Linda...I heard through Facebook (It's the new PM, apparently) that you started this thread and I wanted to explain. First of all, I couldn't love you more. And I say the same to a lot of the women on this thread and this forum.
Carrie is right. I'm not leaving. I'm just taking a break. And it's NOT because I feel bullied or attacked. It's because I can't sit around and watch people be their WORST selves and not say anything about it. Whether or not the "Shelley" thread was directed at anyone in particular, two of the main contributors to that thread sent me a PM saying how much their feelings were hurt about the "Serial Bully" thread. I thought it was a good sign and a beginning to a wonderful line of communication. One of them had a son and grandson with major physical disabilities. I thought that person would be the first to stand up for the underdog, the person with the biggest heart who could empathize when someone else said they were offended by something. But that was not the case...an entire thread was started to make fun of people who voice their feelings, who announce PM's, people who "take offense," people who think they are bullies. And people jumped on it like Jerry Springer jumps on a love triangle between a woman, her lover, and her sister!! And call it what you want, but it was TOTALLY in the spirit of making fun.
On top of that, I've since leaned that Cathe herself has been attacked on this forum. I've learned that one forum member who likes to stir the pot on the forum actually hides out from people at the Cathe RT. And now...even after two threads have been posted about the ridiculousness of the star ratings, you've got people going crazy rating the threads. One member even admitted to one star rating the thread she was contributing to.
It's heartbreaking, it's BEYOND ridiculous...and it just depletes the hell out of all of us at the end of the day. I leave this forum at the end of the day feeling exhausted and in the worst mood...the opposite of how you would think you'd feel coming off Cathe's forum. I cannot imagine how many people are reading these petty threads and wondering when in the world we are going to get back to something that matters. I can just hear the collective "ugh!!!" from the forum.
And I am PART of that. I'm the other end of the tug-of-war rope. And the thing is...if I let go, the perceived power struggle will end. And people will start talking about what really matters.
Like I said, I'm not gone for good. I've got so many Cathe friends on Facebook now. And you can always e-mail or PM (Yes, I said PM) me. I just want to think the best of ALL the people on this forum, and I can't do it while I'm watching them act their worst.
So...it's not goodbye. Just bye for now. I'll see you soon, lovies!
![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
The Eternally Optimistic Jonezie
PS...Call me if someone starts singing Kumbaya.