It is a beauty of the internet forum, and free speech people do whatever... you can't just ban them or shut them up by force or bullying.
Then treat my posts as part of that "beauty of the internet forum" and leave me be.
No, that would be taking your side.
Why? So, if you criticise me for reacting to johnny_reb's joke - does that mean you're taking his side?
I'm telling you that being dragged into the argument as you do looks bad. It makes you look bad, simple.
Why aren't you telling this to johnny_reb too? You think that provoking other people and taking part in arguments doesn't make him look bad?
You don't know what banter is - figures.
No, it looks like you don't understand what banter is.
This is the definition of banter:
'
the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks.
"there was much good-natured banter"'
Banter is supposed be friendly, playful and good-natured. And from what I understand - all parties involved are supposed to be willing participants and are supposed to enjoy it.
Calling someone "stupid" when you disagree with them isn't "banter". It's abuse. I don't enjoy being called "stupid". I doubt anyone does. It's no "fun".
When you hurl insults at people, because you don't like what they're saying - it's not "banter", it's abuse. When you criticise people, put them down, attack them for their views or just, as you put it, "honestly say what you think about them" (and you usually say bad things) - that's not "banter".
Of course I myself have called some people "stupid" or "psychos" on this forum, but I don't pretend or claim afterwards that it was just "banter". It wasn't. I meant it. And you mean it too. You said so yourself - that you're "just being honest".
So cut the crap.