[Chemar]

Hi to all members

We have a number of threads running here that are bound to provoke thought, as well as evoke responses on many sides of the issues. We are in a major political season in the US and NeuroTalk is also a very diverse International community, with members of every culture and creed and color

We have this section of the community as a place to be able to get to know one another and discuss anything and everything, as long as the conversation falls within the ToS and guidelines for the community.

The lively discussion that takes place here is something we value, and as such we want to try to keep conversations open, and free of moderation as much as possible. But when open discussions become negative in personal ways *toward* any members here, it becomes necessary for us to intervene and apply the guidelines that are designed to keep the community running fairly for all members.

One of our guidelines states to "- Limit your direct discussion of politics, as people usually hold pretty strong opinions about this topic. Use the Politics Icon when posting a political thread."

We have allowed a lot more political discussion here recently, and also a lot of sensitive moral and ethical and controversial topics. People have deep and often opposing views on these topics and that is fine, provided that the expression of those views takes place in a respectful way toward all other members, even those we strongly disagree with.

I am making an open request for everyone posting here to stop and think before you hit that submit button. Would the words you have written be ones you would react to as a flame if they were coming *at* you from someone else?

I hope we can return to being able to discuss the heavy and the light things of life here without discussions becoming confrontational toward, or offensive to, this diverse membership ....... we all share this community

Cheri

ps here's a Link to NeuroTalk's Guidelines
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=1293

[Alffe]

I didn't even know we had a P icon! *grin

Cher, you have the nicest way of smacking us up the side of the head.

[MelodyL]

We have a P icon????

That's news to me!!!! lol

[KathyM]

Gee, I wonder who started the ugliness in this forum - why do I have a huge lump on my head. Oh yeah - ouch. Sorry about that.

I never cared for politics, but I value my life, friends and family.

Did you know my nickname is "Casey?" I was supposed to be named Cassandra, but my mom chose Kathy at the last minute. I was named after Cathy from the movie Wuthering Heights - but with a K to honor my aunt. My sister preferred Cassandra, so to this day she and my childhood friends still call me Casey.

Did you know Senator Casey's father died from familial amyloidosis? It's a rare type of a rare form of a rare disease. His father was able to prolong his life with a liver transplant. Obviously, Sen. Casey didn't inherit his father's disease. I also have familial amyloidosis. My type is different in that there is no treatment because it's systemic and the amyloid is produced in my blood/bone marrow. I don't qualify for stem cell rescue because my type is genetic.

So, when I see "Casey supports Obama" all over the TV screen, should I see it as political or personal?

[momXseven]

I didn't know what the P icon was for, I did not think it was for pee

[Chemar]

Just to clarify......... I sure wasnt directing my comments toward any specific member(s), but rather reminding *all* of us of the guidelines.

The line often blurs between the personal and the politics etc and so it is easy to become personal in our posts. All I am asking is that we not take aim *at* our fellow members while doing so, and be sensitive to the diversity represented in this community.

thanks again
Cheri

ps to help others know what a thread may contain and so give them the option of not reading political threads should be marked with the
while anything sensitive or controversial but not necessarily political, is prolly best marked with the trigger icon

[SandyC]

Cheri, thank you so very much for this.

[MelodyL]

"Did you know my nickname is "Casey?" I was supposed to be named Cassandra, but my mom chose Kathy at the last minute. I was named after Cathy from the movie Wuthering Heights - but with a K to honor my aunt. My sister preferred Cassandra, so to this day she and my childhood friends still call me Casey."


Hi Kathy:

I think Cassandra is a gorgeous name. If I had been named Cassandra, I would have made EVERYBODY calle me Cassandra. It sounds sort of surreal, like one should be draped in ribbons. I have no idea why this name makes me think of ribbons.

Oh, years ago, when I first found out I was pregnant, Alan and I talked about names for girls.

Guess what I would have called my daughter (if I did indeed have a girl).

I would have named her Samantha Roselle. Isn't that a pretty name?

My husband's mom was named Sarah. She was deceased long before I met my husband. So you take the first initial and you name the child.

I also wanted to give a middle name. My mom's name was Rosale (but everybody called her Cissy, and I have no idea why).

So combine S (for Sarah), and Roselle (from Rosalie). and you get Samatha Roselle.

I had never heard of that name but it sounded very unique.

Probably would have called her Sammy for the rest of her life. lol