So, some man decided it would be fun to post my profile and blog address over on a very pro-gun, pro-hate, anti-everything I stand for website and forum. They had great fun picking apart my profile and making fun of it. It sent literally hundreds of these guys to my site. I went to statcounter and suddenly I had over one hundred hits in less than thirty minutes.
I momentarily got scared and put my blog on private mode. Then I thought, what the heck am doing? Many of the men on that site talk about defending rights and the right to this, and the right to that ( that is, mingled in with all the hate and anti-gay stuff they are posting.) Anyway, if they really are as 'American' as they say they are on that forum, then they should be my biggest supporters in my right to post whatever I want to here on MY blog.
So, to all you guys who have been having a laugh at my expense, I hope you'll acknowledge that in defending your rights so vehemently on your site, you are, in turn, defending mine. Yes, I choose to blog about kindness and caring for others weaker than I, and about things you deem to be "hippie crap". You seemed particularly bothered by my profile stating I "look up to Gandhi and MLK." I hope you will allow me the very 'American' privilege of "agreeing to disagree."
Although it was upsetting to read posts with so many of you degrading and poking fun at my beliefs, I support your right to do so. I hope that you'll leave me in peace now and move on from this bit of 'fun' you had. I write this blog to support other moms like me. I am a single adoptive mom whose daughter lived through 12 years of hell before she came to me. I'm doing everything I can to help her to become a good person. I may seem like a 'hippie' to you ( that was one of the nicer sentiments anyway...) but I , like you, am far more complicated than a profile.
if it helps you to feel less bothered by me, I come from a family of veterans. One of my brothers currently serves, and I, like you, am indebted to him and others like him who defend our country. But remember, they are defending ALL of us...me included, and all those inalienable rights that we all enjoy as Americans.
Hope you will leave me in peace.
I momentarily got scared and put my blog on private mode. Then I thought, what the heck am doing? Many of the men on that site talk about defending rights and the right to this, and the right to that ( that is, mingled in with all the hate and anti-gay stuff they are posting.) Anyway, if they really are as 'American' as they say they are on that forum, then they should be my biggest supporters in my right to post whatever I want to here on MY blog.
So, to all you guys who have been having a laugh at my expense, I hope you'll acknowledge that in defending your rights so vehemently on your site, you are, in turn, defending mine. Yes, I choose to blog about kindness and caring for others weaker than I, and about things you deem to be "hippie crap". You seemed particularly bothered by my profile stating I "look up to Gandhi and MLK." I hope you will allow me the very 'American' privilege of "agreeing to disagree."
Although it was upsetting to read posts with so many of you degrading and poking fun at my beliefs, I support your right to do so. I hope that you'll leave me in peace now and move on from this bit of 'fun' you had. I write this blog to support other moms like me. I am a single adoptive mom whose daughter lived through 12 years of hell before she came to me. I'm doing everything I can to help her to become a good person. I may seem like a 'hippie' to you ( that was one of the nicer sentiments anyway...) but I , like you, am far more complicated than a profile.
if it helps you to feel less bothered by me, I come from a family of veterans. One of my brothers currently serves, and I, like you, am indebted to him and others like him who defend our country. But remember, they are defending ALL of us...me included, and all those inalienable rights that we all enjoy as Americans.
Hope you will leave me in peace.
Whoa, I am so sorry some people are choosing to spend their time reading something they disagree with.
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoy your writing and gain a lot from it, please continue to post :).
Jen
I am so sorry! Why do people feel like they have to do this, just because people disagree with them?
ReplyDeleteUgh! While (as a pacifist lesbian) I guess I'd rather they be saying nasty things online than being out shooting things/people, I'm truly sorry they're saying nasty things about YOU. How ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteWow. That does sound scary. And crazy. I wonder why they feel so threatened by someone looking up to Ghandi and MLK?
ReplyDeleteWell, Torina, evidentally I'm a 'hippie' and, I'm sorry, but we all know how dangerous my types are: spreading kindness, doing good deeds,eating organically, raising happy children and the like. I can see why I'm public enemy number one to the NRA crowd. I'll understand if you don't want to associate with me anymore.
ReplyDeleteOh ha ha ha! You know I am just as much of a "hippie" as you.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in high school, my family moved to a new town. I had to go to this country school (not too different in size from where I went before or where I am now though they were all different locations). Only at this country school, were hundreds of kids who thought they could judge others by how they looked. And if someone was "too nice" then there must be something wrong with them. By the end of the second day, every one in the school was calling my sister and I "hippies". No one would sit with us. And the teachers had us spend the day in the library because we were "too disruptive" to stay in the classrooms. And by too disruptive, I mean, too nice yet weird looking. I may have had dreads at the time and I have always worn vintage or tie-tyed clothing and just generally accepted anyone.
My mom had to transfer us out because the entire cafeteria got up and left the second day when we sat down to eat. I am not making this up.
Why are people so afraid of people like us? It is so ironic because we would never hurt anyone. Or judge anyone else. We ended up driving in to an inner-city school and fit in just fine.
Reminds me of that Doors song: "People are strange when you're a stranger, people look ugly when you're alone."
Don’t worry about it.
ReplyDeleteSomeone posted an excerpt from your blog on the gun website under the name of a member. He forgot to log out and someone else posted from his account, as a joke I guess. When taken out of contest what was posted seemed really strange and most of the comments were meant in good fun and directed at him, not at you.
BTW, that site has members of every race. It has gay, lesbian, furry, pagan, Jewish, Christian and atheist members too. It’s an equal opportunity place that makes fun of everyone.
We are all indebted to your brother (and to all the veterans in your family) for defending ALL of our rights. While I probably don't agree with you on some things, I respect your rights. I don't know you, but you seem like a great person... praying for strangers? Who knows... you may have prayed for me. The world could use a lot more people that do things like that.
ReplyDeleteI think most of us would defend your right to whatever hippie crap you like, but we reserve the right to snicker.
ReplyDeleteMeh.. grow a thicker skin. Come join us at AR-15, you may just find yourself amazed that we are not all mouth breathing barbarians.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part we are a very close knit community that do a whole lot of good for the communities we live in.
We will even let you call us names there if you want... its all in good fun, you would not be the only "hippie" there... trust that.
Regards!
Anon, Chad and Pro-gun, I'm glad you commented. If I'm honest, I few of the posts about my writing on your forum actually had me laughing (the spoofs on my " about me" section)
ReplyDeleteBut sadly, out of the TWENTY comments I received here tonight via your site, your three are the only ones I could post. The others were either too rude or x rated ( One guy even went into detail about all the various ways I could kill myself so there'd be one less "tree-hugger" in the world) Another told me to just F myself and crawl in a hole.
I don't get it it. Thats all. I don't mind being the butt of a joke. I know you guys don't know me, so it's not personal, but it does bug me that 17 guys took time out of their busy schedules to leave really evil and/ or threatening comments on my blog. What the hell is that about? I'm sure in their mind I am some idiot with her head in the clouds and nothing betweeen the ears. not true. My choice to be pro-kindness, pro-goodness and all that "crap" is because of living a life witnessing really ugly stuff. I'd rather be part of fixing things than add to the problems. Naive? maybe. But at least I'll die knowing I gave everything I have to make this place better for my kids. I stand by that. I could have gone the other way. I could be sitting at my computer threatening and degrading people anonymously like some guys from your site.But, for me, life's too short to be angry, vindictive, revengful or hateful. Just too damn short. I'm honestly really glad you guys wrote. At least I know there are a few of you over at that site who have a brain and a heart (and a sense of humor.) I'll keep doing my 'hippie' thing here, and look forward to more
dialogue.
2nd anonymous...I think I have pretty thick skin.
ReplyDeleteI just had several more nasty comments come thru...one that had more explitives than I hear in a year. I'm not crying. I'm not running. I'm just surprised at the amount of nasty emails coming my way via your site. If they meant to be funny, I could understand, but they are not. I would post them, but I have some of my students that read my blog too, so I'm not going to.
The only reason I even posted about this is bcause I think dialogue between different points of view is needed in our country. Too often people are too scared or too pc or too close-minded to listen to someone else. I just would rather the idiots with the foul mouths and dirty minds would stop commenting. I'm obviously not going to post what they write, so their only reason for commenting is to bother me..a complete stranger...who never did them any harm.
I'm not surprised a bunch of idiots from the forum are sending you shit. Like all places, there are some great people there and there are some real nutcases. Your blog is pretty tame. I think they're just coming over here out of curiosity, no need to worry. You seem like a pretty decent person and you're doing alot of good. We may not agree on everything, but I'm with you on wanting this place to be better for my kids. We're all trying to do that in are own way. As for the a-holes that are givin you crap, they'll crawl back into their holes before long. only cowards would attack a woman who is just trying to be a good mom. there are alot of cowards out there in cyberspace. thats why they are attaking you ..your an easy target and they cn hide behind their computers.
ReplyDeletenot all of us over at ar15 are gay-bashers and woman haters. i can relate to some of what you posted.
ReplyDeletec'mon. your profile said you talk to trees and do secret acts of kindness for strangers. your just begging to be hassled.
ReplyDeleteThe forum at AR15.com (especially the general forum) can be a mixed bag; however, I can confidently say that I, along with most, respect your rights and your freedoms. The joke that began in that thread was a case of misattributing your words to that of an AR15.com member.
ReplyDeleteNone of the criticism was directed your way. It was aimed at him. The general forum is like the writing in the bathroom stall: some of it is funny, some vulgar, some profound. Keeping that in mind, seeing those words from a member would be extremely suspect.
I believe that your blog is a very noble and courageous site. I am glad that we can both stand up for what is right and true. The majority of the members at AR15.com do not condone any of the pro-hate, anti-everything ideals as you claim. I cannot speak for all, but I am confident that most are freedom loving like you; they just go about it in a different way.
I would probably respond similarly had I believed that others were attempting to abridge my constitutional rights. Many people forget too quickly why our rights were guaranteed, including the second. Please do research some of Jefferson's writings on the right to bear arms, it will give you an understanding of where many of us come from.
Thanks Anonymous, for the most recent comment
ReplyDelete(it starts with the forum at ar15 can be a mixed bag.) I don't even know why people from your site decided that I am anti-gun. I don't own one, but that doesn't mean I am against your right to own one. Please pass the word on in your forum that I am not, as several have commented to me, "anti-gun and anti-American". In fact, I'm pretty sure that if some of those hurling the insults actually read some of what I wrote, they would find I am as tolerant a person as you could find. Anti-gun? My dad was Sheriff in this area for most of my childhood. My brother worked as a prisonguard at the county jail, and another brother is high up in the military. I know how important guns have been in their line of work. I'm not anti-gun, but I'm not
going to go out and buy one either. I'm a great
lover of our constitution and I'll be the first one to stand up and fight to uphold any of your rights. Anyway, i'm heading out with my daughter. I hope the comments will end soon.I'm ready to call it a day.
We don't mix well, but we need each other. You need strong men who are capable of doing violence against those who would harm you, and we need people like you to remind us of what we will become, should we lose the ability to defend ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI only allowed that last one so people can see the kind of stuff I've been dealing with all day. Seriously, if it doesn't stop, I'm going to have to make my blog private for awhile...which I REALLY don't want to do. Can any DECENT person from that ar.15 website just close that thread in the forum? I'd be grateful. I've really had enough of the sick comments. I tried to be open-minded, and honest and allow dialogue, but too many people coming here from that forum are really sick. I don't want that kind of stuff here. Please ? Anyone?
ReplyDeleteI'm really sorry you are having to go through this. I hope it ends, so your blog can remain open. I'm a new reader and I'm amazed at what you have done for your daughter. She is very lucky to have you for a mom.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kerry! I've decided to just stop reading comments I get for this particular post for awhile. If I don't read them, they can't bother me, right?lol. Anyway, nice to meet you. I heading back in to watch Disney movies with my daughter. A much better way to spend a friday night!
ReplyDeletehey keri,
ReplyDeleteyou know i'm pretty libertarian, and consider you my best friend on earth even though we disagree on some things...
i think your talking to trees and seeing fairies things are pretty cute, but don't think you insane or it should open you to ridicule. any more than someone's philosphy that they have a right to own a gun, or they believe in God or Mohammad or whatever they want to believe in. i didn't believe in God until i was 17, so people move through philosophical changes as they move through life. one cannot take away another's variety of religious experience.
and on the other side of the coin, one cannot really make you change your mind by making fun of you. you just let it slide. that's just the way it is.
life is a big middle school cafeteria.
mostly, this will blow over and the fun making will move elsewhere. and you'll continue to pray for strangers (including people who are bashing you, and i hope they realize that) and do kind things and the world will be a good place. and the snarking will continue, aimed all over the web. others will snark back, others will run and hide, but it is what it is. it's the nature of the web, anonymity, and the human condition.
that's just the way i see it dear.
and ... moderated comments are a good thing. when people come after you via comments, you hit delete, and that's that. done. or, you let them through and discussion follows. your choice.
i love you, my hippie.
Sorry you are dealing with some of these comments, but the fact you are facing them and addressed it in your post is admirable. I've learned from you as many have.
ReplyDeleteThanks Holly. I've actually enjoyed the dialogue (well, most of it. I could do wthout the threatening comments...)I really love interacting with people from all walks of life, and I am like my dad in that I have always enjoyed a good debate. The only sad part of this experience is being reminded of how many truly hateful, ignorant people there are in the world. Yes, I got some great comments, but I also deleted over thirty really disgusting ones. THose were obviously just from men who have been crapped on their whole life and are too scared to
ReplyDeleteactually fight back, so...they join a gun forum and attack people like me, whom they know nothing about. It's easier than facing the scary people in thie own lives, I'm guessing.
Anyway, I should be flattered. According to Statcounter, I've had over 2300 hits to my blog in the past two days..lol. That's a record for me!
Again, thanks for your kind words.