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Ok here goes. I am excited

Cris — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:23:37 -0500

Ok here goes. I am excited about all comments but never had much of a celebrity visit, but when a writer's assistant replied to an email, was quite excited. Yes yes I know I am pathetic. And hey I am from India - mentioning since someone commented about locations :-)

Not my cousin, but my dad

Valbee — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:04:08 -0500

I'd been getting the email forwards for months. It was driving me nuts. Most of the time I ignored them, especially after the time he asked me a question and disapproved of my response - so much so, that he forwarded it to my mother (they're divorced) and told her he was worried about my values!

One day, he sent something that I knew wasn't true. I replied, "Citation, please?" He called me to ask what I meant. I said, "I work in an academic library, Dad. If you're going to send me forwards as fact, then I need you to provide your source so that I can check it out for myself. Otherwise, I have to assume it's just an Internet hoax."

I haven't received a single forward from him since.

Disorderly Conduct

Point well Made

Southerngirl — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:28:16 -0500

The emotions are flying high. At this point I find it better not to respond than to keep engaging as it is just not healthy and smoetimes not respectful.

Michelle

I blog at http://www.mommycan.blogspot.com/

Take a step back

kperfetto — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:24:13 -0500

I've been all but absent from most of the political threads here for those reasons kazari mentioned: the lack of respect on a site whose discussions, no matter how heated, usually remain civil. I'm a big believer in backing away from the computer, and actually think about what you want to say before hitting the "post comment" button.

Available Light & Five Dollar Radio

Very Important Message

debontherocks — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:37:55 -0500

I am usually encouraged by debate and even conflict, because it is a sign that people are thinking and advocating for their beliefs. But when we stop listening to others, degrade their opinions, insult their intelligence, and try to undermine them by questioning their experience, authority or background, debate crosses the line into attack zone. Thanks for reminding the community that we can truly benefit from the intelligent exchange of differing viewpoints.

Deb

www.debontherocks.com

blog

www.3smartgirlz.com

consulting

Well timed, Gena.

Laracolvin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 07:39:48 -0500

I think we all need this RIGHT now, Gena. Thank you for giving us some persective and a chance to stop. breathe. and think w/o immediate reply. The line is often very thin between passion and disregard for others' feelings (and no one political group can claim an exemption)! But - at least we are talking about it, like we are w/so many other important nuances and paradigms.

Thanks again. Great food for thought. Now - if only we can all heed your advice! :)

Lara

Notions of Identity

It Is the Flip Side of Passion - Wants before Needs

Gena Haskett — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:49:39 -0500

There is a genuine concern for the direction of the country. How best to join and communicate. The extremes on both sides don't really want that to happen.

The desire for re-unification gets muted when everyone thinks they have the way and the other is the enemy. We all want our country to be better and do better.

We need a viable common ground on which to talk. Where that place is I really don't know. Maybe it is in our hearts.

Gena - Out On The Stoop

Yep - I'm Getting Kinda Punchy Myself

Gena Haskett — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:39:17 -0500

I wish I had added this as an option. That you don't have to reply or engage relatives and other who stoke your burners. There are some people that you have boundaries on certain topics.

I'm not sure how political mix households do it but I suspect that a certain level of rules of engagement are put into place.

Political time-outs from drumbeat discussions are ok. I keep telling myself that anyway.

Thanks,

Gena - Out On The Stoop

Thanks Gena

lauriewrites — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:21:03 -0500

I am fatigued from the constant back and forth. Today I got an email - a political forward - from my cousin that repackaged a bunch of the same old things I've been reading and I snapped. Calmly - sort of.

I responded, gave a reference that did correct the erroneous information in the email (it was just...wrong) and told her why I couldn't support her views. I also told her that I just didn't have the time or energy to debate with her and that these exchanges do nothing but raise my blood pressure, so could she please not send me any more political emails?

I also told her to please send me pictures of the kids instead and that I loved her. It was the most freeing thing I've done in awhile.

We don't always have to engage. We don't always have to repeat ourselves. And when I do, anyway, I'm really trying right now to be my better self.

Thanks for taking this topic on, Gena.

Laurie

thank you thank you thank you

Erin Kotecki Vest — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:13:27 -0500

I know I need to pull back at times, and this is a great reminder. I hope everyone reads this post

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

Thankyou

kazari — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:00:35 -0500

With this election looming, I think there's been a change to the language in blogher. I think we're all still being civil, but often there is a tone of dismissiveness or just a lack of respect that I hadn't seen here before.

I think your post is timely and I hope it helps : )

I was happy to link to you!

sassymonkey — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:54:59 -0500

I frequently gripe to anyone that will listen that there just aren't enough Canadian women blogging about issues. Of course, I don't blog about them on my personal blogs either so I'm one the people I gripe about. I'm really happy to see so many women blogging about the Canadian election this fall.

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

WOMA is important for bloggers

Denise — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:49:12 -0500

I actually recommended your blog to someone a couple of weeks ago. :-)

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

I haven't been

Deaf Mom — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:52:43 -0500

I haven't been "discovered" yet. :)

What thrills me though, is to learn who's reading my blog through word of mouth-- my cousin's co-worker, my children's audiologist, my parent's neighbors in another state. I'm always in awe that someone takes the time to actually read what I write!

Karen Putz

"Life is too short to pout all the time."

A Deaf Mom Shares Her World

Hands & Voices

SW Flight Attendant

apietrangelo — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:26:08 -0500

I don't think she was an attendant on our flight. She probably has a "Google Alert" set for Southwest Airlines and likes to read what people are saying. In any case, it was good followup customer service and good PR for Southwest. Good for her! She gave me a smile.

Ann Pietrangelo

My Website: AnnPietrangelo.com