Those of you who “know” me or have been around for a while probably realize that I don’t normally get involved in controversy. I stayed away from the crisis this time last year, despite efforts from both sides to sway me. Many of you have at various times e-mailed or pm’d me to comment on my tact or even-handedness the few times I have even broached a controversial subject. I come here for an escape.
And then I was personally insulted for expressing nothing more than my opinion. I am embarrassed to say I took the bait.
I can only speak for myself, but the gorilla in no way represented support for, or making light of, a situation as serious as being held at gunpoint, kidnapped or otherwise embroiled in an international incident. I say this as someone who has sat up many a night because the South American drug war is very real for my family and the term “international incident” turns my blood cold. In fact, long after this cruise is over and those of us on this thread have gone our separate ways, one of the things I remember most is how a group of total strangers reached out to me and prayed for my family and another they don’t even know when one of my DH’s men was killed in the line of duty last year.
Was the gorilla a bit juvenile? OK I’ll admit to that.
But there was no intent of malice.
I put the gorilla in my sig to support a friend who has been repeatedly bashed recently by people who should be more responsible and know to handle the situation via PM if there is a problem.
It was to support many of us who were slammed for doing nothing more than respectfully disagreeing. If I can’t say “I took XXX to mean XXX…” without being accused of hating someone, well then there is a problem on both sides of the situation. I never said anyone was wrong. I never said I was right. I said I saw something differently.
Again, like the original controversy, the problem with the sig was not necessarily in the action, but the perception of the action. We are all adults. We should be able to respectfully disagree. No one should be able to dictate our thoughts, feelings, vacation plans - or bash people because they see things differently.
I was taking a cue from Stacey who I perceived, based on the last line, as joking in her post. Stace –I misread your intent, and I take full responsibility. If my words or actions in any way offended you, I express my wholehearted apology.
If I have inadvertently offended anyone else with my show of support for a friend, I apologize. Please know that was not my intention.
Hurricanes aren’t funny either. Hurricanes kill people. Consider all the hurricane jokes that have been made at Tom’s expense. Heck, I can’t believe I am sharing this, but I have PTSD from a really horrible, terrible, awful childbirth incident. There is joking about that every time there is a pirate run.
There are people who seem intent on destroying this thread just to be able to say “I told you so.” I hope that doesn’t happen. I hope that like in a Disney movie, kindness and pixie dust win the day, and I want to be a part of that (admittedly, probably as the wise cracking sidekick). I want you to all know that I have truly enjoyed my experience here and I am looking forward to meeting many of you on TOAL.
If you would like to respond to anything I have said in this post, whether you agree or disagree, I respectfully request that you do not quote this post on the thread, but respond to me via PM. I have no intention of killing this thread and continuing to drag out this incident will do just that.
This is the last thing I will say publicly about it. I’m going on vacation.
Don't you think TSA might have a problem with it?
I really enjoy your posts - can't watch mickey swimming without counting the strokes now 
. Looking forward to meeting you in person.
