Just gave my first negative rep (on MC)

[Morrigoon]

Wow, I actually found a non-trolling post offensive enough to inspire me to hit someone with negative rep on the other board. I cannot believe what people are willing to say when discussing weight. Put any other minority name in place of "fat", and this person looks like a discriminatory a-hole, but somehow people feel that it's okay, since it's fat.

[Betty]

It's very true. It's socially acceptable discrimination and bigotry.

[Mousey Girl]

I totally agree.

[Kevy Baby]

Well, I don't hang at MC. Not because of a preference, but simply because I barely have enough time to keep up here at LoT. MC, from what I have seen and heard is an excellent board.

And while I haven't read said offending post/thread. I am sure that it deserved negative rep - if not more.

But one of the things that I enjoy about LoT is the (mostly) positive social aspect of it. While it is okay to vent about things in life - we certainly do our fair share of that here - it takes another step to vent about things on other boards. Most people on LoT also post on MC (I think), but not everyone on MC posts on LoT. I would rather not provide fodder for a potential "board war."

Thank you for listening; that is all.

[wendybeth]

I agree, KB. Offensive posts occur on just about every board, and the good thing about rep is that you can directly let someone know you don't appreciate their attitude or stance on an issue. While I haven't seen the offending post, I've a feeling that particular poster is going to get dinged more than once.

On the subject of weight, I knew once the medical community and public officials started talking about the dangers of obesity that it was sort of an open season declaration on overweight persons. Lawmakers started tossing about ideas for 'sin taxes' on junk food, with the same excuse that they used going after cigarettes and alcohol- since 'sin items' strain the medical system, they have the right to recoup losses through taxation. Now that smoking is on the decline, people feel justified in targeting overweight persons. Personally, I think it's wrong, and anyone who is crass or cruel enough to comment on anothers weight in a negative manner is nothing more than a bully, but for some reason people seem to feel that they have the right to do so. When I was smoking, I always tried to be considerate of non-smokers, yet even when I was in the smoking area and abiding by all the rules there would be some asshole that would have to make a snide comment. These people don't care about your health, they merely want to put themselves up by belittling you. I quit smoking in spite of these persons, not because of them.

[Stan4dSteph]

Why are you discussing someone's behavior on MiceChat here?

[Prudence]

I shouldn't have gone to read it. I had no idea I was hated by so many people who've ever met me. Guess I won't be going to any meets should I ever happen to be in the area.

[Jazzman]

I don't see anything wrong with Morrigoon coming here to discuss with her friends something that bothered her. I didn't see her post as a "MiceChat is bad" post at all, but rather a "I can't believe some people are this arrogant. I’m offended and here is what happened that upset me," post. It just so happened to refer to an MC event, but c'est la vie.

M, I'm sorry that you had to put up with that, and I definitely support your decision to use the neg rep button. It’s too be that so many glass house dwellers have such easy access to easily flingable stones. Hang in there though; the averge person in the world no doubt doesn’t give a rip about your waist line. It’s you they like and respect, so just say "screw off" to the others and enjoy life amongst your friends.

[Monorail Man]

What it boils down to, is that MC is such a public place, that specific people could care less about what other people think, as long as they get their point across. (Just like any other public forum of communication.)

However, when you group a bunch of people who know each other (LoT), you get a respectful, well thought-out community that allows for free thinking, and you don't have to worry too much about stepping on toes, and insulting people, because you KNOW your audience. Public forums don't have that.

[Morrigoon]

Prudence: Please don't let that discourage you from Micechat, it was just one thread, but I was shocked at some of the responses.

Steph: brought it over here because I wanted to discuss the issue away from the board in question with my friends who might understand my position on the topic. Besides which, doing this on that board would be a public "calling out" rather than a private vent of my anger.