Why is it, that on a site where everybody is supposed to have an equal voice. Where everybody is supposedly free to state their personal beliefs and feelings. Where all the basest of things are stated without censor.
WHY on such a site, did a particular person that I disagreed with on an article, choose to come to my list of articles and randomly give them ones???? That is the most childish thing I have seen yet!! And in the past six weeks, I have read things I NEVER thought normal, intelligent, human beings would say to one another, except maybe in a low class beer joint while highly intoxicated!! And THIS is the great literature site I keep hearing about??
Thankfully, the majority of the people I have met on this site ARE normal, intelligent people, who even if they disagree with me, or I with them, are people with whom I can talk about the subject and either agree or agree to disagree.
I have NEVER called anyone dirty names, cussed at them in my comments, never have I gone and rated articles with ones because I disagree with someone's content or opinions. I may, and sometimes do, state my disagreement in a comment, but that is supposedly what we are allowed to do here, but in a civil manner.
Since my articles that were hit with ones weren't meant to be great literature, I don't take the ones as a commentary on my writing ability. I take them as a sad commentary on this other person's ability to state their feelings in an open and decent manner.
I am so very thankful that most of the people I have had contact with on Gather are not like this. I have met many very smart, witty, humorous, talented, kind, and friendly people here. Those are the people who keep me here. And I will continue defending those I agree with, even if some others don't like it.




Comments: 26
I figure that if people are so upset by what you say that they flag your article or rate it a one, you are clearly doing something right.
You still get points for the drivebys though.
I appreciate each and every one of these comments. You all are great people!
Never fear! I'm very relieved to have stated my feelings about the matter and will be able to go to bed without stewing it over in my mind!
Another lovely lady, by the name of Amy; has a plan. I like it. Let's all try to not write anything negative, or that could be seen as a putdown, and just ignore the people who are negative and leave bad comments and emails. I just "met" her tonight, but she seems to be wise about this situation. Maybe if everyone ignores the bad stuff for awhile, those doing it will finally get bored and stop.
And even if they don't, we will feel better about how we're handling things. I mean...it's Christmas!! Let's be merry, or happy or whatever! LOL!
That's really nice!
The whole point of the article is to reveal that those who do such things are in the minority around here! Aggravating...but part of the price we pay to hang out with the good guys!! lol
Considering the outrageous controversial hot-button topics you address:
"Welcome to Mutts and Mixed Breeds!!"
"A cute joke you can share with the kids... "
5.5 - ????????
"Easy, delicious, chocolate fudge"
ALL have TENS or Very High Ratings.
The ones hit were:
"Only Animals Should Wear Fur!"
7.8
"Only animals should wear fur. Part 2. Something you can do."
Which begins> "...grossly inhumane treatment of animals that are being used for fur to make or trim clothing items, please read this."
5.5
Geez girl! I have seen comments that have made my eyes water when I read some of the vile verbal upchucks on some of my articles or scores.
Some just have to resort to personal attacks when unable to argue issues.
See Soros' "Quick Comebacks For Liberal Talking Points" or refer to HufPo or MoveOn.org.
The best is "Liberal Responses 101" by Al Franken.
This is, however, the last article of this kind I will be posting. I decided this last night after reading Heather B's comment, and an article posted by someone else. I agree wholeheartedly with gatobilis M. in the above comment. Which I will shorten to say, "Wherever you go, there they are."
I will post serious articles that I believe in, writing I feel is worth sharing, a recipe that I know to be good, a photo I want others to see, and I will still defend my friends when attacked, but I will not play the game of us against them.
I honestly believe there should be NO us against THEM, but we know it's out there and I have come to my decision as to how I will deal with it.
Thanks again to all who left comments. You are the people I read, respect your views, and will defend if need be. Have a wonderful day!!! I'm making Christmas candy!!
Most of the time... I laugh...to affect someone enough to cause them to act like a 3rd grader...is AWESOME POWER!!!!
hehe
I give you a 10 also. Childish says it all. Like they said above it has happened to almost all of us. You only been here a month. I think thats a record. You go girl ; )
The article rating system does not say anything about its a rating system for the quality of writing, it says quote "rate this article"
If I see an article that is written professionally, but I dont't like it, I will give it a one, thats what the rating system is for
But what if they are done with it and I'm cold? Everyone needs an extra blanky for when its cold out! And the really furry ones are the best!
No! No! I am only kidding here!
Father St. John
P.S. I am from SF and people wearing fur there would get red paint dumped on them! And I had a female friend who inherited some vintage furs and being a vegetarian she understood things as a veggy-only person would... but they were antique furs before views about those kinds of things changed... so they are all still in her closet in Berkeley and she is careful who she lets in on her deep, dark secret; and she must keep all her cats out of that particular closet especially!