NFL preseason bull...

"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3) 08/24/2015 at 00:17 • Filed to: Off topic, Keep Oppo NFL, Keep Oppo Ranty

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So some of y’all may know that I’m a pretty big fan of football. Now, while I’m a proud Texan, I’m not necessarily a Cowboys fan, but my dad is, so we sat down to watch tonight’s game between the ‘boys and the San Francisco 49ers. I have some thoughts and I need to get them out. Off topic rant about sexism ahead.

Meet !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Earlier this year she was named the first female official to be assigned to a regular NFL officiating crew. (The first ever female NFL official served as a back up).

She’s a line judge who has spent two decades officiating, starting with elementary school level kiddie games, working her way up to high school and eventually becoming the first female official to work a college conference and a bowl game.

She’s put in her dues and worked her ass off and has earned her spot on an NFL crew.

So, tonight’s officiating crew for the Cowboys/Niners game just happened to be Thomas’ crew. The in-game commentators took a moment near the end of the game, since the ‘boys were getting soundly routed and the commentators were running out of ways to talk about that, to highlight Thomas.

A camera zoomed in on her near the sideline and tracked her as one commentator explained who she was. He then said, “Now, there’s a lot of foul language on the sidelines...”

At that point I began wondering where this apparent non sequitur was going, but I didn’t have to wait long to find out. He continued, asking his co-commentator if, back during his own coaching days, he would have tried to watch his use of foul language had there been female officials officiating games. The co-commentator replied, “Yes, of course. It’s only natural.”

Hey fellas, you know what? FUCK YOU!

Thanks for looking out for Thomas’ sensibilities, but I really don’t think she needs it. But kudos on y’all for your one (sexist as hell) reaction of her as an official, as a seasoned professional , implying that she’s too sensitive to handle something as ‘extreme’ as a couple of curse words.

In the ESPN article linked above, Thomas herself says her journey to becoming an elite level official has been a positive one, that she has always been treated professionally. But, just a few sentences later, there’s a quote where she’s speaking of a conversation she had with the man who hired her as a college official, Gerry Austin.

From the article:

Like Thomas has since Austin suggested it back in 2007, she will tuck her blonde ponytail into her cap when she officiates in the NFL. But Austin also suggested Thomas not wear makeup while officiating. She balked.

“I told him he was crossing the line there,” Thomas said.

Although she didn’t take Austin’s advice about the makeup, she understood why he asked.

“You want to be known as an official — not as a female official — because that’s going to put you in a separate category,” Thomas said. “We don’t want to do anything that will enhance that. So when a coach looks at you, he just sees an official.”

Though there’s something to be said for not trying to make waves (or to minimize them as much as you can), what Thomas doesn’t understand is that it’s not her responsibility to ensure that men see her as an official first and a woman second (or not at all). If the black and white striped jersey, whistle and ball cap aren’t enough to indicate what her function is, then those coaches and players incapable of seeing her as an official have bigger problems.

This faux-chivalrous attitude is something I’ve encountered myself in the sports world, as recently as this weekend. And it is just as much bullshit every single time it happens.

I’ve photographed sports for several years now and know my way around a sideline, yet that didn’t stop a line judge from saying “watch out” several times and explaining to me how far back to stand on Friday. Mind you, at the time, I was behind the goal line pylon, well past the point where he would stop to signal a touchdown.

Nor did it stop a new assistant coach (the other coaches on that team know me and have always been awesome) from concern trolling about where I was standing, too. (Note, I was behind the line, just like the rest of the coaches and players). I smiled, nodded to acknowledge him, then turned my attention back to the game and to shooting. Coach kept going, telling me how dangerous a sideline could be. I smiled again and said, “This isn’t my first rodeo.” That still wasn’t good enough. He kept going, saying I could get hit. Yeah, buddy, I know. It’s a risk I’m aware of; it’s one I accept. I turned around one final time, giving him my winningest smile and said, “Yeah, I know. I’ve been hit before. It was fun.” (Aside: it was fun. And it was only once. In all the years I’ve been a shooter, I’ve only been hit once. Once. That’s it. Maybe that means I actually know how to navigate a fucking sideline? I dunno, my teeny female mind may be too feeble to figure it out).

I’ve had coaches mention to their players the use of foul language while I’m around, too. I’ve had guys look at all my gear hanging from my shoulders and ask me if I can actually carry it —while I’m carrying it — since it must be so heavy. Nah, Sherlock, didn’t you know? These are the new Nikon hover cameras. They don’t weigh anything at all.

It’s frustrating. It’s annoying as hell. You’re not being cute. You’re not being helpful. You’re delegitimizing the years of hard work I’ve done to amass the skills I have and reducing me and my work to “well, hey there milady!”

Spending five minutes on national television to highlight the achievement of one official by talking about how you want to protect the sensitivity of her female ears? How about you mention her officiating record? How about you mention her own athletic history as a collegiate basketball player? Or how she comes from a family of officials (her two brothers officiate, as well)?

Nah, let’s instead talk about how you’d try to better mind your Ps and Qs because she doesn’t have any dangly bits between her legs.

Well, speaking as one woman who has no qualms with profanity, I say again, “fuck you!”

For your time:

smobgirl > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 00:27

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Amen!

AM3R shamefully returns > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 00:33

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I noticed that too.. Thought it was kind of dumb that they had to bring that up.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 00:36

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Has she ever used 91 words to explain an illegal motion?

Well said though.

facw > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 01:01

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Yeah the comment about language is absurd, as is any suggestion that she (or you) needs some special accommodation to do your jobs. There’s no reason a woman can’t do the job, and she’s earned her way here.

And we have been here before:

I don’t remember professional football being destroyed, even though as a strikebreaker Shannon Eastin hadn’t exactly earned her position in the same way Thomas has.

Fred Smith > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 01:15

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Thankfully, in three or so years Becky Hammon will take over the Spurs from Pops with Parker, Leonard and Aldridge, win an NBA championship and shatter that glass ceiling so quickly and decisively that we’ll be done with this shit for good. LaMarcus Aldridge chose to sign with the Spurs knowing damn well that Duncan, Popvoitch and Ginobli would all retire soon and leave the team to he, Leonard and Hammon, and that should say all that needs to be said of what actual current players think of women in sports.

iroqdemic > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 01:44

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A + rant. PREACH! I do nothing as cool or interesting as shoot sporting events (awesome profession, btw- I bet you have great stories) but I just can’t stand when some douchbag decides to tell me how to do my job, repeatedly. I did not ask you a question, bub, about anything. Why do you think you need to explain how to do something I AM CURRENTLY, RIGHT THIS SECOND AS THE WORDS ARE COMING OUT OF YOUR MOUTH HOLE, DOING JUST FINE ALREADY WITHOUT YOUR HELP?

For Sweden > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 02:07

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I mean, when your only college football options are Texas, A&M, Baylor, TCU, SMU, North Texas, UTEP, and Texas State, I can see why you would stoop down to the NFL

For Sweden > Fred Smith 08/24/2015 at 02:07

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Yeah but Tim’s old so no championships :(

Fred Smith > For Sweden 08/24/2015 at 02:28

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Kawhi bruh #AztecForLive #GoAztecs #Win20 #OtherSDSURelatedHashtags

CRider > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 02:37

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At least San Fran beat you at football. That’s the only reason we keep it around.

Xyl0c41n3 > CRider 08/24/2015 at 03:01

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Snerk.

Xyl0c41n3 > Fred Smith 08/24/2015 at 03:07

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Yeah, I’m super excited about Hammond. And you’re right, there are (increasingly more) people who don’t cleave to antiquated notions of what women can and can’t do in the sports world or the world in general, but it’s naive to think once Hammond gets the nod that any of this will be over.

There’s a long history of women breaking barriers, people celebrating that and thinking, “Finally! Progress!” only for there to be backwards momentum in that arena or others.

I’m excited as hell for Thomas. For Hammond, too. But it's not over, yet.

Xyl0c41n3 > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 08/24/2015 at 03:17

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Heh. I love that guy! Hadn’t seen that video before, though. That’s hilarious.

Xyl0c41n3 > AM3R shamefully returns 08/24/2015 at 03:18

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Right? I literally yelled “oh, fuck you!” at my tv when I heard it.

Xyl0c41n3 > For Sweden 08/24/2015 at 03:20

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You forgot UTSA, UofH, Texas Tech, Rice, A&M Kingsville.

orcim > Fred Smith 08/24/2015 at 03:37

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“...done with this for good.” I’ve become convinced over the decades that human cultural practices are *very* resilient. Will be done with it when the last one dies. Just my opinion and I’m glad for any gain. “done” isn’t a word I’d use, though.

orcim > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 03:44

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The NFL (and probably most pro sports) is one tough culture to deal with. We spent an embedded year in the press box at Giant’s Stadium for a season and the absolute, 1940’s? attitudes were so hard to watch play over, and over, and over again.

Props to you, props to Sarah. I have very high regard for the NFL referees - not their personal treatment/culture per se, but the scoring and ranking they use to determine the best who do the playoffs and super bowl. It’s rigorous, it’s rules related and their prime directive is trying not to become a goat - and only perfect public performance makes a difference on that last one.

kemperboyd > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 08/24/2015 at 05:22

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His son is now reffing in the NFL. Don’t think he has had to work his way up like her.

kemperboyd > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 05:25

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The reaction to Jen Welter being hired as a Linebackers coaching intern by Arizona was interesting. Men on the street (read twiter and facebook) went crazy but the a few of the players pointed out she has more pro experience (14 years) than most every coach at the club.

For Sweden > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 08:50

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They are indeed forgettable!

Taint Nuttin > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 09:52

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Ed Hochuli is a fucking dipshit. He was already in midseason form Saturday night too, two unnecessary roughness calls against the Raiders on perfectly clean hits.

Taint Nuttin > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 09:57

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Not gonna have that problem during Raider games- they hired Beth Mowins to do play-by-play in the preseason this year. She’s been solid the first two weeks.

That was also a very disappointing football game last night. I was hoping they were going to have to call it off because of the turf. Fuck the Niners.

TheOperaGhost > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 10:04

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I get a perverse sense of joy when I go to a bar by myself to watch a football game. I’m there yelling at the screen and making conversation about the team with random people. And EVERY SINGLE TIME, the comment arrives. I’m sure you know it. I’m sure you’ve heard it yourself multiple times before. It’s the “Wow, you sure do know a lot about football” comment. Along with the following, “Did your dad teach you about the game?” And then I get to reply, “nope, my mother did.”

.....

.....

.....

*POUNCE*

Xyl0c41n3 > Taint Nuttin 08/24/2015 at 10:16

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Hehehe. I was hoping you’d show up in here, Taint. Dipshit or no, he's an interesting character. I'm interested in seeing how the officials handle the new facemask rules. BTW, I’ve followed you for Oppo. :)

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 10:19

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newer facemask rules? What have I missed?

Go GMEN!!!!!! Cowboys suck (sorry, not sorry I can’t support your team... It’s against my nature as a native New Yorker, but I can respect that you support your team)

Also, you need to see this if you love handegg

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > For Sweden 08/24/2015 at 10:22

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Duncan has quietly been among the top 5 players in the league his WHOLE career. He’d easily be the Power Forward of choice for the whole 2000s all-stars team (maybe even 2010s also)

Taint Nuttin > Fred Smith 08/24/2015 at 10:30

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Basketball and football are two entirely different animals in this regard. I think Pat Summit actually greased the wheels in basketball without ever coaching men, people just knew she could, and therefore someday, somebody probably would. I don’t see women really cracking NFL coaching staffs in the foreseeable future.

Taint Nuttin > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 10:44

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Hey thanks... you want into the Clashtalk fantasy football league this year? There’s a spot for you.

Fuck NFL refs. Quite possibly the worst thing that happened to football in the last decade was the idiot replacement ref who screwed up the Packers/Seahawks game, because until that happened the replacement refs were doing a BETTER job than the idiot regulars, and I thought we’d see some change off it. But no. One moronic call, and suddenly everybody loved those fuckers. The Raiders were near the bottom of the league in penalties with the replacement refs. Soon as the old idiots came back, we coincidentally started rocketing up the list.

Walt Coleman still, in well over a decade, has not been assigned a Raiders game since The Tuck. They don’t throw you off the beat for one controversial call, so I can’t help but believe something is up with that.

I’m just dreading the unnecessary contact bullshit now that the Raiders aren’t terrible again. We had two games two years ago, against the Panthers and Bengals, that were basically ruined by them throwing a flag on every hit. I was hoping they would figure this shit out before it mattered for us. After Saturday’s game it’s clear they haven’t.

Taint Nuttin > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 10:53

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Oh also, in the pregame of the Niners telecast yesterday they did a little piece on Jimmie Ward and that Tartt dude, I guess they grew up together. At the end the interviewer went off on this weird tangent about if they had ever fought over women, ever dated the same women... it wasn’t the most inappropriate thing I’d ever seen, but it wasn’t right.

But the hilarious part was Ward’s face when the guy asked him if they ever fought over women. He was clearly uncomfortable, and with all the Kaepernick/Aldon Smith shit that went down that somehow stayed out of the football press, I can’t help but think that’s some of what was on his mind. Touchy subject, dude!

For Sweden > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 08/24/2015 at 11:14

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Yeah but he’s forgettable because he went to Wake.

Xyl0c41n3 > Taint Nuttin 08/24/2015 at 11:24

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Totally agree. Women are already very readily accepted in the basketball world, including the fact that a professional women’s basketball league exists where none such does for football. (And those indie women’s football leagues don’t really count, since half of their draw is how sexy their players can look in cut-off shirts and booty shorts).

Yeah, the Cardinals may have just hired the first female NFL coach in Jen Welter (holy shit, she’s fucking awesome! Have you seen her arms?!), but even a quick google search shows there’s less than a handful of female football coaches around the entire country. If my google-fu is correct, the first female football coach at the high school level was in 2010. Coming from Texas, I can totally see parents balking if a school around here tried to name a woman a head coach, especially at one of the bigger Class 6A schools (the biggest classification we currently have).

Just as an aside... a couple of years ago I was covering a preseason high school football scrimmage. Just like pro-teams use them as an opportunity to test out rookie players and such, the local officiating organization often uses them as opportunities to give rookie officials some game time. So, there were about 10 different refs at that game because some of them were shadowing the more experienced crew. Anyway, the head ref on that crew is a friend of mine and he pointed out the line judge-in-training to me. Who was it? A woman! First one I’d seen in my area. I couldn’t help myself... as soon as I had an opportunity, I ran over to where she was and excitedly told her how awesome it was to see her there. She was super cool and just as excited to be there, too. Then she told me how awesome it was to see a female sports photographer. Heh. There are a few of us around, but that still made me smile. :)

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > For Sweden 08/24/2015 at 11:24

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also because he’s never in the news, doesn’t cause drama, and just generally is a docile man

For Sweden > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 08/24/2015 at 11:30

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Typical Wake

Xyl0c41n3 > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 08/24/2015 at 11:31

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I tried looking online to see if anyone has posted exactly what the new rule is, but I can’t find anything. I may have misheard what the commentators said about it, but the gist of it is that it’s now easier to draw a 15 yard penalty for a face mask violation. Before, you had to grab it and pull or twist to draw the penalty. Now, if I heard (and saw the replay correctly as I was walking out of the room), all you need to do is brush up against it with your hand. That seems kinda like bullshit to me.

Also, the NFL adopted in 2014, and the NCAA is adopting this year, a rule banning the fancy face masks. They’re now considered illegal equipment. Crop tops are out, too, in the NCAA, so more more exposed abs, either. Heh.

Xyl0c41n3 > Taint Nuttin 08/24/2015 at 11:36

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Oh, that sounds cool! You know who I love? Robin Roberts (yes, that Robin Roberts). I know she still does studio hosting for basketball games and such, but I one time saw some file footage from her early broadcasting days where she was calling a college football game. It was just awesome! I love her voice, and I love her personality, and she was just perfect at it. I kinda wish she’d try her hand at game calling pro ball.

Xyl0c41n3 > Taint Nuttin 08/24/2015 at 11:38

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Heh. You know sooooooooo much shit about football, TN. I’m just sitting here with my head spinning. I always love reading your posts on CLT about it (especially with your particularly angry panache, hehehe). I’ve never done FF, though. I don’t even know how. But thanks for the offer. :D

Xyl0c41n3 > TheOperaGhost 08/24/2015 at 11:46

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Heh. Yep. I’ve gotten that comment before, and I’ve also been asked who I’m with (as in, who dragged you to this sports pub against your will to watch this game because obviously you wouldn’t do this by choice because you’re a girl and girls don’t like or understand football).

Also....

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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

:)

Taint Nuttin > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 12:03

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She rocks. I’m not sure if I can remember ever hearing her do play-by-play, but her voice and cadence would be perfect for it.

Taint Nuttin > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 12:08

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Pretty sure there is a grandfather clause for the crazy facemasks- they’re legal for everybody who was using them before last year. Justin Tuck still rocks one, and then I think Khalil Mack wanted to but he got shot down. He would be scary as hell in one of those.

The NCAA banning croptops is some bullshit. Another badass look, not sure what the problem with that was.

Taint Nuttin > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 08/24/2015 at 12:11

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And he’s not a coward who will only coach a loaded squad in a big market like all the rest of his “peers.”

Xyl0c41n3 > Taint Nuttin 08/24/2015 at 12:16

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One of my homeboys rocked both the custom face mask and the crop top look: Baylor DE Shawn Oakman.

He’s 6 foot fucking 9 inches tall! And moves like lightning.

Taint Nuttin > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 12:22

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That’s ya boy? I almost mentioned him- I’m pretty sure the inadequacy he inspired last year in males everywhere is the driving force behind that croptop rule.

Xyl0c41n3 > Taint Nuttin 08/24/2015 at 12:26

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Heh. Well, he’s not *my* boy. I don’t actually know him. We just share an alma mater. :D

Alice > Xyl0c41n3 08/24/2015 at 13:01

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WHAT IN THE FUCK? HAVE THESE DUDES NEVER BEEN AROUND FOOTBALL LADIEZ?

Fred Smith > orcim 08/24/2015 at 13:15

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The argument is still socially acceptable because people still believe it has merit, and after my scenario they won’t, so people will still hold it, but it will become unacceptable to voice publicly, and it will eventually die out.

Fred Smith > Taint Nuttin 08/24/2015 at 13:20

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It is, and there clearly isn’t anyone in football yet that is on track to become a head coach any time soon, but it’s something that’s going to happen in basketball in the next five years, and when it does, it’ll change the way women breaking into new roles are seen everywhere. Not just on coaching staffs, but as referees and in front offices.

Hell, that might be done by another event before that. Remember, the Padres interviewed Kim Ng for their GM role three times and by all accounts would’ve hired her if once-in-a-lifetime lunatic/genius/probably just lunatic AJ Preller hadn’t come along and promised the world. Things are finally changing, and they’re changing fast.

pauljones > Xyl0c41n3 08/25/2015 at 09:53

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The earlier uncivil response to you by another commenter has been dealt with.

Xyl0c41n3 > pauljones 08/25/2015 at 11:30

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Thanks.

I just wanted to say that I got your email a couple of weeks ago. I wasn’t ignoring it, I just don’t feel comfortable responding to the mod email in general. I try to use it as infrequently as possible.

Anyway, I hope you’re having a great week, paul.

pauljones > Xyl0c41n3 08/25/2015 at 13:07

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No worries, I’m not upset about it. I figured that something like that might be the case; it’s always a little unpredictable when emailing a group account like that. Also, I’ve banned the commenter in question for good after his next attempt at a comment.

Xyl0c41n3 > pauljones 08/25/2015 at 17:02

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Thanks! You rock, paul!