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:

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/

I remember that thread. I was pretty damn disgusted, so it was a very good thing that I had already had my account deleted. People must think that everyone reading the thread is completely stupid, that they don't realize that every freakin' person knows who and what they are talking about. My god, it's shocking how immature women in their '40s, '50s, and '60s can be. Dee-lightful? Two down, one to go? Jesus, I thought I left that behind when I left kindergarten. I'm surprised that they haven't brought out "neener, neener, neener" and "I know you're ugly, but what am I" yet. I'm almost afraid to say it, because that's probably what will come out of their mouths next.

In reality, it's the mods for that board that amaze me. Either they are supremely stupid and probably don't have enough brain cells to chew gum and walk at the same time, or they're Sandy's patsies. I vote for both, actually, since she's still around and breaking their terms of service after so many people complained about her.

"Fighting online is kind of like being in the Special Olympics. Even if you win, you're still a retard."

Tips to win online arguments.

(Yeah, that's totally un-PC, but hey, you get the idea and I'm not the originator. :eek: )

Ha! That link is hilarious and followed to the letter by some. Thanks Wheetsin!

"Fighting online is kind of like being in the Special Olympics. Even if you win, you're still a retard."

Tips to win online arguments.

(Yeah, that's totally un-PC, but hey, you get the idea and I'm not the originator. :eek: )

Damn, Wheetsin! Those are REGULAR behaviors on OH! That list is amazingly funny, thanks for posting the link.

It did miss the slams and attacks for not agreeing with the clique. Everything else, very familiar.

I didn't even care enough about this topic to read it all.

My opinion is that when people start acknowledging the truth, as opposed to defending their positions, some progress might be made, but I am not holding my breath.

Damn, Wheetsin! Those are REGULAR behaviors on OH! That list is amazingly funny, thanks for posting the link.

It did miss the slams and attacks for not agreeing with the clique. Everything else, very familiar.

We are definitely in the "get friendly" phase right now!:eek:

What is that old saying,"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer." ?

I didn't even care enough about this topic to read it all.

My opinion is that when people start acknowledging the truth, as opposed to defending their positions, some progress might be made, but I am not holding my breath.

It will never happen. At least with a few but with future people at least now they are aware and can make a decision based on fact vs. clique. From there it is up to them.

We are definitely in the "get friendly" phase right now!:eek:

Amazing, I was just saying that to Lauren yesterday in a PM.

It will never happen. At least with a few but with future people at least now they are aware and can make a decision based on fact vs. clique. From there it is up to them.

All that is happening now is a desparate attempt to prove that they were somehow "Right".

In essence, they KNOW they were wrong, but pride will not allow them to acknowledge that in front of the entire world.

They are worried about looking like fools and suckers for the line of B.S. that they bought, hook, line & sinker.

We are definitely in the "get friendly" phase right now!:eek:

1. Get friendly

Always refer to your opponent by his/her first name. Your messages will seem warm and friendly, despite the rabid ferocity of their content. After a few exchanges, begin to use a corruption of your opponent's name - begin with "William", then change to "Billy", then change to something like "Billy-Boy". Women don't enjoy having their names shortened either, so make sure that "Mrs. Elizabeth C. Osbourne-Smythe PhD, QC" is always addressed as "Lizzy".

Absolutely.

"Fighting online is kind of like being in the Special Olympics. Even if you win, you're still a retard."

Tips to win online arguments.

(Yeah, that's totally un-PC, but hey, you get the idea and I'm not the originator. :eek: )

Too funny! Thanks for the link.

My god, it's shocking how immature women in their '40s, '50s, and '60s can be.

In reality, it's the mods for that board that amaze me. Either they are supremely stupid and probably don't have enough brain cells to chew gum and walk at the same time, or they're Sandy's patsies. I vote for both, actually, since she's still around and breaking their terms of service after so many people complained about her.

Not much surprises me about that board.

Maybe the fact that some of the people who were obviously duped believe that by coming to this board they can somehow diminish their responsibility for their own behavior, or somehow support their own behavior as being above-board, when most people would recognize it for what it was.

"Fighting online is kind of like being in the Special Olympics. Even if you win, you're still a retard."

Tips to win online arguments.

(Yeah, that's totally un-PC, but hey, you get the idea and I'm not the originator. :eek: )

That was cute. I like this page the best:

Beware of the troll - a guide to online trolling

I don't do a bloody thing because Wendell tells me to. Quite frankly, Wendell knows me better than to even suggest telling me what to do. He doesn't even ask me to do things.

Actually, I don't tell ANYONE what to do.

It's enough for me to get me to do what I want!