My arguments aren't always intelligent or coherent either, and lord knows I'd hate to have that be the standard by which my value as a member of this community was judged.

Kate, have I ever told you I adore you? I do.

Yes, Kate, but if you and I disagreed about something and I gave you links and cites and facts, I'm pretty sure that you would read and consider instead of dismissing.

Sure, but if I were the lone voice of disagreement and you and twenty other people were giving me links and cites and facts, I think I'd be a lot less likely to really engage. Look, I'm not saying I think Shari had a great argument; her responses did seem sort of dismissive to me. But I think it's a huge leap from there to "troll," that's all.

I am uncomfortable labeling anyone a troll for bringing up unpopular sides to a convo. I am also uncomfortable with discussing someone when they are not present in a convo to speak for themselves.

I skim and skip and quite frequently dark-grey, so I am not a judge of how often people post, or what other conversations have happened in the past.

Although I disagree with your position, Shari, and do think that some positions have some large logical holes in them, I have no problem with the conversation that was held on the last day.

I enjoy Buffistas for the discourse; please let us all -- I love you all! -- continue to be gracious, welcoming and thoughtful.

I have to agree with Kate.

Kate, have I ever told you I adore you? I do.

Aw, shucks, Dana! You just made me grin.

OK, I could accept that I might be wrong. Absolutely normal kind people wait for a hot death-penalty case to drop by and say hello. Okay. Whatever. Y'all are too nice. But that's probably why you like me too. And I should be careful...you could divest from me right now.

I am uncomfortable labeling anyone a troll for bringing up unpopular sides to a convo.

You know that's not what it's for right? That it's because the last time I remember her in Natter it was also during a political discussion that nearly got nasty.

Again, I'm not in all threads all the time, so I'm willing to admit I may have it wrong, but I think saying it's for having an unpopular opinion is forgetting some history.

Now, I promise I'm done.

I like you fine, erika!

And I am a meanypants! GRR. See -- I can be mean.

I just love this board so much that I prefer to err on the side of caution and courtesy.

EDIT: And DJ, I am perfectly aware that there might be things that I am not aware of -- I am not omniscient. It was just -- erika, it felt very attacky, sorry, and that's what I am uncomfortable with.

(And having, I hope, clarified my thoughts, I going to try to step away from this conversation -- not the board-- before I eat my foot -- .

Peace.

I mean, "Namaste, motherfuckers!"

I'm certainly not too nice. But I think you are reading Shari's motives wrong here.

I am also uncomfortable with discussing someone when they are not present in a convo to speak for themselves.

I'd also add that around here how do you know who's here and who's not? If she's not popping up when there's a good chance of political turmoil as Erika suggests and is in fact lurking more than speaking, then who knows?

That said, I made a point of addressing my point to her rather than speaking about her. YMMV if that makes a difference.