The Violent Political Devide

[Timber Wolf]

Hi everyone,

I retreated here where I am (hopefully loved) after reading a reply that came in on a You Tube reply I made some time ago. I checked it when I got the notification because it was so old I didn't even remember what I had replied to. The video I had commented on was asking whether America was going to have another civil war. I had made a comment from the left wing point of view. After reading it, I started reading the replies to my comment. I might have expected arguements, insults and the like. But instead I got death threats, because I said I thought trump should go to jail. The nicest reply said that I should be in jail. One guy vowed to find me and that I should watch out when he does. Another said I should be killed. Another said he's got me in his cross hairs.

 

Now I know that this is just talk, but it is the first time I've ever been the target of death threats. It's really not very fun. The sad thing is, I may have to get used to them. I have decided to go back and report the most grievous ones. Don't know what good that will do, but will see. 

 

It's a lot nicer being here reading posts from friends I love, regardless of political persuasion. 

 

Lots of love,

Timber Wolf??

[Willow]

Personally, I closed my facebook account for several reasons.  One was that every couple of weeks a new story about facebook misusing my data was hitting the media.  Another,  even bigger that was all the political posts, many of which were very hateful.    Finally,  many of the posts were obviously wrong in their claims.  I decided I'd had enough.

 

No one deserves to be threatened like you have described by someone that simply disagrees with you.  Unfortunately, that's what we've come to.

 

 

[VickySGV]

Carla, I am the survivor of death and harm threats as well from my working for civil law enforcement agencies for forty years and will be very quick to say it is un-nerving at least, and truly worrisome in a few cases.  This was before the days of the internet I may add.  You are in a safe-haven here as are all members and other staff, and we want it that way.  I just came back on from another web-site myself where I was talking to someone who is a known good ally of Trans people where our discussion was on the subject of control. The people who responded to you with the threats feel out of control and have for a while.  They see someone who they think is in control that they can relate to on how he looks and the language he uses, but they and he are really not that bright to see that while they have power now, that each day they live saps that power and the old saying that "He who lives by the sword will die by the sword" is almost a sure thing for their lives. 

[Carolyn Marie]

I'm sorry you had to endure reading that crap, Carla.  It is all too common these days, and its something that I don't think is going away any time soon.  We've become an uncivil society, and threats and hatred are found on both the right and the left.    Even when there aren't any threats, the fact that strange and unwelcome people follow you on Twitter, FB and other public places is far too common and disconcerting.  I find myself blocking people everywhere, including my phone.

 

All we can do is guard our identities and keep a watchful eye on wherever we occupy public spaces, IRL and online.  It's a dangerous world we live in.  ?

 

Carolyn Marie

[Cyndee]

Sorry to read this Carla, but it comes as no surprise. I know where you stand on many things, and we do have a reasonable moderated forum where such things can be discussed with civility. Unfortunately in the free word space, anyone, can basically say anything, and therefore hate speech exists, keyboard attacks are cheep. I personally won't participate in social media of any kind, or comment on articles, or youtubes, none of it, it's my choice to be free of all that. I would say best to move on.

 

Hugs

 

Cyndee -

[tracy_j]

I am sorry to hear this Carla. There are many people out there who like to hide a bit on the Internet and create havoc when they feel safe. One thing I always consider though (even at times with local social situations), is that nothing is forever. People who are like that generally move on to the next person who raises their anger. They tend to forget people from the past as their lives are full of current issues. I would keep a low profile for a while and, as Cyndee says, move on.

 

Tracy

[Jani]

Carla you are certainly loved here. Big hug for you!  

 

I am sorry you've endured this hatred.  I refrain from making comments on open sites because of people that are crazy to the extreme that they would write hateful things.  

 

Jani

[Kirsten]

Trump is a self righteous twit imho. And anyone who would say that kind of stuff to you is as well. F#%* them! Report them and move on! Everyone is a tough guy behind a keyboard. 

[Charlize]

I certainly understand your feelings Carla.  I must admit to feeling that unease from time to time as well.  I do my best not to read any posts or replies to a post i may make outside of my friends.  When i did in the past and saw the expressed views of some nasty folks i was actually hurt.  How can there be such hate in the world.   Fortunately the majority of those folks can only hide under the rock where they  hide and fester .  Hopefully they will stay there despite being prodded by 45.   It's sad but i try to remember how much better it is today than it was even 20 years ago.  I'm glad we have a space to share our feelings without the nasty interference of others.  It is getting better one small step at a time and today is beautiful.

 

Hugs.

 

Charlize

[Josie Beth]

The twit in chief being elected has emboldened a lot of actual deplorable people in the right leaning population. Not everyone is like that but the more the people with criminal mindset and behavior take a more prominent role in conservative politics, the more contagious that attitude will become. Will it spark a civil war? I’m inclined to believe no, simply because nobody has the momentum to really get something like that started. Could there be isolated incidents and crimes committed by people claiming to do it in the name of whatever revolution they are calling for? Yes, it’s already going on. But it doesn’t grow any larger because the martyrdom they seek never gains traction. Either extreme dwindles very fast. The one good thing about law enforcement and the military is that they typically get rid of the really dangerous threats before they grow too big and then the followers run off and quickly distance themselves. The problem with the people who behave badly online and in real life is their egos are so big they start to think they can get away with anything and it’s ok. While it may be dangerous, typically they are cowards. Fortunately the current president is so inept that he is making a stronger case for losing a second term race than he is for winning it. But we have to be cautious that we don’t swing too far the other direction just to overcompensate for this idiot. It’s the same thing as learning to steer a car, oversteer and you’re likely going to crash. Little corrections keep the car on the road.