From what I've gathered, it's long past that time again. Within the tiers, the order is random. From tier to tier, it most certainly is not. If it becomes necessary, or if there is sufficient interest, I can provide my own general description of the four tiers. Arguments for alternates structures and/or alternate placements are of course welcome. Arguments against there being any basis whatsoever for tiers or placements will be accorded the same patience as arguments for (or against) evolution as opposed to intelligent design.

First Tier:

Michael Ryerson; Fritz Gerlich; Apollonius; Fielding Bandolier; Isonomist; Gregor Samsa; Schadenfreude; OHellenbach; JGC; TheLyamhound; Zeus-Boy; Daveto; August; Thrasymachus

Second Tier:

Steve-R; Keifus; MaxFischerPlayers; JV-12; Rachel2; Ducadmo; SnollyG; Dr. H; BobW; Genedio; Luoyi; Alexa-Blue; Demcon; The Bell; Sawbones; Bald Tony; Baltimore Aureole; Sarvis; Run75441; Rundeep; Switters/TomRobbins; Schmutzie; OneTinSoldier; DawnCoyote; Revrick; JackD; Tartuffe; Yastfort; Dubina; ChicagoEngineer; Archaeopteryx; Topazz; GreenEggznHam; Wooley; Mom; Th Paine; Degsme; Artemesia

Third Tier:

Electric Fence/Barrier; Loree; Mithros; Nongrata; Ellen; Watt4Bob; EnsleyHill; Dr. No; NoHablo; AnotherLiberal; OneEyedJasper; First Hawk; DragonTat2; SouthernGal; OottRascals; MidWay; Biteoftheweek; Rainman/JackDallas; Catnapping/Katydont; Justoffal; BFD; Daysman; MeridianToo; Lono; NickD; DallasNE; Khentkawes; NairobiTrio/Ci-Inc; JanZ; MitchK; Pissenlit

Fourth Tier:

Skeppy; Joycean; LaurieAnnM/Nightengale; Sgt.Rock; Firstphone; Julieboomer; SpeakerNancy/Lunesta; MaryAnne; Bandit; WhipperSnapper; JMadison; Phoen-X; Gypsy; Lilith; Smarmalade; DreamBird

No offense Inkberrow but only someone who sat at the uncool kids table in High School would even think about making up such a silly list.

Or care to.

School's out, Inkberrow. Time to grow up.

Suggestions:

While you claim no particular order within the tiers, Fritz Gerlich should be afforded his own unique place as No. 1.

Topazz should be moved a tier lower; she's all fluff.

Skeppy should move up a tier; he's a cranky old goat but often as not has a cogent point to make. And who doesn't love his debonair "entre nous"? No way is he below Jack Dallas in any paradigm. No fuckin' way.

Electric Fence/Barrier is Gypsy, so she should be moved up a tier.

I am not catnapping. Don't know how to prove it, don't care if it's believed, but will assert it, as it is the truth. I should go down a tier (after all, I'm only here to point out Tempo's vileness, as it inevitably reaches a certain intolerable level).

Catnapping likely should go down a tier as well. Her contributions outside the Fray are worthy (her artwork at The Odd Neighbor is delightful), however, she falls short with her Fray contributions. I suppose it's a habit that's hard to break, involving herself as one of the shrieking harpies.

Loree --- definitely bottom tier. C'mon. We all know why.

I'm sure it's false modesty that prevents you from including yourself in the top tier.

I'd move Fielding Bandolier down a tier, but it's probably just a personal prejudice. He's a bag o' wind. And he sure likes to hear himself talk, don't he? I suppose something similar could be claimed for Demosthenes, but the guy is so damned sincere, he should be left in the top tier. Tenacious K/Fielding Bandolier lacks that sincerity.

Ducadmo should be added, first tier. Nothing like a good punster.

Just my $0.02. Carry on.

Oh. Pissenlit should move up a tier. Sightings are rare and fairly obscure, but his musical tastes are so eclectically divine, he should move up from wherever it is you've placed him.

Very amusing top post, by the way. But that's kind of why I like you. You enjoy poking the stick in the hornet's nest, too.

katydont:

Suggestions:

While you claim no particular order within the tiers, Fritz Gerlich should be afforded his own unique place as No. 1.

Topazz should be moved a tier lower; she's all fluff.

Skeppy should move up a tier; he's a cranky old goat but often as not has a cogent point to make. And who doesn't love his debonair "entre nous"? No way is he below Jack Dallas in any paradigm. No fuckin' way.

Electric Fence/Barrier is Gypsy, so she should be moved up a tier.

I am not catnapping. Don't know how to prove it, don't care if it's believed, but will assert it, as it is the truth. I should go down a tier (after all, I'm only here to point out Tempo's vileness, as it inevitably reaches a certain intolerable level).

Catnapping likely should go down a tier as well. Her contributions outside the Fray are worthy (her artwork at The Odd Neighbor is delightful), however, she falls short with her Fray contributions. I suppose it's a habit that's hard to break, involving herself as one of the shrieking harpies.

Loree --- definitely bottom tier. C'mon. We all know why.

I'm sure it's false modesty that prevents you from including yourself in the top tier.

I'd move Fielding Bandolier down a tier, but it's probably just a personal prejudice. He's a bag o' wind. And he sure likes to hear himself talk, don't he? I suppose something similar could be claimed for Demosthenes, but the guy is so damned sincere, he should be left in the top tier. Tenacious K/Fielding Bandolier lacks that sincerity.

Ducadmo should be added, first tier. Nothing like a good punster.

Just my $0.02. Carry on.

whoa! if there was any doubt of catnapping's sanity...this post has surely removed it..

Damn cat...everyone knows katydon't is you. Whoa.....unbelievable.

LMAO

cat honey..here's a tip for you ...just because you say someone belongs on this tier or that...it doesn't make it true. Same for Ink. You can pretend you are the judgers of all things big and small but dearie you are not.

wow.

What weirdness abounds from you two tonight on this fray.

and resent 3rd tier listing.

Here's a more accurate listing:

First Tier:

Demosthenes, Gregor Samsa, August, Thrasymachus, The Bell.

Second Tier:

Ducadmo, Rundeep, Isonomist, Inkberrow, Fritz Gerlich, TheMaxFischerPlayers, Inkberrow, Apollonius, DrNo, Schadenfreud, Luoui, Sawbones, Fielding Bandolier, all those you included in first, second and third tiers I'm too lazy to copy here.

Third Tier:

Skeppy.

Fourth Tier:

daveto.

That was pretty cool of you, Dr. No.

and nicely lighthearted.

Yours is much less of a list designed to flame and cause ever more divisness here.

Like we really need MORE of that, eh?
If I was to make a list..I think I'd just list my top favorites..The Bell would certainly be on it. As well as Thrasymachus. And you when you post..like you used to. Don't see you so much as years gone by when you wrote long thoughtful posts.

I guess I'd add a tier called Dante's Inferno Tier..and know exactly who I'd place there...but why bother?
They already live there and it must be sheer hell!

lol

;-)

I pretty much agree but I do take exception that loree and jack dallas are on the Third tier. Skeppy, though an opinionated hardhead should be on the third tier.

There should be a Heavenly tier of which, you [Inkberrow] alone should reside...IMHO.

There should be a Fifth tier for the dregs of fray society...

loree, jack dallas, phoen-x, maryanne, laurieannem/nightengale, lunesta/speakernancy/tempo.

SG

That is a hell of a thing for you to say to me.*

Jack

Honestly. ..my feelings are hurt. If anyone looks at my MBTU I post and come here to post on political topics. But this small group of synchophants seems to endlessly pop up using my nic in some smearing manner. Do I snap back at them when they do? yeah. But what on earth can I do to ever make them leave me alone?

Low Dudgeon really knows how to use his "special purpose" but seems to be having difficulty in seperating shoe polish from sheep feces.

Thanks for the wonderful memories.

LaurieAnnM:

Honestly. ..my feelings are hurt. If anyone looks at my MBTU I post and come here to post on political topics. But this small group of synchophants seems to endlessly pop up using my nic in some smearing manner. Do I snap back at them when they do? yeah. But what on earth can I do to ever make them leave me alone?

Count it all as fluff.

I don’t know you at all, but as long as you have confidence in yourself and convictions to uphold you are winning the game. Reputation is overrated. Wisdom is the real gift.

Too bad you don’t know God as well as you could. Or do you?

Here’s what I think of BOTF. It’s a shame dialogue has left it thanks to the dumb changes last May. But if I were to rate the tiers I would have as follows

Tier One: Nobody.

Tier Two: Those who dialogue well and those who are witty.

Tier Three: Those who educate but don’t debate. That puts them equal with just about all the rest of us who at least have something to say back at you.

Inkberrow said she had no patience for evolution questions. Pity. I’m still a very black sheep.

JV-12..thank you.

That means so much to me.

Speaking of God is very precious, indeed.

I could do well to work more on my spiritualty.I am a closet 'power of the Holy Spirit' believer anyway..very much so. It is always a great comfort and source of strength.

Thanks for reminding me of what is important in life and what is 'fluff'.

Thanks again.