To Infrared Charlotte (Sandra)

[agate]

I've been looking over the recent activity here and everywhere I look, I'm finding your posts, which usually sound quite unhappy about the way this board is.

It is what it is. If you're finding racism in any posts, I for one would like to know where.

Cat Dancer/Uppitycats wasn't the only person who found your cat-out-the-window signature line disturbing and offensive. I did, and there were others too, if I remember right.

Maybe this board isn't the place for you just now. It's Cat Dancer's birthday. She's had major health problems in recent years. Others here have also had major medical setbacks, surgeries, hospitalizations, infections, falls.

This is a board filled with people who aren't feeling well. Dealing with a chronic neurological disorder wears us down. Maybe we're just not up to dealing with someone's anger at this time, or maybe your anger is spilling over a bit too much.

I don't mean this to sound as if there's a circling of the wagons going on. Any former member (well, almost any--there are a few exceptions, probably) is welcome to come back here and reconnect. But please don't keep battering away at us. We're just not up to it. People have gone out of their way to be friendly to you here. I've seen them doing that.

You're behaving very rudely, seems to me.

[Gary]

I've been looking over the recent activity here and everywhere I look, I'm finding your posts, which usually sound quite unhappy about the way this board is.

It is what it is. If you're finding racism in any posts, I for one would like to know where.

Cat Dancer/Uppitycats wasn't the only person who found your cat-out-the-window signature line disturbing and offensive. I did, and there were others too, if I remember right.

Maybe this board isn't the place for you just now. It's Cat Dancer's birthday. She's had major health problems in recent years. Others here have also had major medical setbacks, surgeries, hospitalizations, infections, falls.

This is a board filled with people who aren't feeling well. Dealing with a chronic neurological disorder wears us down. Maybe we're just not up to dealing with someone's anger at this time, or maybe your anger is spilling over a bit too much.

I don't mean this to sound as if there's a circling of the wagons going on. Any former member (well, almost any--there are a few exceptions, probably) is welcome to come back here and reconnect. But please don't keep battering away at us. We're just not up to it. People have gone out of their way to be friendly to you here. I've seen them doing that.

You're behaving very rudely, seems to me.

Yup.

I try not to get involved with these post but I have to voice my opinion. I just don't like the way the board is headed. A number of years ago this same line started and it drove a number of people off the board from actively posting to lurking or just communicating via private messaging. This isn't what the board was designed for. As Agate pointed out things do get off track (am am REALLY guilty of this) but no one used to mind. Suggestions as how to better formulate your post help everyone. Ie: break up paragraphs consolidate song threads. etc.

Everyone gets upset from time to time I have gotten my panties bunched on more than one occasion and that has been pointed out to me. To MY improvement. I come here because I truly care for the members and I get a laugh and learn something new. I have known a majority of the people here for many years and I have never met anyone in person.

Just my 2 cents.

Thanks Agate we can always count on you to get things straightened out.

[Cherie]

Ditto. I have tried not to get too involved with your posts as they tend to be quite negative and have a tendency to pull others down or off topic. We welcome you here but , as Agate pointed out...you are everywhere on this forum putting in comments and trying to be a part of things. I can understand that sense of finding a place you want to be a part of and get to know better and we welcome you as long as you play nicely and respect each of us.

You went too far in your response to Uppitycats and I think you owe her an apology. This is Her home and was long before you stepped through the door...for more than 15 years, in fact. I invite to you to stay and get to know us and listen more than you speak till you get the feel of what this place is about.

[Howie]

I didn't see your post, and just posted about the same thing, but saying it again wont hurt.

[stillstANNding]

I am not sure what this is about and perhaps should say nothing. I think it is fair to mention that Charlotte said she was in pain today. Therefore, she may be on pain medicines.

That's all I got.
ANN

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

While I’m not a member of the MS forum, I am a BT member of 16 years, and I do post here occasionally. It’s unsettling to observe this discord here, where there has been so much harmony over the past several years.

I always visit our Home Page and New Posts, specifically seeking out posts by new members, so that I can welcome them. What I have noted since your return, Sandra, is that the majority of posts in both of those places are your off topic posts.

On the Home Page Top Ten Posts, 7 out of 10 posts are yours or are directed to you with regard to this current kerfuffle.

Here are the reasons why Mike and our Moderators prefer fewer OT posts on our Forums:

1. Too many OT posts bury on-topic posts on the pages of the Forum.

2. When OT posts consume the Home Page Top 10 Posts and the New Posts, new members, who are joining to receive support for their conditions, may be discouraged that on-topic issues are not being discussed here at BT.

3. Too many OT posts may deter others from posting, feeling that their posts will be ignored or displaced by an OT post.

As was suggested by several folks here to you, Sandra, you could start one OT thread specifically for music and videos. That gives space for others to post on-topic threads.

If you have OT thoughts or ideas, the best place to share those is in the monthly Chit Chat thread.

Just imagine if every member posted an OT thread for their favorite song, or to express their random thoughts. The Forum would be overrun with OT posts and nothing MS-related.

It is disheartening to see members talking about blocking the posts of other members. That defeats the purpose of our community, which is to provide each other with support, encouragement, information, experience, and caring. I am saddened that this is happening here on the MS forum, which is our most active forum on BT.

When we join here, or on any other discussion board, we agree to that Board’s Terms of Agreement. There are rules for a reason, and we are obliged to follow them. Some of that is called “Netiquette.” Some of it is to keep balance on the forums and to avert conflicts.

It’s important for all of us to remember that every BrainTalk member is coping with a major neurological condition. That’s why we’re here. We should be cognizant that, while we share much in common, every person is different. We don’t all share the same sense of humor. We don’t all share the same religious or political beliefs. We have a variety of educational and career backgrounds. And BrainTalk is a global board, open to people worldwide. People visit here as “Guests,” read, and never register or join.

To the best of our ability, we need to embrace those differences as we embrace our sameness. And we each need to be sensitive and compassionate toward each other.

To keep peace on the forums, I suggest that if any member has an issue with another member, that issue should be thrashed out via Private Messages, and not on the forums. If necessary, involve a Moderator. I have watched the destruction of forums on BrainTalk and elsewhere, when conflicts are brought to the forum. People take sides. Everyone is upset. The tone of the forum is out of kilter.

Apparently, this has happened in the past on the MS forum, from what I can gather. Let’s not let it happen again. The stress of conflict here removes all of the benefits for each of you. And none of you needs more stress.

Love & Light,

Rose

[Cherie]

Well put Rose. Thank you for taking the time to spell things out so clearly.

[SalpalSally]

Please Sandra, get with the program. This is a wonderful place and
you need to know and respect that. You have an outstanding
personality, but not so much understanding for us. I would like you
to stay, but please calm down and enjoy.

[Virginia]

Thanks Rose- you always have such a nice way of putting things.

Also, thank you Sally.