Fcking hell, boys and girls, I don't know where to begin on this one, I really don't. This thread has left a bit of a bad taste in the mouth to be honest. I'm really surprised by a lot that's been said on here.
Let me set my stall out. I am one sick puppy when it comes to humour. I get Monty Python (although I don't remember the 'laugh at rape vicitms episode', so somebody please remind me ?). I even 'got' the 'paedophile' episode of Brass Eye that had the whole country up in arms. So no accusations of what I do and don't get on the humour stakes ok ?

Right, let me begin. If Miromirc was making a twisted joke, fine. He didn't use emoticons and I remind you all of what this whole fcking thread was about. It was all about people either getting or not getting jokes, emoticons or no. So Ryan can be forgiven for not getting the joke I reckon. Mark, you didn't get Ryans joke about 'shoddy trance' remember ? Therefore I would always advise caution to all of you when making comments, whether it be about 'beigng gay' or jokes about rape, that there WILL be people who will be offended. Maybe they need to lighten up, maybe not, it's just a fact that it will offend someone. In the right environment, amongst a group of people you feel comfortable with where you all know each others limits and history, that may be acceptable, but you should go easy on a public forum. Caution, friends, and a little respect eh?

A second point : Ryan did not bring the subject of rape on to this board, Miromirc did. Refer to my point above as to whether it was right or wrong.

But thirdly, and most importantly, if we do make a flippant remark that is misunderstood or causes offence for any reason, why make it worse and add insult to injury ? If it upsets someones feelings surely a little compassion wouldn't go amiss ?
And as for laying in to people ? A lot of people on here need to be asking themselves what this argument/discussion had to do with them ? Looked a bit like the 'pack' or 'herd' mentality to me and it ain't pretty.

Now I have to issue one final disclaimer : I actually know Ryan in person. Not very well yet, we're only recent acquaintances, but I know him well enough to know he isn't the humourless cnt you all seem to be thinking he is. And he isn't really into making people feel small just for the sake of it. My opinion is that he's a genuine, yes opinionated, but very passionate lover of techno who isn't afraid to discuss or argue every aspect of it, good or bad. I'm telling you that so you can examine the facts, read what I've said and it's now up to you to choose if you want to dismiss what I'm saying because I'm his mate. That's your perogative, and I'll understand if some of you do, but those of you who know me will know I'm honest enough to be telling the truth and simply trying to be the voice of reason in a particular messey thread. And there are those of you, like it or not, who are looked up to by other members of this board, and I'm afraid that brings a little extra responsibility. You need to be setting the example.
There's two sides to every story and I'm sure many of you have the maturity and sense to get what I'm saying. I certailnly hope so because I've enjoyed a lot on this forum, but I don't think I'd feel comfortable on here in future if we continue like this.

Sorry that's an incredibly long and tedious post, and apologies for sounding like a dirty fcking hippy again, but we're always going on about harmony in the scene aren't we ? Well here's a great chance for putting our money where our mouth is.