Guess what I am really thankfull for

**Palooka** · 11-27-2008, 02:59 AM

That the debate forum is gone. I never thought I would say that and I really miss it, but I realize it did more harm than good. I noticed that I actually participate more on other threads than I ever did. I used to put all my energy in the debate forum.

I am glad I did get to share how I feel and get to know people and what they believe in, but most important this is a frugal board just like Sarah said.

It was hard because it was an election year and we all had our emotions going. Hopefully maybe someday it can return in a better manor, but if not I am fine with it gone.

And I know my heart was in the right place when I responded to a poster in a simple thread and she gave me a thank you for it. I never thought I would get a thank you from her, but even through our huge difference, she did.

See now isn't that nice? Also when you get rid of a debate forum it weeds out certain people that had their goals wrong all along.

I noticed a difference in me and sometimes I was scared to log on. Now I am happy too!

Thank you Gabe and Sarah for all the patience you have and this place that people with common interest can get together and bond with.

**Russ** · 11-27-2008, 08:25 AM

Great post Palooka. I agree with you 100%.

**Shoshana** · 11-27-2008, 08:26 AM

Hi Palooka!

I'd noticed that you were participating on other threads! That's great! I have to say, I don't miss it either, but I was secretly wishing it would go poof quite a while ago. One of the things that's important to me in my quest for a lifestyle of simplicity (more difficult than one of frugality) is to pay attention to my emotional and cognitive reactions when I'm in certain environments and to ask myself 'is this maintaining or enhancing my life?" If its not, then I need to choose to step back. Now this place is much more of a relaxing and positive influence for me and I don't wonder why I'm "wasting" my precious time reading that sort of stuff. When Sara, (or was it Gabe, or rcannon, or Greebo?) reminded folks that there were hundreds of political-style forums out there, I thought, "yeah, and there is a reason I'm not a member!"

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

**cab54** · 11-27-2008, 09:15 AM

Yup, I'm not gonna miss it. I'm basically a non-confontational person anyway.

For me, the key to life is to live and let live/agree to disagree.

**jamie79** · 11-27-2008, 10:22 AM

I have to say I do miss it but its your right not to miss it. I just think if you dont like hamburgers then you dont go to McDonalds. I know this is a frugal forum but we can talk about other things right?

**xtena** · 11-27-2008, 11:36 AM

With the debate forum gone, I'm afraid the aggressive attitudes of the hard-core debaters will spill over into the regular forums. For instance, there is a frugal grocery spending challenge thread where a regular 'debater' jumped in out of the blue, bragged about their own 'superior' diet and harshly criticized the previous posters 'unhealthy' diets. Totally inappropriate.

**PrairieRose** · 11-27-2008, 11:37 AM

I personally am glad it's gone. I think over all it brought out more aggressiveness than I've ever seen here before. I would actually feel some physical effects of reading some of the threads and knew that it wasn't good for me.

We are a frugal forum and ofcourse we do talk about other things but if that's the sort of discussion you long for there really are plenty of places to go where that's the norm, places that are actually geared for that.

**Neeley** · 11-27-2008, 08:49 PM

I also miss it. I have found myself not spending nearly as much time on FV and instead spending more of my time online at other websites since it was removed. The vast majority of the time I do spend here is now in the arcade.

**missyali** · 11-27-2008, 09:05 PM

I didn't even notice it was gone

What does that tell you about me?!?! Okay, maybe don't answer that! My bottom line when I post something is that it must be something I am completely comfortable saying to someone face-to-face. I really struggle with some of my posts as I am very animated when I speak and feel much of message is in the presentation. I felt that the debates forums got a little harsh at times and shied away from them for that reason. With that being said, I hope nothing I have said has ever offended or caused hurt feelings. My posts are simply sharing my thoughts; right or wrong.

**Palooka** · 11-27-2008, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by xtena

With the debate forum gone, I'm afraid the aggressive attitudes of the hard-core debaters will spill over into the regular forums. For instance, there is a frugal grocery spending challenge thread where a regular 'debater' jumped in out of the blue, bragged about their own 'superior' diet and harshly criticized the previous posters 'unhealthy' diets. Totally inappropriate.

If that thread is the same one I am thinking about, she is not posting here for now.

**phoeny_moonstar** · 11-28-2008, 02:40 AM

Can't say that I missed it cause I could never find it! *blush* LOL

**rainbowgc** · 11-29-2008, 11:50 AM

I once belonged to another site where the debate forums became extremely hostile. It never ceased to amaze me the hate that was spewed for difference in thought. I still use some examples when I discuss certain social issues. Having said that I don't think I would ever involve myself in a debate forum again. There is no real debate (respecting anther's opinion) it all seems to deteriorate into fowl!