Originally Posted By Lisann22 I don't think anyone is saying you or anyone doesn't have the right to express that. I think everyone here is just giving advice or opinions based on their experience in dealing with this issue. If that upsets you or offends you then I doubt any resolution will be satisfactory for you because you're asking for the impossible in my opinion. Again that is said with empathy and respect to the original poster. I feel for her; been there, done that. I wish people were gentler with each other in all walks of life but I've learned it's how I handle it when it doesn't occur than just continuing to be upset.
Originally Posted By iamsally Well, I am not an old-timer but am far past being a newbie. I have been around the block on LP enough to see these things come in waves. Sometimes folks have a bad day or just don't realize how there comments may be taken. I was flamed pretty early on. I was devistated at first. I am very sensitive and kept trying to defend myself; it got worse. I was helped by many LPers offering me their condolenses and explaining things much like I have read here. I got out of that thread while others were still defending me and the moderators even stepped in to stop some personal attacks. Thing is; I left the thread. I never considered leaving LP. I know you personally Gottaluv and hope to see you around the boards for a long time to come. Breath deep, move on and hope the folks who attack can find peace in themselves.
Originally Posted By chickendumpling Villains, don't you *dare* leave! What Lisann says in post #11 is dead on. I have only been here 3 years but I posted like mad at first so those 3 years have been like dog years and I have been through H-E-double-hockey-sticks with LP and LPers and I'm still standing. Wobbly now but still standing. Just remember what Anne Frank said. "Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." LP is a very special place but, like any place, sometimes some of us get very passionate or very careless and forget our manners or come across in a way we never intended or even imagined. Trust me on that one!!!
Originally Posted By RockyMtnMinnie Well, lets see, I think I've left LP forever about 20 or 30 times now? I've lost count.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <I think there is room for everyone at our table, quite honestly. I've read attacks on folks I don't know who used to post here (jonvn, beausomething...sorry if I don't have names right) but I hope everyone would be happy to be here. < While I agree with many things Goofyernmost said about this being a discussion board - where I think it crosses the line is when it gets personal. Then when someone gets personal and you respond - you end up with garbage. Most garbage like that resides within the realms of W/E - as with the 2 people you mentioned. Although from my readings it would be easy to say both brought a lot of what happened to them upon themselves - the personal side of it gets very nasty.Too much ofthat has been 'leaking' into other sections IMHO. Also within W/E lie some people who will tell you they want discourse and other points of view, but they really sure as heck do not. Then after you try and have alternate discourse ( let's say one is not a huge Obama fan right now ) - some there start to label you personally - even as far as judging ones personal life and labeling who they feel you are. Of course they deny it but the attacks get worse because somehow they feel threatened in their beliefs is all I can figure. As you can tell this is something I have a personal feeling in and I think the best way to deal with it is to just leave them to themselves and disengage. It's easy to just stop posting in a section and let group think survive... there are plenty of other areas in LP. Now I do hope that nonsense stays there and out of say Dining sections - but the state of the economy and political feelings regardless of whether one is a Democrat / Republican or Independent are all heightened right now - and with the election getting closer I expect it may get worse. as someone closing in on 10,000 posts,I do feel it's gotten much edgier in some sections than it has been - although again last election time was another high period of nastiness also. Maybe January will bring some peace... I did say maybe
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove Wow, vbdad55, thanks for that insight. (Counting my blessings I have WE not showing up when I log in...and a few other threads, as well xoxo
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains vb... I stay out of WE for that reason... Sad part is this attitude, in my opinion has spilled into the DL General (where I was slammed, DCA, and even WDW planning sections.. When I so feel brave and wander into WE - I know what to expect... but not in DL General - My solution is to stay in playpen and community!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 "Counting my blessings I have WE not showing up when I log in...and a few other threads, as well xoxo " you're really not missing a thing in W/E - as very little really gets 'discussed'. For the most part it's Bush sucks - GOP is evil - Dem's are all libs - libs suck - take your pick. Try and take a middle ground somewhere and you get nowhere. Someone HAS to be completely at fault- whichever party it happens to be. Make a comment about Obama that is less than positive ( even though you live in his home state and have a lot of insight into all of his political career ) - and you are tossed into the Neocon group... even if you think he is a bright - engaging man...none of that matters. It's like you've insulted a higher power ( although that is more accepted in W/E). So there are those who feel he is the second coming and those who think W and admin have done nothing wrong ( a few ) - and little common ground in between. and almost every thread ends up exactly the same way. It's like a soap opera. You can miss a year or so but the story line is easily picked back up - maybe a few names have changed.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <My solution is to stay in playpen and community< that will work, but like most here I come for info - for me it is WDW mainly as a DVC member we spend most of our vacations there... hopefully the bleed over doesn't get too bad -- it would be a shame I can say there are a lot less people that post today in W/E ( I believe ) - than a few years ago....at least it seemed that way..
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains You know I have been here for 18mos - have almost 11,000 posts (Entertaining Smedley is busy work) And until just recently I loved getting info - Especially for WDW stuff - we are planning our first trip... But lately I am having trouble finding info in some areas over the constant attacking each other... It is running rampent in the DL General thread lately...
Originally Posted By iamsally >>>> It's like a soap opera. You can miss a year or so but the story line is easily picked back up<<<< How true. I do not post in WE and have only ventured there 2 or 3 times. And the discussions were exactly the same. I was raised to respect others' opinions, religion, race etc. Maybe that is why many of my best friends are the polar opposite of me religiously and politically. Why do people feel they have to try to pull everyone to *their* side? And to belittle someone for not having your opinion? That just doesn't make sense. Where would we be if we all thought alike. Hang in there Gottaluv, you have a good attitude.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan As much as people are afraid of World Events, I'll say what I've been saying all along: The only way to change that tone is to post there and share your views. Don't expect that everyone will agree with you or you'll wind up disappointed. But even at its worst now, WE is nowhere near as bad as it was during the last election, and after Katrina, when the ugly comments were REALLY flying. But it sure isn't a place for the squeamish, that's for sure! LOL All that said, I think the most intense discussions on the boards revolved around DCA the year or so from the grand opening until the first anniversary. Whew boy, that made WE seem pretty tame by comparison.
Originally Posted By iamsally >>>But it sure isn't a place for the squeamish, that's for sure! LOL<<< Well, that pretty much describes me so I'll stay away. Honestly, I agree that posting there is the way to change the tone; but I know I am too sensitive.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>But even at its worst now, WE is nowhere near as bad as it was during the last election, and after Katrina, when the ugly comments were REALLY flying.<< Yep ... I just ventured back in there after a lengthy, and needed hiatus. It's a WHOLE lot mellower than it was before some "irritants" left to spend more time with their families. The only time it gets disrespectful (and I think this is mostly true in other LP sections as well) is when a poster refuses to engage in the discussion, never acknowledging the other side's arguments and just repeating his position over and over and over. In that instance, I have absolutely no hesitation in calling them on it. Perhaps that isn't nice, but somebody has to do it if the level of discussion is going to stay above the lowest common denominator.
Originally Posted By Shiva >>Maybe that is why many of my best friends are the polar opposite of me religiously and politically<< *waves* yep, it's never been an issue with us. Now deciding where to go out for dinner or what movie to see...
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I've been on the boards for a long time. And yes, this topic does come up quite a bit. With LaughingPlace.com, it's like participating in any organization or group -- some people you like and hit it off with -- others, not so much. I enjoy the occasional heated debate. I got into a good healthy discussion with leemac just last week regarding 'Grizzly River Rapids' and the use of AA figures. leemac and I don't know each other -- we met briefly at a Disneyland LP meet -- so it's not a personal thing for me. I enjoy leemac's perspective, even though I don't agree with him. But for me, I come to a Disney message board to discuss the 'business' of theme parks. I enjoy it. I've argued the 'Grizzly River and AA figures' debate before, and I'll do it again I'm sure. The discussions surrounding DCA from opening day until today could fill a theme park text book. 'How Not to Build a Theme Park Next to Disneyland.' From a business perspective, there's much to be learned. And I realize some people who post here don't want to talk 'snap' about Disney, or even venture into anything that is even marginally critical. And I respect that. This type of communication (like email and texting) is tough. There's much room for mis-interpretation and that's where the hurt feelings come in. Oddly enough, I miss some of the posters who were more cantakerous -- TDLFAN, Spirit of 74, tangaroa, jonvn -- even though I went toe to toe with them plenty of times. And all of the above have left LP.com. I don't know the details, but I'm guessing that they all left because others perceived them as 'too negative' or 'argumentative.' I like LP.com. I consider myself an optimistic person. But when a topic reads 'playing nice' that really sets me off. This is a community. Not Stepford. If everyone were 'nice' what sort of community would it be? To me, it would be boring. There's room for everyone. 'Post and Let Post' - Jim in Merced, CA
Originally Posted By beamerdog I think I lost a friend because I posted something in WE recently :- (
