My sister in-law is going through the same kind of challenges with her daughter Michelle. Her older daughter Catherine, who has been living with my mother and I since she was 6 months, is having a tough time in dealing with Michelle. It is very hard and at times frustrating trying to explain to Catherine that it is not her fault when Michelle acts out and does things. Their mother and stepfather are having challenges themselves and Catherine is having a hard time in understanding it. She thinks that they are favoring Michelle over her and at times becomes angry and resentful. We are all making an effort in “keeping the peace” between them.

I thing it is awesome that there is a website where people can come together and blog about their feelings. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.

God Speed,

Denise M. Limbert

Sure, there’s no denying the fact that he shoots from the hip (yes, Cornell is an example: although I can’t say I disagree with the assessment, nor is TRez the first musician to have an opinion about other musicians’ work–it was just the medium) and he’ll be the first guy to point out that he’s kind of a prick. But being kind of a prick and a perfectionist professionally does NOT justify racist commentary EVER. EVER, EVER, EVER.

I think the cowards, the crazies, and those who think that every famous person they have latched onto is their bitch are a different lot than the followers who do/say whatever their hero-of-the-day does (although I grant that there is likely some overlap, but I don’t think they’re necessarily part-and-parcel). At this point the internet in general, and social media specifically, means questions of access and privilege in regards to celebrity (and that runs the gamut – actors, musicians, writers, artists, random public and not-so-public figures… technically since I’m Known to medievalists some could try to argue that I fit the bill, too) require consideration. Twitter’s reaction to what was happening and to suggestions of ways things could change to help make it a better place for all involved (and specifically for TR and Q and celebs in similar straits) were ignored. The usability of Twitter is obviously not Twitter’s prime concern, it’s just numbers at this point… which is a shame, it could be a far more useful tool if they bothered to see how it’s actually being used.

It’s time to address those questions.

Thank you! There is so much more about social networking that needs time for consideration and discussion… but those are posts for other days. I hope you’re right… that, were Himself to read it, that he would have been OK with it. But he’s busy in Europe – many more important things to do!

(And don’t worry, I’m on nin.com, too, as well as twitter — I’m not a hater! But the forums have really denigrated, much to my distress (so I’ve just been on to check for PMs and then skedaddling) — and I thought this issue was ultimately bigger than TR’s recent experiences, alone — so upon consideration I decided a public comment was more appropriate than a response on the forum… even if it does put me out there and make me a target, too.)