Moderation issues

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all who offered support of . She's going through an

extremely difficult time. It's unlikely that she saw all of the posts

before she left to be with her mother, but they will be available to her

upon her return. I exchanged some thoughts with her last night and I

believe that she'll be staying with the group. I very much hope she

will.

If you ever do receive mail from another member and it's a problem,

please let a or me know privately. We will try to help find a

reasonable solution. The well-being of all of our members is very

important to us.

Rude E-mail, thoughtless posts, snake-oil sales - that stuff happens in

a group this large. I wish it didn't, but that's life on the Internet.

Please realize, too, that sometimes an individual may write something

that hurts or offends you, but he or she didn't mean to have that effect

on you. As hard as it might be, try to give that person the benefit of

the doubt. There could be circumstances that might explain what the

person wrote. It doesn't necessarily absolve the offender for not taking

more care with his or her choice of words or tone or message, but it may

be easier for you to accept what has happened.

Disagreements will also occur, but, as long as the debate leaves out

personal attacks and name-calling, that is OK. We can learn much from

constructive exchanges between parties whose opinions differ.

As some of you so insightfully pointed out, one person doesn't

necessarily speak for the entire group. Don't let all of the good

support you can both give and receive here be negated by one hostile or

careless or opportunistic individual.

Don't let the opinion or will of someone you don't know very well get to

you. I know that it's easier said than done, and it has taken me a

couple of years to be able to more easily deal with people who attack me

both off the list and on it, but just remind yourself that the vast

majority of members here are caring, good people who mean well.

Collectively, we have many strengths and a wealth of worthwhile things

to offer each other.

To those who take it upon themselves to moderate the group either

privately or publicly: please don't. If you have a beef, it is far more

appropriate that you bring up the issue with a or me privately.

Peace to all!

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org