How Incredibly Sad...

[CastlesOfSand]

Jenny, Let me preface this by saying I luv ya. I have been mulling this over in my mind and as they say.."the guilty dog barks first" so....
I feel like you might be speaking to me since I have done my fair share of whining and moaning about the demise of the lounge. I do mourn the fact that so many old time SoWallers who were actually funn have disappeared from SoWal.com. The list is long. I feel they just got tired of all the politics that inevitably drifted over even to the lounge. We all enjoy reading healthy debates, but the debates got way out of hand and still are, imho. And God knows they've never been funn--sport for some maybe. Yes, there's been new blood and most of it is good. Some...not so much. But, I think we lost some good, wonderful people because we became consumed with "who's right". Of course, some just naturally moved on, found the loves of their lives, etc., but some were run off by trolls, politricksters, rats and bat turds. Some just now lurk.
I felt when Kurt appointed moderators, he did so very deliberately. Each mod has a certain forum that's their strong point--some mods are multi talented, but me...not so much. I just stayed in the lounge and tried to keep an eye on things there. I typically don't read many of the politics threads, but I do read and consider the threads about current events, all about SoWal, etc. These threads have broken my heart more than once.
I haven't been posting much in the lounge, because...no one else is either. I've caught myself answering my own posts. :shock: I haven't started threads because I fear that it will seem that I am insensitive to the events of late. Nothing is further from the truth. But, I'd like to think maybe a little chuckle doesn't hurt anyone--even in desperate times. I always felt the lounge was my little escape from the harsh realities of the world today. God knows I see enough of them online and on TV. I have always valued the opinions of so many here about current events and yes, even politics. I learned a lot. But somewhere along the line, things got a tad bit too uncomfortable for me and maybe some other folks too. It's true I don't have to read the threads that aren't my cup of tea and I need to get over my mourning period, just like I had to get over my animated 'tar being ripped from me like a child from it's mother. I am certain the debates will go on but I hope the lounge will too.
So, perhaps I'll take Murray's advice and start some funn threads. You don't have to read them, but I sure wouldn't mind if you did.

DD I always love your threads! You know I was gone for quite some time. Now that I'm back, I definitely see the change, BUT I am so happy to be back. I really missed my Sowal friends!! Not gonna be disappearing again!!

 

[Teresa]

hey COS - so glad you are back around here where you belong!

but seriously folks, sometimes you just need a break. if someone is really upset about SoWal.com then they need to do something else for a while. Except DD because we cannot do without her so we'll have to get her some counseling or a diamond tiara or something to make her feel better.

I know DD is working the lounge like a mofo and she needs us to help. so let's do it.

I think this thread is a good one because it serves as a good way to unload your frustrations and share. its not funn lounge material. but its sharing among a real community of great people. I can't begin to guess how many have been around here for so so long and are truly friends, even if they have never personally met. sharing with friends is helpful.

so thank you Darlene. I haven't looked in the Political Forum in a long time so I don't know the heck is going on. I know there is some good info sharing but I can only imagine the other connected threads and how trashy they can get at a time like this. People are really upset all over the globe right now and its bound to show up here but we can try to contain it and insist on respect and decency - the forums are really for posters to run so you are helping do that with this thread. in addition, you have every right, as a SoWal.com Mama/Wench/Original to give us a talking to cause you care.

also thank you to others for giving us your clear, reflective and thoughtful insight from your own perspectives.

Jdarg - you do not mince your words at all. and you are just like my fricking mother. always right.

Once again, if the topics and threads outside the lounge are not your cup of tea, don't go there. I hate seeing y'all that loved the Sowal of 20 people in the lounge keep mourning. We have local and national issues that affect us and a place to discuss them. Sorry but the political forums don't have to be "funn"!

Did not realize this thread was in lounge, but once again, people have the choice not to read. Sorry friends, but tired of the complaining about what is discussed, argued, and debated on SoWal. I pick and choose what threads to open, read, and respond to- it is not hard.

bob you crack me up as usual.

should i post this?

scooter - ignoring the ones that rub you wrong works best for me... I choose not to use ignore button but its certainly an option any time I may really need it!

I would love to spend WAY more time in the lounge than the political forums - but people aren't posting much there and when they do it is mostly you tube videos.

I think completely ignoring those who are not playing nice is the way to go. I really enjoy it when we have actual discussions about stuff, not just the same old rehashing and ignoring others' views.

Murray the Wise.

The forum is what we make of it. We build it and grow it. If you want more funn, post more funn things. I think it is great to have a place to discuss national issues like who is winning American Idol, The Bachelorette, and politics (I think they should all be in the same category of entertainment ). However, I tend to like learning about local things on SoWal.com. It is easy enough to get caught up in talking politics, but it is way more funn to talk about something like blue buttons washing up on the beach, and it is also far more beneficial.;-)

.
I have learned much from SoWal's political forum. Having been on here long enough to know the players, I read more carefully some posters' thoughts than others and there is usually a decent balance of info from these folks. I find it more educational than TV news with their snippets and talking points. (except I do like the gamut of Sunday morning news programs).

The links provided by SoWal members in discussions point me to articles that I may have missed and I use them selectively, as I don't have time to hunt and find everything on my own, let alone read everything.

There are certain members whose posts and links I always try to read because I know I will gain something.

I find the fake articles that some inject into the discussion to be quite annoying and personally feel they belong somewhere else besides SoWal. (imo nowhere! Ha!)

Bottom line - I have grown intellectually from SoWal political discussions and love when both sides are presented rationally. I trust the opinions and thoughts of many of you guys over other news sources!.

It seems to me that there are "episodes" when the political fever gets to a moronic level. I've succombed to temptation more than once and retaliated against people I thought were just rude and insulting. As DD said, it becomes sport: trying to be the smarter, bigger smart-ass, and, in all true honesty, it can be fun (one n only) to put the other smart-ass in his or her place. You can only take insults and ignorance for so long... The point I'm trying to make is that these periods of idiocy only last for a while, just like waves in the ocean, both parties probably feeling a little sheepish that they allowed their buttons to get push. You just adjust, and move on, in search of the next funn thread. Don't worry, be happy.

Lake View, Rita, and Goodwitch and so many of you speaking on this subject - you are all so damn grounded. Thank you. Hope it rubs off. on me.

 

[DD]

I'll take the tiara, tyvm.

 

[RiverOtter]

Things are different for sure.

Politics and Current Events (26 viewing)
Lounge (2 viewing)

Can you guess where I am

I know! I saw that announcement and I keep forgetting to order it. I have all the other ones and they are all beat to hell. Walker's favorite song is Crooked Island. He sings it at the top of his lungs. So funny.

GB and I were at the Red Bar Sunday and Dread played a few tracks from the new CD. Really good stuff

 

[RiverOtter]

Kurt is a robot.

:scratch: kurt never spells his name with a capital K :scratch:

 

[Lake View Too]

:scratch: kurt never spells his name with a capital K :scratch:

hmm..that's kinda kooky...

 

[Kurt]

I am opposed to capital letters. Yet, as a robot I am programmed to use them appropriately except in my own name, unless it begins a sentence.

What makes one letter think it is better than the others? Just because it begins a sentence or is the first letter in a proper name? And what makes some names more proper than others? Time for this **** to end!

 

[CastlesOfSand]

Hey Toots!!! Great idea about the tiara for DD!!!

 

[Teresa]

Hey Toots!!! Great idea about the tiara for DD!!!

it must be seen to.

 

[Allifunn]

Kurt is a robot.

I'm sure kurt feels this way sometimes :shock:

DD I always love your threads! You know I was gone for quite some time. Now that I'm back, I definitely see the change, BUT I am so happy to be back. I really missed my Sowal friends!! Not gonna be disappearing again!!

COS..it is so great to have you back here!
DD...always LOVE your thoughts