It has been a really long day, followed by a dinner out with multiple margaritas, so I am ready post my first LBT Rants and Raves post.

I won't follow the herd anymore. Ever. I stopped doing that years ago when I realized that I made every decision based upon how I could make the most people happy (or prevent conflict). That's simply not healthy. And it takes all the fun out of life.

I hate absolutes. Absolutely hate them. I can't stand to lump a group of people together for any reason. All people at LBT are not sweet and perfect. All people at OH are not cheerleaders and ***** supporters. All Muslims are not extreme radicals. Not all of us Texas women are Southern Belles (ok so that one is debatable). All women are not subservient (ok I know you ladies agree with that one). We are all, quite simply, just people.

I don't want to be told I have to do something because it is the Christian thing to do. Are you my priest? My rabbi? My high priestess? Where do people get off on judging other people????? I don't freakin' get it. Each of us have own spirituality or lack of it. Each of us have our own moral core - although some are harder to identify than others. Don't attack me because I don't agree with you - hire a yes-man for that job - it doesn't pay enough for me to take it. And don't push your personal belief system off on me.

I like most people. Really I do. And I get along with most people. Some people just get to me, and I don't have to like them. There is no rule about that. There is only one person on my bad list at the moment, and if I ever get a personal apology that person will come off the list. You and I don't have to like the same people or have the same ideas to be friends. I prefer friends who are different from me. If I wanted everyone to be like me - well then I would become a hermit(ess) and just have ME for companionship.

I love our differences. I love the passion in which so many of us debate what we believe in. I just hate the herd mentality that says we all have to believe the same thing, or like the same people, or hate the same people....because ya know what? We don't. We are different. Our differences make us unique and teach us more about life than any book will.

And one more thing. I rarely drink and I really love Margaritas! :whoo:

I like sweet drinks like pina coladas, where you can't taste the alcohol. One of the major reasons I don't drink is that I hate the way I feel afterwards. I get major hot flashes if I drink any alcohol, and I do mean any. I start sweating, my face turns red, and I honestly feel like I'm about to either puke or faint.

Lauren,

You sound like my SIL. She used to drink occasionally, but then developed an allergy to all alcohol. Same symptoms you are describing.

Funny how that works.

Sandy has never participated in fills yet she claims to have medical information about you that isn't true.

Just how does that work?

You know, if she had facts she'd use 'em. But the facts don't work for her so she creates whatever does work.

I'm interested in something.

Nancy, Chelle... what do you think about what Sandy did to Wendell? She made up information that was not factual, claimed it was medical information and passed it around via PM.

What is your take on this? I've been as sincere as I know how to be with both of you. I'm asking for the same in return.

I am not ignoring your question...just not sure how to answer. You might have gotten more out of me, if not for Lauren posting the private e-mail request I sent to Wendell (which went ignored, BTW). She had it at the tip of her fingers. So nothing I say will be confidential...I'm sure of that.

Congrats on breaking your stall Chelle.

Oh please, ask me about something unrelated to Wendell. He knows darn well that I won't answer anything about him and he knows why. Please don't get me started or the dam will burst and I really don't want to go there ever again. I have put that chapter of my life behind me.

And I am trying to be as sincere as I can with you. Perhaps Nancy can answer this one. And I have no doubt people here will crucify me for my non-answer, but I truly can't go there again. Not in a public forum. Not in a PM.

And for the good news - if anybody here cares - I hit the Century Club finally - I am down 101 lbs!

Chelle! The "Century Club". That's fantastic!

And for the good news - if anybody here cares - I hit the Century Club finally - I am down 101 lbs!

Of course we care. That's great news! Congrats!!!:clap2:

I don't think so. I have offered the infamous olive tree branch and I think I'll get the same in return.

I'm not looking for specifics on what Sandy did, we all know that already. I'm looking for Chelle and Nancy opinions on what was done.

I think I'll get honest answers. If not, I'll admit my error.

Opinions....okay. Wendell blocked me out of his cyber world, so I don't think he really cares about my opinion about him.

But here are my general thoughts.

I can't stand liars.

I can't stand deception.

I think trolls, fakes, and imposters ought to be called out, but I also think it may be dangerous to do so, so I will choose my battles carefully in the future.

I don't like Bullies on Support Boards.

I think they are returning the olive branch.

We'll see.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day in the neighborhood....

I think maybe what WASa is looking for here is a simple acknowledgement that this is unacceptable behavior. It does not make it anymore acceptable because it happened to someone that you have a negative history with. A lie is a lie. When someone represents themselves as a person with expertise in a field and continues to lie, those that know about it should not continue to promote that person as an authority. This goes beyond Wendell. She altered the text of an abstract that was published in a peer reviewed journal to make her point and posted it on OH. She made claims that RNY causes colon cancer and posted it on OH. By doing those 2 things totally unrelated to Wendell while posing as a nurse if she caused even one person to choose a surgery that was not the best option for them she committed a huge wrong. Right now on OH there is person soliciting her advice because she has an unexpected increase in restriction and had trouble drinking. As far as I know I was the only one who suggested she call her doc. That person does not need the advice of a liar, she needs to contact her physician and make sure everything is ok. I think it would be nice if some of the folks that created this situation on OH by promoting her in the past did the right thing by now by admitting the truth.

Jack Nicholson in "A few good men" had the correct answer for this group:

"You can't handle the truth!"

Oh please, ask me about something unrelated to Wendell. He knows darn well that I won't answer anything about him and he knows why. Please don't get me started or the dam will burst and I really don't want to go there ever again. I have put that chapter of my life behind me.

And I am trying to be as sincere as I can with you. Perhaps Nancy can answer this one. And I have no doubt people here will crucify me for my non-answer, but I truly can't go there again. Not in a public forum. Not in a PM.

And for the good news - if anybody here cares - I hit the Century Club finally - I am down 101 lbs!

I think I saw a link about this the other day:

3. Be selective

Selective editing is a good way to avoid engaging with your opponent's better arguments. Simply delete that intelligent, pointed question which ends paragraph three and reply instead to the weaker arguments beneath. Should your opponent post something like "I'm sorry but you're talking crap", snip everything but the first two words then graciously accept his apology.

7. One step ahead

Pre-empt all replies. Tell your opponent that you know exactly how he or she is going to respond to your message because you've seen it all before. List all potential counter-arguments to your position and invite your opponent to choose one.

Opinions....okay. Wendell blocked me out of his cyber world, so I don't think he really cares about my opinion about him.

But here are my general thoughts.

I can't stand liars.

I can't stand deception.

I think trolls, fakes, and imposters ought to be called out, but I also think it may be dangerous to do so, so I will choose my battles carefully in the future.

I don't like Bullies on Support Boards.

I can appreciate this answer. We have all been in positions where we have been wrong about people, and have become painfully aware of it. The fact that this post is what it is and does not try and dispute anything says a lot. At least for me.

Congrats on breaking your stall Chelle.

Thank you so much - it has been a long and difficult year healthwise, and I am now seeing the end of the tunnel.

I don't think so. I have offered the infamous olive tree branch and I think I'll get the same in return.

I'm not looking for specifics on what Sandy did, we all know that already. I'm looking for Chelle and Nancy opinions on what was done.

I think I'll get honest answers. If not, I'll admit my error.

My opinions:

I detest liars in any form or fashion.

Some people lie to save themselves. Understandable, yet still disgraceful.

Trolls lie. People with hidden agendas lie. Manipulators lie most of all, because they are lying to themselves as well.

I dislike cyber-bullies. They are cowards and generally very different in person.

Nancy is right about the dangers of calling someone out. We've seen it up close and I will be very careful in the future to stay away from potentially bad situations.

I see from the posts on here that some would be thrilled if I could be provoked into saying more, but all the sarcasm and pushing is not going to change how I feel. I really don't want to battle with anybody - life is much too short for that.

Right now I am thrilled the scale is moving again after months of a plateau and I want to enjoy this day. Sometimes I am selfish that way.

Of course we care. That's great news! Congrats!!!:clap2:

Thanks, Susan!

My opinions:

I detest liars in any form or fashion.

Some people lie to save themselves. Understandable, yet still disgraceful.

Trolls lie. People with hidden agendas lie. Manipulators lie most of all, because they are lying to themselves as well.

I dislike cyber-bullies. They are cowards and generally very different in person.

Nancy is right about the dangers of calling someone out. We've seen it up close and I will be very careful in the future to stay away from potentially bad situations.

I see from the posts on here that some would be thrilled if I could be provoked into saying more, but all the sarcasm and pushing is not going to change how I feel. I really don't want to battle with anybody - life is much too short for that.

Right now I am thrilled the scale is moving again after months of a plateau and I want to enjoy this day. Sometimes I am selfish that way.

Hi Chelle,

After six long months you finally are seeing progress.

Congratulations!

I wish you continued success!

Chelle! The "Century Club". That's fantastic!

Nancy, I was beginning to think it would never happen. I am so glad that we bandsters don't have to deal with a "window of opportunity".