ljsmack
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Post by ljsmack on May 31, 2012 21:58:15 GMT -5
I think as more people tweet, what goes on on twitter gets folded into the perceptions about atop. Same with posters who post on multiple boards. I don't tweet, but I do follow Anthro for kicks, so I could be wrong. Also we've reached 1000+ members, and group dynamics (good and bad) trickle in.
I love our international members, and I try to add explanations when I lapse into Ameri-speak or slang, so there is extra caution necessary not to scare them off. I think it's natural to have a few splinter groups, but I'm resistant to the dark-side label. I think we can have respectful conversations here, cuz that's the way most of us roll.
As you can see, I majored in rambling musings! Love you guys!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2012 22:02:41 GMT -5
Hoppers, are we going to get to keep the thread? And if so can we change the name to something better? I liked mika's "Dark Satellite of Love."
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maria1
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Post by maria1 on May 31, 2012 22:05:10 GMT -5
Hate that begets hate. Learned bigotry. What to do? Can't hate a 3-year old. Just can stare agast at the people surrounding him, perpetuating that hatred. No, can't hate the 3-year old. It's the adults who have the responsibility. Those who taught him the song, and every single adult who laughed and snickered in that "church". I am not religious per se, but I believe in the Golden Rule. Not sure how it goes in English, but basically you shouldn't do to others what you wouldn't wish to be done to you. These are same sort of people who would say "the only good nigger is a dead nigger", laugh at stories of Chinamen drowning in their laundries, and look on with satisfaction as their Jewish neighbors are rounded up into cattle cars. What do you do with people like that? What are the options? Reasonable ones, that don't turn you into the mirror image of the behaviors you abhor. [runs fingers through streams of warm candle wax; looks up] Education. Humanizing those that they try to demonize. And legislating equality, to counter those who would gleefully narrow down rights to solely their personal definition of righteousness. This is what I believe in. I have discussed these topics with my homophobic brother. I asked him recently whether it's right that my lesbian friends who are almost 50 and have been together for almost 20 years STILL can't go to the family celebrations of the other one of them together. My brother admitted that it's not fair. The other of these two ladies has helped me a lot during my career. That helped impact my parents' opinions. I believe that personal example and telling stories like this helps. A teeny bit, but it helps. Adam is the human cast, by many, in the role of demon. With every interview and song he tries to change that tide. But that tide is strong. It is changing, especially in the young. But the water remains deep and icy cold. I grieve at times. I grieve too. How unfair, utterly senseless it is to demonize someone that way. Tide does change, and again, we can support that with our own example. But sometimes it feels very hard.
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aloha
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Post by aloha on May 31, 2012 22:13:21 GMT -5
lol.. hoppers, why are you trying to make the dark thread all squishy?
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lakato
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Free your mind and the rest will follow...
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Post by lakato on May 31, 2012 22:25:00 GMT -5
I kinda like this place! Maybe it will inspire me to post more often.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2012 22:53:07 GMT -5
The only negativity I saw yesterday was calling out someone who was only asking for support. And to say that her post came off wrong because it was surrounded by light posts is ridiculous. So we must make our posts conform now? This is a roller coaster ride but the people in the front of the car are often at the bottom of the hill while the back is still on the top. Doesn't make either spot more "right" and we can't pretend the other one doesn't exist.
When I left my first dark post early early this morning I was fearful that it sounded too rebellious (which is kinda funny to worry about on an AL site isn't it?) cause really--I was pissed off. I couldn't get back her until now and I am so thrilled to find like-minded folks who believe in full acceptance. I feel so relaxed here that I don't want it to end. Can we keep this thread forever? But my only request is that in this dungeon we do not ban the occasional light post. Two wrongs don't make a right, my momma always said. Free speech and all--I know, crazy, but it could work! We could even not judge a person by the size of their...font. Being ostracized might not be too bad.
Love you all!
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mika
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Post by mika on May 31, 2012 23:42:32 GMT -5
Big hug Hoppers~~ We do grieve but we remember and you are right - ignorance/apathy are so often at the root of hate and engagement is so important. One of the things that has impressed me about Adam from the beginning is that he has the most amazing instincts in defusing, educating, and, when necessary, smacking down coolly and effectively - when it's not ignorance but malice at work (see Perez). Adam would be the best conflict mediator ever - though to be honest, the hugs alone might work. Oops, keeping it light too, right? Well, I find the prospect of Adam reading parts of the '50 Shades of whatever' both horrifying and lulzy. (I'd need a relaxing substance - maybe two but sounds irresistible) The Funny or Die video parody w/Selena Gomez made me chuckle.
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maria1
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Post by maria1 on Jun 1, 2012 1:41:03 GMT -5
A little lighter side post: I have been waiting to see the rainbow flags on the Market Street of San Francisco (the main street) to celebrate Pride. They were finally there when I was out tonight! I jumped up and down, clapped my hands a little and laughed out loud. People were looking around themselves like "what is SHE seeing that we don't?"
Those flags displayed so prominently in one of the largest cities of the US always warms my heart so much. To me they are one, really big and important sign on freedom.
(Sorry for the squee on the dark side, this just made me feel better!)
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Post by outlawbooster on Jun 1, 2012 2:19:04 GMT -5
A quick hello from someone who got the old heave-ho awhile ago from ATOP! Just letting you know that I as an avid AFL fan, who is fretting over the same things (radio plays, promotion, etc) can't believe how restrictive ATOP has become... As mature adults, we should all know that the world is not all light, pretending the dark doesn't exist doesn't make it all go away! Bringing the dark to the light, where it can be examined, thoroughly discussed, is the only way to try to come up with solutions! Also, I love Adam's dark side, he's the one performing on stage...giving us the thrills when he's the BAD boy...I love it that he's not perfect....even tho fans keep on harping on his perfection....Give the man a break...he's our AFL, insane singer, gorgeous, handsome, gay (To the misfortune of us hetros) & NOT perfect...Thank God. Perfection is only applied to people who teach 3 yr olds disgusting songs... Now I'll drift away again....Bye
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Post by seoulmate on Jun 1, 2012 2:25:55 GMT -5
[grins] Fine. Think of it this way. The mod team is overstretched and wants one day every two weeks where we aren't getting slammed about ATOP negativity. [winks] Nuthin' is stopping anyone from saying the same thing tomorrow on the main thread. Just sayin. Is this really true, hoppers? Are the mods getting complaints all the time about negativity?? This is a revelation to me.
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