posted September 21, 2004 04:31 PM              

But I have something to say, and I'm going to say it. I'm going to be serious for a moment, in the *hope* that it may do some good.

The heart of the matter is this: this isn't a friendly forum. When 26 said that I was amazed at how simply the whole matter could be stated.

Few people will walk away from the Global Unity forum feeling they have participated in any kind of discussion that could possibly unify the globe. Instead, they walk away sickened in the heart from wasted hours of debating U.S. politics. I've read the front page of this site and the forum description for Global Unity and neither describes anything like what goes on here.

Most people also walk away from this forum feeling that it is jwhop's forum. It is. And you are not encouraging good behavior, jwhop. YOU deliberately and blatantly insult people ALL THE TIME. I could dig up thousands of examples -- direct quotes -- of you doung this, but I won't waste my time or insult anyone's intelligence by doing so. We've all seen it -- and/or felt it.

I thought that Lindaland was a place where people shared their thoughts, not tried to batter each other into submission with them. But that's exactly what happens here. Very little tolerance going on in GU. I'd say next to none.

Randall, this is your website and I hold you responsible for it. YOU haven't encouraged good behavior either. I'm sorry if you feel like the Lone Republican in a site full of "left wingers", but you are Capricorn and therefore realistic, so what did you expect? Your average conservative/Christian/Republican doesn't dig metaphysics. Statistics are available, look it up yourself. But feeling different doesn't make it right for you to play favorites, and yes, you have. Several months ago I was involved in one of the usual heated bruhaha's here in GU -- jwhop on one side and anyone who dared to disagree with him on the other -- and I watched you "tell everyone off" in your quiet, respectful manner. Everyone but jwhop, that is. You CONSISTENTLY ignore his ugly and blatant insults, and I can't respect that. Sorry if you feel you need him, but if he's a true friend he wouldnt mind you re-minding him to be civil, the way you re-mind the rest of us at times.

I think it's a shame, a damned shame, that I can't come here and share my point of view without being called, by turns, a Liberal, an anarchist, a poisoned left-wing Kool-Aid drinker, and so on and so on. Go back through my posts, all of them, see what kind of provocation it takes for me to even *approach* that level. I always come from a stance of respect and courtesy, but everyone has their limit, and yes I am human, and sometimes I am pushed too far. This is a clear contrast to jwhop, who often is as demeaning as possible with his very first post.

Lindaland doesn't need you jwhop. You don't spread Love and Light. You spread insults and hurt feelings. We're not interested in "proving" what we believe to you. Why should we have to? Most of us Knowflakes come here to share and discuss our ideas, not to try and "win" a debate. So just stuff it, old man. Go to some website that is SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED for the kind of arguing you like to do -- there are plenty, I've looked -- 'cause either Lindaland ISNT designed for that -- or it's guilty of false advertising. **Looks sharply at Randall**

posted September 21, 2004 04:45 PM              

My point is one about civility.

posted September 21, 2004 04:51 PM            

Perhaps you should spend more time focused on what you should be doing and less on others. Your posts are rife with YOU YOU YOU. Look inwards before pointing outwards.

posted September 21, 2004 04:57 PM              

I apologize to those whom I have offended, and I will not make anymore insulting posts designed to hurt other people's feelings.

posted September 21, 2004 05:08 PM            

Big kisses, everyone else.

But to be truthful, I would fell a whole heck of a lot better if ppl would take the time to RESPECT each other. It's really hard to try and share your voice when others constantly try and stifle it.

And to all those who think that it's just because I don't agree with jwhop, it's not, it's because I have total and utter respect for all those who respect me. I give respect to EVERYONE, pretty much all the time. I am an Aquarian, and we do pretty much try and be friends with everyone we cross paths with. But you can only give so much, before you realize you're not getting the same in return.... which is not fair. (Blame that on my Libra triplicate).

posted September 21, 2004 06:27 PM              

Bush and Bush-bashing is NOT the point. You re-name this forum from "Global Unity" to "U.S. Politics", I'll shut up about that. I will not let anyone sidetrack the meaning of this string, which is that this forum is hostile. Last time I checked, hostility was the enemy of Unity.

And based on the fact that jwhop is still here, I'd have to conclude that the "insult line" you speak of is far, far off in the distance, where no one's in any danger of crossing it.

I'm not taking shots at this site, I'm telling it that it could -- and should -- be a lot more responsible with itself. I'm acting toward it in as loving a manner as I know how -- trying to point out its weaknesses and mistakes in a simple, objective manner, as I would to any entity honestly interested in its own spiritual evolution.

posted September 21, 2004 06:57 PM              

And for the record, Randall, you said something that I do respect, a lot: "GU is here to keep these hot Topics isolated to one Forum instead of scattered about. That way, those who don't want to participate don't have to be exposed to it." That makes a lot of sense, and now that you point it out to me so clearly, I see it. Good thinking, then. But I still think we're better than to need such tricks and divisions.

And you know it's unfair of you to say my intention is to stir up negativity.

I aplogize to anyone I may have offended, and I will not make insulting posts designed to hurt other people's feelings.

That's stirring up negativity???

Sorry, this is my little ("left-wing"?) protest rally. I'm exercising my Constitutional right to peacable assemble. Trying to motivate a group of people to action.

posted September 21, 2004 07:27 PM            

I've seen people here vehemently disagree with jwhop and others in particular threads, only to go on to other threads where help was solicited from each other, politely and respectfully.

Paras, God/dess created all things in balance, light and dark, night and day, positive and negative. Down to every atom, no matter which way you split it, there must be both positive and negative for it to exist.

Don't run from negativity. Embrace it and learn from it. Negativity exists because it must, to achieve balance in all things, including LL.

And paras, for the record, perception being what it will (including yours), you began this post with loads of accusations and judgements. That sort of judgement itself is negative.

I've never been crazy about the thought police or anything that is too PC, and I admire Randall for ruling his Land with a loose hand. After all, to achieve Global Unity, free expression must also remain an inalienable right.

posted September 21, 2004 10:18 PM              

I FEEL AS THOUGH I AM ALREADY FAILING EVERYONE IN SOME WAY BECAUSE MY PRESENCE HERE AS A MODERATOR HAS DONE LITTLE TO MITIGATE THIS FORUM'S TENSE ENVIRONMENT. I HAVE BEEN TRYING VERY HARD TO LET EVERYONE SAY THEIR PIECE AND NOT TO BE OVERLY INVOLVED TO THE POINT WHERE I AM SIMPLY FUNCTIONING AS A "POSTING BABYSITTER". I TRUST THAT EVERYONE CAN HANDLE HIS OR HER OWN AND SO MY INVOLVEMENT IN THE WAY OF ACTUAL "REPRIMAND" IS FAIRLY MINIMAL. I DO NOT THINK IT IS ALWAYS NECESSARY TO REPRIMAND ONE WHO HAS ACTED IN A LESS THAN ADMIRABLE MANNER. INSTEAD, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO APPEAL TO THE HIGHER IDEALS IN ALL OF YOU AND IN THE PROCESS, MYSELF AS WELL. I BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE RESPOND MUCH MORE APTLY TO AN APPEAL TO THEIR BRIGHTER SIDE AS OPPOSED TO A LASHING OUT AGAINST THEIR DARKER SIDE. AGAIN, IT APPEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN FAILING IN MY EFFORTS AND PERHAPS I NEED TO STEP IT UP A NOTCH.

PLEASE, CONSIDER THIS A "SUGGESTION" BOX INVITATION. I AM ANXIOUS TO LEARN HOW I MIGHT BE ABLE TO BETTER SERVE THE NEEDS OF EVERYONE HERE IN SUCH A WAY THAT FOSTERS A MEASURE OF GREATER UNDERSTANDING.

I KNOW THAT WE AIM TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF LEARNING AND SHARING INFORMATION BUT HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE AN ENVIRONMENT WHEREBY PEOPLE ARE GENUINE IN THEIR INTENT TO TRULY UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER? I THINK I WILL MAKE THE FIRST SUGGESTION AND PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF IT IS IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE REALM OF POSSIBILITY FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS SITE: