I'm starting to lose it with the posts I am seeing here.

[Bonobo]

Please someone, anyone, this is bad enough.

My heart is breaking and now it is being stepped on by these multiplying tongue-in-cheek insensitive thoughtless posts that keep popping up!

I ask you to please think before you post. Think that you just might be heaping damage, even a tiny amount of damage, on a country in pain and people in pain.

And don', DON'T tell me to just stop reading here. Tell THEM! We are victims here and we don't deserve this kind of callousness from the DU community.

Mods, Admins, friends, please be more thoughtful!

[atreides1]

1. What?

Could you be a little more specific, please?

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DrDan]

2. I don't understand the issue

[tekisui]

3. Recommend, and I hope that your simple request is honored.

[Bluerthanblue]

78. me too.

:grouphug:

[blueamy66]

4. Didn't you just post that we shouldn't be so alarmed

at the DEVASTATION in Japan?

You can't have it both ways, ya know?

[Bonobo]

5. No, I posted it 2 days ago. nt

[Hannah Bell]

21. no, he posted that you shouldn't be hysterical. or monger panic. big difference.

[blueamy66]

47. really?

still can't have it both ways

Trust me, I feel for those in Japan...I lived in Hawaii as a child and went thru tidal wave drills....but I STILL don't understand this post.

Are we to care or not care or not care too much or not enough? Do tell.

[jberryhill]

50. A need to condemn the behavior of others runs deep in some folks

[Township75]

53. Isn't that the basis of politics?

I know I read about it all day here about the right, and I am sure it is the same on right wing boards.

[LanternWaste]

60. So alarmism and hysteria denies concern?

"still can't have it both ways..."

I think one can illustrate concern without becoming alarmist of hysterical. But I imagine there are many who cannot... :shrug:

[Matariki]

63. Blueamy - Bonobo is in Japan and no doubt it's very difficult there.

After he posted the thread you are referring to, he posted this one. You should read it. And maybe have a little compassion and resist the urge to be snarky.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=623615

[blueamy66]

65. I have compassion....alot of it

I just don't understand the 2 posts.

Sorry.

[blueamy66]

68. Not being snarky.....as a matter of fact, I am of the opposite

position.

But I guess this is just a message board and not real life.

If only you and others knew......

I can only form my opinions by what I read here.

I apologize....really....

[JonLP24]

66. Either way

he apologized for that thread.

[MineralMan]

6. I agree with you. Right now there's stuff that is inappropriate

being posted regarding nuclear power and the disaster in Japan. It's not really a good time for nuclear power or earthquake humor.

K&R

[Bonobo]

8. Thank you, MM. nt

[jberryhill]

26. That is how some people react to stress

People react to stress in a lot of different ways. Certain types of control freaks always believe that their way of reacting is the only/best/correct way.

[MineralMan]

30. Not every reaction to stress is appropriate for a post on DU.

Particularly reactions that involve black humor or wild speculations. It is generally not necessary to post every thought that comes into your head. A little thought before posting would prevent a lot of posts that cause distress for others. Seriously.

[bobbolink]

49. Yeah, that is what is going on with teabaggers, too, so what is your point?

[jannyk]

52. wow bobbolink scores!!!!

[Pacifist Patriot]

54. I have to disagree.

I don't think the vile comments we are seeing from teabaggers are necessarily reactions to stress. The one I had encountered personally yesterday wasn't feeling the least bit of stress about the tragedy in Japan. It was gleeful grave dancing and nothing more.

[bobbolink]

55. The teabaggers are just as angry, just as worried as the rest of us.

They have misplaced their anger, and so do many of us.

At some point, we have to look at ourselves, and see how inappropriate some of our own reactions are.

We are NOT a different species.

[Dorian Gray]

70. This is a good point

We are all human beings, with a myriad of human reactions to a crisis. Some are appropriate. Some are extremely inappropriate.

[LanternWaste]

61. Many people also speak their minds...

Many people also speak their minds whenever they feel so compelled... regardless of good reason or knowledge of consequence. It's hardly an act of evil though, usually merely an act of (at best) selfish stupidity.

I imagine one can easily perceive a request for both civility and for empathy as the tools of a control-freak, but I think that illustrates more about the one who places the label... :shrug:

[joshcryer]

73. I personally don't react to stress with derision.

[CreekDog]

7. i agree

the post wildly guesstimating the death toll is particularly offensive.

[MineralMan]

16. That was my thought when I read that post.

Speculation is worthless while a disaster is still unfolding. Gleeful speculation is unconscionable.

We all need to step back and think before we post, and ask these questions:

1. Is the information I am about to post factual?
2. Is the information I am about to post current or outdated?
3. Is my post supposed to be funny, and is that appropriate at this time?
4. Might this post cause pain or distress to someone who is directly or indirectly involved with this incident?
5. DOES THIS POST ADD ANYTHING AT ALL OF VALUE TO THE DISCUSSION OF THE INCIDENT?

Heck...maybe those questions should be asked for any post...

[Dorian Gray]

71. They should be

However the anonymity of message boards can bring out the worst in us at times. I hope that the majority heed your advice.

[Junkdrawer]

9. Should we censor cartoons like this?

[godai]

17. No, but can't that spin wait for another day?

Probably 100,000 dead, hundreds of thousands of people homeless for months with nothing but the clothes they are wearing, nuclear plants crises, and some can't wait to spin against nuclear power. Pathetic...

[mitchtv]

62. tough

but you're right. It
s too late now

[CatWoman]

10. Bonobo

:hug:

[Bonobo]

11. Thank you for the hug.

I need it.

[godai]

12. Agree but unlikely to happen here.

Do the puzzled posters above realize that some of these pleas are coming from Japan? How can you question how a Japanese person feels at this time?

[madrchsod]

45. yes it can happen here

alaska in the 60`s and the plate along the washington-oregon coast is over due. the last time it went off was in 1700 and wiped out villages across japan. unknown damage in the usa because there were only indian tribes in the usa.

[SidDithers]

13. K&R...

:pals:

I can't even imagine what you've been going through. You don't need idiot DU'ers adding to your stress.

Sid

[Coyote_Bandit]

14. Ummmm......

You can't teach or require that other people be sensitive or thoughtful or the least little bit polite.

Use the ignore function.

You can hide the thread or you can add the heartless and rude to your ignore list.

There is nothing wrong with censoring the commentary you entertain - either because the commentary is offensive or because the source is disagreeable. I suspect you censor things everyday by choosing to entertain some commentary and entertainment and foregoung others.

Help yourself and make your experience here more pleasant. THere are a lot of people here who care about the events unfolding in Japan and the people there.

[myrna minx]

18. .

:hug:

[jp11]

19. People deal with horrible things in different ways. n/t

[MineralMan]

22. Some people consider the feelings of others before they post.

Others do not.

[jberryhill]

28. Yeah, so? No autistic folks allowed? Is that it?

You can't change people's emotional make up at your command.

[MineralMan]

33. Ah, I see. You're right. I can't change anything here.

I'm just a poster, myself. I can, however, make suggestions. That's one of the privileges of posting on DU. You're welcome to take or leave those suggestions.

[Common Sense Party]

58. So, from the looks of it, 45% of DU is autistic?

I don't think so.

I think some people are just insensitive and self-centered.

YMMV.

[Pacifist Patriot]

29. But sometimes even considering the feelings of others doesn't make a difference.

We just cannot accurately predict how 100% of our readers will be affected by what we say. We see evidence of this already where some find humor helpful and others find it callous. I really have seen very little deliberate attempts to hurt someone else (here anyway), but plenty of clumsy attempts to deal with the tragedy. Are we to say nothing at all?

[MineralMan]

34. I'm not in any position to tell anyone what to do on DU.

I can make suggestions, though, which you are free to take or ignore. You may have missed some of the "clumsy attempts," though. Godzilla jokes just don't seem appropriate, somehow. I don't know...

[Pacifist Patriot]

39. I don't know either.

My husband's company has branches all over the world. His co-workers in Japan (Japanese citizens) already sent out an email confirming they were okay that contained a Godzilla joke. Is it okay if they do it, but not okay if someone here does? :shrug: tough call.

[jberryhill]

57. Hey, smarty-pants, have you ever stopped to think about WHY Godzilla is a Japanese cultural product?

The "Japanese horror movie" themes are older than movies, and relate directly to the fact that this culture grew up in a seismically and volcanically active area.

"Godzilla" IS part of the cultural apparatus by which Japanese culture deals with anxieties relating to their particular situation.

[Bonobo]

76. Actually I believe Godzilla was Japan's way of confronting the nuclear nightmare

that the US rained down upon them...at a time when they were in no position to be up front about saying anything against their US masters who were, and are still, occupying them.

[bobbolink]

51. There is actually a lot written about how to respond to people. Things which can be learned.

It is called Peace Training.

Non Violent Communication.

It is there, if people want to make the effort.

Otherwise, we can make excuses.

Kinda like the teabaggers do.

[Hannah Bell]

20. kr

[Lastactiongyro]

23. I am person of Japanese ancestory with relations in Japan I find this

this posting distasteful and filled of false sentiment. Some of my relations live near Sendai. No word at all.

As for myself, I actually find the godzilla pictures amusing and on target. Considering Godzilla was an elemental force birthed of fission.

Humor is a good thing. In adversity it is almost a requirement.

This poster raises a flag with me with this politically correct false breast beating and gnashing of teeth.

Japan will rebuild, and we will bury our dead. Life will go on. Humor will help us along too.

BTW I happen to live in New Orleans, so I have a slight experience with some types of disasters...

[Lefta Dissenter]

24. Oh jeez,

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

I don't understand how anyone can think it's of more value to humanity to broadcast their "funny" comments or their justification of "funny" comments than it is to simply give a hug.

I can't even IMAGINE how terrifying it must be, trying to survive minute by minute in a world that is being assaulted from every direction.

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

[K8-EEE]

25. I'm sorry if people have been insensitive

But it's my experience that it's usually just a few people -- I'll bet if you put probably 4 or 5 people on "ignore" then us 160,000 other people will look a lot nicer.

I'm thinking of you and wishing you the best, I cannot even imagine going through what you are all dealing with in Japan but growing up in So CA I know it could very well have been us, it could be us tomorrow. Everyone should think before making even the slightest snarky comment that any safety and security one might feel is an illusion, it only takes a second for an EQ or fire or any number of tragic events to turn our worlds upside down so nobody should be have a smug attitude in their safe little world!

Who I think are the biggest assholes are the ones who pop up with "well why would anyone live in New Orleans (or L.A., or Japan) anyway if XYZ could happen? BECAUSE EVERYWHERE IS DANGEROUS and none of us ultimately have any control over things like natural disasters! But we do control our reaction to them and from what I know about Japanese people they will get through this stronger than ever.

Hang in there Bonobo. We've never met but I'm thinking of you every day and looking for your posts here.

[Pacifist Patriot]

27. I really do feel for you. I'm still waiting to hear from a friend of mine in Japan

and cannot imagine what it must be like to be connected to even more people affected by these catastrophes. The devastation and pain is unfathomable.

But I also understand the sarcasm that comes from cynicism -- so-called dark comedy or morbid humor. Sometimes I think that may be the only way to get our heads around some things without completely breaking down. I've seen very few statements that are flat out callous, but I imagine that's a matter of perspective.

People are going to express themselves in many ways and not all are going to be comforting. I am sorry you are hurting. I wish there were something I could do for you.

:hug:

[Generic Other]

31. Easier to appreciate black humor when all your family and friends are safe

Not the case for everyone on DU at the moment. Have some sensitivity. Bonobo is right to be pissed.

[Lastactiongyro]

35. I have not heard from all my family yet. But I think the humor is a good release.

Whatever will happen or news coming is already done. Nothing one can say or do will change that.

[Generic Other]

36. Maybe I am feeling sensitive to the Pearl Harbor payback comments

And the ugly predictions of catastrophic deaths. I am a little less inclined to care about a few godzilla jokes. Still, I imagine how funny Americans thought 9/11 was on 9/12.

[Lastactiongyro]

38. The Peral Harbor comments are in bad taste. Thats not real humor.

[Pacifist Patriot]

41. I would agree. There is a definite difference.

The email my husband's Japanese co-workers sent the U.S. office from Fukuoka letting them know everyone was okay there ended with the comment, "....we are just waiting for Godzilla to make his appearance next."

The comments from right wing nut bags about pay back for Pearl Harbor is just nasty, vicious and vile (am I being redundant?) and isn't even an attempt at levity.

[Lastactiongyro]

44. I agree, those types of vile comments have no place.

[Pacifist Patriot]

37. I did not call his reaction into question.

But someone else in his situation might feel very differently, as someone has indeed stated above. I am not inclined to dark humor, but I do understand where it comes from. It typically doesn't come from a place of insensitivity, but is usually inspired by caring a great deal and feeling powerless. This is a large community and is going to represent a great number of perspectives. Not everyone communicates the same way and at raw times like this there is likely to be any number of reactions to any thing said. I wish I could do something to prevent such pain, but I don't think that's realistic.

[11 Bravo]

32. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, Bonobo.

And as for the insensitive shitbirds who permeate this and other related threads, try to find it in yourself to feel sorry for them. It can't be pleasant to have an empty space where one's soul should be.

[WatsonT]

40. People respond to tragedy differently

some mourn, some don't say anything, some change the subject, and some make jokes.

Doesn't mean they are happy that it occurred. Just that everyone responds to these things differently.

[Oilwellian]

42. Sorry you've been hurt Bonobo

Most of us see no humor or snark in what is unfolding in Japan, and other places in the world for that matter. :hug:

[bobbolink]

43. Sorry, Bonobo... all of us experiencing pain get trashed at DU.

I suggest taking it to Skinner, (who, after all, pleaded for civility), rather than the mods.

My thoughts are with all of you... hope you are as well as can be expected.

[CraftyGal]

80. I agree take it Skinner...althouhg the mods do try hard to make a fair decision.

I know my husband, TrogL, is a moderator.

[snooper2]

46. Why do you let what random people/assholes/trolls write on the Intertubes bother you?

Shit, don't read the comments on any youtube videos...

:eyes:

[jannyk]

48. Hang in there B. K&R

[JitterbugPerfume]

56. Bonobo

words fail me:hug:

[Bonobo]

59. Jitterbug Perfume...one of my favorite books.

Thanks... :)

[Matariki]

64. Bonobo - how are you doing?

I'm sure it must be very difficult. What city are you in?

My thoughts and prayers are with you.
:hug:

[Bonobo]

67. I'm struggling to maintain a brave face and still be honest with the kids.

I am worried, upset, sad and all combinations.

Thank you very much for asking.

I am far away from the tragedy, in Himeji.

[Bluebear]

69. I'm very glad to hear it.

You don't accept messages and I wanted to know that I was worried about your safety.

[Bonobo]

75. That's weird.

I think I do accept PM's cause other people have sent them and I checked (to make sure) and you aren't on my ignore list...

Thanks BB, I appreciate it.

[OneGrassRoot]

72. Blessings to you and yours....

I am so sorry others may be adding to your pain. :(

Keeping you and all others in Japan in my thoughts and prayers constantly...

:hug: :hug: :hug:

:grouphug:

[Name removed]

74. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[CommonSensePLZ]

77. Some people here are just SMUG JERKS - fuck 'em

You know who you are.

[Violet_Crumble]

79. I've only seen one really inappropriate bunch of posts and they were deleted...

Apart from that I haven't seen anything that's out of line or callous, and if there was anything like that, it wouldn't last long before the mods got rid of it...

It truly, really sucks what's happened and is still happening in Japan :(

[Jakes Progress]

81. There has always been a strong frat-boy presence

on DU. Price of free speech. It doesn't excuse their nasty nature, but it seems that they squat everywhere.