Bear with me. I'm going to discuss a couple of my pet peeves in extremely general terms because my intent is not to call anybody out, but to vent.
First, I recently saw something that really bothered me. Under a diary I was reading, someone, seeing it fit to play "Diary Police," had posted a remark to the effect of, "Why is this a diary?"
This was a diary not about healthcare, Afghanistan, or any other major news issue; rather, it was about entertainment. I have seen this sort of thing before under other non-political diaries, and find it more than a little rude. More below the fold.
But first, so this satisfies the political/current events requirements of the Diary Police, I'm going to say the following:
- We urgently need healthcare reform--but the current bill isn't good enough.
- We should get out of Afghanistan (and Iraq, for that matter)
- Climate change is real, and
- Joe LIE-berman is a___________(Fill in the blank with any colorful name or series of names you can think of. Profanity not only allowed but encouraged.)
That's my take on the current hot topics.
I see Daily Kos as similar to a newsmagazine such as Time, Newsweek, or any newspaper--all of which cover not only news and politics, but also entertainment, lifestyle, sports, books, music, etc. Because Daily Kos has something for everyone--there are healthcare, Afghanistan, and other current events/political diaries for news addicts to sink their teeth into.
And then there are community and other non-political diaries on the topics I listed above. It so happens that sometimes there are so many diaries on healthcare or whatever else is the hot topic of the day that I get tired of seeing them, but I don't post rude comments under them about how sick I am of the subject. I just pass them by and only read those on different topics, which includes the non-political ones.
I'm familiar with a cliche' which goes, "If you don't like what's on TV, change the channel." To anybody who might feel motivated to make snide remarks under a non-political diary, such as, "Why is this a diary?" a good question would be, "Why are you reading this diary?" Anyone who doesn't like a diary shouldn't read it.
The second pet peeve I want to bring up is the following: People who, when they find a diary in which the diarist talks about her problems and is clearly looking for support from this community, make unkind remarks. For example, saying she's "whining," or making light of her predicament. A couple of instances of this I saw last night under a diary by someone clearly frustrated by her bad situation were the last straw, so I thought it was time to put in my two cents' worth.
I mean, I know what it's like to be in the sort of situation where one needs support and constructive advice. In 2008 my life had gotten to be something of a mess both mentally and financially, so I posted a few diaries about my difficult situation. I've also posted WYFP and Chronic Tonic diaries earlier this year. Fortunately nobody has been unkind--everybody who responded has been very compassionate, helpful, and supportive.
Aside from that, I know this community is capable of great generosity of spirit and compassion both for strangers and its members, between the IGTNT diaries and the community quilts that are being made. So it makes me very sad when I read, under a diary in which someone's asking for help, meanspirited remarks.
Anybody reading a diary which is a cry for help and thinks it would be a good idea to post rude remarks should consider the following: How would they like it if they asked for support in a diary and instead received cruel remarks? Some very wise person long ago said:
"Before judging another person, try walking a mile in their mocassins."
It would be a good idea if anybody who is tempted to make rude remarks when a diarist is seeking support were to think about this saying before typing them. And if they can't say anything compassionate or constructive, they shouldn't say anything at all.