May I lean on you for a moment?

[SeattleGirl]

In the past 24 hours or so, I have been attacked on three different threads: One in LBN, because I dared to congratulate Mary Cheney and Heather Poe because they are going to be parents, one in GD because I refused to celebrate Chris Matthews' hospitalization for complications from diabetes, and another in GD because I don't think Reagan "deserved" Alzheimer's, and refused to join in the Reagan bashing there. One poster in that thread called me a "spineless worm" because I was compassionate. (Thankfully that thread got locked because it was getting really ugly.)

Right now, I feel close to tears, not so much because of the attacks on me (though I confess they did hurt a bit), but because of the absolute ugliness and vileness of some of the posters. People on DU often deride those on FR, and yet so many of the posts on DU differ from those on FR only in grammar, spelling, and object of attack.

I came here with this because the people in this forum know that life is more than that which we see with our eyes. I'm not sure exactly why I am posting except, as I said, I just needed to lean on someone for a moment, because I felt genuinely hurt by the attacks I've gotten. I guess making fun of compassion is not confined to "the other side". It is alive and well in the liberal community too.

Thanks.

[I Have A Dream]

1. I'm sorry that this happened to you, SeattleGirl.

It's sad that some people, even good people, are just never going to understand that taking joy in others' misery or wishing misery on others hurts them more than it hurts the person to whom they're directing their venom.

I wholeheartedly congratulate you on your humanity and divinity, SeattleGirl. Here are a couple of hugs -- I hope that they help a little.

:hug::hug:

[SeattleGirl]

2. Thank you, IHAD.

It is sad that so many people do not see that. I appreciate the hugs. :hug:

[Why Syzygy]

3. Someone said,

maybe Mark Twain .. that if no one ever disagrees with you, then you don't really have an opinion.
That is a very rough translation. The real deal is better.

Here's mine: To shine, you gotta go to the darkness. Some will hate the Light. Listen to those who would attune your Light. Not those who seek darkness.

Go Shine.

[SeattleGirl]

4. Nice, votes.

Some indeed do hate the Light, but I'm not going to hide it under a bushel basket, as it were. I need to return to what I usually do -- just stop reading, or not start reading, threads and posts that are obviously done by those who seek the darkness. It's worked pretty well so far. I allowed myself to get pulled in for awhile. Can't do that to myself.

[stellanoir]

5. oh SeattleGirl

So Sorry. Please don't take it personally they just don't get it at all.

Try somethin' like this next time. . .

"Maybe you'll get a clue next lifetime. Good luck with that. . . tra la la."

You did show tremendous compassion and wisdom in your responses.

It's tough to be the voice of conscience when many have the sole intent of venting their spleens and are addicted to snark.

Make light of it whenever you can and never hesitate to rally the forces of your spiritual sisters.

:grouphug:

They've always come through for me in my forays into GD and I'm sure we will for you as well. Next time post links so we can hop in and catch your back.

Here's some more :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: s

[SeattleGirl]

7. I don't usually take things so personally, but I was really piled

on by a number of people, especially in this thread regarding Mary Cheney and Heather Poe:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2642089&mesg_id=2642089

I never thought that a statement that I felt was innocuous (congratulating them) would earn me so much negativity.

You are right, though. I would do better to either NOT respond, or to make it light hearted or something. This was just a bit much for me though.

And thank you for the hugs! They always help. :hug:

[LaurenG]

6. I posted to two of those threads

My husband I were just discussing how hard it is just to be here in todays world and I have been shocked beyond belief by some of the utter meanness. I was also very surprised by some who I considered the good guys (in one of the threads you posted about).

I can tell you this, I have been extremely angry at those in charge, especially this last six years but I take no joy in anyone's agony. I know too well what agony is to wish it upon anyone, I am feeling that I just don't belong here anymore. What fresh hell is this?

:cry: :hug:

[SeattleGirl]

8. What fresh hell, indeed.

I came very close to just not getting on DU at all, at least for awhile, but then I thought, no. I am not going to allow the meanness of others to chase me away from a community in which I have met so many GOOD people. And certainly I would not want to stay away from this forum, and several others.

I do not understand the type of meanness shown by some people. And I don't understand why they feel the need to attack not only the subjects of the threads, but also DUers who post a different view of things. They laugh at freepers marching in lockstep, but are they not demanding the same thing of DUers?

Here's a hug for you, OhioBlues. :hug:

[LaurenG]

9. Thanks Seattle Girl

:hug: :loveya:

[emcguffie]

10. Something about Mars right now?

Iforget what it is.

But there's something going on that's encouraging people to be "snarky", I think.

All those planets started going in the right direction again, for one thing...

Sorry I can't remember what it was. Could be it was just something in my own chart. But I think it was something with Mars. Or Sag. Maybe Mars and Sag?

Mars just went into Sag, and it's conjunct Jupiter, and they are widely square -- Uranus?

[SeattleGirl]

11. I recall something about that also.

Perhaps that's what it is. Either that, or I have a bullseye on my backside, with the words "Kick Me" on it! :rofl:

[stellanoir]

15. yup Mars just entered Sagittarius

and will conjunct Jupiter at 3 degrees on Dec. 11th at 11:11 am EST. (11:11 alert eastern folks :) ) Though that can bode well towards hope, optimism, spiritual solutions, and restoration of faith. Its underbelly also can result in a major SNARK ALERT.

Also Venus will conjunct Pluto near the Galactic center at 26 degrees of Sagittarius at 10:50 pm EST on the 7th. This could be a warm up for "Orgasms for Peace" on the 22nd. (Check IHAD's New Moon in Scorp thread for a link to a funny flame war that occured in reference to that event)

Here are some additional links. . .

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Peace-Orgasm.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

http://www.globalorgasm.org/

Mercury will go into Sagittarius at 12:52 am EST on the 8th, then it'll conjoin Mars at 9:28 pm that evening so count to 10 and REALLY straighten stuff out and prepare for yet another wave of snarkiness or a plethora of "I told you so's." woh woh woh and hopefully not. . .Ughhh

I meant to post all of this yesterday on a separate thread but was too lazy to do so. What the heck but I think it's funny that I didn't cite these aspects in chronological order. I've never done that before. LOL

[emcguffie]

18. Stellanoir, would you tell me something?

That Galactic Center thing, it's where my Mercury is (26 Sag 33), right next to my IC (27 Sag 51). Would that have any possible effect on me? Not the transit, I reckon it would. I mean the Mercury conjunct the GC.

[stellanoir]

19. you can be a channel of divine guidance silly. . .

for our evolution. If ya wantta be that is.

Free will is always involved.

Consider meditating on it when Venus goes over that point as mentioned upthread.

Feel free to PM me with inquiries about Mercury, Mars, and eventually Jupiter and Pluto's transits to that degree.

I'll be happy to help and best of luck to you.

[emcguffie]

36. Dear STella, I will PM you.

I just found this. Couldn't find it for a while, and have been in bed asleep for two days. Sorry.

[NMDemDist2]

12. oh Seattle Girl

:hug:

it gets ugly in the big forums some days. I have learned to just pass them by. it's often easy to see which ones the haters will be drawn too

:hug: for good measure

[SeattleGirl]

13. Thanks, AZ

There were a few snarky things in the LBN thread about Cheney and Poe, but when I looked this morning, gad! I had to dig myself out there were so many people piled on me, it was ridiciulous. I guess some people get their jollies that way.

Thanks for the hugs. :hug:

[NMDemDist2]

14. i was lucky, I posted the first response and moved on LOL

:hug: just cuz...

[lildreamer316]

16. Thank you for remembering that

as we do to others so we do to ourselves.
You were exactly right, and a great example of true liberal/progressive and human values in action.
:hug: :hug:

[SeattleGirl]

20. Many people don't seem to "get" that lesson.

More's the pity, really, because I think there would be far less hatred, anger, and violence in this world if people truly understood that.

:hug:

[Cleita]

17. It gets vile sometimes.

I know that those who attack you do it because they want you to not have a voice or they are trying to get you tombstoned. It's really hard to say what you need to say to them at times, and I found that the ignore button works really well for me.

I have noticed that many on my ignore list, started during the race wars here have been tombstoned, seen the light or are no longer posting.

So hang in there. :hug:

[SeattleGirl]

21. I'm definitely going to be adding people to my ignore list.

Thang goodness for that feature. And thanks for your support. :hug:

[BlueIris]

22. I'm really sorry, SeattleGirl.

Especially about what happened in the discussion about Mary Cheney. You were right to offer her congratulations and it's so unfortunate that other posters had to react the way they did.

[SeattleGirl]

23. Thanks, BlueIris.

I did finally put the three worst offenders on ignore. I've had a headache most of the day, and decided I did not need to subject myself to those folks any longer.

:hug:

[SheilaT]

24. Ahhh, fuck 'em.

I periodically get bashed for something or another, and usually come right back in support of whatever it is I've posted. After a day or two the thread disappears and it doesn't matter any more. I still always feel I'm right.

Cultivate the same attitude. It will serve you well.

[SeattleGirl]

25. And that's what I did, and they piled on once again.

Oh well. They must be so full of hate and anger, it makes me wonder if they ever have a good day.

[Missy Vixen]

26. SeattleGirl, I'm so sorry

Hopefully, tomorrow will be another day, and maybe some of these people will get a clue.

Julie

[SeattleGirl]

27. Hey, Julie! Thanks so much.

One can only hope. :hug:

[mntleo2]

28. This Makes Me So Sad, SeattleGirl

...and while I have to admit I am angry at people like Mary Cheney because of the hypocrisy so many upper income and powerful families like the Cheneys live, I am also saddened at the blindness all around from both sides. The elite do not see how un-American it is that everything should be hunky-dory ~ for them and to hell with we "common" Americans ~ especially gay and Muslim Americans, right now. I admit it makes me angry, but I also have to say my anger will not help or change anything permanently (except perhaps to motivate me to work toward change of myself first). The elite have and always will think they can do and get away with things that the rest of us should pay for, this is their way.

Therefore, it is more for me to struggle with my anger and try my best to come to the compassionate conclusions you have if I want to become a higher being, this is part of my journey. Unfortunately, many people whether of the left or the right think they are only going to be in this world for this life and pfffft - it is all over, so get it all while you can. They do not have any concept they may have to come back and do this again and that their behavior is as small and pitiful as the very people they criticize.

Not to denigrate the sting of the words "spineless worm" but I laughed out loud at the description because having met you, I know for a fact this is the farthest depiction of who you are that anyone could ever use. It is outright funny to me that the person who wrote it obviously does not have a clue about you (or perhaps anything much), you know? You are a good person and *not* anything like those words at all and I hope you can realize on a deep level how empty those words really are!

Love
Cat In Seattle.

[SeattleGirl]

29. Cat!!!!

Nice to see you!

And I am in agreement with you as far as the hypocrisy and such goes. That gets my anger up too. But to condemn someone because of where they stood, or what they did, giving them virtually no chance to change (which may happen, as the pregnancy progresses, and then when the baby comes) gets my anger up too.

My dad was an alcoholic, and there were many things he did that hurt and angered me, but I never stopped looking at him as a human being, albeit a flawed one (and aren't we all, to one degree or another). But having learned about alcoholism, and its effects on the individual AND on the family, well, I learned compassion. And I learned to give people second chances. It is unfortunate that so many people seem incapable of that. I spent many years being a very angry person, and the person it hurt the most was ME. This is not to say that I never get angry any more. I do, but I don't have as much of a hair trigger as I used to. Rather, I have learned to focus that anger into action, to fight against racism, hatred, bigotry, intolerance, etc. Guess that makes me a target, huh?

And as for being a "spineless worm", I admit I did chuckle at that one. No one who knows me would ever ascribe those words to me. And thanks for your kind words, Cat.

Hugs to you. :hug:

[pooja]

30. There is a lot of anger out there and here in DU. Its hard sometimes.

I have been attacked at times for speaking compassionately. People are on different paths. They are in different places. This site encompasses many ages, races, sexes, and experiences. Some people have a right to be angry. I don't necessarily think that it is good to congratulate strife in other's lives, but some people are very angry.

Some of the angriest people that I have met are vietnam vets. And I beleive in years to come, the Iraq vets are going to be in the same boat of anger.. directed at people, govt and themselves. We can only try to soothe and support them as they work through the atrocities of acting imoraly on the behalf of their country because they are young and they were told to.

[SeattleGirl]

33. Oh, I know that different people have different POV's, opinions,

attitudes, degrees of anger, etc. And I'm not saying that people should not be able to express their anger, or in the case of Mary Cheney, have strong opinions about her. My problem is with people who insist upon personally attacking someone because they either have a different opinion than they do, or who refuse, as I do, to get down in the dirt with them and match hate-word for hate-word.

And yes, people ARE on different paths, and there have been times when my calmer response to a hateful post has actually seemed to have helped the person calm down some. In the Cheney thread, people were piling on me, just because I dared to congratulate her. Apparently I unleased the gates of hell with that one! B-)

[Metta]

31. Yeah, you took some knocks for what you believe.

When you rise above the fray, you become vulnerable. Some people put their conflict onto others who are in reality no more than the projections of themselves. When they see reflections of what they're uncomfortable with, they strike out rather than accept that its a living part of themselves that they see and dealing to integrate it so that so they're less split off from themselves and, hence, less inclined to go after others. Projection, denial and acting out. They go hand in hand.

[SeattleGirl]

34. They certainly do go together, and when people finally realize

that, I think it is a great awakening. And I know that some people will never wake up, and some people will get to it later rather than sooner, as everyone is on their own timetable.

This may be a weird example, but I used to react extremely negatively to a certain Major League baseball player. I mean, I'd go ballistic whenever his team was playing my team (The Mariners). Finally, I realized that what I was reacting to when I saw him was a long-buried memory I had of a guy who looked a lot like this player, who had treated me badly and hurt me. As soon as I realized that, all the anger I was directing toward the player disappeared. It was a "Wow" moment to be sure, and also one that freed me from an ugly memory and the emotions and thoughts attached to that memory.

[Metta]

35. Ain't it amazin' Gracie.

Truth is stranger than fiction. Thanks for sharing your tale. :)

[Metta]

32. self delete. double clicked.

These things happen. :)