Which makes it unforgivable and once again I am at a loss for why many here remain patient with you. You plainly ignore arguments and continue to spout your emotionally based arguments.

I think I can answer this question, as it clearly puzzles many of the newbies.

Markie has a long history on this board. During his first few years here, he dealt with his severe emotional problems - which includes a heavy degree of guilt, shame, and punishing self-doubt over his attractions, as well as the rejection he suffered from society as a result of being an "out" but law-abiding MAP - differently than he does today. He was one of the best pro-choice activists the community had, and he inspired me and many others greatly. He also had a tenure as a mod during that era, and during that time he was of great service to the board in that capacity. He also hasn't been the virtual one-trick pony that Ethan has chosen to be, but has initiated many insightful discussions about girls and GL throughout history, art, literature, cinema, and even the newer medium of video games. He has written some pretty kick ass stuff, some of which can still be read in the Story Drive. His talent in that area, frankly, puts me to shame. I've learned from him by reading his material.

But his problems include a tendency to lash out at those who care for him the most, so these conflicts eventually led to him giving into his doubt and shame and becoming anti-choice to deal with it all. And the pro-choice majority has become his favorite punching bag when he gets in this state of mind. Since his first ideological 180 to the anti-choice side, he has swung back and forth over the years as he continues to wrestle with his natural human desire for acceptance by the majority of society and to reconcile his socially unacceptable attraction base with societal expectations. That latter type of acceptance is very important to him, and goes a long way to explaining his behavior manifestations. He isn't trying to make sense when he utters his emotionally-based statements; he is trying to work through his inner conflicts, vent, and conduct what he hopes to be acceptance-bringing P.R. at the same time.

Many people here, including me, remember the old Markaba, and keep hoping he one day learns to deal with his problems positively and comes back to us. His various insightful discussions of art, literature, and cinema, along with his great writing and artistic talent, has also touched many of us here in positive ways. Because of this, as much as I want to dislike him sometimes, I find myself unable to do so. I keep holding out hope for him, and I'm not without sympathy for his problems. Unlike others, I simply will not coddle him by giving him a free pass to hurt me and others to assuage his own hurt. I don't believe that coddling does anyone any favors, as is made clear with the victimologists and the behavior of the professional perpetual victims (i.e., "survivors").

Others, however, simply feel sorry for him because of his problems, and out of a combination of that and deference to his past service to the board they give him a huge amount of leeway.

Myself, I won't give him a free pass in that way, because he says and does too many hurtful things when he is in his "anti" mode, and again, I don't think understanding him is tantamount to defending him when he acts like this. But at the same time, I cannot bring myself to totally dislike him or give up on him, because it's hard to totally lose the respect and admiration he earned with me during his first few years here. There is a powerfully talented and intelligent guy buried deep beneath his pain and confusion, and there is always a chance it will one day return. If others have conquered their inner demons, then so can he.

This is an admittedly short version of his history here that may explain why he garners what newbies may understandably consider to be baffling degrees of tolerance and respect by the board.