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 remember Ron's thread also. I don't recall a response to it. Although most of the time I don't go back far enough.

It was not a direct response to the thread. It was more of a general post a couple of days later thanking him for his contributions to the board. When it came out my first thought was that his most recent contribution was one bashing protein shakes, Wendell, and I think some other guy named Brock.

Wow, Chelle! You are really trying to analyze Lauren's psyche....but cannot offer any insight into the behavior of "good friend's" . The friendships made through years of OH must not offer much insight but you sure are good with strangers!

I've chatted with Lauren both here and OH for some time. She's not a stranger to me, and I apologize if I took unwanted liberties.

Yep, that's what I thought, too.

My apologies, Lauren. I did not mean to speak out of turn.

I think some posts can be passive aggressive as well so as not to make there intent so obvious to everyone on the board. Or maybe it just appears that way to me. I remember a thread where Ron was particularly obnoxious with one of his protein shake rants and of course comments on Wendells weight loss. A few days after the thread there was a post by Chelle thanking Ron for his wonderful contributions to the board.

I don't read every post, and my post to Ron was in no way related to protein shakes or anything negative. He went through a period of being very supportive to people, so I called that out.

My apologies, Lauren. I did not mean to speak out of turn.

Oh, you weren't out of turn. Remember, there is no "out of turn" on a message board. Everything's fair game. I just thought it was a little odd that you could make statements like that about me, yet couldn't speak to the intentions and reasons of people at OH that you know as well as or better than me. It's a little counter-intuitive to me.

I don't read every post, and my post to Ron was in no way related to protein shakes or anything negative. He went through a period of being very supportive to people, so I called that out.

I may be wrong here but I think it is your timing that is in question here. You know, how things "look" and all that.

I may be wrong here but I think it is your timing that is in question here. You know, how things "look" and all that.

Yeah, reading the responses to my posts are depressing. My timing obviously sucks.

Yeah, reading the responses to my posts are depressing. My timing obviously sucks.

Well, there is one more thing. The places you opt to post your words of "calling people out" for their good deeds. You know?

Well, there is one more thing. The places you opt to post your words of "calling people out" for their good deeds. You know?

Oh don't be shy. Tell me how you really feel. I just try to be positive when I can.

Oh don't be shy. Tell me how you really feel. I just try to be positive when I can.

I thought I was actually using a tad bit of diplomacy for once. :cool:

I did as you suggest.

Can someone tell me why I'm getting these replies in my mailbox when I didn't start the thread?

The emails I get w/notifications say that you'll be notified if you visit the site.

"There may also be other replies, but you will not receive any more notifications until you visit the forum again.

All the best,

Lap Band Talk Forum - The largest forum for Lap Band Surgery Discussion and Lap Band Surgery Support"

I think some posts can be passive aggressive as well so as not to make there intent so obvious to everyone on the board. Or maybe it just appears that way to me. I remember a thread where Ron was particularly obnoxious with one of his protein shake rants and of course comments on Wendells weight loss. A few days after the thread there was a post by Chelle thanking Ron for his wonderful contributions to the board.

:clap2:You nailed it! The tactics just don't seem to work as well over here though, do they? It is soooo obvious. As I recall, every time they pull their crap over here, they get eaten alive.:heh:

:clap2:You nailed it! The tactics just don't seem to work as well over here though, do they? It is soooo obvious. As I recall, every time they pull their crap over here, they get eaten alive.:heh:

The happy dance posts that come a day or two after they have bullied someone off the board are also pretty disturbing. I recall one after Dee and Vicki left where one of them actually posted 2 gone 1 to go and the rest chimed in. Speaking of eaten alive this thread where Ron gets hammered by LBT regulars is good for a giggle.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f80/anti-semitism-france-28304/

The happy dance posts that come a day or two after they have bullied someone off the board are also pretty disturbing. I recall one after Dee and Vicki left where one of them actually posted 2 gone 1 to go and the rest chimed in. Speaking of eaten alive this thread where Ron gets hammered by LBT regulars is good for a giggle.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f80/anti-semitism-france-28304/

Ah, memories. That was some great fun.

OMG!!! That has to be the longest thread in the world.