I'm ready to leave DU, too. I can take the heat, but gotta get out of this kitchen.

[Radio_Lady]

Flame wars have erupted just one too many times. I've got a bad cold and maybe a similarly bad attitude tonight.

I will continue to donate and am planning to keep my journal for movie reviews and other ideas. But I plan to just post and skip away to other significant parts of my life. Please note: I am not begging anyone to come to my defense to return.

Here are some of the topics that I felt were pretty innocuous but quickly became pretty inflammatory;

Listening to Howard Stern

Going to the Olive Garden

Discussing Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert (and other TV dignitaries)

Discussing Barbara Walters (and other TV personalities)

Accusations of bigotry about "covered" Islamic women, used against the poster in another thread!

Assuming misuse of the word "parochial" when referring to a religious school (This was today)

There were many others over the last months, but it makes my stomach turn when I think about HOW MANY topics turned sour.

Maybe if I could stand face to face with an "accuser" and try to work things out, it might be OK, but anonymously, it quickly becomes VERY, VERY MEAN.

I don't need this in my life. I'm glad Democrats won the House and Senate and we've achieved at least some of our initial purposes.

Thanks for all your support.

In peace,

Radio_Lady in Oregon

[cwydro]

1. Well said and thank you.

The anonymity of the internet unfortunately allows, perhaps encourages, people to say things they otherwise wouldn't. And on that note, I think I will go retire for the night and go walk the dogs.

[KitchenWitch]

2. I will miss you

but I do completely understand!

:hug:

PM me sometime if you would like.

[texanwitch]

3. So sorry to hear you are leaving Radio_Lady.

I always enjoyed your posts.

Take care. :hug:

[wildhorses]

4. Please, don't leave the Lounge--

just stay out of GD!!! I will miss you, terribly!! i love your reviews :loveya:

please don't go :hug:

[gizmonic]

5. Yikes! You too, R-L?

I've always enjoyed reading your movie posts -- and your rainbow!

Peace,
gizmonic

:cry: :grouphug: :hug:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

6. We will definitely miss you...

And you're absolutely right.
We eat our own, and it's starting to lose us some of my favorite people from here.
I enjoyed your posts and thought they were incredibly real and open minded and hearted. It won't be the same around here without you.
Duckie

[Blue Diadem]

7. Sometimes it helps to take a break RL

I've gone to only reading posts many times for the very same reasons. I do understand how you feel.

:hug:

[Midlodemocrat]

8. You're right. With anonymity it quickly becomes very, very mean.

That is one of the main reasons that I don't interact with certain posters. They will suck the life force from you and you end up in distress and for what? They're not worth it.

I lurked for a while before joining and it became apparent pretty early on who I needed to avoid and I have. I interact with people who might have disparate opinions from me, but are civil about the way they express it. That is what polite discourse is all about.

[matcom]

9. FREEPER BIAAAAAAATTTCCCHHHH

:hide:

[Midlodemocrat]

10. Nice post, Hitler.

:eyes:

[matcom]

11. You are just angry because I wouldn't have an abortion

[Midlodemocrat]

12. LOL. It's not mine. I've been telling you that for weeks.

[matcom]

15. It's really the only sensible thing to do, if its done safely.

Therapeutically there's no danger involved.

[Rabrrrrrr]

45. Jesus, do you have to turn every thread into your pet issue, you ass?

Here's a hint for you: go fuck yourself.

Why do you insist on bringing up abortion every opportunity you have when there are clearly more important issues, at this specific time, that you should be concerned about, like black box voting? Why don't you go read some of Bev's threads, and find out what's important. Jackass.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

13. I shop at Wal-Mart . I guess that makes me the devil.

And I don't want Hillary to run in 2008
Neither Obama.
I like Wesley Clark.
I'm pro-choice.
Oh yeah I am black ...

Flame me away ! If you go Radio_Lady I will miss you :)

[Shine]

14. Sounds like you need a break, RL, but I hope you come back.

I've always enjoyed our interactions and I wish you the very best. :hug: Good for you for taking care of yourself.

Hope you're feeling better soon! :hi:

[BarenakedLady]

16. That's why I stay in the Lounge

I hope you only take a break and come back soon.

:hug:

[Writer]

17. Sorry to hear that Radio Lady...

but I'd like to add to your list identity politics, especially when a liberal not associated with that particular ethnic group decides to step in on that group's "behalf" (how fucking condescending!) Ultra-sensitive identity politics are SCREWN in my book!

[datasuspect]

43. 10 roger on that "identity politics" thing

i think there are many youngish posters here and we all know yonug people usually are seeking to "find" themselves and their place in the world and usually don't have the grace and tact to not beat other people with their blossoming identity constructs.

[Haole Girl]

18. What the hell?

Is this a joke?

You're kidding me, right?

WTF is going on around here?

OK, ok, how can a person be around a place 12 plus hours a day and not see what's going on....will somebody please send me a PM?

And, Radio_Lady and Hypno...and anybody else who feels like doing this---you know I love you!! :hug:

[Pithlet]

19. I hope this turns out to be just a break.

I know I had my moment where I felt I was fed up with DU, and didn't think I'd ever come back. But, I did, and I'm glad. I'll tell you that ignore helps a lot. Sometimes it's hard to ignore the bullies otherwise. I've started using the ignore button more liberally, and boy does it make a difference. Hide thread, too. It would be a shame to lose you, Radio Lady. :hug:

Edited to change "alert" to "ignore".

[bigwillq]

20. Sorry RL, but the problem is

people take this place way too seriously.

If it really bothers you so much that people make fun of Olive Garden or Barbara WA WA then maybe it is time for you to take a break.

There are so many members here, all with very different opinions that it's only natural there will be a lot of differences.

If something offends you, ignore or hide thread. That's what I do.
I will not let anyone stop me from coming to this place, even if we disagree.

I get a good laugh everyday by people saying "oh I'm leaving, this place is too much for me"

Give me a break. Then go. If it really bothers you that much, then you need to just take a break and come back with a more open mind and not let stupid, petty things bother you so much.

(the last statement wasn't directed exactly at you but at others in general who say "I'm leaving, blah blah blah)

[Missy Vixen]

22. With all due respect,

I think you're wrong.

>If it really bothers you so much that people make fun of Olive Garden or Barbara WA WA then maybe it is time for you to take a break.<

The Olive Garden flame war was very personally directed at the OP. It was one of the lower points of this website, in my opinion. I know I have reached my limit with those who believe that their opinion is the only correct one, and the rest of us are the great unwashed. I agree with Pithlet -- my ignore file has more people in it right now than there has been in my entire five year experience at DU.

I've enjoyed Radio Lady's posts. I think it's truly sad she's decided to take a break, and I hope she'll come back soon. I don't always agree with her. Is it a crisis? No. She may like things I don't. I may like things she doesn't. It doesn't make any of us a lesser person as a result. Driving away the kinder, gentler members does not a great website make. I'd also like to mention that I'd rather have soup and salad with her at a restaurant she enjoys than a four-star meal with some of the more intolerant.

Julie

[bigwillq]

26. I personally like RL

I like her posts, esp. her movie reviews. I think she's a very nice lady.

Some of my comments were not direct right at her but at people in general.

We all are not going to agree with everything anyone says. That's just a fact of life.
I agree, that sometimes people take things to the extreme, i.e. the Olive Garden thread.

But what-we can't have an opinion unless everyone is in agreement on it? :shrug:

I LOVE American Idol and Rachael Ray, which are two things that many DUers make fun of but it doesn't bother me that people don't always agree with me.


I think some people just need to have a thicker skin and not take things too seriously.

It's a freaking message board! :crazy:

But I stand by my statement that maybe it is time for a break if it has become too much for some people.

Thanks for sharing you views.

[cwydro]

38. I agree with your post

and wishing that I knew what everyone has against Olive Garden (there are none in my town). How could people possibly attack others about a restaurant? Geez. I'd love a link if you have one.

[TK421]

21. Sorry it had to come to this, but I guess I can't blame you for it

I haven't seen the above-mentioned flame wars ( since I haven't been on here much lately ). Hope it's not a permanent vacation; I really enjoy your movie reviews. Take care :thumbsup:

[survivor999]

23. BBye.

[tinfoil tiaras]

24. I hate the flame-wars over Wal-Mart, etc the most

I mean, we all know that Wal-Mart is repug and that we shouldn't shop there, but there isn't a CostCo or Trader Joes or whatever everywhere, so some people (like me) have no choice but to go to Wal-Mart and other places like that...*le sigh*

Sorry you're leaving. Though I'm glad your "I'm Leaving DU" thread wasn't all about you. :hi:

Good luck with your grandson :)

[rug]

25. I suppose this is not the time to discuss the merits of White Castle.

[Bassic]

27. Please don't leave.

Just take a break from GD!

[Kali]

28. Another?

Sheesh what is going on? :-(

Check in if you come back to AZ for another western vacation, maybe we can have a drink or lunch or something?

[Gormy Cuss]

29. See ya later alligator

:hi:
I looked up the 'parochial' thread just to be sure but I figured that it would be a misunderstanding over its use for any religious school, not just Roman Catholic.

I'll look forward to your journal entries, RL.

[bridgit]

30. i feel i understand your positioning, this place can be too much...

like a silicon nut ward; cadres of mean girls & boys sharking for chum, all the poo-poo'd "we're ignoring you/we don't like you/you can't sit at our lunch table" small tent/little school sensations i find so much less than what the concept of inclusion alludes to going in...it all gets just too so very silly too often imo :hi:

[datasuspect]

44. damn you wielded that hammer pretty good

and hit the nail squarely on the head.

nuff said.

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

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

[barb162]

32. I hope you don't stay away too long

and I hope your cold gets better fast.

I have noticed the same things as you and have been posting less frequently.

[Redneck Socialist]

33. TEH OLIVE GARDEN SUXXOR111!!!11

Heh, yeah it's pretty flamey, but it's always been flamey here. This too shall pass. Take a break and come on back now ya heah!

[Redstone]

34. OK, I'll read your journal instead of interacting with you in the forums.

Better than not hearing from you at all.

Take care of that cold. Get lots of sleep, and feel better, OK?

Redstone

[last_texas_dem]

35. I'll miss seeing your posts

I agree with you about how inane some of the things are that start flamewars on this site. I'm an opinionated person, but it always surprises me how much passion people feel about things that are really not that important in the big scheme of things.

Anyway, I'd like to see you still posting on here and hope that you'll reconsider. I'm glad you won't be leaving altogether, though, and I hope getting away from the flamewars will be good for you if you decide not to post (outside of the your journal) anymore.

[Mythsaje]

36. I got pretty ticked off over a thread the other day

but all I needed to do was step back and leave the subject alone. It taught me that there are most definitely some subjects I will NOT ever post about in the future. The minute I start getting emotionally involved in a debate is the very moment I step back out of it.

I can understand the urge to leave. I've taken short breaks a time or two, but I honestly like this place and I don't even mind some of the in-fighting, as long as I keep my personal involvement to a minimum.

:)

Take a break, get some new perspective, and come back when you're ready.

[bridgit]

37. i think it was Tom Arnold said, "We're your worst nightmare, we're...

white trash with money."

detached, insular, cliquish, self centered and/or mean-spirited american children, youth & so-called adults with DSL can be seen through the same lens :hi:

[cwydro]

39. oh very good post..

I like the way you put that.:applause:

[Beausoir]

41. Boy oh boy...that is about the most perfect summation yet.

RL, don't let 3 or 4 children run you off!

[Missy Vixen]

42. I've never been a huge Tom Arnold fan, but I will

>white trash with money<

confess to fitting this description ;-). I know that a lot of the things that make me happy would be seen as boring or stupid by those with excruciatingly good taste.

Julie

[distantearlywarning]

40. I'm sorry Radio Lady.

I enjoyed reading your posts.

I agree with you about many of the things you said.

[peekaloo]

46. I enjoy your movie reviews and respect your opinion(s).

You're one of the nicest people here, too.

:-(