I'm ashamed!

[Uncle Al]

This may tick some people off but - - - -



I’m ashamed!

I’m ashamed of members criticizing other members for their opinion.
I’m ashamed of members cutting down political figures.
I’m ashamed of members bashing former heads of state.
I’m ashamed of the way I now have to live because of the current (U.S.) leadership.
I’m ashamed of not having the buying power I used to have under the previous leadership.
I’m ashamed of the current leadership increasing costs to the citizenry, to satisfy leadership ‘wants’.
I’m ashamed of the extreme left ideology to take away U. S. Citizen’s rights.

When are “We”, Skirt Café’ members, going to go back to promoting Skirts for Men?
When are “We” going to understand that “We” can’t armchair quarterback Government?

To my knowledge, there isn’t any ‘law’ that states a man can’t wear a skirted garment.

I wear skirted garments daily, and proud of it. They do not hinder anything I undertake.
I will wear pants where needed. I don’t do work on my roof in a skirt. If I fall, the pants
will protect my legs from abrasive roofing material. If I’m working on my car, I wear pants
to protect my legs when down on concrete, under my car.

With the current dialog, sometimes I’m ashamed of being a member of Skirt Café’.

When will we get back on the track that this Café’ was designed for?

End of

I'll go back under my rock and

Uncle Al

[moonshadow]

Well, I do have some good news....

As of this writing, Rotech still hasn't billed my insurance. I'm starting to suspect this particular storm may be over... at last.

As for the rest.... your wish is my command.

[Uncle Al]

Excellent news Moon
Glad to hear something is going right for you, for a change, instead of knocking you down

Uncle Al

[Faldaguy]

This may tick some people off but - - - -



I’m ashamed!

I’m ashamed of members criticizing other members for their opinion.
I’m ashamed of members cutting down political figures.
I’m ashamed of members bashing former heads of state.
I’m ashamed of the way I now have to live because of the current (U.S.) leadership.
I’m ashamed of not having the buying power I used to have under the previous leadership.
I’m ashamed of the current leadership increasing costs to the citizenry, to satisfy leadership ‘wants’.
I’m ashamed of the extreme left ideology to take away U. S. Citizen’s rights.

When are “We”, Skirt Café’ members, going to go back to promoting Skirts for Men?
When are “We” going to understand that “We” can’t armchair quarterback Government?

I suspect you are right -- some may be ticked off.

I find it ironic that you have just made a perfect example of, criticizing other members; cutting down political figures; and of extreme ideology in your complaint about that very behavior.

On the personal front, I do not mind the armchair stuff -- it often contains the seeds that allow us to dialogue to a better understand one another. I was not sure why I jointed the SC; but I can tell you, if it was only MIS's we discussed -- the site would likely be dead or useless -- it is the real lives of the people here as they interact with their world that gives me, mostly hope -- and sometimes despair; but keep me following and posting.

[Fred in Skirts]

This may tick some people off but - - - -



I’m ashamed!

I'll go back under my rock and

Uncle Al

Al, I have to agree with you on everything you stated. I did not Join the cafe to argue politics, I came to read about and comment about men in skirts. If I wanted to hear and read about politics I would watch the nightly lies called the news (I don't). Thank you for bringing this to a head!
Now I will go and read about skirts and not politics.

Fred

[Ozdelights]

This may tick some people off but - - - -



I’m ashamed!

I’m ashamed of members criticizing other members for their opinion.
I’m ashamed of members cutting down political figures.
I’m ashamed of members bashing former heads of state.
I’m ashamed of the way I now have to live because of the current (U.S.) leadership.
I’m ashamed of not having the buying power I used to have under the previous leadership.
I’m ashamed of the current leadership increasing costs to the citizenry, to satisfy leadership ‘wants’.
I’m ashamed of the extreme left ideology to take away U. S. Citizen’s rights.

When are “We”, Skirt Café’ members, going to go back to promoting Skirts for Men?
When are “We” going to understand that “We” can’t armchair quarterback Government?

To my knowledge, there isn’t any ‘law’ that states a man can’t wear a skirted garment.

I wear skirted garments daily, and proud of it. They do not hinder anything I undertake.
I will wear pants where needed. I don’t do work on my roof in a skirt. If I fall, the pants
will protect my legs from abrasive roofing material. If I’m working on my car, I wear pants
to protect my legs when down on concrete, under my car.

With the current dialog, sometimes I’m ashamed of being a member of Skirt Café’.

When will we get back on the track that this Café’ was designed for?

End of

I'll go back under my rock and

Uncle Al

I must say I agree with a lot of what you say. I do believe there is a place for some discussion:

I understand the cafe to be there to promote MIS and also to provide support to one another as we go about our lives in the world wearing skirts.

Sometimes our support of one another will be to listen to their experience at the hands of a policy or decision of their government. I believe this would be in 'off topic' if it doesn't relate to MIS. BUT I do agree it should be limited so we don't end up with a political debate/slanging match and we must respect others opinions, we don't have to agree.

One of my regular quotes is 'I have been wrong before!' Now I'll find my rock.
Thanks everyone for being here.

[ScotL]

I find it ironic that you have just made a perfect example of, criticizing other members; cutting down political figures; and of extreme ideology in your complaint about that very behavior.

Though this irony is not lost on me either, I also really much appreciate Al’s rant.

In another thread, Offkilter said he never thought he’d be addicted to an online forum. I share his thoughts that I enjoy coming here in this echo chamber to think through my skirt wearing interests.

But I can say I do not enjoy political discussions or debating extreme ideology. There’s enough of that in the “real” world. I like coming here to discuss MIS and have used the “foe” buttons to hide posts from people I know I just don’t get along with. This has returned the cafe for me back into “just the facts ma’am.” And before my use of the “foe” button gets looked at negatively, ask if you were at a work party, would you seek out the person who you just argue with to chat with during “fun” time? Or would you acknowledge with a head nod and focus on the people you enjoy chatting with?

In MY opinion, a cafe like this will bring a diversity of voices which is great. But that will also cause some spats. I wish we would give each other the benefit of the doubt but written words can be misconstrued. Best to “talk” it out before reacting negatively.

But I want to echo what Al is suggesting here. Politics be damned.

So what skirt did you wear most recently? I wore the Adidas men’s skirt in the car ride home for two days now. First day I dropped my daughter off at her school for a night into game and sat there in the parking lot waiting for her. No one was around but, I was very comfortable. Your turn.

[Elisabetta]

This may tick some people off but - - - -



I’m ashamed!

I’m ashamed of members criticizing other members for their opinion.
I’m ashamed of members cutting down political figures.
I’m ashamed of members bashing former heads of state.
I’m ashamed of the way I now have to live because of the current (U.S.) leadership.
I’m ashamed of not having the buying power I used to have under the previous leadership.
I’m ashamed of the current leadership increasing costs to the citizenry, to satisfy leadership ‘wants’.
I’m ashamed of the extreme left ideology to take away U. S. Citizen’s rights.

When are “We”, Skirt Café’ members, going to go back to promoting Skirts for Men?
When are “We” going to understand that “We” can’t armchair quarterback Government?

To my knowledge, there isn’t any ‘law’ that states a man can’t wear a skirted garment.

I wear skirted garments daily, and proud of it. They do not hinder anything I undertake.
I will wear pants where needed. I don’t do work on my roof in a skirt. If I fall, the pants
will protect my legs from abrasive roofing material. If I’m working on my car, I wear pants
to protect my legs when down on concrete, under my car.

With the current dialog, sometimes I’m ashamed of being a member of Skirt Café’.

When will we get back on the track that this Café’ was designed for?

End of

I'll go back under my rock and

Uncle Al

Then these rules also need to apply to you and Fred as well not just the ones who don't agree with your political standards. There's been many many times you started political wars then when things got heated you locked several threads. Lead by example not just when things suit you.

I have avoided the Cafe for these reasons because when a threads started then it goes to political wars.

Much love

[Elisabetta]

This may tick some people off but - - - -



I’m ashamed!

I’m ashamed of members criticizing other members for their opinion.
I’m ashamed of members cutting down political figures.
I’m ashamed of members bashing former heads of state.
I’m ashamed of the way I now have to live because of the current (U.S.) leadership.
I’m ashamed of not having the buying power I used to have under the previous leadership.
I’m ashamed of the current leadership increasing costs to the citizenry, to satisfy leadership ‘wants’.
I’m ashamed of the extreme left ideology to take away U. S. Citizen’s rights.

When are “We”, Skirt Café’ members, going to go back to promoting Skirts for Men?
When are “We” going to understand that “We” can’t armchair quarterback Government?

I suspect you are right -- some may be ticked off.

I find it ironic that you have just made a perfect example of, criticizing other members; cutting down political figures; and of extreme ideology in your complaint about that very behavior.

On the personal front, I do not mind the armchair stuff -- it often contains the seeds that allow us to dialogue to a better understand one another. I was not sure why I jointed the SC; but I can tell you, if it was only MIS's we discussed -- the site would likely be dead or useless -- it is the real lives of the people here as they interact with their world that gives me, mostly hope -- and sometimes despair; but keep me following and posting.

I agree you can talk only so much about Men in skirts until it eventually becomes boring. Okay we get it everyone ventures out in a skirt and buys a new attire.

Personally what I would do is make a thread that allows members to discuss Politics and just avoid that thread if you don't want to read it. That way it gives members a choice if they want to engage in that thread or avoid it all together. Just my honest opinion. If you don't want it here then EVERYONE MUST FOLLOW THE RULES that means the Republicans on here can't start threads then it goes south and out comes the Mod hat because they threw gas on a bush fire.

I'm an honest lady I mean well in my statement and not here to open a can of worms but if the above rules are pushed they have to realize they can't allow it for themselves then cast stones at others and say thou shall not.

[rode_kater]

On the personal front, I do not mind the armchair stuff -- it often contains the seeds that allow us to dialogue to a better understand one another. I was not sure why I jointed the SC; but I can tell you, if it was only MIS's we discussed -- the site would likely be dead or useless -- it is the real lives of the people here as they interact with their world that gives me, mostly hope -- and sometimes despair; but keep me following and posting.

FWIW, I don't mind the occasional political post, as long as I learn something from it. A post about how some random state is making it more difficult for men in skirts, that's relevant. Someone's personal opinion about how their government is crap and we're all going to die, that's less interesting.

In the end everything has a political aspect, and I think the forum is better for showing its diversity. But I rather not get to dragged into too much negativity. And I agree that it's real lives of people we're interacting with that makes it interesting.

[Coder]

I really try to avoid politics unless we are talking about laws/policies that directly involve MIS. I felt the Ben comment was sufficiently "bigoted" enough that it warranted pointing out - when it comes to general politics (politicians and my like or dislike of them) I really really try to ignore what's written.

I think a dedicated politics thread would be fine - but it would be nice if there was a way to ignore it in the "Unread Posts" search, because I'd prefer not to see people here from a political lens and it would be annoying to have to mentally filter it out.

[moonshadow]

Ben was absolutely correct in his statement. I was wrong to suggest otherwise.

[moonshadow]

So, Al is a moderator at SkirtCafe, thus I consider his opinion on the direction of this site to be one that significantly moves the needle as far as the direction of the site goes.

I do consider the attack on transgender women, nonbinary people, and gender non-conforming people to be an attack also on all of the members of this website. I conclude this because I have been born and raised in a part of the world where the majority of people generally look at all of the above under the same category of people, that being, humans with penises that don't stay in their lane.

Each time I catch current events, there is a fresh attack on the rights of transgender people to exist at all. The war is all but won with regards to trans-women in the south (they lost). Now the Texas Department of Agriculture's policy is going after nonbinary people, and does indeed include pretty much all of us (assuming you work for the department). My concern is a precedent will be set and before you know it, we'll be back to very strict gender expectations with regards to how we are allowed to dress ourselves regardless of where we work.

Modern day conservatives have flat our waged a war on anything unconventional or unorthodox.... that includes us. They are winning.

The region I live in seems to be ground zero for much of the fights. I have to live with it every day. I have to hear the rhetoric that Al started this thread with every. single. day. During my day to day life I have to hold my tongue. The rule is in Appalachia, you NEVER challenge and religious conservative.... not if you want to actually survive in this society.

So yes, I come to this website, with a full roster of members that wear skirts and fill the spectrum of opinions and ideas regarding skirts, men, gender, and the current events that effect us, and I blow off a little steam from time to time. I am sorry that it has caused such a problem. It won't happen again.

A conservative has no business promoting men in skirts. It is not a conservative value. Men that wear skirts in the modern context are liberal (at least as far as gender freedom goes). Full stop.

I have posted several threads that had nothing to do with provocative current events, politics, or religion, each of those threads received some feedback, but not much. The most popular threads are the ones where the Republican party is making strong efforts to eliminate my, and our way of life, whether conservative members here want to admit it or not.

I can handle someone that disagrees with me, I welcome debate. I learn lot from them and take no shame in admitting I've lost a lost more debates than I've won. What I CAN NOT abide is someone who feels free to sound off about issues and matters that are contrary, if not downright offensive towards my point of view, while at the same time this person holds the keys to lock threads, and so I can't even offer a rebuttal. I just have to sit there at take it. Thus, I have to walk on egg shells so as not to offend.

In other words, I don't like having my voice gagged while my eyes have to endure the very machine that is trying to destroy my own freedom.

I can't do this anymore. I said goodbye to my father over crap like this, and I vowed to jettison this toxicity from my life, yet at every angle it continues to seep back in through the cracks. Another line has been drawn, and another relationship has died. I regret this and I am sorry.

I will be taking my leave. I won't allow this into my life anymore. I can not abide a double standard. I don't care if this thread gets locked, or the Tennessee thread, or the Texas thread, or any of the threads. Lock them all for all I care. If we can't have free discussion, then there's nothing left to see here.

[rivegauche]

I see where Uncle Al is coming from. A few weeks ago I posted a gently humorous thread describing how we are getting caught in the cross-fire about men abusing women, One member accused me of hate speech for suggesting men abuse women. I have not posted anything since because I do not want any part of a forum where men express bitterness towards women - it is not anything to do with us wearing skirts. I will simply ignore any observations made by this person in the future. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth but I now feel I am over-reacting to one person. I feel very very strongly that our right to wear skirts should not disadvantage women in any way and rather resent getting caught up in an individual's problems with the women he has encountered.

The Skirt Café is largely a good place populated by good people. Most of us here live in democracies. These contain the sort of right wingers - republicans and tories that many of us would avoid in real life. But in real life republicans and tories have a right to exist - it is just that many of us choose not to associate with them. Here I don't think we can choose to shut them out. We can choose not to interact with them, but criticising the Café because some of the members are right-wing is unfair. Having a go at women because a few have behaved badly is ridiculous and unacceptable. I will simply ignore the posts I find unacceptable - no doubt others will find common ground with them. It's life, people. You can't control it and perhaps you shouldn't try. There is no need for Uncle Al to feel ashamed. All is fair in love, war and skirt wearing. People have every right to be right-wing. And to be women. Fortunately none of the women I know are republicans or tories - and all of them are lovely.

[Elisabetta]

I see where Uncle Al is coming from. A few weeks ago I posted a gently humorous thread describing how we are getting caught in the cross-fire about men abusing women, One member accused me of hate speech for suggesting men abuse women. I have not posted anything since because I do not want any part of a forum where men express bitterness towards women - it is not anything to do with us wearing skirts. I will simply ignore any observations made by this person in the future. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth but I now feel I am over-reacting to one person. I feel very very strongly that our right to wear skirts should not disadvantage women in any way and rather resent getting caught up in an individual's problems with the women he has encountered.

The Skirt Café is largely a good place populated by good people. Most of us here live in democracies. These contain the sort of right wingers - republicans and tories that many of us would avoid in real life. But in real life republicans and tories have a right to exist - it is just that many of us choose not to associate with them. Here I don't think we can choose to shut them out. We can choose not to interact with them, but criticising the Café because some of the members are right-wing is unfair. Having a go at women because a few have behaved badly is ridiculous and unacceptable. I will simply ignore the posts I find unacceptable - no doubt others will find common ground with them. It's life, people. You can't control it and perhaps you shouldn't try. There is no need for Uncle Al to feel ashamed. All is fair in love, war and skirt wearing. People have every right to be right-wing. And to be women. Fortunately none of the women I know are republicans or tories - and all of them are lovely.

Nothing wrong with being right ring but when you use power as a Moderator and start flame wars and people engage in threads of the other party being bashed is unacceptable as a Moderator. Absolutely NO EXCUSE!

That's our point that's its okay for him to do and bash others but the Mod hat comes on when he does it to others.

What happened to learn to agree to disagree? What happened to love? I don't get it. I'm not here to make anyone feel ashamed but I WILL CALL YOU OUT.