Good bye

There's one thing I don't agree with at all:

ORIGINAL: Boo1129

I have NEVER personally attacked anyone...in any thread or by pm....

What do you call these:

ORIGINAL: Boo1129
Kinda sad that someone is that paranoid...Someday people are going to wake up and realize this is the internet and to take it this seriously requires a trip to the pharmacy for a refill of prozac...

ORIGINAL: Boo1129
*previously edited content*

Those seem like personal attacks to me! [&:] And the thread that you started- "I have some great news", just to "announce" that you were staying.... That was definitely mocking Jean. You went on the offense and started a whole thread just to do that.

I definitely understand that no one is perfect. I DEFINITELY know that I'm not perfect. But, for goodness sakes don't claim to have never attacked anyone when you've clearly done it on this very thread! [:-]

I just received a pm from a person listed as mod who thinks I should apologize publically.
 
I didn't realize this particular mod was involved in the decision to allow puppy millers and bybs to advertise here and wasn't actually thinking of them. But the implication was that I better do it or else.
 
I cannot change the fact that after some new mods were here, there was a decision to allow "breeders" to advertise here and that several of us longtime members epxressed discontent with that, for good reason. I cannot change the fact that another mod here set up another forum immediately for those of us who might disenchanted enough to leave. And I can't change the fact that our voices were heard and that decision was countermanded and we have stayed.
 
If none of the new mods had anything to do with and it was purely a decision from the host, a commercial website, then I do owe an apology and I spoke innacurately in saying another mod was involved.
 
But I don't care to be threatened. How do I express this? I shall never be afraid to speak the truth as I see it. And this does get me in hot water, from time to time.
 
And Kelly, where do you want to meet and I can tell you in person why I think it's okay for Glenda to post her thread once a year and just how popular that thread is? And how I have contributed two years in a row. A minor redemption for me, a big dog that had my nose rubbed in my mess, beat with whatever was handy, guilty of some sins of my own, trying to find an exit ramp off of the Highway to Hell.

Tamara if you read my thread...I said that after someone posts something like that then people go to defense mode....I posted those things after the OP said hateful hurtful things (and untrue but I have no way of proving it)....I said I too posted things that weren't nice in that thread..Perhaps you should read my whole thread before you make assumptions about what I wrote...And I wasn't mocking her...I was simply making a statement about all the "goodbye threads" It was just a light thread to defuse the other one....which I knew was going to turn nasty...I think they are silly...unless you are leaving for some medical reason or not going to have internet why bother posting a big I'm leaving and never coming back....all of you are mean to me thread?????( AND I know i'm not the only one who feels this way...) I have a cake board I belong to...Some people there were fighting and acting crazy about a girl being a lesbian there...So ya know what I did?? I just quietly left....I go there to check out pics and whatnot but I never participate in any discussions anymore...Simple as that..I don't care what anyone thinks of me on this board that doesn't know me...I'm an honest person who tells it straight....People who know me know it takes me a long time to get pushed far enough to let myself get this angry over somthing so stupid...And thats what this is stupid...Someone getting paranoid and trying to make a big stink before she leaves to make other people uncomfortable  and ruin her standing with the forum...Like I said before if there really was this big attack on her...Wouldn't the mods have handled it?? 

ORIGINAL: rwbeagles

I must say that I rarely had any correspondence, or red ink, from the mods before the current crop of what Jean refers to as "trolls" arrived.

 

Anne do clarify....you consider the new mods trolls...or you consider them under the influence of trolls...or you conider the trolls responsible for your posts red ink in some way?
 
I'm curious as to the connection you are trying to make here...

I'm surprised that you would assume that I think mods are trolls, but it does speak to the reversal in the way that some of the older members here are now perceived. 

Forming cliques on an internet forum, using secret codes and collectively bullying and mocking others behind their backs is no different than forming cliques, using secret codes and bullying and mocking others in HIGH SCHOOL. 

This really speaks to the issue, doesn't it?  As someone who has spent little time "behind the scenes", but has been accused many times of being there or forming cliques, I am really disgusted with the level to which some people will go.  If we confined ourselves to dog discussions, and took the high school bullying off to a Yahoo group, that might be more productive. 

BTW, my use of the word "trolls" was precipitated by terminology used by jeano in her post.  But, if the shoe fits...  Trolling is usually defined as posting for the specific purpose of inciting trouble.  Debate is not trolling, and non-personal heated arguments over a topic are not trolling, IMO.  But, specific posts meant to harass, or specifically directed at an individual are usually considered so.  If you are not a troll, you should not take offense to the use of the word to describe troll-like behavior.

ORIGINAL: ron2

I just received a pm from a person listed as mod who thinks I should apologize publically.

I didn't realize this particular mod was involved in the decision to allow puppy millers and bybs to advertise here and wasn't actually thinking of them. But the implication was that I better do it or else.

I cannot change the fact that after some new mods were here, there was a decision to allow "breeders" to advertise here and that several of us longtime members epxressed discontent with that, for good reason. I cannot change the fact that another mod here set up another forum immediately for those of us who might disenchanted enough to leave. And I can't change the fact that our voices were heard and that decision was countermanded and we have stayed.

If none of the new mods had anything to do with and it was purely a decision from the host, a commercial website, then I do owe an apology and I spoke innacurately in saying another mod was involved.

But I don't care to be threatened. How do I express this? I shall never be afraid to speak the truth as I see it. And this does get me in hot water, from time to time.

And Kelly, where do you want to meet and I can tell you in person why I think it's okay for Glenda to post her thread once a year and just how popular that thread is? And how I have contributed two years in a row. A minor redemption for me, a big dog that had my nose rubbed in my mess, beat with whatever was handy, guilty of some sins of my own, trying to find an exit ramp off of the Highway to Hell.

I fail to see how it is improper, on a forum supposedly dedicated to the welfare of dogs, to point out that we are not supportive of puppy mills, byb's, and the like.  If someone who is a moderator makes an error in judgment, and thinks it's fine to list those things here, or if the administration does so, and the membership asks for a reversal, to me that is indicative that you are fortunate to have an enlightened, educated membership.  Those are the kinds of people who could remain your staunchest supporters for doing the right thing.  I would be more impressed if anyone who was involved simply admitted the mistake, thanked the membership for their dedication to the welfare of dogs, and found ways to enlist their support on important issues.  Most major corporations have a "community" mission, or volunteer matching situation that could benefit from such a large following - after all, we have members all over the country and beyond. 

ORIGINAL: Boo1129

Tamara if you read my thread...I said that after someone posts something like that then people go to defense mode....

What you said wasn't defense, it was offense. There was absolutely no need for the comments like [color=#ff0000]*previously removed content referenced* "time for a refill on the prozac". It wasn't like you were being caring, more like implying that she was a crazy person. That was an attack, plain and simple.[/color]

Tamara seriously....i'm not even going to bother to debate this with you anymore...I have better things to do with my time..like exercise and walk my dogs...Dogs need lots of excercise and play time to keep them happy and healthy...

I don't know what's going on, but I'll say that, Jeano, you probably won't return after what has been said in this thread, but I hope that you do.

I have encountered a few nasty remarks being said (well, moreso IMPLIED) towards me as an owner, and most hurtfully, my dog specifically AND her breed. I contemplated leaving and only remaining in touch with those that I've formed closer relationships with, but I haven't been able to bring myself to do it. I've been APALLED by threads in the past that *I* have been DUMBFOUNDED about because it appeared to *me* that as dog owners I couldn't believe the justification for some of the irresponsible actions that some of us as supposed responsible dog owners, would allow.

But it was all my opinion. And I'm going to *try* to ignore those posters that have offended me because this place is useful. And just as useful as it is to me, I hope I can be just as useful back.

Now, I was PMed a while back because I linked my website (which I sell products on) in my sig. This was MY fault, I had access to the rules and didn't even think to read them. HOW'S THAT FOR STUPID? I was asked nicely by a mod to remove the link. I did so without a problem. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a tad offended when I was asked, but I thought I handled it well.

Until I made a snarky remark in another thread making it clear that my feelings were hurt. I was wrong then, too.

But my site was for BUSINESS. I still don't like the rule and I don't have to, but I have to follow it and it's much more pleasant for all those involved (mainly myself) if I follow it without any "lip".

But IF there is EVER a member business forum or anything like that made here, you'd better bet I'm going to be on it.[]


I understand the difference between linking a business site and linking a blog or a ticker.
It's sad that a non-business site cannot be linked. Surely, the line should be clear on that one.


I didn't know you well, Jeano, but it's always sad to see a long-standing member go especially when it's because they were so upset and offended by something. Like I said, I DO hope you return when you feel ready.

Wouldn't the mods have handled it??

No, they wouldn't of handled it.  My experience has been they either don't respond at all or they tell BOTH parties to knock it off or they will be banned or suspended or whatever it is they do.  I've had a few issues with people here and EVERY time I've PM'd mods that's been the outcome even with parts of posts to back up what I was saying, copies of PM's, ect.

ORIGINAL: Boo1129

Tamara seriously....i'm not even going to bother to debate this with you anymore...I have better things to do with my time..like exercise and walk my dogs...Dogs need lots of excercise and play time to keep them happy and healthy...

LOL, that's fine. Don't even try to lecture me that dogs need lots of play time. I've been up since 4:30 this morning and the dogs have been walked... It's not like I'm not doing lots of things as well. I'm getting ready to go on a 3 day trip to the mountains and in between doing stuff to get ready have been taking breaks on this forum. It's obvious that no one is changing their opinion, but I just had to say my piece.

I'm an infrequent poster but I have always enjoyed Jean's posts and the "Alaskan perspective". At first I was somewhat confused because I didnt' know why she was leaving. After reading her blog and reading the subsequent attacks that occured in this thread i'm sad to say that I understand and hope that she is not still reading. Many of the comments to her goodbye were just unecessary and mean (they've already been quoted so I don't have to). Jean I hope you come back, membership in boards changes with time, take a break and I certainly understand.
As for links in signatures, personally I loved it... member business like Ella's Lead don't "offend" me, in fact I think it makes it easy to find products I am interested in and I don't understand how it competes with dog.com, I also love supporting me,bers if I can so I HOPE there is a member business link and soon since I rarely read profiles... it stinks to hve to guess who has a personal business I might be interested in... WAY more convenient to have it in link form. Further, solicitation of support for the MS walk or Jean's dog rescue makes this board feel like more of a community. If you dont' want to support them, don't and ignore the thread... that simple. I've been a memeber since the board changed hands and moved from idog I just dont' post a lot. It is the very issues that Jean experienced that prevent me from being more invovled than I am.

There's a difference between forming immature "alliances" and attacking Jean than forming "friendships" on a board, a big difference.

I'll miss your posts Jean.

PS - if there is a member businesses section it shoudl be set so that the posts don't disappear when they get old... the member should not have ot constantly "bump" his or her posts, it'd be great if that thread is "sticky" Thanks

ron2, spiritdogs, pollypuzu:
 
I'd like to know which "Christians" you're calling out in this thread.  I made a couple of posts to Jean asking her to look at her reasons for posting a message such as this and asking her to consider that there might be more empowering ways for her to transform her hurt in this situation.  I was direct in my comments, and I clearly owned what was mine in those statements.  I stated how her post occurred to me...and did NOT cast judgment on who she is as a person.  I asked her to simply look and see if there was an opportunity for her to ask for what she needed. 
 
This is what the LORD says:
       "Stand at the crossroads and look;
       ask for the ancient paths,
       ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
       and you will find rest for your souls.
       But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'
Jer. 6:16

We could disable signatures altogether - no text, no pictures, no links. How would everyone like that?
 
Oh, and all posts could be switched over so that they need moderator approval before becoming live. How would everyone like that?
 
That's what it's going to come down to, and it's sad. Mods and admins do their best to keep everything in line, but we can't police this place 24/7. The catty, mean spirited behavior needs to stop. Now.
 
Regarding the classified thing - if you recall, that was the decision of the owners, and was implemented across all our forums. It was removed on dog and horse. If you want to learn more, look up the thread. Don't assume that the mods were okay with it. It's gone, move on.
 
Regarding the mods handling things - we do our best to view each situation impartially. We even consult with each other to make sure that we are not playing favorites. If it's decided between us that each party needs a warning, so be it. It's the internet - move on.
 
Regarding the business section - I still think it's a great idea. Any suggestions as to minimum requirements for membership? Number of posts? Duration of membership?

Personal Champ - I personally liked the old requirements of "member for a year", but I think 6 months would suffice as well. Anyone looking to spam is not going to sit around waiting for six months just to get a post about a personal for profit business. I think a sticky thread with member business woudl suffice that way no reposting is necessary and we would all know where to look if we thought to ourselves "gee I forget who it was that made leashes orpainted awesome pics"
I hope that members are still allowed to post when they are doing walks for charity or shelters. I also really didnt' mind Jean posting for help getting a rescue dog when I thought about it. People can choose what they want to contribute to and what they wish to ignore, I like having the option. Personally i wouldn't contribute to something like that due to my financial situation but if I was in a better place Id LOVE to help a longstanding member in a rescue situation. I had lots of people offer two years ago to help me when Oliver had surgery that failed and I was 5,000 in the hole. While I didn't take them up on that, the sense of community i felt back then and the support is something missing now. It reminds me of that movie where one good deed travelled around with lots of people doing nice things for others... I like that feelings WAY better than the feeling in a lot of threads lately.

ORIGINAL: Personal Champ
Regarding the business section - I still think it's a great idea. Any suggestions as to minimum requirements for membership? Number of posts? Duration of membership?

I think, and I'll state my reasoning in a sec., that there should be at least a 50 post minimum for the business section. That way it doesn't get bogged down with people who DO just come here to spam the boards with their products.
Yes, I think they should have to have 50 posts before being able to post in the business section.
That gives people enough time to start to realize whether or not they want to remain here and become active members here. If they remain active members, by reaching that 50 posts, then they can post their business stuff.

Have you guys considered forcing people to do an introduction thread in the intro forum before granting them permission to post and be members?

I belong to boards like that.