[JessicaS]

With the recent upheaval in FYT I figured things would be a bit chaotic in Activism as well, this is understandable.

**BUT** I am really wondering what is up with the board lately. The snarky levels have reached all time limits and some of the posting behavior is just ..well...erratic.

We asked people not to post about other threads, this continued. This is not new, this rules has been in place for years now. Regardless of what other threads are on the boards it is still against the rules and will still be enforced.

Also, this is not a DEBATE board. Debate is of course, permitted HOWEVER this is a discussion board. If this was a debate board we might actually enforce actual debate and not just a bunch of "nice link...

your source sucks blah blah blah"

If you wish to post an interesting link, story or opinion go ahead but you don't have to chase other people around the board asking for an argument...if they wish to disagree with you they will.

We do have some some support threads going on while we are trying to redefine FYT we asked nicely for no flames to occurr on those threads. That will be enforced. I am not saying you can't disagree or ask questions but *flaming* the thread is just well...the EXACT opposite of what the mods said and we'll remove the posts.

I would never be so silly to say that activism should be one big mama love fest. This is a diverse community with many strong willed and opinionated (that is a compliment in my family :LOL) parents and I WANT this to remain a diverse community. I am not saying we all have to agree and hug everyone in all the threads we post on...that would just be..well boring and NOT what I think Mothering is all about.

To me, Mothering implies passionate people who have very strong views on many different subject. People who take the time to learn about something, form an opinion and then defend it.

Dissent is fine. Disagree with me..fine I don't care but the rules must be adhered to. Let's all CALM DOWN a little. All I am asking is we all try and stay within the rules better. I am not at all saying we suddenly start shooting love beams from our belly buttons anyone tries and disagrees, just asking if we can stick within the rules a little better when we do disagree.

(using plural cause I have been bad before too..

)

 

[librarymom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by abimommy **BUT** I am really wondering what is up with the board lately. The snarky levels have reached all time limits and some of the posting behavior is just ..well...erratic.

abimommy--will you tell me what exactly snarky means? I think I have the jist, but want to make sure. Thanks!

Also--what did you mean by erratic?? Posting in conflicting ways? Or conflicting threads? Again, thank you. It's hard to be new with all the established lingo.

 

[Rainbow]

I didn't think we were being all that erotic

ohhhhh, erratic... well maybe :LOL

I think it is just a phase.

As I was telling Cynthia- FYT threads were homes, safe havens, and the sudden change without much time for us to prepare or warning were shut down and changed. Many of us just don't do well with such sudden change. Especially when it affects our special places. It'll settle

 

[JessicaS]

snarky is like all sarcastic and cranky

 

[tiffani]

I think the major difference between "support" threads based on religion/EBF/FF/etc and "support" threads based on politics is that the political decisions that people make directly affect us, therefore, we feel a strong need to speak our minds when something this important is at stake.

I'm sure that if I were to get together with the conservative moms in other threads we'd find we have much in common regarding natural family living (I hope so, or why else would they be here) but their political views bother me, and I can't help but say so -- I'm trying to be as nice as I can!

 

[Hilary Briss]

Quote:

I'm sure that if I were to get together with the conservative moms in other threads we'd find we have much in common regarding natural family living

I doubt it. I've heard they eat their young.

 

[*Erin*]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hilary Briss I doubt it. I've heard they eat their young.

*snarf*

 

[hotmamacita]

That is a perfect example of snarky.

 

[JessicaS]

Thanks Briss.

I knew I could count on you.

actually that wasn't what I meant by snarky that is more smarta$$ness, but there are no examples that are still on the boards...hmmm...I guess I meant really mean flames. That sort of thing still has to stay within the rules.

by erratic I meant well...more flaming than usual..heh

tiffani, I don't mean at all you can't speak your mind, that would be crazy this is Mothering, not Bushering

...ya I know I am sorry for the Republicans, I know I am an evil Democrat who makes rude Bush jokes.

**insert random snotty Clinton cigar comment to make things fair**

 

[BusyMommy]

Quote:

start shooting love beams from our belly buttons

I'd like to see that smiley.

It's too bad you can't just sticky a disclaimer at the top: Do not enter if you ... ;ie. love Bush, etc. And, then if someone came over and got their nose out of joint, it's their own issue.

Don't you think this is a snarky time in general, though?

It sure doesn't affect my judgement of someone's parenting skills, but I'm honest to God shocked that real people really do support the war and our current politics. I mean, I just don't understand.

 

[MamaSoleil]

Quote:

Don't you think this is a snarky time in general, though?

Yes. These are very snarky times, in general.

 

[Victorian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by abimommy shooting love beams from our belly buttons

Then is would be Carebearing.com and not Mothering.com!

:

Victorian

 

[Jenne]

tiffani "I think the major difference between "support" threads based on religion/EBF/FF/etc and "support" threads based on politics is that the political decisions that people make directly affect us, therefore, we feel a strong need to speak our minds when something this important is at stake."

Hmmm...I would like to point out that there are people outside of this community who feel the need to point out/criticize/debate/question
EBF/FF/co-sleeping/AP in general because they believe that parenting decisions do "directly affect us" in terms of producing functioning adults and they feel the need to speak their minds at the drop of a hat with or without our consent. For most of us, it is just iritating and not productive...we believe our choices are the right ones for us...politics is the same...it is a personal decision based on what a person feels is best for him/her/the country...instead of repeatedly trying to debate and argue with the conservative/pro-Bush camp why don't you volunteer with whatever candidate you could support? OR at the very least recognize that there is no difference between MY decision to EBF and how I intend to vote--I may want support here for either but not want to debate because they are both personal/family issues.

>but their political views bother me, and I can't help but say so -- I'm trying >to be as nice as I can!

One *can* help but say so, just as when one sees a Momma do something one doesn't agree with in public i.e. not AP or GD and one wheels one's cart right on by...politics as religion as parenting tactics are personal choices and I believe need to be respected as such...

Cool breezes,

Jenne

 

[TexasSuz]

I totally agree Jenne! You rock!

 

[tiffani]

See, I'm the type of person who DOES say something to the mother who yanks on her daughter's hair, the father who smacks his kid, etc. I can't just sit back and let blatant abuse take place right in front of me and not do something about it. I feel the same way about a vote for bush. AND, I'm not basing this on opinion editorials, but on the many many many alternative news sources that we have at our disposal in this the glorious age of the internet -- it's much harder for politicians (dems and reps) to hide their dirty little secrets these days and I thank bill gates for that!

Don't worry though, I'm done arguing with you. It seems that most conservatives on this board only want to hear SUPPORTIVE things about bush, and I can't find any conservative sources I'd trust--they all seem to benefit financially/politically in some way from his dirty deeds.

I'm going to try to track down someone who'll give me a hard time about tandem nursing my 2 & 4 YO so I can fight with them...

(just kidding)

 

[TiredX2]

Quote:

It seems that most conservatives on this board only want to hear SUPPORTIVE things about bush, and I can't find any conservative sources I'd trust--they all seem to benefit financially/politically in some way from his dirty deeds.

I think there are a few who do want to have constructive conversation, but it seems like many/most have discovered that it is just easier to say, "You just always pick on us" and random jabs. What can you do?

I still think that there should be a "political support" thread sabatical while the FYT thing is getting worked out.

JMO,
Kay

 

[chicagomom]

Thanks Jenne.

Quote:

One *can* help but say so, just as when one sees a Momma do something one doesn't agree with in public i.e. not AP or GD and one wheels one's cart right on by...politics as religion as parenting tactics are personal choices and I believe need to be respected as such...

I understand and can relate to your desire to just feel supported in your politics sometimes. No one likes to feel criticized, and politics certainly does form part of all of our personal consciousnesses (is that a word?)

I think many people on this board feel passionately that the Constitution, our way of life, and global human rights are at stake in this election. Just tremendously important, serious issues with immediate impact. So asking them to refrain from trying to persuade others re these issues seems like going against what makes them MDC mommas. Would you ask people living during the Revolutionary War to not say anything about the King? (btw, *not* equating Bush w/the King - I think both sides feel equally passionate

).

These are not personal issues, they are public. We will all share the leader picked in November.

Re other support boards, my being Catholic does not require you to also be bound by the Catholic catechism. My ebf does not require you to ebf. But my choice of President may require you to have him as your President (if enough others vote the same way). So, if you feel I am making a bad choice it is reasonable IMO that you would try to persuade me to change my opinion. (Obviously, I will have a greater chance of doing so if I'm not so snarky, but that's an argument more of tone than substance.)

Regarding our political choices being the 'right ones for us,' the problem is that with politics it's no longer a personal decision for our families, like, say, choosing a car. Your choice may tremendously affect not only my life and that of my family, it could affect the whole world. That is the power of your vote.

As such, debate and thoughtful inquiry, though troublesome and upsetting, is also our duty as citizens. My mind sure has been changed by reading and hearing views different from mine. Views about our political leaders and the issues they represent *should* change when new information is brought to light; it shouldn't be a matter of ideology and support 'right or wrong.'

That doesn't necessarily mean switching parties (I hate the two party system anyway); it might mean instead writing a letter to your Congressperson or the President, or otherwise getting involved in some particular issue that you feel passionately about. Or telling others about what you've heard and hoping that shedding light on the issue will sway public consensus (which does have an impact on how our representatives vote).

Witness McCain openly criticizing the President's policy vis a vis Iraq. McCain still supports the Republican Party and is working to change things from within the party. Same thing with Powell. But that doesn't mean he shouldn't speak up and tell people they're wrong.

Sorry to bend your ear for so long.

 

[RachelGS]

Chicagomom, that was very well-said.

 

[TexasSuz]

I think that you gals just don't get it. The support only thread thing has been worked out. You are allowed to post where ever you want - even in threads that you disagree with the OP. But that does not mean that people have to respond to you or engage in the discussion that you want to start. Not one conservative poster has gone into the ABB thread to discuss politics, put a little nasty throw-up smiley, or to tell people that they are believing lies about Kerry and need to be "informed" of the truth! They have continued to have their own chit-chat and politcal talk. But for some reason it really bothers people here that conservatives want the same thing.

Now, if you want to start a thread about a particular topic or questions about conservative politcs some conservatives might respond - goodcents did this. But the majority of the negative posts in the Voting for Bush thread have been insulting and not worth a response. Sorry but I do not care to respond to someone telling me that after 4 more years of Bush I will see how awful he is - why waste the energy on such negativity.

Sorry you are not getting the "constructive conversation" you desire but have you ever thought that a Voting for Bush thread is not the place to look for that conversation. Also many of the posters still seem to want to educate or persuade us conservatives and that is insulting to us.

 

[TexasSuz]

Most conservatives here "get it" that you think it is your "civic duty" to tell us why we are wrong.

Another reason why we don't respond...