Food For Thought/The Most 'Klausian' of All Posts

[klaus]

Since I'm not one to mince my words, here goes:

"V.S.F" - "Very Special Forces"...This bothers me in so many different ways; it is the main reason for this post, and perhaps for my possible departure from this "community".

Although "special" can be an endearing term, I know for a fact that "special" in this sense is far from endearing. As one member stated in a thread: "Do all the people who don't play BF get the joke?". Well, to me there is no joke to be found in any aspect of "V.S.F.", frankly. I feel that the "cuteness" wore off a long time ago, and the "offensive" has now taken its place.

I've worked with disabled people in my lifetime, and a lot of those people became dear friends of mine. You bet your ass that I know when enough is enough. Having to hear stories from my friends constantly about how someone walking down the street would treat them as if they were inhuman; or mindless scraps of dead flesh; pissed me off until no tomorrow. A lot of society still assumes that "disabled" means "mentally-challenged, slobbering, incapable-of-excreting-without-a-medical-device quadriplegic". Well, f*ck them. THEY are the idiots, the morons, and the retards.

Perhaps you may think I 'm overreacting? I think not.

Consider this: Most of us came to CCM initially because we wanted to subject ourselves to a more "mature" and "fair" gaming environment. We essentially found so much more than we had originally expected. We had not only found an excellent group of players; we had also found a very diverse group of people that not only enjoyed gaming together, but accepted one another on a more social level because of the messageboards, the chatroom, and Nazgul's TeamSpeak server. Hence, the CCM "community" was born.

So now that CCM is in limbo and we are here (because of the very generous efforts of a chosen few), I wonder how making fun of the disabled is suddenly acceptable when it shouldn't be?

Come on for Christ's sake --- Over time "VSF" has manifested from a "silly" BF1942 tag into: (at one time) a person's avatar with a "handicapped helmet", a "Check out the VSF face" picture post, and now the unbelievably ridiculous "short, yellow bus-themed" plane logo, and a “Ride the Short Bus Award”. It's embarrassing and abhorring in my honest opinion.

I was under the assumption that since the gross majority of us were part of CCM, that the same types of rules would be set here also? Well, now that the new site is up I see that rules are almost exactly the same. Comforting? Yes. Fair? Yes. Kudos to that! …So why do I suddenly feel that unless I agree with mocking the differently-abled, that I am an outcast? Why do I suddenly feel that my tenure as a CCM Deputy was all for naught?

I did not volunteer my time at CCM so that I could see the community turn into Elitists or Hypocrites; yet deep-down inside I sense that the seeds have been planted, and it’s unnerving.

How can a new member to the “community” (or an established member) grasp the concept that: “Well… if you blaspheme Christ, call someone a ‘Fascist Nazi Pig’, or dare to refer to an Italian as a ‘Greasy Wop’ you will suffer the consequences --- but go ahead and say what you want about the Retards. That sure is funny!!!”? I am perplexed by this way of thinking, and I am ashamed of it.

What would make me happier about all of this? The answer is simple. I request that all derogatory references to physically or mentally disabled persons be removed; textual and pictorial. Although the name “Very Special Forces” can be construed as such, I believe that the term can be taken in a more positive light – “special” can mean “exceptional”, “outstanding”, “noteworthy”, and “distinguished” also.

By removing the aforementioned derogatory references [read: clues] it would leave a person to use their own judgment in the context of the word “special”. Hence, I have not requested the “VSF” abbreviation or the name “Very Special Forces” be taken away. I feel that my request is realistic and justifiable, and merits nothing more than what I have already stated. If my simple request is not fulfilled, I have no other option but to leave here.

My reason for this post is to say what I honestly feel, because a nerve has been stricken. I am not afraid of “going against the grain”, nor do I feel as if I should succumb to the “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” mentality. I think I have earned that right especially, because of the countless number of hours that I volunteered on CCM trying to maintain a friendly, mature, and enjoyable experience for all that had chosen to become a part of it. I have a voice, and I am using it. I am not trying to cause a “mutiny”, nor am I trying to get people that feel the same way as I do to speak up.

I’m sure as Hell not unappreciative of the expedient and tireless efforts of the few that have provided me with this forum to speak now, either. As a matter of fact, I am proud of the people that pooled their resources together to give us another place to call “home”. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

If any of you feel that this post is a “flaming”, then I suggest you take the time to actually read it again. I am merely voicing my opinion, and making a simple request. I have been very careful in making sure that I have not named specific individuals in this post, I have made every effort to try to be as mature as possible in stating my point, and I have tried not to make this a personal issue with anyone. I respect all of you too much for something such as that.

Whether you agree with me or disagree with me, it does not matter. If any of you wish to contact me privately, please do so. If any of you want to waste my time and ridicule me and/or bash me; all I have to say to you is this one thing: “Kiss my ass, and grow up.”

-Howie

[Hsnopi]

I can see your point. And it has merit.

I feel that the old timers would take this for what it is. a joke. Made at the idea of VSF, not on the part of those who are challenged. In the same way I have been called a dego gunea wop ******* amd a commie pinko. (i am half italian half russian heritatge) I do not take offense at those names if they were not meant to offend or spoken out of ignorance. if they were, then I correct them.

Is it a joke at my expense? yes. I would have to agree that it is. Do I take offense? no. Unless it was intended to offend.

I think most of us here understand the reality of disability of different sorts. I also feel none of us, that I am aware of, would exploit that in reality. I think Midgets have taken the most abuse in the past but no one has defended their rights. Nor do I think it was necessary. The open minded nature of this community makes it unecessary.

I do have to agree with how the newcomers will take it. That this is not meant as an impaired bashing site, nor would that be tolerated under the current rules and mindsets of our group. Mostly I think it is an homage to our playing skills. Which in itself could be taken as an insult. But again, not intended as one.

As to how to deal with this. Not sure. as vsfgamers was agreed upon quite on the fly with no maliscious intent. I am not sure how, or if, we would change this but I know we, or I suppose I should speak for only myself, I would hate to lose a valuable member of this community. I would understand if you chose to leave but would hope you wouldn't.

Along the same lines I have seen many jokes about alcholism and drunks and lots of mention of getting smashed. Alcoholism is a disease. I watched my mother die of it for 6 months knowing she was going to with no hope. a life of alcohol had finally killed her. I was there in the hospitol the night she died. She could not recognize me and defecated in her own bed unable to recognize that fact. One of my best friends,John Watkins, when I was younger was an alchi and shot himself on christmas eve, another, Gary, died in a car accident and now my unlce is hooked on alcohol (trying to recover). However, I don't take those references to alcohol as an insult or a note of ignorance. But as they were intended. As humor. Are there lines? I am sure there are. Have we crossed one? I don't believe so. But again I would wonder how newbs would take it. I also believe were anyone on this forum to actually cross a line we would come down on them with the truth of things or discuss if it was in fact a crossed line. As you have done here. Education is the key.

may I offer an alternative solution that would not only satisfy our joined concern over newbs taking it wrong but also assist the handicapped society?

A section, I will help you with it, dedicated to understanding handicapps of various sorts, lists of charities and how to donate to them. This dicotomy, I feel, would ameliorate your/our concerns.

I offer this in order to help our situation as I believe in furthering education and helping the commmunity, virtual and real.

Hsnopi

[Iggy]

First off, a little humor to break the tension. For anyone that has ever heard any of us refer to a post as klausian because it was wordy, now you know why. :D

klaus has a very valid point. There really is no way to defend VSF other than to say that I think many, like myself, believe that we are poking fun at ourselves and not a group of people in general. Do I think it was the best name we could have chosen? No, I don't. Can it be construed as offensive? Absolutely. What can we do about it? That is up to the community. Looks like we have some thinking to do.

BYW, welcome back klaus. Good to see you around.

[NVmySTYLE]

klaus is nuts but i love him anyways. very valid point howie and one of the reasons i never used the vsf tag myself. as of late i've used xCCM tags when playing rtcw but other than that i'm still the former KH referred to as NVmySTYLE.

personally, i don't find it as offensive as you do but i am in agreement with you. howie you've been a friend over the years and i will support you in whatever decision you make. this community will lose much if it loses a person of your integrity. thanks for your dedication and most of all your friendship.

as far as renaming the community babyheads and i think it should be called ninja warriors but that's another can of worms.

[JTFazz]

First of all, let me say my comments are not directed at Klaus or anyone in particular. There are few -- if any -- here I have more respect for than Howie.

However...

I will not get into everything, but will say that I thought some of the same thoughts along the way well before this...

But, the more I thought about it, the more I feel as though it is not mean-spirited at all.

We basically look at ourselves, most of us... in a self-effacing way, as not the most physically skilled players around, but we are good guys and gals who try hard and have big hearts. That is a fair description of every mentally challenged person I have ever met.

It all depends on your perspective. And every one of us that has posted in this thread is a hypocrite.

No where is the VSF term explained. Nowhere do we poke fun at the mentally challenged in an overt way. We adopted some graphic icons already well established in the internet community.

Certainly the Onion, where this all began, has not developed a reputation adverse to their success. I certainly don't think of them as mean-spirited or bigots. Nothing is sacred with them and little is sacred with us when it comes to poking fun at one another... in a respectful way.

I am not terribly emotionally invested in the name. The decision was made hastily because it had to be or we would all be driving our spouses and family up the wall now because we don't have SauerKraut to make fun or.

Certainly the community has poked good hearted fun at little people, Republicans, smacktards, the French, Bulgaryan Americans, Happy Penguin and countless others.

Why now do we develop a conscience? Because we have attached a domain name to it? Most of us still identify with CCM and not VSF.

And I will not get into the PC debate... because any and all who try to be PC are HypoCrites.

Finally, there is no one in this community who has been more sensitive to issues of hate, bias, racism and poor behavior than myself. I have often been overruled by the former powers-that-be and beaten up by the community for taking a hard line.

I don't think we can undergo another major transition and not lose people anyway. We have already lost some and others will follow. I am just tired of constantly having to bust my hump to accomodate Monday morning quarterbacks.

[Wrigs]

First off, a little humor to break the tension. For anyone that has ever heard any of us refer to a post as klausian because it was wordy, now you know why. :D

klaus has a very valid point. There really is no way to defend VSF other than to say that I think many, like myself, believe that we are poking fun at ourselves and not a group of people in general. Do I think it was the best name we could have chosen? No, I don't. Can it be construed as offensive? Absolutely. What can we do about it? That is up to the community. Looks like we have some thinking to do.

BYW, welcome back klaus. Good to see you around.

I can't say much more than what Iggy said, but i'll add this. I work in the medical field with...pick a term.."handicapped, challenged, client, patient"..choose one. I also volunteer with the Special Olympics and worked in a summer program with "impaired" children. I in no way have found this to be offensive. You sometimes have to step back and not get caught up in all this political correctness. One "consumer" (see the variety of names) i work with tells me. TELLS me, he loves riding the "short bus". He even has a tshirt made by the bus driver that shows that he is the "Capt of the front seat brigade". This young person finds it a honor to be called this. He understands he will never be like other ppl, but he is human and understands that he doesn't mind terms that some ppl find offensive. He has a nickname like i do, and hold it dear to him. He found out i was Polish and came to therapy with a new Polish joke everytime. Did i find this offensive, sorry..NO. What one person perceives as offensive another finds acceptable. Now Klaus i FULLY UNDERSTAND what you have to say, and i respect your opinion and if you choose to leave our community, you will be missed..dearly. I personally think that the term VSF has been morphed in this community to symbolize the idiosyncracies/characteristics that we all have. From myself being a horrible speller, that climbs trees, to NV asking how hot someones mom is, to poking fun at Gassers bowel probs, to Sponge picking on Madsci about his penthouse, to you poking fun at Camachos Devils. All of these things can be derogatory if taken out context of what a person finds acceptable. So Klaus, in closing. If u feel that we have crossed a boundary that is unacceptable to you, then you have to make the decision that is best for you and i will stand next to that decision, 100 percent and wish you the best. Do me a favor and try to see how VSF applies to the idiots here. I don't feel we are poking fun at the "challenged", but the stupidity in each of us. If it was meant to be harmful to the "impaired", then i would be way ahead of you denouncing this. My career is spent working with ppl who aren't as fortunate as us, and i do my best to help them maintain their independence

[JTFazz]

We basically look at ourselves, most of us... in a self-effacing way, as not the most physically skilled players around, but we are good guys and gals who try hard and have big hearts. That is a fair description of every mentally challenged person I have ever met.

It all depends on your perspective.

[Brad]

I agree. You must realize that a person might be "special" but that they are really trapped in their own bodies. It is incredible fustrating to be laughed at and made fun of for the way you walk, talk, and carry out normal tasks.

Take for example a friend of mine named James. James is Chineese, and I wouldnt say the brightest person on the planet. He looks funny and smells funny, heck wait till he talks and it sounds funny. But I've known James since the 5th grade, and he is really a caring person. When your sick he will come over and ask you whats wrong and do his best to make you feel better. He has no friends, so when he tries to start conversations with people they make fun of him and belittle him. My group of "friends" I hang out with at lunch like to play jokes on James. Some of their favorites are to stick their hands in their pants and when James comes to class they give him a high-five, James not even thinking that they would do that to him gives a high-five back. This is the kind of stuff he endures and I feel real bad about it, so alot of the time I get my friends to stop doing things I know hurts James. I try to hang out with James to make him happy too.

The VSF was funny to me untill I saw somewhere a day or two ago, a picture on the site of a "special" person in a military uniform and big glasses. That completly turned me off, and I finally realized how stupid and childish our actions are. We are making fun of people who have serious disorders, and we find it humorus because they are different.

I for one will never ever use the VSF tag, for I am ashamed to wear it.

[GeneAutrey]

Howie,

I think the majority of people in these forums would never intentionally make fun of people who are different than ourselves, or who for various reasons don't have the same mental abilities that we have.

My mother was a special education teacher for 20 years ( she just retired ). Whenever I visited her classroom over the years I got to meet many "special" ( in a good sense children ) who for what ever reason could not function properly in a regular classroom environment. Those children feel, hurt, love, cry, laugh, etc just like we do ... and I respect all those people who spend time educating, loving, and nurturing children like them.

I tuck my 3 year old son in every night. Many nights when I stare down at him I say a special prayer that he is healthy and happy. Two of my friends have a young son who had congenital hydrocephalus before he was born ( basically to much fluid in his skull ). Jake is a beautiful, and happy little boy who has 2 wonderful parents who shower him with love. He may never be "normal" as we think of it due to the affects of this condition. It breaks my heart some days to see my son playing with him, because the differences are easy to see, but his parents never complain ... and he is the apple of everyone's eye at our church.

Anywho ..... the point of the matter is this. I NEVER considered this VSF thing as anything but a slam against US. I'm pretty sure the powers that be here are not trying to put anybody down. I'd leave this place in a second if I felt that.

I'd hate to see someone like yourself leave. I have a tremendous amount of respect for you. I enjoyed the old CCM chat whenever I saw your name in the list because you have a keen insight into matters. The term "klausian" to me is a positive one ... it means a well defined and communicated post that we should pay attention to.

I don't have a solution to this quandry except to suggest we make it 100% clear we are only referring to ourselves in this matter., and we would never belittle a true "Special" person in anyway.

[Six]GeneAutrey

[JTFazz]

OK, here is what we are going to do. I think throwing the baby out with the bathwater is a particularly unappealling solution to those who have worked their tails off to get this going.

So, we are going to retool the acronym and lose the graphics suggestive of the mentally challenged.

And lastly, we are going to tighten the rules and come down hard on anyone who makes fun, insults or otherwise denegrates any class of people. That is afterall what the criticism is... right?

That is the last word on this. I appreciate everyone expressing their concerns, albeit about a week too late. Those who are working hard will contine to....

And just so you know... I have explained my take on this and my consicience is clear.

Also, the term s m a c k t a r d is also offensive to mentally challenged since it is a derivation of retard. That term will now be put into the censored word list.