My reply:
First off, kudos to digging out those flower beds. Totally badass.
"Now for some intelligent conversation on the subject, go check out this week’s Podge Cast where Luke, Adam/David, and Eric discuss the issue at length. It’s the best discussion on the topic yet, and I’m not saying that because they mostly agree with me."
Let's face it, that's EXACTLY why you're saying it's the best discussion on the topic yet.
Listen up, scrote, and let's look at some bare bones facts that the incomparable RPPR folks forgot to mention: 1) You're a douche (maybe they touched on that.)
2) As your header so astutely puts it, this topic won't die. I think the main reason for this is because you want to continue to debate something that is such a moot point. It was one ruling at the end of a CONVENTION game. Ross shut you down because you tried to rob a player of free will, but he also shut you down so he could just end the fucking game and move on with his life.
3)I think you said it best yourself: "I can also accepts that the game we were playing that day, Wild Talents, did not have a social combat system." Wild Talents doesn't have a social combat system, therefore, you can't impose your persuasion on another PC. Had you been playing a game that featured a social combat system, then Ross would be in the wrong. You can't impose rules from one game to another. Are you the kind of guy who tries to play Monopoly with Twister rules? You: "Left foot blue means I get to take Boardwalk and Park Place!" GM: "That makes no sense and you can't do that." You: "WAAAAH WAAAAAH!!! I'M GONNA BLOG ABOUT IT NOW!!!! AND THEN I WILL DO IT AGAIN!!!!"
You know who else makes up their own rules to win in a game? Children. You: "Pew pew pew! I shot you with my laser!" Some other asshole kid: "No you didn't! I have an anti-laser shield!" You: "Well, I have a gun that shoots through laser shields!" SOAK: "Well, I dropped a laser-jamming grenade earlier, but you didn't see it." You: "My gun was made by Tony Stark and it is immune to anti-laser grenades."
I certainly hope you're not reading this as you planting flowers because I'm sure it's gonna be hell on those petunias.