From our very own fandom_lounge
It all starts when

fandom_lounge about a truly horrific case of animal cruelty down in Georgia (warning: the link takes you directly to the full post, which contains graphic descriptions of animal torture. Scroll down to the comments or follow the following links to specific instances of wank if you want to avoid such things. I certainly wouldn't blame you).

The request was first posted without a cut for the disturbing bits, so right away, people are twitchy.

But the wank really starts when

ldymusyc accuses

kittenmommy of desiring mob justice

Animal cruelty laws are toted out and comparisons are made between cute puppies and ugly lobsters.

Many people seem to think that

kittenmommy wants people to write in to force a guilty verdict. More legalese is brought out.

The general consensus does indeed seem to be "poor puppy!!!!11!" but that at best the original post was unclear and at worst was rather wanky.

Throughout,

kittenmommy can't understand why this is so controversial.

Edit: Now reported on

wankitywank here. We've hit three comms so far; anyone have a way to get us on another?
Edit II: Yep! We've now made stupid_free.

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

	serai 2006-12-19 06:28 am UTC (link)
	Look at it this way. Would you fail to sign your letters just because you were using stationary with your name printed at the top? It's very possible that people who sign their posts are just used to the old-fashioned idea of signing a note or letter, and don't want to stop. Not everyone has the same style online, and it's not necessarily about being new or stupid. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sunhawk 2006-12-19 06:52 am UTC (link)
	That was my thought as well. (Reply to this)(Parent)

polygamouse
2006-12-19 12:42 pm UTC (link)

Unfortunately, that's also what tends to annoy people. Forums, message boards and the like are set up more like conversations than a series of letters, and signing your comments disrupts the flow. It doesn't bother me, personally, but after someone signs off multiple comments in a row it starts to remind me of an old radio broadcast.

Till next time, this is polygamouse reminding you to drink Rich Chocolate Ovaltine.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	semirecluse 2006-12-19 03:45 pm UTC (link)
	You should definitely sign your posts like that in the future. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	polygamouse 2006-12-19 04:13 pm UTC (link)
	Rich Chocolate Ovaltine gives Orphan Annie the vitamins and minerals she needs to outsmart Communists and the Irish. This is your friendly Ovaltine advocate polygamouse reminding you that Rich Chocolate Ovalitine is your best defense against "New Deal" economics. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	esorlehcar 2006-12-19 02:54 pm UTC (link)
	It's a matter of social conventions, I think. Unnecessarily signing posts (which, as someone points out below, are more like conversations than letters)isn't the end of the world, but it does suggest someone either doesn't understand the norms or is displaying a rather stupid affectation. (Reply to this)(Parent)

(Read comments) -