I had a plan to write about something far more controversial than the entry you are about to read. Events late this afternoon changed my mind. I'll still write the entry I'd intended at a later date, but I just can't take any more conflict at this point.
I became a member of an Obama forum, supposedly designed to allow fellow supporters a chance to share opinions and information, or simply chat. I wrote one very short thread about becoming an informed voter and a shorter explanation of why I believe Obama to be the desirable candidate for this upcoming Presidential election. And then I got slammed It happened in print of course, and the target wasn't even me, but I'm not a fan of rude language and juvenile posturing, which was exactly what occurred. One young man commented, very eloquently, that since I am a writer I should do the research necessary and create comparison/contrast essays highlighting the issues and each candidate's stance, being as fair as possible to each one so that anyone who read the paper could understand clearly the platform of each candidate I thought it was an inspired idea and wondered why I hadn't thought of it myself! I wrote to thank him and informed him I'd be doing what he suggested. I felt good about the connection.
But not too long after his posting, someone else commented a diatribe against the young man, claiming he was being "a jerk" to use a much nicer term than any she did. I was absolutely appalled! I saw absolutely NOTHING inflammatory about his words or suggestion, nothing to indicate he thought he was "better than the average person" as she ranted. I was bewildered and offended by her language. Yet another comment after that one STILL blasted this poor kid! She tried to intimate I was somehow "on her side" in this entire nonsense. I couldn't believe my simple thread had become some sort of jr high verbal fight club! The original commenter wrote his own bewilderment at the attacks in another comment. Another commenter tried to "gush" everyone down after which I posted my own. comment in the mess. Here's what I posted:
Okay, I have no idea where all that originated. I thought the young man's idea to write a comparison/contrast sort of essay about the candidates was inspired and I did indeed thank him for the idea! I'm actually pretty pumped about doing it, so everyone take a deep breath please. I'm not into this confrontational argumentative stuff--we voice our opinions and comments in an adult manner; if we can't do that what are we doing here and how in the WORLD can we help the candidate of our choice? I enjoy feedback of all kinds and I never take offense unless offense is intended. Even then it more often bewilders me because that is not what a forum is supposed to be about. Give-and-take and an open exchange of ideas and suggestions--the definition of "helpful comment." Okay?? Now I hope I didn't offend anyone because I have no intention of that EVER. I state my opinions, research facts, and present them in what I hope is an entertaining/informative manner. Period. Love, everyone. Obama is about PEACE!
The commenter who fired up the whole thing wrote back a petulant sort of comment basically stating "I'm not gonna play with you" and miffed her way into the sunset. When I spoke of this ridiculous incident to my nineteen year old daughter, she nodded her head sagely and said, "yeah, I come up against that sort of thing constantly." She is an Obama supporter like me and fiercely political, more so than me *ah the passion of youth*. And believe me she made up her OWN mind-we just happen to agree. But she told me story after story concerning the same kind of rude name-calling, cursing at others who don't share the same ideas, and basically juvenile, ludicrous, downright nasty attitudes...on political forums!!!
I don't get it.
PS: I visited the homepage, on this forum site, of the woman who was the instigator of the whole thing. Her age range was 40-45. Age can't even be an excuse. Only stupidity and a horribly nasty attitude. Nice lesson for the younger ones.
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