Look out, folks, I've been thinking....

[Johnny Stew]

I've been thinking that, given the significance of this date and the effects it has had on us all... worldwide... perhaps we should all take this time to step back and re-evaluate how we deal with each other on these boards.
Sure, this is "just a message board," and in the grand scheme of things, it has little consequence... but I tend to think that how we deal with each other here can be very reflective of how we deal with people beyond the cyber-realm.

I've noticed lately that many posts are steeped in sarcasm... weighted with not-so subtle jabs at one person or another (or even groups of people)... and often times just downright confrontational.
I think for many people, it has become a game of "who can snipe whom with the most withering jab."

Now, I'm not talking about refraining from debates, or from sharing opinions... we can't all be of one-mind or one-thought, or else it would be a very boring world indeed.
I'm merely suggesting that we all let bygones be bygones.
When you go to respond to something, maybe stop for a moment and think about your reasons. Do you really have something to add, or are you just trying to get a little snide remark in there?
When you create a new topic... are you doing so to spark a conversation, or are you doing so in an attempt to tear someone down?

If you're doing so because of the latter reasons, maybe you should ask yourself why.

I know sometimes it's hard to let things slide, but after a while, this "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" way of dealing with people will leave us all with nothing. Life's just too short for that nonsense... which is something we should all be very acutely aware of now.

Given the emotional weight of the day, I guess my hippie-tendencies are in full evidence... and I'm sure some people will read this and roll their eyes at how goofy I may sound. And yes, maybe this way of thinking is all very naive of me, but hey, I'm not afraid of embarassing myself.
If we have any hope of making our world a better place, we can't be afraid to stick our necks out once in a while... or of starting small, and working our way up.


Johnny Stew (who's now down from his soapbox)

[tyshiria]

that was actually very sweet of you.

mimi

p.s. i was so gonna take that quote from her journals and add it to my signature, but i see you got to it first. how could you?

[Grainuaile]

Well said Johnny Stew! I agree wholeheartedly with what you've said.

[Lisa1769]

I see nothing wrong with your request. I live by those rules everyday of my life!!

[sara1998]

WOO-HOO (clapping wildly; tears steaming down my face) Please, lets all take Johnny Stew's advice.... lets build bridges, not walls.......

Maria

[thewhitewingedd]

I agree...Its time we all tried to get along a little better...I know we can all do it...

Adam

[Nightbird_Brett]

Thank you Johnny Stew for posting that. I could not have said it better my self.
Brett

[DownOnRodeo]

Thanks JS. Good sentiment.

I think those who are bored by pettiness are able to ignore or sidestep it anyway, so that's my recommendation. But as for a good ol argument occassionally - therein lies the fun! Don't forget, Rumours was built on differences.... Deductively, we can define things only by differentiation. (It can be done inductively but that's more communist/spiritual!!)

Hmm I think I stood up on the Crackpots Only soapbox accidentally.

[CarneVaca]

At least one person who's already replied to this thread should take one look inward and stop creating threads meant solely to bait. Therein the hypocrisy.

[FiercestCalmSea]

I totally agree with you JS...good thought

[susieq]

Thank you Johnny for your excellent post.

I stopped coming here a few months ago because of one or two people who just were so negative and mean all the time.

I couldn't take the stress.

I've been stopping by again recently and now I see that the same thing is going on only by different people.

Some threads are probably very interesting. I don't know, I stop reading when the fighting starts.

Yeah, I'm overly sensitive. The evening news can make me cry. I don't like to see people hurting.

I'm looking for "the diamonds along the way". Hope to find them here.

Sue

[BellaDonnaGypsy]

Originally posted by CarneVaca
At least one person who's already replied to this thread should take one look inward and stop creating threads meant solely to bait. Therein the hypocrisy.

I apologize to everyone else in advance, but this needs to be said.

CarneVaca, you need to shut the hell up with your holier than thou attitude. By posting what you did, you've proved that you're just as much a hypocrite as anyone else round here. You can say what you like to me in response to that, because I really don't give a damn, you pathetic troll.

Laura.

[tyshiria]

you know i really do love you laura, cause you always, ALWAYS, make me smile!

btw, we really need to have a chitchat ok? lot to tell, so little time!

mimi

[BellaDonnaGypsy]

It's been a long day, and it's Friday 13th... and I'm kinda glad there's not a full moon tonight or I might just turn into something hideous... oops, too late.

Anyway, hon... we *will* have a chat... I have Monday afternoon free (no rest for the wicked) and I'll get online then. I'm sorry I haven't been around much; you can blame school and homework and my job and the short film we're making and various other things for my absence.

Laura.

[tyshiria]

Originally posted by BellaDonnaGypsy
Anyway, hon... we *will* have a chat... I have Monday afternoon free (no rest for the wicked) and I'll get online then. I'm sorry I haven't been around much; you can blame school and homework and my job and the short film we're making and various other things for my absence.

Laura.

you got a job? when? doing what? and CONGRATS!!!!

and don't worry sweetie. we'll talk whenever you get the time. i understand that you're busy.

mimi