sigh...

"Money demands that you sell, not your weakness to men's stupidity, but your talent to their reason; it demands that you buy, not the shoddiest they offer, but the best that your money can find...
"and when men live by trade--with reason, not force, as their final arbiter--it is the best product that wins, the best performance, the man of best judgment and highest ability"
- excerpted from Francisco's "Money Speech" from Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Note he says, "trade" not "cash".

While this site may label me a "moocher", I am, in fact, no such thing.

Were I a moocher, there wouldn't be one comment on one post to mark my presence. I would read and drink in the minds of those who contribute without making payment in turn.

I have not mooched, I have paid; not in dollars, but with *my mind*. Based on the statistics, I've contributed quite a bit.

Including my expressed opinion that basic website functionality is in the best interest of this website. As demonstrated by khalling's inability to differentiate emphasis from exclamation.


By the way, there's a flaw in your argument; while patriotism, in the opinion of someone you fail to cite (plagiarism, much?) may be the last refuge of a scoundrel, that does not mean that all who are patriotic are scoundrels.

Have you spoken with Gates lately? Exactly what is the source of your confidence that he has unlimited desires?

I was looking to become a "Producer" on this site until the cast change. My interest in the movies has waned, but, for the time being, my interest in the conversations here has not.

While you may want me to "put up or shut up", perhaps in some vain confidence that I wouldn't or couldn't "put up", I wouldn't put it to a vote.

While it's their website and they can label participants any way they wish, to label people "moochers" who contribute with other than cash is somewhat hypocritical of a site dedicated to Rand's ideals and philosophy.

But, I'm going to grant you your wish; I withdraw the contribution of my mind. I'll have to settle for amusing myself by reading your inane drivel.

On a metaphysical level, I believe that there are more ways to be a producer than merely paying a fee. For example, posting thought-provoking or helpful posts should be one.
I understand that this site is set up for the benefit of the owners, but it also serves a wider membership.
I once paid for the privilege of having a dollar sign. I just don't have the time to spend on this that it is worth the charge, and I get sufficient interaction here in the open.
I also wouldn't call myself a "moocher." They are the ones that take only, and do not provide something of value in return. I try to add some new content and interact in a thoughtful/meaningful/comical way to other postings. Thus, providing the community something of value.
Upshot: There's more than one way to be a producer.

Yeah, I spose they're used to dealing with people who actually have money to steal...

I should take a point for calling me a moocher...

You know I can't remember my password? Fortunately my computer remembers it for me. I should reset it...

I always find it annoying that after I jump through all the hoops to identify myself in order to reset my password, "they" can't just tell me what my current password is. "They" being whichever service or site for which I have a password.