Free BuffaloBill ! - LancasterOnline.com: TalkBack

Free BuffaloBill ! 3 years' punishment for a prank is ridiculous

#1 citydweller

Eye seez u

Posts: 4,744
Joined: 27-July 01

Post icon Posted 02 November 2006 - 12:48 AM

My wife just told me this afternoon about BuffaloBill being banned from TalkBack for 3 YEARS in response to his merely using another banned user's former moniker as a Halloween prank.

I for one would like to protest this action as unreasonable and grossly unfair. His use of the "crow" name was a holiday prank, and as I understand it he didn't actually post anything that was outrageous or disturbing under the temporary name change.

More to the point, though, is the assertion by LOL staff that BuffaloBill's name change could have actually freightened several posters who have a reason to be wary of the real "crow" character. My wife is one of those persons, and BB made a point of PM'ing her in advance to let her know what was going on and that it was a joke. My understanding is that he gave a head's-up to others as well to make sure his joke was understood as such.

We both thought it was rather funny and well in keeping with the spirit of the day, and understand that others did as well. To see a long-time respected member of our community rashly tossed out for 3 years over this is very disturbing.

I have seen less tolerant users of this board make extremely disturbing and provocative comments on these forums and get away with mere warnings on a number of occasions, so to see this action against a fairly well-balanced member over the mere use of a name-sake gives me pause and worries me.

I would very much like to hear from other members as to their opinions of the fairness of this punishment, and would further like to hear LOL staff justify this action. Our community is based on understanding, tolerance and forebearance, without which we would have no basis on which to share our widely varied views on life, not to mention our wildly divergent ideas of humor. Seeing an action like this go unquestioned and unjustified weakens the foundations of all our dialogues in this environment.

Free BuffaloBill!

This post has been edited by citydweller: 02 November 2006 - 12:52 AM

"These are the times that try men's souls."

- Thomas Paine

www.cafepress.com/totherepublic

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#2 harv1

I'd crawl a mile for a Camel.

Posts: 5,729
Joined: 06-June 01

Posted 02 November 2006 - 12:53 AM

I got the joke right away. I'm sorry to hear this.

"In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher."
His holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

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#3 Kate

Kate

Posts: 10,571
Joined: 22-August 02

Posted 02 November 2006 - 07:57 AM

I was initially concerned also. Bill PM'd me to warn me about the prank.

After a weekend of nastiness from other posters Bill's prank was funny.

LOL Boss, please bring back Buffalo Bill !!!!!

"Leadership is action, not position" Donald H. McGannon

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#4 tugrad

be who you are

Posts: 3,140
Joined: 31-August 05

Posted 02 November 2006 - 08:28 AM

I agree with the above posters.

BB pmed me as well to let me know that "the crow" was his holiday costume!

I too found his silly posts refreashing.

Please bring him back.

What a long strange trip it's been.

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#5 Wonder

Grand Teddybear

Posts: 5,265
Joined: 20-August 01

Posted 02 November 2006 - 08:41 AM

BB did not PM me and I just thought he was wearing a "Halloween Costume".

I just said...."Huh?".

Let him go....LOL Boss/Guru/Czar/King/Ruler...Please

This post has been edited by wonderwoman: 02 November 2006 - 08:42 AM

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#6 Hammer

Class Clown

Posts: 3,542
Joined: 02-January 01

Posted 02 November 2006 - 08:48 AM

3 years???????? What he do,murder some one

Let the man back.........

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#7 jrmwarfare

Talkback Addict

Posts: 1,410
Joined: 21-May 04

Posted 02 November 2006 - 08:48 AM

I'm joining the ranks of "Bring back BuffaloBill". I think a 3 year ban is a bit extreme. Surely there was another way of dealing with his prank. Come on guys, see your way to bringing him back.

JRM

"Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art."
Stanislaw Jerzy Lec (Polish writer, poet and satirist 1906 - 1966)

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#8 twinmom

-----

Posts: 4,462
Joined: 26-June 06

Posted 02 November 2006 - 08:53 AM

I think 3 years is outrageous. From what I've seen in my limited time Bill hasn't made the nasty comments I've read from some posters who are still allowed to post. One look at the number of posters should've been a clue that it wasn't the banned user returning. And after all, that was the name of the guy in the avatar he was using. Bring back Buffalo Bill!

"There Is A Destiny That Makes Us Brothers, None Goes His Way Alone;
All That We Send Into The Lives of Others, Comes Back Into Our Own."
~ Edwin Markham (1852-1940)

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#9 sandyinholtwood

Grand Poobah

Posts: 3,145
Joined: 12-January 06

Posted 02 November 2006 - 09:00 AM

Say it ain't so!!!!!

[/color]

I had a really busy day yesterday, and I missed the prank. Buffalo Bill, as far as I'm concerned, is a [color="#ff0000"]respectful member of the Talback Community!! PLEASE LOL BOSS....give him another chance. PLEASE!!!

You can't always get what you want....but if you try sometimes, you get what you need!

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#10 cyberscribbler

Grand Poobah

Posts: 5,002
Joined: 16-December 04

Posted 02 November 2006 - 09:40 AM

I Understand "the crow" caused LOL and talkbackers many headaches during his time here, however I too think the punishment is too severe. BB's conduct has always been respectful and tolerant, in addition to raising the "IQ" of the dialogue here.
I got the joke that it was just a halloween costume. Thanks for bringing this to our attention C/D.

Please give the guy a break LOLBoss

This post has been edited by cyberscribbler: 02 November 2006 - 09:42 AM

http://cyberscribbler.blogspot.com/

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#11 littledutchboy

Grand Poobah

Posts: 4,440
Joined: 07-March 05

Posted 02 November 2006 - 10:33 AM

YOU You no get to post for 3 years...no post for you!!!

I heard of the soup nazi but this is _ _ _ _ _ _ crazy

Free BB or I will hold my breath..starting...NOW!

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#12 LicenseForMayhem

Whatever you want me to be

Posts: 8,450
Joined: 05-February 04

Posted 02 November 2006 - 10:35 AM

I join the request for clemency or a commuted sentence for BBill. He's fun and harmless.

"I need a large sock full of horse manure." Woody Allen

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#13 hollymom5

Senior Member

Posts: 353
Joined: 19-October 04

Posted 02 November 2006 - 10:35 AM

Things have been hectic, and I have not been on here as much as I'd like (at least, not posting). However, I had to make the time to get on when I received the notification of this... three years?! I think that is far too excessive. The punishment does not fit the 'crime'.

I have to join the ranks of those saying 'let BuffaloBill bcome back!' PLEASE! He covered his you-know-what by e-mailing those he thought possibly might have been offended, and they took it as it was intended: a harmless prank.. if they can do so, why can't LOL? (and, it seems, anyone else whom he might have missed, also took it as such: a harmless prank.)

Come on, LOL, Let Bill come back!