I'm damned if I do..... And I'm damned if I don't..... Who feels the same as me?

Must... not... join... in... but here goes. I have been trying to follow the stalking controversy after I've finally made sense out of what was going on (took me a few days). For a while there, I was scratching my head and kept on wondering what is being talked about until I finally got to the discussion that started it all. Things got way out of hand. And I know that if I try to share my opinion about this whole business with the best of intentions, I am worried that it would still be taken out of context and misinterpreted by some people from both sides... thus adding more flames to the fire... or is it fanning the fire/flames even more? Like you said, we're damned if we do and damned if we don't. It's quite difficult for me since I was born and raised in said country and I can't help but be disappointed and upset over later comments (when things got really heated) made by a few people from both camps. So I decided to be like Switzerland, stayed neutral and hoped that cooler heads will prevail and not think about it anymore until you, Mr. James brought it up.

Yeah but unlike you I do not have the restraint to keep my mouth shut. If I know something is being blown out of proportion I will bring up the facts of the situation to encourage an actual working conversation to open up a true discussion. But I think most people use this site when it comes to topics that have a high rate of biases to further strengthen their biases and not actual converse on issues. Kinda one sided, but then again I do this in real life too. I cannot stand gossip. And I will always speak up when it is being said.

I can understand religious discussions or discussions from Atheist who say God does not exist and Christians who say that HE does, or discussions about abortions and pro-life, marriage between different genders and marriages between same gender being controversial, but discussions on the right spelling for a certain word, or whether it is right to correct spelling or grammar even with the person's person, etc. That is taking it a bit too much. I mean are we going to be arrested or put in jail by the myLot police if we do spell one word wrong?

There have been several times were I've found a discussion that I just want to jump into and speak my mind. Like others I just hold my thought to avoid being flooded with hate responses. At times it is difficult to do. It is really tough when I am already in a poor mood, and I find one that just calls me to jump in and say what I really think. I never do and just sit stewing on the side.

There are way too many discussions like the ones you are describing. The ones I tend to steer clear of are the ones in "Politics". Especially if the person doing the posting is bashing either of the candidates. I know everyone has there own opinions and ideas on things.. but bashing a candidate instead of offering unbiased facts or speculation will cause heated arguments and hurt feelings. SO that is one topic I try to steer clear. Other discussions are usually OK. If I feel I have to respond I try to keep things as civil as possible. But even then, some will misinterpret what you say to suit them so they can lash out against you. So.. you keep posting and replying and hope those with a superiority complex will leave you, your discussions, and your responders alone.

Well if I really have something to say, I will say it. But maybe it's pointless lol.

I have come across some dicussions of the kind that you have mentioned, not exactly the Burkha one but others which i would think fit into that category. It does get me kind of worked up and i do at times get tempted to say something. But those are initial ractions. I normaly then contemplate on whether i should or should not. Invariably i land up being the spectator and then am thankful that i did not post anything there. Why get into irritating, or conciously hurting someones sentiments ? That is how i end up silencing myself.

Hi James72:) I haven't come across any discussions like that in the hour or so I've been puttering around mylot, but i will definatly keep my eye out for them. I would probably think the same as you and feel it pointless to respond. I bet reading other peoples responses would be entertaining though.

No if I like the discussion I answer it. I have not seen anything that was so controversial that i could not answer it and even if it was I would still like to give my 2 cents on how I feel cause there is some who will agree with me and some who will not and I am not worried about those who don't cause they can feel the way they want and it don't bother me.

Yes. I read a lot but don't say much where what I might say could be misunderstood either intentionaly or by mistake so I just huff and move on. Maybe I should have done here too

I can't tell you how many times I have typed something in the response box, sat there and looked at it, deleted, retyped it, deleted, retyped, and finally just deleted it and walked away. I will jump in and defend a friend, if I feel they are being attacked for no real reason, if I see the discussion in time. For the most part, I sit on my hands to keep from saying something that may start more trouble than is worth bothering with. I will stick with laughing at Irish, calling you a dork, and chasing mykl around with a whip.*S*

OH YES!!! It seems that if I feel passion on any subject, that I should at least keep my mouth shut!!! Will I follow what my head is telling me??? Probably not!!! My heart usually leads & often gets me in trouble with someone. Do I really care??? NOOOO. This forum is for discussion & opinions. I offer my opinion & I've NEVER asked anyone to believe the same as me. ALL I ask is they consider what I said!!! Let me say James...if you run up on one of my posts & have the urge to respond, please do. Just know that if you disagree with me, you WILL get a response back not changing my opinion. However, I will sit back & think in private about YOUR OPINION & possibly modify my train of thought. When I feel passionately about something, totally changing my opinion may be hard. Yet modifying my opinion is a start & that is what I think discussions are for!!!

Oh gosh I so agree. There are so many times I want to jump in and give my opinion but I'm scared of what kind of hate I'll get back! I love being able to express my beliefs and thoughts but I also don't want to @@pi**@@ anyone off though. I recently posted on the religion thread and as much as I feel very strongly on the issue, I'm cringing about the response I might get. And my post wasn't even that strong. But I'm trying to become more confident in my rights to my opinion. It is just that indeed ~ an opinion.

All the time. Especially when I know the person in the real world and know what they talk about are nothing but lies. I keep my mouth shut and stopped reading what they write. Sometimes it's best to leave things alone!

Yes, it happens to me all the time. That's why I try to specialize in only a few of my most passionate topics. Some days I don't post much at all, just read. A lot of times outsiders can see things that people smack in the middle, can't see.

Nope, I do not feel the same as you if you feel damned if you do and damned if you don't. I snicker if I do and roll my eyes if I don't.