If you haven’t checked the Mountain Xpress Forums this week, you’ve missed out on some entertaining and informative (in that order) conversations. Here’s a quick look at some of the highlights.
In local topics, a post by Xpress Publisher Jeff Fobes about whether or not nuclear materials should be allowed to pass through Asheville has turned into a nice, roaring discussion on the relative pros and cons of nuclear power in general. Another Fobes-founded thread, this one about local graffiti artist Etchr’s run-in with police, has rekindled the larger discussion about the blurred lines between art and vandalism in Asheville.
Moving on to national topics, forum regular Ralph Roberts posted some statistics about the recent Presidential election, which proved—perhaps not surprisingly—to be the subject of contention. Other hot topics on the Non-Local subforum include the recent shoe attack on President Bush by an Iraqi journalist and a discussion on the controversial decision by President-elect Obama to use Purpose-Driven Life minister (and anti-homosexuality activist) Rick Warren for the Inaugural invocation.
Looking to buy some locally made last-minute gifts? It’s worth paying a visit to Xpress A&E Reporter Alli Marshall’s thread about just that topic.
In other arts-related topics, forum regular Jason Ross Martin started a tidal wave of hip-hop hatin’ when he posted his thread on rapper Kanye West, but the topic has since mellowed out into a discussion of semi-underground hip-hop. And the Christmas Jam thread may have started out a little slow, but once forum regular Jason Bugg gave us his JamBase-approved take on the subject, it really took off.
A pair of interesting threads in the Written Word subforum are worth checking out if you have the time: Words and phrases that are really fun and Words and phrases that really bug us.
A snarky comment made in the Asheville Transplants discussion prompted forum user The (PFKaP) to start the equally snarky What you wish yankees would do thread. The result is a thread as much about mountain culture as Northern stereotypes. Read it knowing that most of the posters have their tongues firmly planted in their cheeks.
Over on the Internet & Technology subforum, moderator Zen wants to know Where’s all the festive Christmas avatars?
And, finally, on the Outdoors subforum, user Mr. Yuck wants to know the reasons behind an odd thing he experienced on Bald Knob. Lycanthropy and demonic intervention have been suggested, but the jury is still out.
— Steve Shanafelt, forums administrator
While it’s nice to report the subjects of the threads, one of the cool aspects of the whole forums is that while it can get snarky once in a while, we are getting to be good friends.
Yes, even with multiple Jasons scurrying about. Come introduce yourselves!
Shut up Zen.
Hey, I started two of those threads but no name drop? What’s PFKaP paying you?
Wanker!
Did i mention all the [a]love[/a] to go around?
I subconsciously have it in for you, bobaloo. There can be no other explanation.
I pay steve by planting my tongue firmly in his cheeks, bob.
Thats your fault for doing it for free.