With any long, drawn out battle, conflict among comrades is inevitable. Our fight to kill the FATCA IGA in Canada is no exception. We are not soldiers on a battlefied with guns and bombs. Our war is mostly fought with words. But sometimes we use those words against each other. On that note, perhaps the following thoughts might help ease some of the tension many of us have been feeling lately.
- You know that little voice in your head that keeps you from writing things on Brock that you shouldn’t? Yeah, well I don’t have one of those.
- I prefer not to think before writing. I like being as surprised as everyone else when I read what I wrote after pounding madly away at the keyboard.
- Have you ever read something at Brock and wondered, “Who ties your shoelaces for you?” See points #1 and #2 to better understand the commenter’s perspective.
- I can explain it to you, but I cannot understand it for you.
- I never argue. I just explain why I am right.
- Do not confuse my personality with my attitude. My personality is who I am. My attitude depends on what or who my comment is directed towards.
- My people skills are just fine. It is my tolerance for idiotic comments that needs work.
- Sometimes I sit quietly reading at Brock and wonder why I am not in a mental asylum. Then I read a bit more and think maybe I already am.
- I hate it when the voices inside my head go silent. I never know what they are plotting for me to write next.
- Be careful when you follow the Brock masses. Sometimes the ‘m’ is silent.
And the next time you are seeing red over a comment made by a fellow Brocker, take a long, slow, deep, breath. Then hold it for about 20 minutes!
@Kittykittykitty…a long time ago someone told me “words are like bullets, they both can kill and once fired neither can be pulled back and be put back in the chamber.”
I have tried to live by that wisdom.
“So, when you are seeing red over a comment made by a fellow Brocker, take a DEEP breath. And then hold it for about 20 minutes!”
I wish I could live by this good rule.
George, you wrote: “a long time ago someone told me “words are like bullets, they both can kill and once fired neither can be pulled back and be put back in the chamber.” I have tried to live by that wisdom.”
This was not intended as a serious post, but I have to say that you consistently set a fine example for us all to follow.
Stephen, re: “I wish I could live by this good rule”, I don’t actually recommend you try that. Twenty minutes is a long time. 🙂
WhiteKat, you are not alone. We share the same couch.
When’s that psych doc coming back, anyway?
😉
I think it’s in AA where they say, “Take what you need and leave the rest”. I try not to let individual biases and attitudes affect my gratitude for the information, support, ideas and stories shared here. Many of us responding are under great stress; it can change how someone replies.
I’ve not kept up… now wishing I had! I love a good, heated debate!
One thing I notice consistently is that the typed or recorded word is indeed like a bullet. But it’s more like shotgun pellets – not very a accurate, and basically splayed by the lack of intonation, volume, expression, emotion, context, etc. The word spoken in person is more like a sniper’s bullet – tends to hit its intended target, but depends how good of a marksman you are!
United by a common adversary.
@TheMom re: “WhiteKat, you are not alone. We share the same couch.
When’s that psych doc coming back, anyway?”,
Hey, maybe we can get a ‘two patients for the price of one therapy session’ next time I am up in the Soo! As for the psych doc, are you referring to the one who thought we were all nuts for thinking the Canadian government would sign on to FATCA? If so, I think he might be in Brock rehab.
@Duchesse, re: “Take what you need and leave the rest”, great advice! Thanks.
@Black Poplar, re: “typed or recorded word is … splayed by the lack of intonation, volume, expression, emotion, context, etc. “, so true!
What a wheeze !?!
loved it! many of my sentiments as well and delightfully written
I have seen @WhiteKat in action in comment sections. Not just satisfied with one comment but going after multiple commenters. It is something I hope to see continues.
@JC, am rarely satisfied with only one of anything (especially if it involves chocolate) ….but after months of ‘wack a mole’, I must admit I got bored. You on the other hand, are still going strong, and from what I have seen are doing a great job of attempting(its not your fault if they don’t get it) to educate the idiots.