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.

Clearly, I thought more folks had the same concern(and some of us do, but are a clear minority) I can deal with that. Didn't really mean to put words in your mouth. And I didn't really bring it up to be hateful...if I'd wanted to be hateful there are other, more insidious things I might have done that might not have reached the group's full attention. I have seen trolls derail boards before, and I'd hate for that to happen again. And I don't know her in any context that's not inflammatory...maybe that will change, but I'm really not trying to be the Political Spectrum patrol. But I've been "Can't we all just get along?" girl and have had cause to regret it bitterly. Sorry for the embarrassment/ discomfort though.

My idea of a balanced diet.

edited to get the link right

Uh, speaking of immigration, here's an interesting article about people going around New York City to study endangered languages like Vlashki, Garifuna, Mamuju....