I don't mind having it in Natter, but I do think there's a big difference between saying, "I think you're being purposely inflammatory and/or not listening" and "Go find a bridge," too.

Part of the point here is that what we say and how we say it matters.

YES. And now I'm going to quote something from the b.org Etiquette page:

"Play nice, and you've found a home away from home. If you make personal attacks or offensive posts, or try to start a fight, you will be shunned".

I'm not into content suppression...ftr. But there are people who enjoy starting shit in communities they don't really belong in. Maybe I leapt to judgment, though.

Why is it upsetting, Burrell? Real question, not snark.

Because I can't help but put myself in her place and I know that the feelings it causes me are hard: both deeply mortified and very angry. Now the truth is, I don't know Shari and so for all I know she's feeling neither of those emotions. But it's hard for me to turn off my reaction.

And really? Those feelings are for me to own. No one else here is responsible for making me feel this way. I know that. So I'll back off now lest I put my foot into it.

The reason I being on a board. I can chose not to engage

Because I can't help but put myself in her place and I know that the feelings it causes me are hard: both deeply mortified and very angry. Now the truth is, I don't know Shari and so for all I know she's feeling neither of those emotions. But it's hard for me to turn off my reaction.

That is in tune with my feelings.

And erika (not ganging up on you; just realized something) -- what pinged me is that you started off by writing "we."

In essence, you spoke for me, and the right to reserve opinions for myself and speak for myself, is something I hold dear. I think that is why I am speaking up, when usually I stay well away from most dust-up's.

I hold no grudge, I just wanted to clarify.

But there are people who enjoy starting shit in communities they don't really belong in.

I think because Shari isn't a frequent poster it's easy to forget that she does post normal day to day stuff every so often. She's been a part of the community for years I think, just not one of the more visible ones.

Her initial post on immigration wasn't a real flamethrower either, it wasn't like she came out in support of the AZ law.

Thanks for answering, Burrell. I had a feeling it's what you meant, but I wanted to be sure.

It wasn't really that post erika and I were reacting to. It was the last time she posted on something political, and I felt like, was pretty rude to a lot of us. It was a while back, but it left a mark on me at least.

Gah! Ok. I promise. No more.

Look!! A cloud!

Me too. Although I feel the need to point out that just because she's not posting right now doesn't mean she's not reading this right now. I have to admit it's upsetting to me to be having this conversation here in Natter.

Reading it Natter doesn't ping me at all because she posted in Natter and our whole first step thing is try to resolve in thread (though calling her a troll probably isn't trying to resolve anything).

That said, I don't think she's a troll. I think I disagree with some of her opinions but certainly not all.