When a person writes something that is against the consensus, and another person agrees with the original poster, there can be a different reaction, and it’s nothing personal.

But when the originator posts an opinion that is not in agreement with the consensus, and then there are opposing viewpoints, that’s all well and good.

Because those replies are respectful.

But when another person, just happens to agree with the original poster, and the replies to that person are filled with profanities and accusations, well, that suddenly doesn’t seem all good and it sort of does feel like an attack.

And then when that person, not the originator of the post, but in a separate post, posts an opinion that is not with the consensus, and then that person is treated with the same disrespect, and accused of being a person that they are not, that sort of feels like an attack.

And when that happens, it makes a person think twice about voicing a different opinion that isn’t popular, and it has nothing to do with being overly sensitive, or being a reversal of bullying, or whatever.

It’s in the attitude, and yes sirree, attitude does come through strong and clear even online.

Some can speak freely and be treated with respect, whereby some cannot, and are treated with derision, patronizing attitudes, and accused of being something that they are not.

If we all agreed all the time, wouldn’t it be boring?

They’re codes and all of them are here. I can never remember them so I’ve bookmarked the link and printed them out.

http://codex.wordpress.org/Using_Smilies

Hope this helps.

…and hand gestures…OMG…we used to say one way to shut everyone up was to tie their hands behind their backs…!
I honestly don’t think several of my sisters could carry on a conversation without using their hands…LOL~