I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

imbell

I have to get in here quick cause I am sure to get banned at some point. I was born Catholic, lived in the middle east for the first 7 years of my life and occasionally prayed to Allah. Arrived in Canada at the age of 8. Attended Sunday school every Saturday till I was 12 and pissed the nuns off asking questions about resurrections, etc. At the same time I attended vacation bible school at the local United church during the summer (a Protestant church comprised of Methodists, Presbyterians and a couple of oter I don't kinow). Did this for a number of years. It was fun. Got excommunicated from the Catholic church for marrying my DH who was divorced. It was only a six week marriage and the priest offered to have the marriage annulled if my DH would state that he did not go into the marriage in good faith. So much for that. Moved to Atlanta and wanted to be part of the community so attended my in-laws church. The preacher, Uncle Tom, was determined that I needed saving so he preached his whole service standing in front of the pew we sat in. I told my husband it was he who needed saving as I was basically a good person. After six months my DH said enough. I have attended Baptists churches. And, now I am reading up on Buddhism. Happy for you that have peace with your religious beliefs but don't bother trying to change me. I am cynical and can be sarcastic. I also have a wry sense of humour. My MIL used to explain me away by saying, "Mary is from Canada you know). My DH have been married for 47 years.

Kindergarten

Hey, Alpal, I am not scared of Blue at all, I saw her picture and she is a  very pretty pussycat. I think her bark is worse than her bite.  Kathy

River_Rat

This proves that liberals generally have a wonderful sense of humor.  Love you all.

Put me down for the ban of Oprah, Dr Phil, Oz  et al....oh yeah knitting too!

Medigal

Kathy:  Just an added note.  Where are all these posts with hatred and negativity in this thread?? Have you ever known a family who did not have disagreements with one another.  Just because some of us disagree at times does NOT mean we "hate" each other.  That is a harsh term to use to discribe this thread.  Shirley and I have gone at it at times over issues but I think she is mature enough to know I respect her dedication to her country's issues, as I am also.  I truly resent so much "outsiders" making such harsh accusations about who we are after just reading a few of the posts.   If you don't want to read about negative things than you shouldn't ever read a newspaper again, watch tv, or listen to the radio.  Horrible things are happening in the world but yet if we try to discuss them on here we are supposed to make them sound joyful happenings. 

I am NOT afraid to face and try to fight the terrible things that are happening to my country.  What worries me is these people who put their heads in the sand and just want to pretend all is well with the world.  THAT does not help to get problems resolved!  So please don't make such a judgement on our group unless you have been on here long enough to know us better.  Have a nice day and please read more comedy books if you just want to play "let's pretend".  

konakat

Sticking toe back into the water...

So people know -- I do not think Erica deleted me.  We are cat friends and she has been very supportive towards me on other threads.

I do not think Shirley did either.  We PMed each other a few months ago and re-affirmed our friendship.  We both think the each other is nuts and out-to-lunch but are still friends that occasionally roll our eyes at each other.  We also support each other on Stage IV threads too.

And I am sorry that people got deleted for defending me, Eff, Enjoyful, Lewing, and anyone else.  But thank-you so very much for you kindness and concern. 

Kindergarten

Yes, Medigal, I am not trying to put my head in the sand, I read, I listen, I know what is going on, on the outside. Don't you ever just want to get away from all that horrible stuff, especially now that you are a Breast Cancer survivor. For instance on the other thread, again someone wants to use duct tape on me. How mean!!!!!  Aren't we all in the same boat, to help and support one another? And , I am not an outsider, I AM A BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR AND I HAVE BEEN ON THIS BOARD FOR ALMOST 5 YEARS. PLEASE MEDIGAL, COME TO MY CLASSROOM OF 5 AND 6 YEAR OLDS SOMETIME. YOU WILL SEE HOW WE SHOULD ALL REALLY ACT TOWARD EACH OTHER. KATHY

CherrylH

KK,

We don't know each other, but I have enjoyed reading your posts. I am glad you are back and just sick that this happened to you and the others.

rosemary-b

Sigh

People are stil being deleted. My kids sure gave me practice for this type of behavior. 

Why don't you all go to your password protected site and play and leave the adults alone?

Alpal

Kathy, if you're referring to me, I wanted the duct tape for my own hands - I even said that. Since I respect your right to say what you think, I'd never use duct tape on you. And, since you think it's so horrible that this thread is on a Breast Cancer support board, I would suggest you check out some other BC support boards. What you find might be a real eye opener for you. We were all once 5  years old, but we grew up. That's what people do. Please don't knock us for growing up.

Anonymous

Hi Everyone,

I am almost at a loss for where to begin. Mixed emotions here as I am so very, very proud to be in the company of such a dynamic group as on this forum. Sadly that feeling is tainted by the others who choose to censor rather than ignore or have a dialogue.

To answer ShirleyHughes who said: "I would like to ask EFF, why did you bring up this topic?" 

I brought it up because it needed to be addressed. I read so many negative comments about Muslims...just blew my mind, no pun intended.

You see ShirleyHughes, I don't have any non Muslim friends except for my elderly Catholic neighbor who loves me like a daughter. My mother is Christian and so are all of the women in my family but friends, none and no one I know has or has had bc.

I came to BCO because I needed support as it was and is lacking in my community. Muslim women are somewhat silent on the issue of BC so I can't imagine what the men are going through. Anyway,  I found support  here but I felt awkward when women I chatted with would notice my avatar, ask what it was and when I informed them that I was Muslim they shut down. These were women who had previously embraced me as a BC Sister, advised me about treatment plans and supported me. Obviously the silence was due to my being Muslim. 

Rather than address it I left BCO but I always felt a responsibility to other Muslim women who might come here because I asked that a board be started for us and BCO complied. How could I expect others to com forward if I wasn't strong enough? When I returned to BCO,  as I said earlier, I searched  "Muslim and Islam" and was horrified by some of the nonsense that was posted so I decided to address it this time rather than leave. 

I am accustomed to being censored. I understand how those who have had a good run with the Muslim bashing are comfortable in their zone and don't want it disturbed. I've seen bullying and hatred from both sides but what I don't understand is anyone faced with battling BC having a dark place in their heart for others fighting the same battle. That I don't understand and will never understand.

I hope this answers your question.

Again, I want to send a virtual hug to you all.....

Eff~

rosemary-b

Good to see you back Eff.

Edited because I really need to learn how to spell.

Anonymous

Also, I have to thank you all so much for the support and education on being banned. I still dont know why I was banned. The posts that were deleted appeared to be random. I am so sorry that others were affected and banned. I hope they are reinstated soon.

Eff~

otter

"Doesn't all this bad stuff depress you??"

So far, the worst, most depressing "bad stuff" in my life has been my cancer diagnosis and treatment. (I realize I've been very lucky in that regard.)  So, to escape from all that "bad stuff," I wander over here to Blue's thread where we can chat about collective bargaining, opossum anatomy, trap-neuter-return programs, and, yes (are you lurkers listening???) BRUSSEL SPROUTS.  What I read, and learn, on this thread is not "bad stuff."

Don't you just want to talk about happy stuff.

"Happy stuff"?  Like, the princesses my granddaughter wants to emulate (how about the one that was poisoned by her jealous stepmother?)?  Or, the fluff on TV on Saturday mornings?  There are plenty of threads on these boards that talk about nothing but "happy stuff."  That's fine for people who don't want to talk about anything else.  BTW, there is a lot discussed on these boards that has nothing whatsoever to do with breast cancer.

I come to Blue's thread to read things I haven't seen before, and learn things I don't know or understand.  And, honestly, I come here to practice restraint.  I do not like some of what is posted here; it grates on me and makes me extremely uncomfortable.  My index finger wants to scroll up to that red button at the top of each post... but I duct tape it to keep it still, because that's the rule on Blue's thread.  I think it's very healthy to listen to people you don't agree with, and hear arguments from the other side... and then not be able to "silence" those voices.  It's very American, actually.

"I guess I am like this because I am around 5 and 6 year olds all day!!!" 

Hey, congratulations!  I could not do that job.  I was around 21- to 25-year-olds all day, and some days I'd rather have had the kindergarten classes.  But, I've seen 5-year-olds throw rocks at each other and poke each other with sticks; I've seen them "steal" each others' toys; I've heard them say utterly stupid and mean things to each other that they learned in school from other kids.  So, although kids that age are supposed to be innocent and "happy", that's not always the case.  I admire people who spend their lives working with children.  But I don't assume the adults around me ought to behave as innocently as the children do.

otter

River_Rat

Hello, Eff.  I'm glad that you've posted again.

Sending you hugs right back. 

bluedahlia

No Shokk, I think you're wrong.  I know who the deleters are and no we are not deleting our own posts.  They are deleting with names that have no posts to them so nothing can ever be proved.

208sandy

Kathy:

I still don't understand why you are on this thread - it seems to offend you and honestly I don't know why it would - it's filled with information on so many subjects and it gives us new friendships that we would otherwise never have - please stop criticizing us, it's so not necessary.

Sandy

CherrylH

Eff,

Welcome back.

River_Rat

Hey, if I have somebody on ignore but they post here shouldn't I still see their name but the text of the post wouldn't be visible to me?  

AnneW

Welcome back, all who were sent to time out for no fault of their own.

EFF, I've pretty much decided that just because someone has breast cancer it doesn't mean she is a nice person. Nasty people get cancer, and it will not change their basic personality. Wishful thinking that BC would be the bond that allows us all to play nice, but that is just not the reality.

I am so tired of the snarkiness that goes on. The eye rolling. The true hatred. The deliberate button-pushing (and I don't just mean the "report this post" button.)

Now it's time for me to go eat some hummus then pack for NOLA and my next surgery. It will be a good time for me to take a breather from this thread. When I come back, I'll have to decide if it's worth the toxicity to read the (most likely) 20 pages that I missed...I'll need someone to warn me if it's safe to put my toes back in the shark-infested waters!!

bluedahlia

Good luck with your surgery Anne.

otter

Oh, yes... Hi, Eff~  I'm glad you were reinstated.  I don't think the posts were deleted at random.  "They" hit 4 of your posts on this thread, and one that you posted on the "TSA" thread.  I think the post on the TSA thread was the first one you made after your long absence; and it might have been the one that set things off.  I went back and checked that thread and noticed a lot of overlap between some of your critics there and people who (occasionally) post here.  I think I understand why your comments set off such a firestorm.  But, I also think I'll leave that issue alone, since it never was something I was involved with.

BTW, in response to a question asked awhile back:  I have never reported a post on this thread, or IIRC, on the political threads that preceded this one.   I have reported, and will continue to report, posts that are clear, unambiguous SPAM.  (I usually double-check links and other info to be more certain of the person's motives.)  When I do report those SPAM posts, I also state that I have reported them and I explain why.  There might have been a couple of times when I neglected to say I was reporting a SPAM post, but that hasn't occurred for many months.  And, yes, in my 3-year history on these boards, I think I reported 2 or 3 posts that I truly thought were in violation of "Community Rules."  One of those contained half a dozen f-bombs that were subsequently edited out when the deleted post was restored.  I don't remember the other ones.  In the case of the f-bomb post, I stated that I had reported it and explained why.  But, I don't report those posts anymore, since there is little support on the boards for members who report anything besides SPAM, even if the posts do violate specific Community Rules.

In other words, I used to be a member of the Post Police, but I resigned that position at least a year ago.  I've reformed.

otter

Anonymous

And yes ShirleyHughes, any Muslim who kills innocent people for any reason, I consider them to be unstable. We have rules which regulate warfarein which killing a tree is not even allowed. How much more an innocent person?

If you or anyone else doubts what I say, then the burden of proof lies on your to bring the evidence to support your view.

Eff~

konakat

I love this thread!  The variety of topics and opinions exercises the few functioning grey cells I have left.  I want to live and enjoy live, the ups and downs.  If I want to zone out and just talk happy I'd spend all day watching teletubbies. 

Kindergarten

Dear Sandy and otter, I am not being critical, see what I mean, you turned my opinion into something critical and negative,  unbelievable, I was being very positive, where are you coming from??? I think you do not want to accept me because I am a very devoted Christian, but I accept you all even though we think differently. You give your opinions all the time, and I come back at you, yes, but isn't that what you want. Yes, I would prefer this thread to be a little different, but it is what it is and I will continue to post here when I can. I absolutely love all the positive info that is given here, it is the negative that I object to. I was told over and over again, that this thread is somewhat toxic, but I truly believe we can make it better. Kathy

River_Rat

Anne, I hope your surgery goes well and that you decide to stick your toes back in here.

I just ran across the funniest video - It's from Bill O'Reilly's show.  He's talking about the Wisconsin protests but who knows where he got the video.  Pause the video at 15 seconds in - palm trees in Wisconsin!  And I believe I see some short sleeves!  Who knew! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RClJ6vK9x_4 

I'm glad that Canada didn't change their law concerning news and fact. 

3monstmama

hurrah!  Eff is back and konakat is back.

How about that Supreme Court? going by the rules even when they don't like what is being said.

I agree with AnneW--just because someone ends up with cancer, it doesn't make them more nice or empathetic than they were pre-cancer.  But in the universe as a while, I can't get expending energy over fighting.

Now about those slams on Knitting!  Ahem!  Knitting is my stress reliever for when I can't cook. But if you don't talk about Rachel Ray, I will save my knitting chit chat for other groups.

IronJawedBCAngel

Anne,

I wish you a swift recovery.  Please come back when you are able.  Leaving would only make the trolls feel they have won.  Come back, pay them no attention, and eventually they will go away.  Hugs to you.

konakat

Good luck in your surgery Anne!  Wishing you a speedy recovery and hope to see you back online soon.  Lots of hugs,

Elizabeth

Anonymous

Eff

 I took offense to remark that our brave men HELPING your country and all of us taxpayers HELPING your country.... you basically referred to as 'leaving a trail of widows and orphans.

What was it like to an elderly woman alone when the Taliban ruled.  That woman was not allowed out of her home alone even if it meant starving to death.

What about all of the women who had careers before the Taliban sent them back to the dark ages home, covered and no school

You see I come from a military family that I am very very proud of .  My nephew is an Air Force Pilot and has been in the ME for about 5 years now.   HOW dare you criticise our brave sons and daughters for are there to HELP your people.

Apparently something made you move to the US

otter

Relief for the compulsive knitters who might be hesitant to post here can be found on the Community Afghan thread.  I can think of nothing but good things to say about that thread and the women who support that cause.  Two of my chemo sisters who were Stage IV received hugaghans courtesy of the Community Afghan group, and they adored their hugaghans.  (I always worry that I'm not spelling "hugaghan" correctly.  Just a touch of OCD there, you see....)

Oops.  Please don't report my comments as a violation of the "no knitting" rule. 

otter

[Edited to add another "g" where it belongs!]