So, there's been a lot of negativity and name calling lately. I just deleted an account (without even a warning) that used another user's avatar and clearly was there to provoke and make fun of them. Hopefully that doesn't have to be a regular occurrence, as it is obviously a new phenomenon here.

The basic rules here are that we are here to support each other and, if unable to do that, to learn what you will have to learn in the offline world: to ignore people who bother you. No one on this site is wrong, they just think differently than you.

That said, we need to end the name-calling that has been happening. Again, doesn't matter who starts it. If someone calls you a name, rise to the occassion and don't respond in kind. Plus, it makes it MUCH easier for me to delete negative posts in threads if there aren't already a bunch of negative responses to it. Plus, it's not really a role I enjoy. I rather ya'll learn to co-exist.

That isn't to say you can't have heated discussions about politics and anything else, but just try and say things in a way that are both respectful and contrary to someone else:

"Jazzer, I can't believe you're such a whore," would be an example of a negative reply, despite the fact that it might actually turn him on even more. Whereas, "I don't think I would want to have an open relationship" would be a perfectly fine reply to one of his three-way-laden posts, because that is the jumping-off point for an adult discussion, not a personal attack.

Keep the emphasis on yourself. We are all individuals, and something we do is always going to have the potential to piss other people off. Don't tell other people what they should do, but rather what you would do in the same situation. Of course, many posts specifically beg "what should I do?!?!?!!?!" But this is more a matter of common sense than anything else.

So, everyone cool down, try and think before you hit reply. And, when there are negative posts, send me a PM (preferably with a URL, so I can find something easily), and I will delete it.

If people here don't like each other, it is far easier to ignore them than to stay locked in combat.

There are already enough places and moments in people's lives where they feel unwelcomed, different, and not a part of a larger community.

If you make other users on this site feel that way, ultimately you are the one not welcome here.

Let's try to regain the positive vibes.