[kindlekitten]

wow! go off camping and what do I find! a total trainwreck!

so, first of all... I called someone a moron. I called this person a moron because they decided they needed to attribute my handle to a slavish infatuation to a corporate entity. this person was very new to the board and had no idea that my handle was a) my second one here, and b) actually a tribute to a very dear cat (tragically deceased) that was extremely infatuated with my Kindle, thus garnering that name which is now actually a tribute to her, and not any nod to the device. PLEASE NOTE I did not call the person an asshole which is certainly crass, or a retard, which is certainly actionable, I called them a moron. it was deleted. I can't imagine what folks may have thought I said to move a moderator to come in and state that complaints had been made and my words needed to be censored.

next... my signature which many many of you have asked me about...
A female college student on an exchange program with a country that I guess I can't mention, as apparently that caused some upset folks, has had a really rough ride. this girl was, I believe, falsely accused and subsequently incarcerated in what at best was a farcity of justice for a murder I, and many others truly believe she did not commit. my sig line WAS in support of her, asking for justice for her. I was threatened with banishment if I did not change it. for the most part I like hanging out here, find the majority of the people to be fairly intelligent, and like the discussions.

this leads me to... wow! who EVER thought it would be a good idea to discuss those videos on an international bulletin board? huh? really bright idea? and anyone was surprised it would get folks stirred up? people who are in, have been in, work with, train, etc the military, tend to have some pretty passionate views about what happens to and with our troops. I'm not trying to reopen the thread, but I would like to tell all of you armchair combat leaders that it isn't a game, it isn't easy. there isn't a reset button, there's not an option to go to the next level. you're given the information the people on the ground have knowing full well that it is not only your ass, but the folks with you and whatever retribution there may be that follows. you can NOT second guess what is going on unless you have done something similar. unless you have EVER been under hostile fire, don't presume. anything.

there is a trend in this country, and I am beginning to think it is springing up other places as well, to make EVERYONE win. in the little kids' games of soccer and baseball, no one wins, no one loses in attempt to make everyone feel good. I think this is a huge mistake. life is not like that. an attempt to make the internet like that is a mistake as well. unless you are running a site that starts out with "Disney" or "Playskool" or whatever, it needs to be accepted that everyone has graduated to their big girl panties to play. if you need your hand held, or to run to a moderator every time your feelings are ruffled, then maybe the interwebz isn't the right place for you.

if a place like the lounge is going to be provided, then it needs to be thought about like a place LIKE a lounge, a pub, a bar... a place where folks go after work (or before). to talk about the things that are important to them. and to BE ABLE TO TALK!!! about things that they may not be able to at work or at home, just like they would at their favorite watering hole. if you close your eyes, you can probably see the pool tables in the back with H.T., recluse, dsvick and poohbear in a hot game of 8 ball. in a seperate room away from the noise and silliness, Zelda and Florence are having tea and comparing their most recent purchases at the shops. Kaz dashes in inbetween soccer mom duties. WDE is proudly showing off his gorgeous pup. Adrian is swinging from the chandeliers while Marc cringes and wonders many lightbulbs will be shattered this time. Poets, Liars, Bikers, Cowboys, Heros, Cowards, Saints, Sinners, all have a chance to belly up.

or.... we are incredibly politically correct and have no lounge at all