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Date Posted: 04:48:13 04/08/02 Mon
Author: Nightowl (remove X from addy before sending e-mail)
Author Host/IP: Dial2a-234.i2eyenet.com / 64.80.2.234
Subject: I'm not sure what you're saying here, but I think you are right, this "place" is too pretty to go unused. This place also has a history of doing good for a lot of people online. Many of us found real friendship here, some have met in person even. However,
In reply to: Ann 's message, "This is too pretty to just sit here. I don't know what the problem is, but SOLVE it." on 19:43:58 04/06/02 Sat

if people don't feel safe in a place, they tend to avoid it or watch from a safe distance, I guess.

You know what I mean? Some people stand back and watch a street brawl and would never try to break it up, not even by calling the police to intervene, but, as I see it, if a person doesn't speak up and become part of the solution, then he/she is part of the problem.

It's kind of like watching the neighbors fight or hearing them bounce each other off the walls and not trying to help them find peaceful solutions to their disagreements. You may become part of the problem if you "take sides" on an issue, (which happens all too often in life); you will probably become disliked by the warring parties if you openly condemn them for squabbling, but if you offer peaceful alternatives to them instead, perhaps they will stop fighting and learn to communicate without anger.

In any case, somebody with authority has to speak up and say something like, "If you can't play nice, at least agree to disagree; but if you can't do that, and you still want to fight, take it out in the yard." You may not win the Nobel Peace Prize for doing that, but you'll earn the respect of others for trying to maintain harmony for all who come into your "house", whether it's real or cyberspace. Otherwise, those who have been invited in may not return because they don't feel at ease with people arguing around them. Who does? So they stop coming to visit for fear of being the next "victim" of verbal assault for voicing their opinions openly.

The above is just "my opinion", and I may be wrong, but it is my belief, and I stand up to say it openly, even if I am wrong. If anyone has another thought to put forth, I'll be eager to listen, and I may even change my mind somewhat. Nothing in life is totally right or totally wrong, as I see it, except perhaps math and the ten commandments, (and I've broken several of them, some more than once even), so I can compromise, if you can.

Peace,
Betty Lee

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