Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group With my Heart in my Hand

Johninco, I promise - there isn't and wasn't any anti-religious hostility coming from me. If you (or anyone) saw that in my words, please go back and re-read them. If you still see that, then I apologize.

I actually gave you props for embracing your religion so strongly. I didn’t like the way you EXPRESSED your point of view – but I do support your passion for your beliefs.

I disagree with pretty much everything you wrote in your last post. If anything I am further offended.

BUT, I will agree to disagree so we can end this chapter of disharmony. I too want for “everyone to just get along.”

Hey folks,

I was a high school teacher for 7 years in a previous life and this entire debate reminds me of something I learned very early on in my career: don't punish the class for the actions of a few bad actors.

The really bad teachers I knew made spur of the moment rules and punished the entire class when one student did something bad: no more plastic water bottles in my class! (when Johnny is the ONE who used his water bottle as a club during lab); no more bathroom passes during tests! (because Lucy was the ONE who took 30 minutes on her last bathroom break), etc., etc. Rulings like that only serve to turn the rest of the class against the teacher. It's kind of like when you're ON TIME for a meeting and the moderator announces that "we'll give everyone another 15 minutes to get here before we start...", when you were the one who was responsible enough to show up on time. Or, why force your entire class of tenth-graders to sit through a 20 minute lecture on cheating, when it was ONE student who got caught? Why punish the class for the actions of a few?

This post by Kat and the previous one by Wendy are a mystery to me as I'm not "in the know". I really have no idea what either of you is talking about. I'm sorry that anyone is feeling left out or harassed, but with all due respect- why am I being lectured to about it? This seems like a job for one-on-one, off-line intervention by the moderators. If someone, anyone, has violated the rules of this forum then it falls on the people in charge of this forum to revoke membership. It's done on other websites, why not this one? My understanding of a Moderator's position is that they're here to help the newbies find their way, but also to enforce the rules if it comes to that. If there has been a rules violation then ban the member who violated the rule. If there has not been a rule violation then the complaining member should change the channel. Don't read or respond to a post if you find it personally offensive (assuming no rules violation exists).

And before anyone reacts to this post let me clarify: this is not directed at anyone in particular. I literally have no idea what any of you are talking about. I'm speaking for the silent majority out there who is sitting on the sidelines of this debacle wondering just what the hell everyone is talking about! Take it off-line. Moderators and site administrators should step in and make a ruling. Please don't make the rest of us sit through this any longer. I know that I'm going to change the channel on all of this and won't be replying on this type of thread again. I find too much of value in the rest of KA to spend any more time on this topic.

Is it safe yet to come out of the storm cellar?

Wow! Something just blew by and I think it's over...

I dont know John,you stay down here while i sneek up stairs and take a peek,i,ll give you a hollar if all is clear.

Thanks buddy!

Although I am replying to Bob's post, this is to everyone.

First off DragonSlayer, thank you. I know that KA did not change the rules (and bless all you Admins and Mods for all you do).

My post was directed at an undercurrent that's been playing around here for some while. It's recently come to the fore ... again ... and I'm sick of it. It needed to come out into the open because by just letting it stay hidden in its various threads, it was festering and causing hurt. Out in the open it can be talked about and, hopefully, dealt with so that nobody ever feels that they have no right to be here, no right to talk about their disease, no right to have an opinion simply because they don't have AS.

First and foremost, KA is a support group. Frankly, if you don't like someone, don't talk to them. If you can't offer compassion when someone needs support, don't participate in the thread. It's not rocket science. But obviously some folk need to be reminded. So, I'm reminding everyone because I don't have the energy or the time to be going through every single thread to find out who's doing what to whom.

And I'm sorry if anyone thinks this should be dealt with behind the scenes. That's the problem. From what I understand, there have been PMs about it - some extremely hurtful. There have been factions formed, however loosely, and people are feeling ganged up on. So, let's figure out what's going on so that we can put an end to it.

That's all I'm saying.

Love and hugs,

Michelle, thank you for that.

And I am sorry you've been so ill. Yesterday things went off the chart for me here at work and at home and I couldn't respond after a certain point. I know it's been a frightening time for you this past week. I hope you feel better really soon, or at least get a bit of respite from it all.

Warm hugs,

You boys are a hoot!

Hey Kat - Thought I would help you out(with this link).

Answer to "Who is doing what"..... kind of

Just a little light humor for this thread. In my 9 years here, these hiccups always have been around, this is nothing new. It is all part of being a very big family with so many people that care very much about this place. No one will agree with all the posts or all the members.

Take care,

Tim

Tim, I do adore you. Thanks for this. It's perfect!

Warm hugs,