MovieChat Forums > West of Memphis (2012) Discussion > It Is Very Sad How A Few Knuckleheads Ca...

It Is Very Sad How A Few Knuckleheads Can Ruin A Message Board

posted 11 years ago by davidwile
34 replies | jump to latest

Hey folks,

I just spent nearly two hours reading all the threads and posts on this board, and I am amazed at how trivialized a few knuckleheads can make it. If you remove all the posts made by about a half dozen knuckleheads who contribute nothing with their rants against each other, this whole message board would be reduced to perhaps a dozen threads with a lot fewer posts on each.

These message boards are supposed to be a forum for rational and civil discussion, but these guys certainly have made a farce of this one. I have seen other boards where folks hiding behind the anonymity of the internet have ruined threads with vitriolic attacks on others, but in this case, the knuckleheads have actually ruined the whole board with their hate and discontent.

I have no idea about the guilt or innocence of any or all of the three men in this case, but I do have some very strong beliefs about our American system of justice and what it is supposed to be. Some of those beliefs include the concept that a person is innocent until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and the concept that it is the responsibility of the state to prove said guilt - not the responsibility of the accused to prove his innocence. I have been a juror in criminal court involving murder cases, and it was never a good experience for me. In every case, when the jury was sent to decide the guilt or innocence of the accused, at least one of the jurors made a statement indicating "everyone" knew the accused had to be guilty or the state would not have brought the charges against him. That is the truth, and it sad commentary about our justice system. It makes me worry about how justice can work if some of these knuckleheads are selected for jury duty with all their bias, prejudice, and just plain lack of civility.

On a final note, before one of the knuckleheads immediately labels me as a sock puppet for someone else, I do not hide behind any internet alias. Anyone can do a search of my name and find it along with my address and phone number.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] davidwile 11 years ago

Hey Jenkins,

This was not my first post on the IMDb boards; it was simply my first post to this board, and it certainly is interesting that you should find it necessary to respond to my post. I do not like the idea of using these boards to make nasty personal attacks on others, and that is why I did not use any specific names in my post which started this thread. I simply said there were a number of knuckleheads who have completely littered this board with nothing more than vitriolic posts attacking each other.

You noted my thread starting post "...is attacking people, telling them all how stupid they are, pointing out you clearly don't know a lot about this case and then acting like your above everyone here." I did not in any way attack all the folks on this board, and I did not say that anyone was stupid. I pointed out the vast majority of the posts written on this board were childish attacks on each other, did nothing to advance the intent of the board, and they were made by a small minority of the posters who were knuckleheads.

If you think all the vitriolic comments made by the knuckleheads in some way adds value to the board, you are missing the barn by about twelve yards. All these nasty posts serve to achieve on this board is to camouflage the useful discourse made by folks who are truly interested in discussing the film in a meaningful way. It really does make it very difficult to cull the wheat from the chaff.

As for your noting I "...clearly don't know a lot about this case and then acting like your above everyone here...," you are correct in your first premise. I knew nothing about the case. That is why I came to this board to find some useful discussion by others so I could be informed. Again, there is so much crap thrown on this board by a handful of knuckleheads it makes it difficult to find the useful information provided by those who have tried to make discussion on this board useful. I certainly am not acting like I am "above everyone here." But it does not take much effort to behave like one is "above" a few of the knuckleheads I have noted here. All it takes to do that is to behave in a civil manner and treat others as you would like them to treat you. I certainly do thank those folks who have contributed their information and thoughts on this film in a useful and dignified manner. I will not, however, apologize to the small number of knuckleheads who seem to find a perverse joy in participating in vitriolic discourse with others.

No, I will not start calling you a bunch of names. Acting in that manner is simply not dignified. Again, I never once mentioned your name or the name of anyone else as being one the knuckleheads I mentioned. However, if you feel the shoe fits, by all means wear it in whatever idea you have of personal pride.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] davidwile 11 years ago

Hey Jenkins,

Sorry, but I am not going to participate with you in the type of childish and vitriolic garbage I was noting in my original post. Call me what you wish, but I will not do the same. I came here to learn what I could about the subject film - not to throw dirt in the sandbox. I guess the shoe does fit - you apparently relish the opportunity to wear it.

I do not think of myself as a hypocrite, and I do not think what I have written is baloney, but that is the last of my debating anything with you. Life is too short, and you are not worth one more minute of my time. If you wish to have the last word, please have at it. I will not waste my time responding to you any further.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] Baphomet1307 11 years ago

Dude, listen to yourself. You've gone off the deep end. Everything this gentlemen had to say about the state of discourse in these threads is accurate and that is largely your doing. Even if you are being mercilessly trolled by another user you are handling it all wrong. Rise above.
And you keep talking about hit-and-run posters. People have as much right as you to use these boards no matter their familiarity with this case. You are seriously wrecking this forum.
This is my second post in like 10 years (not sure how long; need to check my profile). This post and my previous were made in response to how annoying it is to have to deal with your nonsense on each topic when all I want to do is learn as much as I can about this case.
Ease up, man!

Patrick Warburton for Captain Marvel!

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] Baphomet1307 11 years ago

I usually don't post at all. It takes a spoiled, whiny, childish, internet tough guy that dominates 90% of the topics in a message board to push me to the point of annoyance where I break silence and let them know exactly how much of a shrieking no-life they are. Seriously, check out my profile. I haven't posted anything IN 7 YEARS! That's how severely obnoxious you are.

I suppose I should be thanking you for the perspective. You've shown me that even at my lowest points, I still have far to fall before I'm in your company.

I finally trudged through the remainder of these threads which means I don't have to deal with your nonsense anymore. What a relief.

Patrick Warburton for Captain Marvel!

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] BareMinimum 11 years ago

Ah, David, your first post here reminds me of my first post here. The one difference, however, is that I had boiled down the number of knuckleheads to one. But whether or not you agree with that, your overall assessment is right on: this board is ruined and no real discussion can take place here. The best move you can make is to never return to this board. If you don't, you will find you're unable to hold your tongue forever in the face of such absurdity and before you know it, you're caught in the knucklehead whirlwind. You are dangerously close already. I wish someone had told me that after I made my first post.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] davidwile 11 years ago

Hey Bare,

Thank you for your reasoned response to my thread. You may be correct in your assessment of only one knucklehead. As I was reading all the posts on all the threads, it quickly became obvious that most of the posts in all threads and some whole threads altogether were simply personal invective with "moron" and similar words being favorites of some posts. When I see such exchanges going down and down the sewage slope, I tend to lump both parties into my knucklehead group, and that may not be an accurate description for some who get sucked into that netherworld of personal invective.

Yes, there seems to be one person who simply has no control over his need to incite these exchanges of invective, and I suspect we are probably in agreement as to whom that may be. I will not mention that name, however. I simply will not engage any further in such negative verbal exchanges.

As I am sure you have noticed in the previous posts, one person has already started with negative confrontational statements. I responded to him with all that I intend to say to him. I tried to be reasonable and respectful, but it was not received in kind. I told him that he was not worth one more minute of my time and that I would not respond to him any further. When someone writes the nasty things he does, it simply is not worth my time to try and reason with such people. My time is better served conversing with more reasoned folks like yourself.

I did not come to this board with the idea of it being a favorite place to chat. I simply wanted to get informed about this film to determine whether or not I wanted to spend my time watching it. That is not what happened when I started reading the threads on this board, however. Instead of finding a lot of good information to consider, I found most of the content of the whole board was trash talk, and the sheer volume of such made it difficult to find those posts which were actually of value to me. That is not the way a message board should be. If all the trash posts and trash threads were removed from this board, I would guess the total content of the board would probably be reduced by three quarters, but what would remain would be a lot easier to find, view, and take part in valuable information to consider.

I refuse to be caught in the "knucklehead whirlwind." I simply will not repeatedly respond to trash talk. If someone wants to be critical of what I have said, I will respond as long as the discourse is reasonably civil. When that discourse starts to spiral downhill, I will opt out as I did with the person who posted earlier. As you may note, I will not even bother to give him the credit of my mentioning his name.

Again, I thank you for your consideration in responding to this thread, and I would look forward to seeing more of the same.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

Edit:
Hey Bare,

I just noticed the earlier poster made a new comment while I was writing the response above. I have no clue what his comment means or to whom it is addressed, but it is obviously more of the same trash stuff. Again, I will not respond to him - if he is not engaged, he will lose his podium.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[–] BareMinimum 11 years ago

And thank you in turn for your reasoned response. Here's the thing, though, Dave. I was serious when I said no real discussion can take place here -- not even between you and I. He is already crafting a confrontational response to what you said directly to me. I guarantee it. My original piece of advice stands. Run, Dave. Run away from here.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] davidwile 11 years ago

Hey Bare,

I am sure you are correct. However, perhaps, just perhaps, others like yourself might read this thread and be encouraged to make future legitimate comments here and simply ignore those who respond with confrontational responses. Nasty folks thrive on the controversial back and forth. If rational folks ignore the confrontational posts, the back and forth sparring stops, and their platform is gone.

This film and the case it represents is not something I would be interested in returning to in the future. I only came here now to get some information about the film and the case. I really have all the information I need for now, but after reading all the confrontational crap that blights this board, I felt compelled to start this thread just to remind folks that it does not have to be this way. Other than starting this thread, I really do not expect to contribute to any other threads.

Perhaps I might see your name on a board that I contribute more frequently, and if I do, I would like to say "hey" to a friend. My wife and I are old folks who are more inclined to follow old fashioned shows, and my favorite TV show of all time was and still is the Combat! series. My wife and I were fairly young newlyweds at the time, and we watched this series every week with fail. If you happen to see me posting on some other board, please say "hey" to me.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] davidwile 11 years ago

Hey Bare,

After my last post, I thought I might check your profile to see if we might follow any of the same shows. Bad idea. After looking at all your past post listings, I could not find any shows we had in common. That makes me suspect I am probably just an old guy conversing with someone young enough to be my child or grandchild. I know I am out of touch with my grandchildren, so I suspect if you would check my posting listings, you would probably not recognize most of the shows I view. Oh well, the world does march on, and we cannot all have the same interests.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[–] putter_b 11 years ago

Dave,
You can tell that there are three camps on this crime. Those who support the West Memphis 3 (Damien, Jason & Jessie) and those who are non-supporters (non's) and those on the fence. I started out as a non and after looking at the facts I switched sides(as did several others directly involved in the case, including Mark Byers, Pam Hobbs and even Steve Jones who was the officer on scene and implicated the WM3). Sadly, it looks like the troll has already come and tried tainting your opinion on the matter. Take it from me, set him on ignore, set his other accounts on ignore and then read these boards. There is a slew of info and healthy debates between supporters & nons, but it can get muddled fairly quickly.
Regards,
Putter

[–] davidwile 11 years ago

Hey Putter,

Thanks for responding. Maybe you missed it in my original post, but I did read all the posts from all the threads yesterday. Now I do not mind investing a couple of hours or so reading commentary in order to learn and be better informed. I came to this board for this purpose, but I quickly found this board is really a mess with all the confrontational bickering by some of the folks. If all the dumb crap talk were removed, I could have read all the remaining valuable information in a half hour or less.

I have not watched the film as yet, and while my reading the board material was valuable, I certainly have no idea as to their guilt or innocence. Accordingly, I really have no opinion for anyone to taint at this time. Even if I do form an opinion, it will not likely be any better than anyone else's. As far as putting someone on ignore, I never had to do that. I simply set my mind to ignore that kind of crap. Folks like that thrive on two-way confrontation, and I have found if one does not respond to their bait, you will eliminate the two-way confrontation they so desperately need to make them feel human while hiding behind the anonymity of the internet.

Hang in there Putter. Ignore the negative knuckleheads - do not respond to them. Embrace the folks who respond to you in a reasoned and civil manner and respond in like manner to them. Folks can have the same set of facts presented to them and still form different conclusions even though based on the same set of facts. As long as these folks talk to each other in a civil manner and are willing to listen, learning can take place by all.

Again, thanks for the response.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[–] StarStruckAmFay 11 years ago

Thank you for posting this! I whole-heartedly agree with you... F_Jenkins is a HUGE trolling bully, on pretty much all the boards involved with these documentaries.

He told me he didn't understand how someone so stupid (talking about me) had kids... I actually had on my profile that i have 2, he also said he felt sorry for them...

Which is why he is on ignore!

"Go and find your life Miss Skeeter"~ The Help

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] 11 years ago

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[–] davidwile 11 years ago

Hey StarStruckAmFay,

I am sorry, but I just cannot understand how some folks behave in the manner you have described. In real life, we do have belligerent folks who care not one whit about anyone else, but societal pressures seem to keep most of such folks in reasonable check. Here on the internet, however, the anonymity of cyber space seems to feed the nasty side of folks and encourages more belligerent behavior by some. Hiding behind their internet alias masks, and with no fear of others knowing who they really are, these folks seem to lose all normal sense of common civility and courtesy. These folks say things on cyber space forums they would not think of saying to someone in person. Their belligerence, while usually infantile, often consists of vulgarities and inane statements intended to belittle all others. Folks like that just do not feel good about themselves unless they are trying to make others feel bad. You are correct about them being cowardly bullies hiding behind the anonymity of the internet.

For me, the best way to deal with such internet bullies is to simply stop responding to them directly. If no one responds to their rants and taunts, they have lost their audience as well as the power they perceive they get from their belligerent comments. Completely ignore folks when they become belligerent. Simply work around their internet manure, and begin to take back your sensible use of this message board.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] StarStruckAmFay 11 years ago

Thank you for your kind words! I wish you a happy Spring!

"Go and find your life Miss Skeeter"~ The Help

[–] davidwile 11 years ago

Hey StarStruckAmFay,

I can assure you that I am anxiously awaiting a happy spring that will warm my far too chilled bones. I hate winter. I also thank you for your kind words. It certainly is nice to converse with someone without dealing with hate and discontent. It also feels good to simply ignore the hate, discontent, and immaturity that some folks seem compelled to live by. Not engaging in that crap does feel empowering.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[–] Predamorph 11 years ago

You are all as bad as eachother, hence why I refrain from posting as much as I used to. None of you can take the morale highground.

Kids the lot of you.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] ontheroadagain85 11 years ago

The reason you're finding it so hard to find useful information on whether this film is worth your time or not is because these documentaries (this one, including the Paradise Lost trilogy) have been somewhat deceptive in their depiction of this case and it has split opinion on the merits of these documentaries. It's simply difficult for anyone to talk about the case without attacking because the films made things unnecessarily complicated when they didn't need to be. Had they presented all of the evidence and counter-evidence in an unbiased fashion and allowed discerning minds to draw their own conclusions in the end, perhaps these boards would not be so negative. But unfortunately, they did not. This set of documentaries about the West Memphis Three case has been deceitful in taking a stance that supports the accused boys--it is biased journalism and this kind of thing can only lead to argument and trouble.

See, we have lots of people come to the boards having only seen one (or all) of the four documentaries that have been produced on this case. They naturally assume these boys are innocent and are outraged--and it's not their fault. ANYONE would assume these boys were railroaded if the only information they had to go on was what was given in these films. The problem begins when they encounter people who have not stopped with the films, but have instead followed this case more in depth and read all of the files and books there are on it to come to their own conclusion, instead of the conclusion these films lead you to with no effort. The anger you see here stems from the frustration that arises when less informed posters strut their intellectual bragging rights on the case and inevitably encounter someone who has done far more research than they have. Dealing with this over and over becomes frustrating, to say the least, and not everyone has a cool head like you seem to have. Emotions come into play.

You have to understand that these films have left a great deal of information out. There is much that was intentionally ignored, and the one and only conclusion you can reach from this is that the filmmakers had an agenda. I think the story of three teenage boys wrongfully accused and railroaded in a murder case for how they dress is a far more compelling story in the minds of the public and the filmmakers latched onto this and ran with it. And it worked. These films are considered powerful stuff and have won awards, BUT...they are not honest. I don't care if someone believes the boys are guilty or innocent--fine, let's talk about that. That's what we're here for. But if you're wondering why there's so much crap cluttering up the board, it's because it's not just about these films--it's about what they failed to do, and that's present the case in an honest fashion and give the viewer all of the information they need to know in order to make their own conclusion, not just the information you need to feed to them to arrive at your predetermined conclusion.

If you want to know why these boards are so bad, blame the filmmakers. That's who I hold responsible. They've pitted those who want the facts against those who watch their films and use them as their only source of information. They could have avoided all of this had they simply approached these films from a detached point of view, but since they failed to do this, now we have countless arguments. I fully hold them responsible and I despise them as filmmakers for this.

[–] davidwile 11 years ago

Hey Ontheroadagain85,

Thank you for your very enlightening information. I saw this film coming up on my TV schedule and thought it might be interesting to watch. Having never previously heard anything about the case itself, I came to the message board to get some insight about the case before I watched the film. As you noted, it certainly did appear this film (and others) certainly did not document the case so much as support a particular agenda, or put in other words, propagandize their position. Getting past the bickering, name calling, and vulgar language is deflating, and I don't see how folks would rather do that than have a civil discussion of the issues.

It is now at least ten days, maybe two weeks, since I recorded the film, and I sill have not taken the time to watch it. After all the meaningful discussion I have read on this message board, I started to think the film really was not worth my time since it was more propaganda than document. I still have not deleted it, but I really doubt I will watch it.

Again I thank you for your sound discussion of the film and the impact it has had with so many folks posting on this board. Like you, I am not very fond of folks who make propaganda films, and I do not like to waste my time with them. At my age, I need to concentrate on being entertained or being informed with good material.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[–] ontheroadagain85 11 years ago

Yes, I was going to edit that post and add a recommendation at the end that I don't recommend seeing this, or any of the Paradise Lost films.

The case itself, though, is quite fascinating. If you like to read, I'd recommend picking up any book on the case to get an overview of it, and then if you're still interested, you can read the original case files at the site callahan.8k.com

Some people read all of the information available and still think the boys were innocent, which is fine. If they've read everything that pertains to the case, that's their right. I'll argue with them in a debate because I think they're guilty, but that's okay if both of us have reviewed all of the information and are approaching it as equals. This film went wrong in sending people out into the world with half the facts and when they encounter people who know more, it gets ugly. That was my main criticism and why I don't recommend watching the films. It's simply a waste of time as they don't present all the facts--it's propaganda, as you said. Simply not worth anyone's time unless they want to be entertained. I don't see how people who believe the boys are innocent can even support the films unless they think any method to get people on their side is acceptable. Personally, I think the films are irresponsible and supporters and non-supporters of the boys should let people know this regardless. Each side has a responsibility to let people know these films play tricks on the viewers. It's being honest to point viewers in the right direction if they want to know about the case, even if the films do a good job of converting people to your side.

The case is, in my opinion, one of the most compelling of the 20th century, and I am a true crime fan with an interest in criminal justice so I don't say that lightly. The story deserves more than the shoddy treatment these films gave it, and it will continue to fascinate people for many years because at the core of all this is a very compelling story. I think it's the reason four documentaries, multiple books, websites, and a major motion picture starring an Oscar-winning actress (the film Devil's Knot, coming out this year) have used the case as source material. But people have a responsibility to make sure all the facts aren't distorted, and sadly our media has become more like an editorial than a news story, and these films are a prime example of that (minus Devil's Knot at this point--I haven't seen that yet to determine whether it's a good depiction of the case).

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] cleareyesfullhearts 11 years ago

Thats where you were wrong. There are people who watch the films and read the sites given here and still believe there is no way they should have been convicted. It's supposed to be guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. There is nothing but doubt. All they have is a confession from a man who is basically mentally retarded. Who they badgered the confession out of. I'm sure you one of those people who said they'd "murder again in a year". Not only has the public decided, but so has a jury. Drop it and stop being a troll. You're obviously the issue here and the starter of most of the drama.

[–] 11 years ago

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