[blondie77]

Okay, I'm almost sorry I started this...but for some reason this whole thread has really got me worked up. I've been on this board for a year now but I rarely post. I've gotten advice here via other peoples questions, but haven't had the nerve to start any new threads for a long time. Most of the advice given here is great, as are the people, and I admire a lot of people on this board.

I think the thing that bothers me the most about this whole thing is how quickly some people are to slam a person or start in with the "troll calling" and telling people how wrong they are for their opinons. Believe me when I say I have plenty of situations in my life that have felt "soap opera-ish" but I haven't dared to post questions for fear of attack. Maybe attack is too strong a word, but sometimes it does feel as though there are some posters who like to stir the pot as much as any troll. All I am looking for in this board is good sound advice, friendship, entertainment, and perhaps to learn a thing or two. For the most part I find that here. I am a very calm, easy going person, not shy, but reserved; always ready to let someone else do the talking. But I absolutely cannot stand all this negativity. I love this board and all it stands for, but it really leaves a bad taste in my mouth wehn someone who really COULD have a problem immediately gets "outed" as a troll and flamed so harshly. Is that really neccesary? I mean seriously...does it really matter if it's a troll or not? Does it really affect you THAT much? If you don't take them seriously, fine. Don't respond. Or call them a troll and leave it at that. But to go on and on? Why not just leave it as you think they're a troll and leave the negativity and harshness aside. Let the rest of us who believe (even if we foolishly believe) to comment and make fools of ourselves (like someone insinuated earlier), but at least we feel like we might be helping someone. To all you long time board members: I know trolls must get old after awhile and perhaps it is harmful to the board, I don't know. I haven't been here long enough to KNOW when someone is a troll or not, I'll be honest about that. But as someone who doesn't post very often (like myself) and to the "newbies" to the board, some of the harshness and "flaming" can be a little intimidating. I myself think sometimes that if I'm not witty enough or don't have a "plausible" enough problem that I won't be taken seriously. Perhaps we (the silent majority) don't matter much, but we're still here and we're still part of this board.

I'm sorry to go on and on, sorry this is so long, and sorry if I've offended anyone. I just needed to let my feelings known and I hope that you all won't think badly of me because of it. I just hope that perhaps we can all show a little more kindness in the future.
Blondie

PS...I don't mean to take this thread over and steal it from the OP...feel free to delete this or move it as you see fit.....