Do you feel safe?

[LitTrog]

Okay, this just feels odd. If I missed some recent thread or post which was threatening to someone, clue me in.

Safe? If people feel safe in an environment, they can freely disagree, even vehemently, without fear of complete ostracization. It's when people feel unsafe that you see (at least on the surface) lockstep agreement. The moderators are a good mix of personalities and I've seen them address several threads which threatened to dissolve into biting acrimony. In today's increasingly PC environment, there's little which is more threatening than being called "mean spirited." If this forum becomes a place where a member is damned for speaking his/her mind, I would not feel safe.

Take this topic, for example. It has elicited responses ranging the entire spectrum. It's fun to read and valuable to discuss, especially since there is something obviously troubling you. Specifics would be helpful, but if it's simply a matter of tone, then the real problem might simply be one of interpretation.

Still in the dark, so this post may not even be relevant.

[Cowher]

Matthew-

Ok I get what your saying. I'm not pointing to one example because it's not one thing that is bothering me. It's the overall feeling. And I'm not referring to Jock Scot either. I have some good pm talks with Jock in the past and I think he's a good man. He is a bit misunderstood and has opinions that I don't agree with but I'm sure you do too as does everyone else on this forum.
But you bring up a good point. He has not said " no one but a highland Scot located in the Scottish Highlands has any business to wear a kilt" but people have reacted like he has. I am guilty of feeding fires in the past but I say to myself and to all who will heed my words -let's overlook the negative comments like they were never said and continue instead a nice upbuilding conversation about kilts.-
I'm not sounding a call to arms. Just the oppisit.
A wise man once said "let's not split and divide, let's unite around our shared appreciation".
ith:

[thescot]

I guess I'm just fat, dumb, and stupid. I am so lost in all this.

I guess we'll all just have to hold hands and sing "Cum ba ya."

[TurboKittie]

I guess I'm just fat, dumb, and stupid. I am so lost in all this.

I guess we'll all just have to hold hands and sing "Cum ba ya."

Okay this made me laugh so loud, I think I disturbed the cat.

[LitTrog]

I guess I'm just fat, dumb, and stupid.

Thank you! I've been wanting to mention it for months, but felt it would be terribly impolitic. But, since that there elephant is now standing on my foot...

[auld argonian]

Yes, I feel safe....the majority of the forum members keep all discussions civil and when it goes off the tracks it gets straightened out by both the membership and the mods.

We often agree to disagree but it's all about the kilt in whatever form the individual might wear it...all kilties are included here.

Best

AA

[Mickey]

I'm going on an assumption here (which rarely results in anything good) but I'm guessing now that this has a lot to do with Jock's latest poll, of which far too many people took far too much offense to, for too many wrong reasons.

Just looking for clarification here.

And Scot, that's no way to through life son.....

[LitTrog]

And Scot, that's no way to through life son.....

The time has come for someone to put his foot down, Mickey. And that foot is me.

[madmacs]

I would say on the subject of tone, that cultural differences come into play too...

I know that some people are only now (5 years later) starting to understand the subtleties of british humour...

[ForresterModern]

(shrug, think a moment, shrug again, shake head muttering unintelligibly, sigh)

I do think there has been a little heat thrown around in a couple recent threads, but as usual it seems to be related to differences of opinion and a lot of folks getting riled up because they THINK that what someone posts is saying a lot more than it actually says---I think they are infusing others words with presumed emotions, and having emotional responses themselves. Misunderstandings occur when two or more people only communicate by the written word, and we have had our share around here lately I believe.

But do I feel safe, here? Honestly, never more. No worries.

(shrug, sigh, shrug.) Good night all. As Scarlet says, "Tomorrow is another day."


jeff