First, this is a post responding the “Ugly People” post from Ms Allegra.
You have been CC’d as you were on that post or because on a previous interaction you reply was significant in some contribution to the situation.
This is only me 3rd post on this entire thread of 600+ comments, thus my contribution is less than 1/2 of 1%. But, I seem to have been the catalyst of a very volatile mix of previous events. Most of which, none of you had been aware. And without which, this entire tangent may not have existed at all.
Please, allow me to explain:
But, first, let me say directly, that this “Ugly People” post is spot on, with one grave exception. All people are ugly. We have a rampant sin nature that when the group think takes over, we get ugly. We reveal ourselves. Civility is but the mask of self control. The mob is always, always one incited instant away. So, the “ugly people” thread is both correct in what it does, and totally wrong in who it is and why it is.
Now, “the REST of the Story” (Thanks Paul Harvey)
With most threads, I post just as I have here. I see something to which I either agree, or disagree and I make a bold statement or a questioning accusation. And then, I defend that position if necessary. Clearly, in this case, I saw what looked to be some few folks, having it “both ways” Tough on terror, but weak on application of it. And so I asked the tough question: “Where do you draw the line, and then stated, I see NO line, No Quarter”. Allegra, then some 200 posts later, replied. And it was not an answer, it was not a “you misunderstood me, here is what I mean”.
No, it was a rabid attack. And on the surface, totally unwarranted. Most people seemed to agree and some sort of flame war ensued. I was not part of that war. I did not post anything as part of it. Allegra did post one question in that attack “Where the %#@& did I get that idea”. So I did reply “post 86” please explain. She never did. Never replied. And thus, I got no ping and to me this thread was dead.
Little did I know, she had been occupied with 5 of you, engaging in curse words, very nasty comments. Vile and venom and rage! And I am sure you were all left wondering WHY? What in the world was motivating this?
ME.
I was the target of it. But I was not here to get it. Not here to see it. Not lurking, not even remotely aware floating in ignorant bliss.
Well, not in bliss.
You see.. 72 hours ago. I made another post. On anther thread. Where a little girl was attacked by a vicious dog that ripped her head off down to the bone. This poor child will have the rest of her innocent life changed forever. She was 7 years old.
And in that story, it was explained the parents bought this dog, at 8 years old, unknown, and untrained, less than a year before this attack. And my comment was families with small children should NEVER NEVER NEVER adopt such an animal and that if you have children, buy a puppy and raise it with the child and your risks are far less.
That was all. One post. And I didn’t even think it controversial. Just some good advice.
Boy, was I wrong. Turned out, I’d run into a pack of “ugly people”. Within an hour, I had no less than half a dozen people calling me a dog killer and dog hater and so I defended myslef. Told how I was raised on a farm. Had won dog show events with my dog. A 4H ribbon winner. Horse trainer. An Animal Rescue volunteer.
Nope, wasn’t good enough. I was a dog killer who wanted them all dead....
Well, I am not one to back down, so I stayed on this thread for 24 hours.
As these 6 people pinged a dozen more. Telling them only “we have a dog killer here”. So they piled on. And On. And On, And on.
That THREAD is longer than THIS thread. It is now into day 3.
16 or more people... all against me. One.
I am not the gang of “ugly”... I am alone. But I restate my case to every new person they drag on the thread. And with a half dozen I have manged to make a resolved and peaceful rapport. It was FAR from easy. But, I never, never, never, never, give up. The other 1/3 just gave up themselves. They left and to them, I am a Dog Killer. They havn’t read a 600 post thread and won’t. They just moved on.
The other 1/3. About 6 people. Are STILL there. Still posting to and ABOUT me in the 3rd person, as I am not there.
Here is the hook...
Allegra is one of those who joined late. She was pinged, and jumped right into the “get this dog killer bitch” mode.
I’ve never posted to her before. And as I said above... 3 posts here... COUNTING this post. And 3 posts over there.... Counting a reply today to THIS post.
She got caught up in the ugly mob, just yesterday. And drug it over here. When I posted here, I had no idea “who” I was posting to. To me, dogs and Terrorists are entirely differnt subjects.
But to her... I was an ENEMY and this is what ans why such a STRANGE set of events took place on this thread... for no good reason.
And I just wanted to post this, hoping perhaps, that it may calm everyone down.
I don’t think any one of you (and I just read this whole thread this morning) said or did anything to deserve the wrath you received.
I think everyone would do wisely to consider the elements in this “ugly person” post, and remember... any spark... any loosening of self control, and we too, could become ugly.
We are all conservatives here. 80% of us agree on 80%. Let’s debate the 20% with a greater level of restraint.
And now you know,.. the REST of the story.
God Bless.
That is very good advice, would save a lot of people a lot of heartache (some of it severe) if they would follow that simple, common sense guideline.
I know I didn't. Yet I am now being called an "ugly person" by a gutter-mouthed woman who told me to "f*ck off". I have never used such language on FR and never would. Yet the “ugly person” accuses me of being ugly?
Oh the irony! :-)
Thanks for your post, RachaelFaith. It did give insight into what transpired but it falls far short in explaining why an "ugly person" uses such language at FR.
I put my 'Puter away at 8 last night (Good episodes of NCIS!), and just opened it back up, 18 or so hours later. Did an Earthquake occur? The wall's full of daggers that dear friends have been throwing at each other!
I had already forgotten about what was going on yesterday with the FReeper I respect a lot (She's a legend, no sarcasm). We had a disagreement. She was not mean to me in any way, I thought (so I don't know how I got pinged to your post). So there were tough words between FReepers. So the heck what? It's not like that ever happens on FR! /s
Allegra, this is a courtesy ping to you...I don't talk about people without pinging them. You don't have to respond or anything, it's just a practice I learned over the last 12-13 years here. I hope you don't turn me into an Ugly Person or something because of it.