We hardly even knew ye. At least I hope.

Posted on March 26, 2008 23:25

Back I go to The Undergr... (Below threshold)

30. Posted by Peter F. | March 26, 2008 11:53 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)

DU...sewer....same thing.

Posted on March 26, 2008 23:53

RIP Barney. I'll miss you ... (Below threshold)

31. Posted by Larkin | March 27, 2008 12:00 AM | Score: -4 (6 votes cast)

Larkin:

RIP Barney. I'll miss you (even though no one else will).

I recall seeing a Spanish ad on MTV myself recently (not sure if it was that one). I remember being totally baffled by it since mi espanol es my pobre.

Posted on March 27, 2008 00:00

All I can say is....'bout f... (Below threshold)

32. Posted by Sheik Yur Bouty | March 27, 2008 12:07 AM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)

Sheik Yur Bouty:

All I can say is....'bout freakin' time!

JT, you have the patience of Job. I'd have banned his sorry troll butt along time ago.

See ya, Barn. Can't say I'll miss ya.

Posted on March 27, 2008 00:07

Remember: Wizbang ... (Below threshold)

33. Posted by Rob | March 27, 2008 12:31 AM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)

Rob:

Remember: Wizbang is probably the most tolerant of dissenting comments of any big blog

Ahem.

Posted on March 27, 2008 00:31

Taking odds on the over/und... (Below threshold)

34. Posted by John Irving | March 27, 2008 12:49 AM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)

John Irving:

Taking odds on the over/under for Herman, set at t-minus one week.

Posted on March 27, 2008 00:49

I'm with Sheik Yur Bouty - ... (Below threshold)

35. Posted by Jim Addison | March 27, 2008 12:58 AM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)

Jim Addison:

I'm with Sheik Yur Bouty - what took ya so long? He wasn't here to discuss anything and didn't attempt to do so. He only wanted to drop troll bombs and hijack threads.

John Irving ~ I'll take the "over" on that one. Herman understands he can lie, distort, mislead, divert, and hijack without risk, so long as he avoids going over the top. He'll stay just within bounds, I believe. PLUS - our esteemed Wielder of the Hammer, having delivered a mighty blow, will step back for a time to allow it to sink in.

Posted on March 27, 2008 00:58

Taking part in Cassy's thre... (Below threshold)

36. Posted by Knightbrigade | March 27, 2008 4:38 AM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)

Knightbrigade:

Taking part in Cassy's thread Barney had made a point, then he proceeded on a mission to be a pain in the ass. I called him on it, and he was warned by Jay. His response (in under 24 hrs *wink* Herman) was to..Keep walking right off the cliff...

As I said to nogo, same goes to Barney...
Bon--voyageeeee

Posted on March 27, 2008 04:38

Meh. It's not like Barney ... (Below threshold)

37. Posted by Eric | March 27, 2008 4:39 AM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)

Eric:

Meh. It's not like Barney added anything to the discussion. I was getting pretty tired of his "yeah, but... hey, look over there!" style of refuting well-thought-out posts.

Posted on March 27, 2008 04:39

Actually, I went back and r... (Below threshold)

38. Posted by Darby | March 27, 2008 5:04 AM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)

Darby:

Actually, I went back and read the comments Jay, he did apologize sincerely for accusing you to be a girl. That part I truly believe was a typo(The calling you a girl part).

But it was quite obvious that he had no intention of apologizing, or proving with evidence, about the "lying her way out of it." part. Unless there was a comment in there that was removed that I didn't see. A comment deleted because of it's content.

Over all though, Good choice in breaking out the troll hammer.

Posted on March 27, 2008 05:04

Wow! I did not know what my... (Below threshold)

39. Posted by WildWillie | March 27, 2008 7:23 AM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)

WildWillie:

Wow! I did not know what my day would be like today, and low and behold, BG is no longer. I love spring. Way to go JT. ww

Posted on March 27, 2008 07:23

I am an occasional visitor ... (Below threshold)

40. Posted by Paden Cash | March 27, 2008 9:10 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Paden Cash:

I am an occasional visitor here, have the site bookmarked. I have other blogs that are on my regular list, although there is no need to advertise for them. Your references to "buffy" made my day, and I will be baaack with much more regularity. Thank you.

Posted on March 27, 2008 09:10

Barney's rubble was chicken... (Below threshold)

41. Posted by 914 | March 27, 2008 11:40 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

914:

Barney's rubble was chicken scratch next to MAC44'S... Maybe He will find the time to clean Grandma's basement now? since He live's there anyway's.

He really is underground.

Posted on March 27, 2008 11:40

It's Christmas in March! I ... (Below threshold)

42. Posted by Big Mo | March 27, 2008 12:34 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

Big Mo:

It's Christmas in March! I love it.

Barney infested the old Blogs for Bush, and it was very unpleasent to see that disagreeable [blank] show up here.

Never added anything to the discussion, not even in a fun way. The dude was mental. Continually using a starting point of "you're lying" is not debating. It's being a mean jerk.

Long overdue.

Posted on March 27, 2008 12:34

Au revoir, Barney!</... (Below threshold)

43. Posted by drjohn | March 27, 2008 2:05 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

drjohn:

Au revoir, Barney!

Thanks, Jay.

Posted on March 27, 2008 14:05

Other than DJ, Cassy is ... (Below threshold)

44. Posted by drjohn | March 27, 2008 2:07 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Other than DJ, Cassy is the least likely to due her due diligence, so I am not surprised.

He deserved the ejection for his inability to spell. Anyone can make a typing mistake, and I often do, but gee whiz.

Posted on March 27, 2008 14:07

Closer to the cliff edge, B... (Below threshold)

45. Posted by Mitchell | March 27, 2008 3:34 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Mitchell:

Closer to the cliff edge, BarneyGoogle, closer!!

Oh well, a dim bulb doesn't burn as much electricity, saves energy and greenhouse gases, I suppose.

Posted on March 27, 2008 15:34

And YET ANOTHER puzzling th... (Below threshold)

46. Posted by Herman | March 27, 2008 7:56 PM | Score: -3 (3 votes cast)

And YET ANOTHER puzzling thing about Mr. Tea's behavior, leading one to question his fairness.

Mr. Tea warns:
"Barney, I'm feeling generous. You have 24 hours to back up your accusation against me, [emphasis added] apologize for it, or find a new blog to infest.

J."
18. Posted by Jay Tea | March 25, 2008 4:34 AM

A few hours later, Barney concludes that he had been rude, and responds with his final post before being banned:
"You are right jay. I am sorry for accusing you of being a girl."

20. Posted by BarneyG2000 | March 25, 2008 9:03 AM

Note that there was no mention of Cassy in Mr. Tea's post, that concern bizarrely came later. Mr. Tea threatened poor Barney with banishment unless Mr. Tea got an apology, Mr. Tea got his apology, and then with glee Mr. Tea banished poor Barney anyway.

Does that not strike you as being unfair, dear reader?

Posted on March 27, 2008 19:56

"Does that not strike yo... (Below threshold)

47. Posted by Tom Blogical | March 27, 2008 8:59 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

"Does that not strike you as being unfair, dear reader?"

You are completely out of your pea-sized mind.

Posted on March 27, 2008 20:59

Actually, Herman, the most ... (Below threshold)

48. Posted by Jay Tea | March 27, 2008 9:15 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

Actually, Herman, the most important lesson to be learned from this is this:

I. Don't. Bluff.

I am extremely reluctant to take out Olaf's Hammer and threaten to ban someone. That is because I know that the very first time I make that threat and don't carry it out, my authority is history. I have invested far too much of my time and my energy into developing that authority to throw it away.

And that is precisely why I have not threatened you with banning. You are mildly annoying. Every other single person here gets the point -- Barney accused Cassy of lying, dragged me into his little hissy-fit, got my attention, crossed the line of acceptable behavior, and responded to my warning with what JLawson so perfectly described as a flipping of the bird.

So I brought the Hammer down.

It's back on the shelf, Herman, and it's going to stay there until I see someone else cross the line.

You are edging in the direction of that line, but you're nowhere near enough to it to provoke a warning. A fact of which I'm sure you're well aware.

You'll have to find someone else to help you fulfill your martyr complex, Herman. Olaf's hammer is heavy as hell, and you aren't worth my picking it up again so soon.

Posted on March 27, 2008 21:15

*Sending Herman a "Whammmbu... (Below threshold)

49. Posted by Ran56 | March 27, 2008 9:39 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Ran56:

*Sending Herman a "Whammmbulance*

Posted on March 27, 2008 21:39

Herman is still lying inten... (Below threshold)

50. Posted by SPQR | March 27, 2008 10:16 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Herman is still lying intentionally, now bizarrely claiming that Barney's comment was an actual apology.

Posted on March 27, 2008 22:16

Good riddance to bad rubbis... (Below threshold)

51. Posted by Wanderlust | March 27, 2008 10:42 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Wanderlust:

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Posted on March 27, 2008 22:42

I do so hope the door left ... (Below threshold)

52. Posted by Gmac | March 28, 2008 2:31 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Gmac:

I do so hope the door left a deep bruise...

Posted on March 28, 2008 02:31

Herman whined:<blockq... (Below threshold)

53. Posted by Jay Tea | March 28, 2008 6:11 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

Herman whined:

Judging by those who have spoken up in this thread, Herman, I'd have to say your answer is "no."

And no, I haven't edited, censored, deleted, unpublished, or in any other way any comments on this thread. The people have spoken, it seems -- and they think you're an idiot.

Vox populi, vox dei.

Posted on March 28, 2008 06:11

Herman, why don't you just ... (Below threshold)

54. Posted by wavemaker | March 28, 2008 8:17 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

wavemaker:

Herman, why don't you just drop the pretense and say "look at me!! Look at me!!"

Posted on March 28, 2008 08:17

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