I joined a couple of months ago and almost quit because of the negativity I found on this board. I have since learned what topics to stay away from (see Left)! I'm sure as time goes on I will add more, but that's good for now.
Probably 99% of the people (maybe more) on this board are wonderful! But there are a handful that want to be the DIS Morality Police. I have noticed they tend to be the same one's over & over again. I think they just surf this board looking for the controversial subjects. I have also noticed that most people that have been on this board long enough, know better than to get sucked into their comments. The Morality Police seem to prey on anyone that is Earning their Ears.
My solution, I put my comment under my Avatar. It helps keep me from getting sucked into those subjects. I would feel really stupid posting on a thread about any of those subjects, with that comment under my name!
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) who were sitting next to me. She was full of information about Disney---things I did not know and I have been going since a young child. I really enjoyed talking to her and I asked her if she went on any Disney internet sites and said that I had a friend tell me about Disboards. Her reaction was (and I quote) "Oh, they are mean over there". She then tells me all about her site that she is involved in. I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt and try anyway. It took me a long time to join after lurking for a few months and let me tell you, I am so glad I did. Yes, I have encountered negativity but I just laugh to myself and move on. I, too am pretty shy and somewhat worry what others think but then I stop and think "why?". I tend to have a very dry sense of humor and do not want to offend anyone but you have to realize that you have every right just like any other to voice your opinion. Yes, people may or may not "get it" but oh well, right? 
Here's a smilie for ya----oh and this one..... 
and 
glad your here.
