Hi Celia,
I wish there were a way of interacting with some of the fine folks on the CDDF without being subjected to the devastation caused by the Gatling guns and smart bombs going off over there...
I can certainly understand Kathy's frustration at the tone evident there over the last few months; I think it's a major loss for
everyone involved when a CD forum (any CD forum) loses the input of GGs--something that happens whenever these leave, for fear of drowning in testosterone tsunamis.
All this has a direct bearing on Shannon's question about whether or not an "extreme" area be created on this forum. If the results are anything like what we've witnessed on the CDDF lately, I, for one, will revise my opinion by saying that I rather Shannon
not create such a possible outlet for bellicosity and ego-driven misunderstandings.
I hear Kathy's voice in Lefty's firm opposition to this project. I wouldn't want to risk losing Lefty, Kay, Curly, the other SOs (and, indeed, anyone else here) by creating an alienating atmosphere on the forum. What we have here, girls and boys, is very precious. This site, and all you good people (and this includes participants with whose views and expression styles I may disagree) have been a soul-soothing balm to me and, though I've only been here for slightly less than three months, I've been affected, in the best possible way, by what I've experienced here.
I was hurting a couple of weeks ago and decided to take a little break. During that break, I found myself impoverished by your absence, all of you. I need you. All of you.
Despite our own recent flirt with fire, I think the temperature in the room never went above 98,6 degrees--a very human temperature. What's currently going on in the CDDF causes second- and third-degree burns. Although I know Kathy is pretty thick-skinned (she's said so herself on occasion), this may be a time in her life where she needs loving hugs in return for the ones she so freely gives, as protection against the flames over there.
Kathy, if you're listening, know that you're not alone right now, either here or on the CDDF. Please don't let yourself be driven away by individuals in search of a boxing opponent. Connection matters more than contentiousness. If I may be so bold as to lay my hand on your round belly, I do so while hoping that your little girl will grow up in a world that more closely resembles this forum than it does the CDDF.
Although there are many awesome people on the Parsimony forum, I have to say that I'd hesitate to recommend it to anyone, unfortunately.
Finally, in the spirit of this post, I sincerely apologize to anyone who may have been offended by something I may have written in the heat of my own anger. Although I realize that my own ego drives me also (and though I think of my ego as being relatively healthy), it's still no excuse.
I hope you have an awesome weekend (and an awesome life), people!
Love,
Christina
P.S.
Kathy, great big hugs to both you and Amanda (well, actually, maybe I can just hug your thigh or something, eh Kathy?
)!
Newt Gingrich 
She can use some support and TLC right now, for sure. That's the way one of my nieces felt just about at the same point in carrying her daughter back a few months ago. She's her irrascable self now. 
. Best word I can give to it is ZOO 
. 
Carol Ann