Is stingers still a merit source?
Not anymore. That's clear abuse, awarding merit for political reasons rather than any idea of quality. Only because he was a source, I effectively undid those merit sends. If he had not been a merit source, I still would've blacklisted anyone who got into DT1 through that type of shenanigans.
I hadn't read into the thread deeply enough to see that stuff. Those are better arguments against the trustworthiness of H8bussesNbicycles & co., but note that the current negative-trust-ratings were sent long before that. Before February, the thread looks like politics to me
Theymos I agree with your statement and promise that I will not buy any merits to vote against lauda and the cult. Though I have mentioned it I will refrain.
I might state that merits given toward the cause are helpful but I promise I will not buy any merits. I did not solicit Stingers for merits but only after he showed up point him to where merits would help.
I did not know he was a source until suchmoon or someone pointed it out.
It is fine with me that you rescinded those merits.
That said, using selfmod topics in a deceptive way can be an appropriate reason for negative trust.
I do not believe that I have used selfmod topics in a deceptive way.
I have only kept their signature spamming and merit whoring out of my thread and kept it to the topic.
Many of their quotes are still there for all to read whoever responded to them. If I was trying to hide their statements I would have deleted them too.