HollyS
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2007
- Messages
- 6,105
This is an open letter to all of PS not just the ATW thread:
I think we are all just about the smartest group of people on any blog/forum, anywhere. We''re pretty well educated and informed; we read for edification and enlightenment as well as pleasure; we watch the news pretty carefully. We don''t always see world and national events through the same filter; but we do make educated decisions for ourselves based upon what we see. Because we are very intelligent, we are also willing and able to defend our beliefs and to appreciate those on the opposite side of the fence who can do the same. It is perhaps then a normal by-product of our beliefs and intelligence, that we become ''spirited'' in our debates with each other. Which one of us doesn''t enjoy our own (or someone else''s) "oh, SNAP!" comment that pins the tail on the proverbial donkey? If we''re honest, we can all admit to a certain level of satisfaction in creating a snappy rejoinder to a post we find a bit too full of itself.
I prefer to think that we do these things because we enjoy the process; not because we are ''out to get'' someone. I prefer to believe that we all appreciate each other''s intellect, if not each other''s politics; and that when we get a little too passionate in defending our position, it is not with the intent to ''draw blood'' from our opponent.
I''ve taken stock of my recent comments about remaining a PS member, and what I believed to be going wrong here. I''d like to share with you what I''ve decided.
PS is a great community; one of the best online communities ever. Many members agree that they''ve tried other forums; we''re tops. Head and shoulders above the rest. Do you know why? Because we care. Someone has a question? We''ve got answers. Maybe too many
, but we have them. Someone has serious problems? We''ve got empathy and thoughtful advice. Someone''s experiencing tragedy? We''re praying ''round the clock with them. Natural disasters? We offer up our homes to evacuees (bless you, luckystar112).
We''ve celebrated each other''s engagements, weddings, anniversaries, babies, promotions, and new homes. We''ve prayed/mourned with one another through illnesses, deaths, divorces, miscarriages, disasters, and countless other problems. We are family; if not in the physical sense, certainly in the emotional sense.
This is what I''ve decided: I need my family. I hope you all feel that way, too. There is something very comforting about being able to sit down anywhere, anytime, and log on to PS, and find someone at the other end. Whatever is going on with us, even if all we need is company, we know we can find solace, friendship, empowerment, hope and more here at PS. How awesome is that?!
I want you all to know that I value each and every one of you; I care about who you are and what makes you tick; I accept you just as you are, regardless of our ''differences''; and I consider all of you to be my friends. I hope I am yours.
I think we are all just about the smartest group of people on any blog/forum, anywhere. We''re pretty well educated and informed; we read for edification and enlightenment as well as pleasure; we watch the news pretty carefully. We don''t always see world and national events through the same filter; but we do make educated decisions for ourselves based upon what we see. Because we are very intelligent, we are also willing and able to defend our beliefs and to appreciate those on the opposite side of the fence who can do the same. It is perhaps then a normal by-product of our beliefs and intelligence, that we become ''spirited'' in our debates with each other. Which one of us doesn''t enjoy our own (or someone else''s) "oh, SNAP!" comment that pins the tail on the proverbial donkey? If we''re honest, we can all admit to a certain level of satisfaction in creating a snappy rejoinder to a post we find a bit too full of itself.
I prefer to think that we do these things because we enjoy the process; not because we are ''out to get'' someone. I prefer to believe that we all appreciate each other''s intellect, if not each other''s politics; and that when we get a little too passionate in defending our position, it is not with the intent to ''draw blood'' from our opponent.
I''ve taken stock of my recent comments about remaining a PS member, and what I believed to be going wrong here. I''d like to share with you what I''ve decided.
PS is a great community; one of the best online communities ever. Many members agree that they''ve tried other forums; we''re tops. Head and shoulders above the rest. Do you know why? Because we care. Someone has a question? We''ve got answers. Maybe too many
We''ve celebrated each other''s engagements, weddings, anniversaries, babies, promotions, and new homes. We''ve prayed/mourned with one another through illnesses, deaths, divorces, miscarriages, disasters, and countless other problems. We are family; if not in the physical sense, certainly in the emotional sense.
This is what I''ve decided: I need my family. I hope you all feel that way, too. There is something very comforting about being able to sit down anywhere, anytime, and log on to PS, and find someone at the other end. Whatever is going on with us, even if all we need is company, we know we can find solace, friendship, empowerment, hope and more here at PS. How awesome is that?!
I want you all to know that I value each and every one of you; I care about who you are and what makes you tick; I accept you just as you are, regardless of our ''differences''; and I consider all of you to be my friends. I hope I am yours.