I have been informed that unless I learn to tolerate personal attacks and insults and not respond or defend myself that I am at risk to be banned.
If those who make those kinds of posts to me were not allowed to get away with these TOS violations I would not slap back at them in the way that I do. Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is...as long as I have been a member here these insults and attacks have been allowed to be made without any consequences. As a result, anytime I do attempt to not respond it only leads to even more posters joining in and attacking at will. I'm not willing to tolerate that kind of treatment to continue to post here.
I would much prefer to not be attacked and insulted and not feel the need to respond...but I really don't have much choice. I've been here 5 years and each time I've sat back and not responded it has led to 3 times as many people making those attacks because I'm then viewed as an easy target. I won't do that.
I hope this thread will be allowed to stay long enough for those of you who have an opinion on whether or not you want me here to have a say. If most of you want me to leave...I will. If most of you value the input I offer, you should probably let Allen and the mods know. Whatever the case may be...I'm not going to sit back and allow myself to be the target of those who have a problem with me being here. So, the only way I will end up staying is if something is done about those who attack and insult me or I am allowed to continue to slap back when someone slaps at me.
So, yeah...post your thoughts if you have any. I'm not going to be making another post in this thread...I'm just going to read it. Perhaps that will help it stay open a bit longer.
Quick edit...
To those who say to alert the posts, I have tried that route numerous times. Unfortunately, the second I stop slapping back there are always 3 times as many posters who join in on the attacks who apparently are too afraid or intimidated by me to say anything when I'm responding. This creates a whole new dynamic...dozens of posts to alert. In the past, moderators have gotten ticked off at the number or alerts and even though I did not attack anyone I still end up getting blamed for the situation. Rather than delete all those posts, they are usually left up and entire threads get closed because of all the flames...again...this is even when I don't respond. Regardless of whether I stand my ground and hit back or ignore it and hit alert...it's still perceived as being my fault this happens. Basically...I can't win in this situation no matter what I do...even if I do what the moderators ask me to do.
Thanks for the input so far...it's appreciated.
Another Edit:
I'm not complaining about being attacked. If I were that weak of a person I would have left long ago. What I take issue with is that I'm being expected to do something no one else is being asked to do...put up with it and just shut up while it continues and I have to "submit" or "conform" while those who attack me basically get away with it. I DON'T want special treatment here. In fact...it's the opposite I want. I want to be treated like anyone else on this forum. I don't believe it's fair to ask me to just sit back, shut up and put up with abuse from some people. That's not something I'm willing to do.
I'm NOT looking for sympathy or even support from anyone here. I'm only asking if my input is valued or not. If it is, as it appears to be, I think it's important that Allen know that. And for the record, it wasn't Allen that sent me the PM telling me to basically put up with it or get banned. I suppose it's possible that the moderator who sent the PM to me could have made that threat without Allen knowing, but it's hard to say. I just wanted everyone to know if I do end up banned why it happened.
If those who make those kinds of posts to me were not allowed to get away with these TOS violations I would not slap back at them in the way that I do. Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is...as long as I have been a member here these insults and attacks have been allowed to be made without any consequences. As a result, anytime I do attempt to not respond it only leads to even more posters joining in and attacking at will. I'm not willing to tolerate that kind of treatment to continue to post here.
I would much prefer to not be attacked and insulted and not feel the need to respond...but I really don't have much choice. I've been here 5 years and each time I've sat back and not responded it has led to 3 times as many people making those attacks because I'm then viewed as an easy target. I won't do that.
I hope this thread will be allowed to stay long enough for those of you who have an opinion on whether or not you want me here to have a say. If most of you want me to leave...I will. If most of you value the input I offer, you should probably let Allen and the mods know. Whatever the case may be...I'm not going to sit back and allow myself to be the target of those who have a problem with me being here. So, the only way I will end up staying is if something is done about those who attack and insult me or I am allowed to continue to slap back when someone slaps at me.
So, yeah...post your thoughts if you have any. I'm not going to be making another post in this thread...I'm just going to read it. Perhaps that will help it stay open a bit longer.
Quick edit...
To those who say to alert the posts, I have tried that route numerous times. Unfortunately, the second I stop slapping back there are always 3 times as many posters who join in on the attacks who apparently are too afraid or intimidated by me to say anything when I'm responding. This creates a whole new dynamic...dozens of posts to alert. In the past, moderators have gotten ticked off at the number or alerts and even though I did not attack anyone I still end up getting blamed for the situation. Rather than delete all those posts, they are usually left up and entire threads get closed because of all the flames...again...this is even when I don't respond. Regardless of whether I stand my ground and hit back or ignore it and hit alert...it's still perceived as being my fault this happens. Basically...I can't win in this situation no matter what I do...even if I do what the moderators ask me to do.
Thanks for the input so far...it's appreciated.
Another Edit:
I'm not complaining about being attacked. If I were that weak of a person I would have left long ago. What I take issue with is that I'm being expected to do something no one else is being asked to do...put up with it and just shut up while it continues and I have to "submit" or "conform" while those who attack me basically get away with it. I DON'T want special treatment here. In fact...it's the opposite I want. I want to be treated like anyone else on this forum. I don't believe it's fair to ask me to just sit back, shut up and put up with abuse from some people. That's not something I'm willing to do.
I'm NOT looking for sympathy or even support from anyone here. I'm only asking if my input is valued or not. If it is, as it appears to be, I think it's important that Allen know that. And for the record, it wasn't Allen that sent me the PM telling me to basically put up with it or get banned. I suppose it's possible that the moderator who sent the PM to me could have made that threat without Allen knowing, but it's hard to say. I just wanted everyone to know if I do end up banned why it happened.
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