I know some of the isues that are being discussed right now can become volatile, so be nice!

I have already deleted a few responses, and will delete all of them if necessary!

People have differing opinions about these matters and it is difficult to change someone else's opinion. While it is OK to explain your viewpoint, do it in a respectful way.

Also don't use MY e-mail address with a fake name to answer a thread, I will notice!!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), January 31, 2002

Answers

Many times in the last 25 years, my DH and I have agreed to disagree. There is nothing wrong with having differing opinions. But, we have to respect both ourselves and others enough to act in a polite manner.

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), January 31, 2002.

Amen!!!!! I totally agree with you---we don't have to agree with everyone-----but we all have to agree/ to respect each other's opinions!!! And the right to have our own opinion--!

-- Sonda in Ks. (sgbruce@birch.net), January 31, 2002.

Sometimes folks everywhere tend to lose sight of what an opinion is..It sure is personal, and cannot be misunderstood as fact. A person may present facts to back up their opinions, but should never be offended if some folks disagree. Oscar Wilde, one of my favorite writers (for his wit, not his lifestyle LOL) once wrote: "Life is too important to be taken seriously." I like that!

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), February 01, 2002.

When you run across something that is disagreeable to you hit the "Back" button. In just a second it don't bother no more and its lots easier than being nasty.

-- charlie (charliesap@pldi.net), February 01, 2002.

Some people just can't play nice with others! Makes me so mad when adults can't act like adults and start fighting like little kids. Since most posters are homesteaders, you would think that they would be so much more tolerant. Isn't our homesteading way of life a bit "off" from the rest? Don't all of us have someone who thinks we flipped a lid by homesteading because they can't grasp another thought process? We live among nature -- seeing God's miracles everday around us on the land and in the animals...and still we remain intollerant toward others view points??? I don't get it!

Just a side note: One nice thing about the cooking and crafts forum...you don't have much controversy while cooking and doing crafts...LOL!

-- Karen (mountains_mama@hotmail.com), February 01, 2002.

Good one Karen!! However I did have a lot of controversy here at one point about how "awful" the food I was feeding my family was. Although we are now eating healthier, even then it was about 85% good food, now it is closer to 95% with a few little treats snuck in. It cause me no end of trouble!!!

It is amazing to me the things that can cause controversy!! I have posted some of the most innocent seeming questions and had them still turn into battle-zones!!! Usually it is someone who is new, anonymous, or who is just trying to stir up problems. I have certainly learned a LOT over these last 4 months that is for sure.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 01, 2002.

Here is my other comment: You can make some of the people happy some of the time, but you can't make all the people happy all of the time.

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), February 01, 2002.

I've been trying to figure out what y'all are talking about? I don't read everything, but with the exception of the one time Melissa got blasted on the food thread, I haven't seen any mean-spiritedness here. And I do thank y'all for that.

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), February 01, 2002.

same here. Melissa must be pretty quick with that delete button. ; ) I like the atmosphere here. You've done a great job with this forum.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), February 01, 2002.

Amen Dave!!!! It is soo nice to have people who seem to really care about others!!!! Melissa does a wonderful job----she also sets the tone for the forum!! Thanks Melissa!!!

-- Sonda in Ks. (sgbruce@birch.net), February 01, 2002.

I am quick with the delete button! What I do, if I am home that is, is if I see a question that looks like it has the potential to become hostile, I will check in every hour or so, just for a minute and "watch" it so to speak.

I know some things get by me. And sometimes I am not sure if I should delete it, but I try to think of what will happen to the tone of the forum if I leave it. If I leave a joke that is kind of iffy, or a somewhat rude comment, then the next one will even be worse!

I have even deleted MYSELF sometimes. I remmeber one time there was a thread and I made a remark and the next poster said "I thought there wasn't any sarcasm allowed on here!!!" Made me think, and I deleted my own response. So I am not perfect either.

Don't think that if I take off something you have said that it is personal, it isn't. It is just to maintain a kind, helpful, informative atmosphere.

I do hope you all continue to enjoy the forum. It has become a very interesting and fun part of my life!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 02, 2002.

Time's been I wished I could delete myself;)

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), February 02, 2002.