Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group More incidences in London

it`s not me with the lance. Look at the posts.

I`m on this planet.
God knows what planet you are on if you think its ok
when someone gets shot for wearing heavy clothes.

hi to all,

i haven't posted here for awhile now, but this thread has compelled me to add my thoughts. one of the issues that causes me great concern is the lack of tolerance accorded to fellow a.s. sufferers who brave uttering a contrary opinion. in recent months, we have witnessed k.a. members and administration who have criticized other k.a. members who were merely expressing their viewpoints.

freedom of expression is one of the rights that most people in democratic societies hold precious. in order for us all - and that includes people throughout the world - to bump along together with our vastly differing political opinions, we need to realize that when we raise an issue that has political overtones, there will be disagreement. in the same vein when we make religious references, there will be others who are offended. perhaps the administration might set up a new forum so that those who wish to discuss politics or religion would have a venue to do so.

if someone writes something that you disagree with or find offensive, then ignore the post - as i've been instructed to do on occasion. there is really no reason for anyone to find snotbox's posts in this thread offensive.

justine, snotbox lives on the same planet that i do and is entitled to her opinion. she is also entitled to express it when the issue was raised by the OP of this thread - even if it was originally raised in the guise of condolences and the ever prevalent 'prayers' that we are increasingly subjected to.

i also think it is inappropriate for any k.a. member to chide another and ask them to 'cool' it. people should be free to say what's on their minds .... if you don't like it, read something else. but personal attacks will serve only to cause people to stop their posting.

it would be a real pity if k.a. turns into a boring site where only those who espouse the currently prevailing popular opinions are accepted. surely we can do better than that.

cat ...

Well said Cat. I think it would be a real shame if snotbox stopped coming here. I personally think her often irreverent posts are a ray of sunshine. It's an emotive issue here, sure, but I've seen her censured for the most trivial of banalities, and it's a bit off.

For my two-penneth worth, I go to a news discussion forum to discuss news. There are heaps of people of all persuasions there and finding a ruck over an issue like this is like shooting fish in a barrel.

Regarding the thoughts and prayers - These always seem to be driven by compassion, and that can never be a bad thing in my view, no matter what your stance on any religion is.

Shane

I agree with you Cat to some extent. I think we should all be able to say what's on our mind, however, I think George also had a good point in that we should try to be considerate of our fellow KickAS members. I think you can find a way to say what's on your mind without being overly offensive.

That said, I didn't much like it when snotbox said

Quote:

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sadly, it looks like we are finally descending to the level of the US.

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I'm sorry she feels that way about the United States. As an american, I'm proud of my country, and happen to think we're one of the best in the world.

Now, back to the subject at hand. I'd just like to say to our members who are living in England that I'm sorry this is happening in your country. Until the 9/11 incidents in our country, we didn't really know what it felt like to be "attacked". Now that we do, I think we can, for the first time, truly empathize with you.

I expect that you will continue to have alerts, just as we've had. I think this is the way the terrorists work. They do one big attack, and then after that, anytime things start to settle down, they "leak" information that there might be another attack, and watch as we all react. I think it gives them a big thrill to see us react. It's a real power trip for them. This is the same modis operandi that all abusers use. Do something to make someone afraid of you, then after that, just the threat of it happening again is enough.

I do have a question for those of you living in England. I thought your police officers don't carry guns. Has that changed?

Hi snowlady

In reply to.

Quote:

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I do have a question for those of you living in England. I thought your police officers don't carry guns. Has that changed?

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I just heard on the news today that the Police in England just started wearing guns 2 years ago. They changed the rules so that they could wear guns. I just hope that the news on TV that I heard was right in this story.

John

I understood it was only certain police (Armed Response Officers) and special cases like diplomatic protection police, and anti-terrorism officers that carried guns.

But then I moved from Britain to the opposite side of the planet three years ago, so it may have all changed since.

Hi to all,

I'd like to take a moment to request that all of our membership demonstrate a little extra personal restraint for any further discussion that takes place on this thread.

We hope you'll try to support the Admin efforts to keep this site a civil friendly place where we're all at liberty to express our differences of opinion, so long as we do so in a respectful manner that shows consideration for one another.

If an argumentative vein continues, rather than a civil discussion, this thread will be closed. Any further debate would be better suited within the Kickin' Back forum.

Thanks for understanding.

Hey girl,

How have you been?

You have been in my thoughts, as it is a very scary time over there at the moment.

I hope that the kids do not run you ragged, and things are going as well as can be expected with Hugh.

Hugs

Lori

Well - heck !!
I just typed out a great big reply to all this and then. I have no idea what happend but the whole thing deleted and I had to start over.


Maybe it was a sign - the whole answer was stupid anyway.I never seem able to express myself here, the way I mean to.

I just wanted to say that it's such a shame, when someone like snotbox comes along - she is smacked down in such a hurry. Personally, I love to hear her opinions and am often in agreement with them. It is upsetting that we only " fit in " here if we allways agree with the " in crowd "
That being said, Snotbox, I do believe that you would not get these reactions if you could somehow voice your feelings without getting personal about it.

I'm sure you've likely heard this before and would rather that I just shutup. Sorry, I just wanted to try here.

Maggie