I was trying to convey the idea that we all have the ability to express our viewpoints on an equal level; it appears I may have come off as condescending and if so I apologize.

As for my a$$hattery, there are many viewpoints.

Nope you were not condescending, I got cha!

No need to apologize.

Dawk, I'll talk to anyone if they choose to talk to me. /biggrin.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I like our conversation.

My hair hurts, this darn Wii is going to kill me. I'm on a diet.

You could pretty much say anything to me other than I'm fat. /laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Then I would have to boil you in oil. J/k /laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I agree, and I've never thought differently about you. /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

You are very passionate about your non beliefs, and passion is a wonderful thing.

There is a lot to learn and share, and I really enjoy all the different view points, some which I never thought of. Which makes me think.

I get to see the world through different eyes when I come here, and I'm fascinated with the different view points.

I apologize if I made you feel differently in my other post. My point was, I think it's riduculous that you were attacked for having an education and being intelligent, that's what I meant by my quote. It's not like education it is bad thing. I have one in college and one out. My husband I work are butts off, to give our daughters the gift of knowledge. Knowledge, exploring, and learning, to me is the key of life. Sharing it is bonus points.

But, I still disagree with you on one thing, you're not an a$$hat. I hope nobody makes you feel that you are, that was the intention of my quote. /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I was trying to convey the idea that we all have the ability to express our viewpoints on an equal level; it appears I may have come off as condescending and if so I apologize.

As for my a$$hattery, there are many viewpoints.

Just so you know, I consider you and almost everyone posting here my intellectual equals, if not my betters. There is so much to learn.

I agree, and I've never thought differently about you. /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

You are very passionate about your non beliefs, and passion is a wonderful thing.

There is a lot to learn and share, and I really enjoy all the different view points, some which I never thought of. Which makes me think.

I get to see the world through different eyes when I come here, and I'm fascinated with the different view points.

I apologize if I made you feel differently in my other post. My point was, I think it's riduculous that you were attacked for having an education and being intelligent, that's what I meant by my quote. It's not like education it is bad thing. I have one in college and one out. My husband I work are butts off, to give our daughters the gift of knowledge. Knowledge, exploring, and learning, to me is the key of life. Sharing it is bonus points.

But, I still disagree with you on one thing, you're not an a$$hat. I hope nobody makes you feel that you are, that was the intention of my quote. /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

as am i, karen.

what i found/find offensive is the mocking tone and the tag-teaming approach used, which turns it into a pi$$ing contest. i detest mockery used this way. it ends the debate and just falls into the 'i can make myself feel better by trying to make you feel worse' shite that really angers me.

i have to take my time when posting seriously as i have post-traumatic-stess disorder from all the years of illness/demise of my daughter. i have no short term memory ability any more. i have to check and recheck names who i am posting to etc. so if i find things going south i find a new playground and let the bully rule that one; it won't last long.

i also apologise if i feel i may have inadvertantly offended someone. i know i am sometimes not as clear as i wish i were. i have dealt with so many supposedly 'well-meaning' idiots since losing cait that i have little tolerance for hurting the feelings of others. it's the way i am. if some see that as weakness, fine. they will learn otherwise if they ever try to eff with me.

also: i have been afraid that when i mention caitie in a post/thread it will be seen as seeking sympathy or as a post that shouldn't be responded to. the fact is that she is and remains my daughter. the safety that i feel posting here helps me because i feel i can type her name without worrying about replies that will be mean-spirited (which can happen, believe me) but i never want them to be a thread killer. and it's the occurances after her death that have helped lead me here. i hope to feel strong enough to post about them one day.

i know i am rambling this morning. lol. i love when january comes and i can breath a bit again. /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Hey Annie:

Be who you are. We respect that. I haven't come across anything you've posted that has even caused me to raise an eyebrow. You are welcome to post about your daughter. I know how important it is to you to have those discussions, and if you wish to have them here, you are more than welcome to.

I agree by the way - I can't stand the pile-on, playground bullies joined together mentality.

Dawk, you're not, it takes time to get to know you, or anyone.

The thing is your smart, and maybe sometimes people feel inferior, but a very wise woman once said no one can make you feel inferior without your permission.

I believe that quote.

Don't bite, I hate using the term it makes one better, because I really feel everyone is equal.

Contributing is a good thing.

Just so you know, I consider you and almost everyone posting here my intellectual equals, if not my betters. There is so much to learn.

Okay - I think this is a good discussion. I agree with sympathy - some questions are attacked, and I wish they weren't. I disagree with Dawkins - you aren't an a$$hat. You do have definite opinions which are often different than mine. I respect that. I actually like you quite a lot in spite of how it may seem. I just wish that people could discuss things rationally without the personal attacks and name calling. I also realize that wishing that was so is often naive. It's okay though. I am an idealist at my core.

No, I don't think it's naive. I think it's a perfectly rational request. And I thank the majority of our members for discussing their ideas and asking their questions with that type of respect for the other parties concerned.

Okay - I think this is a good discussion. I agree with sympathy - some questions are attacked, and I wish they weren't. I disagree with Dawkins - you aren't an a$$hat. You do have definite opinions which are often different than mine. I respect that. I actually like you quite a lot in spite of how it may seem. I just wish that people could discuss things rationally without the personal attacks and name calling. I also realize that wishing that was so is often naive. It's okay though. I am an idealist at my core.

as am i, karen.

what i found/find offensive is the mocking tone and the tag-teaming approach used, which turns it into a pi$$ing contest. i detest mockery used this way. it ends the debate and just falls into the 'i can make myself feel better by trying to make you feel worse' shite that really angers me.

i have to take my time when posting seriously as i have post-traumatic-stess disorder from all the years of illness/demise of my daughter. i have no short term memory ability any more. i have to check and recheck names who i am posting to etc. so if i find things going south i find a new playground and let the bully rule that one; it won't last long.

i also apologise if i feel i may have inadvertantly offended someone. i know i am sometimes not as clear as i wish i were. i have dealt with so many supposedly 'well-meaning' idiots since losing cait that i have little tolerance for hurting the feelings of others. it's the way i am. if some see that as weakness, fine. they will learn otherwise if they ever try to eff with me.

also: i have been afraid that when i mention caitie in a post/thread it will be seen as seeking sympathy or as a post that shouldn't be responded to. the fact is that she is and remains my daughter. the safety that i feel posting here helps me because i feel i can type her name without worrying about replies that will be mean-spirited (which can happen, believe me) but i never want them to be a thread killer. and it's the occurances after her death that have helped lead me here. i hope to feel strong enough to post about them one day.

i know i am rambling this morning. lol. i love when january comes and i can breath a bit again. /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<_<' />

I understand asking questions on PUG is not taboo, and I ask them. /laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' /> If someone answers they answer, no worries for me.

I didn't mean Pug in general does not like questions, I've never felt that way.

In the locked thread a member asked a questions and got attacked, maybe my choice of words was poor.

But, to me that would be a case of asking a question and it was taboo to the other member.

I think they should just not answer then and move on /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

I was and am trying to be tackful, which is probably making it more confusing.

I understand questions are welcome, so I'll be blunt and say there are attacks for questions asked.

Sort of uncomfortale to ask questions to some then, but no reason for an attack, imo.

Oh IC Symp. It IS disappointing that respectful questions aren't answered in turn respectfully. /sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':unsure:' />

I'm not sure if I'm understanding the bolded statement correctly Symp. But are you saying that some questions are taboo on PUG?

If so, I'd like to say, all questions are welcome here. That's one of the main reasons why we started this forum. To ask questions.

I understand asking questions on PUG is not taboo, and I ask them. /laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':unsure:' /> If someone answers they answer, no worries for me.

I didn't mean Pug in general does not like questions, I've never felt that way.

In the locked thread a member asked a questions and got attacked, maybe my choice of words was poor.

But, to me that would be a case of asking a question and it was taboo to the other member.

I think they should just not answer then and move on /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

I was and am trying to be tackful, which is probably making it more confusing.

I understand questions are welcome, so I'll be blunt and say there are attacks for questions asked.

Sort of uncomfortale to ask questions to some then, but no reason for an attack, imo.

You see, I understand that I'm an a$$hat, but I do not always want to project this persona. Problem is how to turn that off.

now you tell me! /tongue.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

So the answer to this would be opinions are like a@@ holes you have yours and I have mine. /laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':unsure:' />

Like last night someone asked a question, and just got attacked. It's lame, and infantile, sort of like of set up.

I have to sit on my hands, so I don't bite, even when I know better, so I log out.

Even questions sometimes here are taboo. Hard to converse, without them sometimes.

I leave because I can be too out spoken and could turn into what I despise. /wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

I'm not sure if I'm understanding the bolded statement correctly Symp. But are you saying that some questions are taboo on PUG?

If so, I'd like to say, all questions are welcome here. That's one of the main reasons why we started this forum. To ask questions.

I agree symp, Dawk isnt an a$$hat, but he doesnt want everyone knowing he's not /wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' /> so shhhhh /laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Shhh. We have to agree.

It's bad luck to leave an a$$hat in the middle of the bed. /laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Oh this isn't the superstition thread. /tongue.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

oh, you're right though...

i've had an a$$hat in the middle of my bed before, and it IS bad luck /wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' /> /laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Dawk, you're not, it takes time to get to know you, or anyone.

The thing is your smart, and maybe sometimes people feel inferior, but a very wise woman once said no one can make you feel inferior without your permission.

I believe that quote.

Don't bite, I hate using the term it makes one better, because I really feel everyone is equal.

Contributing is a good thing.

Here's the thing. You have the goods.