Politically Correct

[Guest guest]

Well, everyone, we have done it again. Seems like a subject has been

broached that has the camps divided over drawn lines, imaginary as they

are. To all you newbies, welcome to this part of the group. This is the

part that can sometimes be really fun, if you read and pay attention.

Now, I am handicapped, or " physically challenged, " and white male, or

" challenged person of minority status, " and heterosexual. Oops, there, I

did it again with that last word. Another small mistake that can be

misconstrued to mean many things, some of which I am certain evoke

certain thoughts in certain people. Hopefully, they will be positive.

I agree that censorship is not something we want on PLS-FRIENDS, but it

happens in subtle ways. This is something that leads to " lurkers " and

keeps us from the benefit of their insights and stories of PLS and how

they are managing it. It also leads to some people leaving us

altogether. I really wish none of this would happen, but if you read

between the lines of what some people say instead of jumping in with

your own beliefs blocking the essence of what is being said before you

actually try to understand the other person's viewpoint, then we will

continue to have these misunderstandings and some people will rapidly

back pedal or will just stop posting.

We all have our viewpoints. Mine is that I can say this because I am

invisible. No one replies to what I have posted, so I must be like the

person who is totally ignored when he/she says something in a group.

After a few times of being ignored, they begin to feel invisible. I like

being invisible. That way no one can contradict me or jump on my case. I

can move around and listen to what everyone is posting and make my

comments. Most of them, like this one, if you have read this far, are

deleted before being opened. Therefore, I am invisible. So, look out

everyone. I am here, you just can't " hear " me. (Borrowed and modified

from an old Night Court episode.)

This group is open to all who have PLS or have a loved one with PLS.

That was my understanding when I found it and has remained my

understanding since. I find wonderful information here, along with

laughter, tears, loss, inspiration, etc. I read this as soon as I can

each day. I sometimes take a couple of weeks off and don't respond or I

will respond to the person directly so the " line " isn't contaminated

with a lot of little quips and thank yous. That is, I believe, just

proper etiquette. So is listening to another's point of view. If you

disagree, then go ahead and state your opinion. We all learn from this.

But if you have a strong opinion, perhaps you might go to the person

directly and find out if you understood what that person actually meant

before really blasting them. As I was reminded today, this type of thing

is what leads to nations fighting each other. Too bad the person who

reminded me of this was angry and did not know that we all agreed with

him. He just wanted to express his opinion and wouldn't really listen to

what the rest of us were saying. I know I got my personal apology later.

That's my $.10 worth (Inflation, you know.)

Mike, the Invisible

P.S. Read Dolores' email after I tried to send this one to the group.

She's concise. I give a fuller explanation. Both are good, I hope.

Congratulations, Dolores. Enjoyed your posting where you gave all your

credentials, too. If I were to describe you in 25 words or less, the

words would be " Concise. " ;-)