O.T. : It isn't always about you. Geez!

People are trying to make a particular post all about themselves, they are getting defensive because they have their friends, and cliques and what not. If you think people talking about you in a particular post, maybe you need to re-evaluate your actions. Not one person was named or called out in the previous posts. But as was stated before, participating in that activity alienates some of the new people, because they don't know what is going on. They feel like they just walked in a brand new school the day before graduation. If you have gatherings that are not open to everyone, that's great, its your life. But do not bring it to the board, as somebody else mentioned that is what other websites, e-mail, phones, private messages, and your other groups are for. Not everybody is able to participate in activities that cost money or require traveling a great distance. This board is meant to support WLS and Weight loss of all types. Its services all genders, races, backgrounds, economic statuses. It wasn't founded to alienate anybody. By bringing up what you did with other members of the board on an exclusive outing is not conducive to creating the harmony and support that everybody needs. Yes, we joke around and share tid-bits of our lives, but it doesn't become the center of a morning post or something that we have to hear about days on end. I believe that the "old-timers" (2 yrs out min), have a wealth of information to share with some of us newbies and pre-ops. I am not making this about me, unlike what somebody told me in pm. I am just agreeing with what most people seem to be saying. Maybe having smaller coffee groups will help. I noticed that SFV is having one, and the Inland Empire, I know High Desert has one, and of course there is the So Cal Coffee in Long Beach. Maybe, actually getting to know more people face to face on this board will help people see, that people are more than just an avatar. There is a real person behind that picture, with feelings and needs. We need to just remember what we all came here for in the first place-- support and understanding. Not drama and judgment. We live in a great nation, and yes we have the first amendment-- freedom of speech. That is awesome. But, really, do you wish to use that freedom to alienate and hurt other people. People you have never even met? So we should bring to an end all this drama and start anew. We don't need people leaving this board, because of this pettyness. We just need to think of other people when we are replying to a thread or posting a topic.

Absolutely Michelle. Great post. x0x0x0

Good post Michelle.  I have been here for over 7 years and I have backed off of the board on more than one occasion because of the drama.  I have chosen to come back because I need the support badly.

There are just times that we have to ignore the garbage and stick together for the support we all so badly need.  Know that I am here for you when ever you need to just talk.