posted on October 20, 2001 11:54:50 AM new
I've been an AW poster for over 2 years now. I've seen people helping people, compassion, understanding, shoulders extended to those who need one to cry on, hugs galore, tears shared in sympathy, shared happiness, and love. I've seen discussions, disagreements, arguments, even some knock down drag out fights on these boards. But I've yet to see the level of fighting that's been goin' on here for the past couple o' days. I urge you all to take a step back and look at what is going on. There can be a million threads on how we have not let the attack of 9-11 change our lives or increase our fear, but the bottom line truth is that we are ALL FOREVER CHANGED. We are hurt, we are scared, we are angry. We come here to our AW friends, as we do regularly when events in our lives warrant, for sharing. But with ALL of our emotions raw, we are simply succeeding in hurting others & ourselves. If we had a shrink on staff, he/she could explain to us how our newly found daily stress is contributing to the creation of this horrible environment. But we don't. All we have is ourselves, and hopefully the ability to understand the facts that a) this is a one dimensional form of communication - we cannot see posters or hear the tone of their voices, so text is wide open for interpretation. b) People are scared, people are lashing out without thinking and are, in that process, posting things that they may FEEL at the moment, but KNOW it's not reality. (geez, I have friends who are not bigots, who think a reasonable solution to the problem would be to deport every non American citizen, of course I know them and I KNOW that they really really don't mean that, but are so frustrated they are letting off steam, and will come back to reality when the next mood swing hits)
Our world was irrevocably changed on 9-11, over that we had no control. But as many many posters here have said, to allow this to destroy us would be to allow terrorism to win, and we CAN control our behavior here. We CAN watch our words, knowing how much hurt we can cause. We CAN be more tolerant, knowing how everyone is hurting. We can choice to destroy this environment and leave many casualties in our wake OR we CAN make peace right here in our own little corner of cyberspace, comfort each other, and perhaps, just perhaps make our worlds alittle bit better. The choice is ours.
I started this thread because I felt, in my heart, that I had to say something here (a selfish act indeed) If I have offended anyone, I sincerely apologize.
~ Rancher
Last night on Larry King, John Melencamp sang his newest song. As I listened, I kept thinking about the situation here, so I found the lyrics and hope that you all will read them and find some peace in them.
Peaceful World
Written by John Mellencamp
Come on baby take a ride with me
I'm up from Indiana down to Tennessee
Everything is cool as can be
In a peaceful world
People know this world is a wreck
We're sick and tired of being politically correct
If I see through it now but I didn't at first
The hypocrites made it worse and worse
Lookin' down their noses at what people say
These are just words and words are okay It's what you do and not what you say
If you're not part of the future then get out of the way
Come on baby take a ride with me
I'm up from Indiana down to Tennessee
Everything is cool as can be
In a peaceful world
Racism lives in the U.S. today
Better get hip to what Martin Luther King had to say
I don't want my kids being brought up this way
Hatred to each other is not okay
Well I'm not a preacher just a singer son
But I can see more work to be done
It's what you do and not what you say
If you're not part of the future then get out of the way
Come on baby take a ride with me
I'm up from Indiana down to Tennessee
Everything is cool as can be
In a peaceful world
Lay back the top and ride with me
I'm up from Indiana down to Tennessee
Everything is cool as can be
In a peaceful world
The money's good and the work is okay
Looks like everything is rollin our way
'Til you gotta look the devil in the eye
You know that bastard's one big lie
So be careful with your heart and what you love
Make sure that it was sent from above
It's what you do and not what you say
If you're not part of the future then get out of the way
Come on baby take a ride with me
I'm up from Indiana down to Tennessee
Everything is cool as can be
In a peaceful world
Lay back the top and ride with me
I'm up from Indiana down to Tennessee
Everything is cool as can be
In a peaceful world
posted on October 20, 2001 02:05:33 PM new
I don't want to speak for Rancher but I think this is what she was trying to say...
YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVING FEELING
You never close your eyes any more When I kiss your lips And there's no tenderness like before In your fingertips You're trying hard not to show it baby But baby, baby I know it
You've lost that loving feeling Oh, that loving feeling You've lost that loving feeling Now it's gone, gone, gone Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh
Now there's no tenderness In your eyes when I reach for you And girl you're starting to criticize little things I do It makes me just feel like crying baby 'Cause baby, something beautiful's dying
You've lost that loving feeling Oh that loving feeling Bring back that loving feeling Now it's gone gone gone And I can't go on No-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Baby baby I get down on my knees for you If you would only love me like you used to do We had a love A love a love you don't find every day So don't...don't...don't let it slip away
Bring back that loving feeling Oh, that loving feeling Bring back that loving feeling Now it's gone...gone...gone... And I can't go on... No-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh...
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
fixed ubb maybe
[ edited by mybiddness on Oct 20, 2001 02:07 PM ]
posted on October 20, 2001 08:26:12 PM new
I dont know how I missed this thread. Maybe its because Im just tired after getting home from work? I immediately went to the fun and happy threads and didnt scroll. Rancher, you are a good person. You just took on the roll of balancer, and I appreciate it. And youre right. I come here, and have always come here, because I like the people who post here. Even the ones that rag me from time to time. There isnt anyone that I dislike. Some I wish I could get to know more, some I wish would take the time to get to know me more. Some I avoid because I feel they prefer it that way. Some I respect, some make me laugh, some have views and opinions that I covet and want to read because they are intelligent people. Some I have come to care for and some I consider friends even though they are online friends. Some I have hurt, and some I have ragged back. But Im still here, and part of me waits for an opening to mend rifts if any sign is shown that that mending is possible or would be welcomed. I feel bad about lots of things. Im also stubborn. But I will never slap away an olive branch and timidly extend one of my own from time to time if I feel there is an opening there for it. But I cant wear my heart on my sleeve anymore. It wont be tolerated in here. We all know that, because we have all seen the results if someone makes that mistake. All I can do at this time is say thanks for saying what you did and hope a time comes that things can change back to the better...at least in boardland.
posted on October 20, 2001 10:58:05 PM new
When I pass this spot
from day to day,
I will smile and say "Hey:
For all the times
both good and bad-
you've been there,
you've always been had.
I turn my back, and yet
your still near.
You help me forget my fear.
Take me under your wings,
guide my thoughts and prayers,
and when but words I utter forth;
do not let my words lead
others to dispaire.
Written by me, to a long lost friend of mine. It could apply to this situation as well.
Rick
In the begining, God created the heavens and the earth.
edited for a major spell error
[ edited by ddicffe on Oct 20, 2001 10:58 PM ]
