This comment by Mary Lou in her post about whether there should be separate forums for Under and Over Miniatures is what prompted me to write.We should all try to get along and respect opinions of all size horses.
I work for a newspaper, a radio station and a TV station. I critique people for a living. I understand the power of words.
I'm not so sure everyone realizes what they write can be the launch pad for strong emotional reactions.
It's too easy to dash off a comment and hit that send button. And not take into account how your words will be received.
Just about every day, I get e-mails from people who don't agree with something I wrote in the newspaper or said over radio or TV. Some of these e-mails are coarse and vile. I usually write back and ask if they meant to come off that way. Often, I get an e-mail back saying that they didn't realize how coarse and vile they had been until they went back and read what they originally sent.
When I'm criticizing someone in print or over the air, I have a rule: If I wouldn't say it to someone's face, I won't put it in the paper or say it on the radio or TV.
Ask yourself the next time you've just written something critical about someone or their views and are about to hit that send button: Would you say it to their face?