Billygoat: If you had spent any time considering my comments, you would have seen that my first paragraph was a reasoned, logical response to Waiting, who had told me to mind my own business. And yes, this tread had turned into a bloodlust celebration, which disgusts me.
MadApostate,
I understand what your whole post said. I read it in it's entirety. I guess the reason why I made my comment:
I believe since this is a public discussion board that NOBODY has an obligation to stay out of a "conversation". It is a public conversation by simply being posted. So please let me take a moment to be a "Ms. Buttinsky"...
The reason I addressed it to you is because I didn't want you to tell me to butt out like you did with waiting. Your comment caught my attention because of all the ALL CAPS (screaming) and foul language. That's all.
Thus, why not take your own advice given further down in you post, AND STAY THE FUCK OUT OF THIS DISCUSSION!!!
I don't feel like I've been hysterical at any point in this thread. Emotional? Hell, yes. Obviously this topic hits home for me. Were others emotional? Of course. It's hits home for them too.
My problem with some of the posts here are this. I got the feeling that some posters were trying to invalidate the emotions of my experience. That because I've been raped myself that I cannot think rationally. How insane! I think I probably think more rationally because I HAVE experienced it. If you have NOT experienced it, then it's difficult to understand ALL perspectives. Does that make sense?
I work very hard at not getting too emotional on this board. I've said things that the moment they are out of my mouth, I regret saying them. I know how much damage can be caused by them. So I reign in what I say and how I say it. (Posting on a discussion board has it's benefit, because you can read your words before you actually 'say' them.) But I think it important that people address the issue instead of making personal attacks at the person. I don't agree with your insult to Tina. Your words had nothing to do with the issue. This board obviously has a history of personal attacks, but I'd like to think that we are maturing in our methods of arguing by addressing the issue.
If anyone thinks that I am "bloodthirsty" for Erica's abuser, I think they're wrong. I don't have to be bloodthirsty. The courts took care of him the way the courts should. Do I rejoice? Yes, without a doubt. Why? Because the courts decision is one thing that will immensely help Erica in her recovery. Knowing you can live your life without the abuser still walking the streets is a comforting thought. There are more abusers out there, but we can only take care of them one at a time. This is one less one we have to worry about today.
If there is anything I've said that has hurt someone's feelings or made them feel as if I were minimizing their feelings - I apologize. I hate it when that's done to me. But I guess on this subject we'll just have to agree to disagree.
Andi