asistid

I'm thinking of staying off the Groups threads. It seems like there are a lot of people waiting there to pounce on others' statements, twist them, and make them something they're not. I have noticed that if anyone tries to communicate an opinion that's outside the accepted norm for the site's 'beliefs/attitudes/opinions' they're somehow villified or treated as bothersome. This disturbs me because it seems like individuality would be encouraged here and that one's own opinion would be treated as just that - an opinion. Not as fuel for scorn or rude remarks. Maybe that's just what you get when you participate in any kind of forum. There's a cliquish-bullying vibe there, though, that makes one feel like a petulant child who's in need of a spanking. I am no shrinking violet by any stretch of the imagination and can easily go toe-to-toe with anyone in a battle of wits and words. But why? I would rather be able to express myself freely and without reservation or the worry of having my words twisted. I think from here on I'll keep my opinions right here. If you wind up here and choose to read anyway, twist away!