Please Refrain from Discussing POLITICS or RELIGION!

Hi Everyone,

Med Help is a 501c3 (non-profit) organization.  As such we are prohibited from supporting any type of religious or political programs.  PLEASE keep to the topic of Hepatitis in this forum and refrain from posting any type of message pertaining to religion or politics.

Thanks so much for your help with this.

Cindy Thompson
Med Help International

[hippiemom]

Thanks!  I greatly resent all the religion bull **** and politics, too, I am looking for support for HCV, not prayer or politics or I'd go to another site.

[DonL]

As one guilty party, consider the message delivered and understood.

[honey1616]

You are so right and I apologize!

[cuteus]

I can understand the Medhelp position, but am a tad confused. If there is a disclaimer that Medhelp does not endorse the views of any user, and it is not Medhelp itself posting these views, wouldn't the disclaimer be sufficient? I did not see the political ranting as endorsement of any party, but then I do not have to worry about legalities.
I just don't want so many restrictions that we won't even feel comfortable posting jokes with adult inuendos. Support takes many shapes and forms, and those of us coming here for a while, have found these many forms to be healing.

As always, This forum is greatly appreciated and would I like to assist in some form of fundraising, is a T-shirt with a Medhelp phrase of some sort an unaccepatble tool? It could state: "My life is better with the folks at Medhelp.org" or some other corny saying?
TY Cindy and Phil

[sher_]

You guys are the greatest diplomats! You 2 make me smile just being yourselves.No hidden agendas, just great women . Thanks!

[snook_man]

Excellent argument Cuteus. I feel, that there are so many restrictions on everything, what are we aloud to say. By this I mean without being offensive, politically or religously, but exceptable to all. Everything is controversal, and someone will always have a different point of view. What more can the disclaimer say to protect itself?

I do, know I have contributed (maybe just alittle to political views), and will keep it clean.I have heard your request, and will try to steer away from political outbursts, even if they are relevant to the discussion. Actually, is this not a violation of my constitutional rights? Sorry, no politics..

[unico]

Cindy, below is a question that I was going to post. I am not sure if it you believe it is outside what we should be discussing. I think it is within the spectrum of information and support. If you deem it inappropriate, kill it, if not, I guess let it fly. You make the call please.

Question: Am I right?

It is amazing to me sometimes how I believe I am reasonable intelligent and informed. Then life shows me how little I know. After being diagnosed last week I have been diligently studying, hitting dozens of web sites and asking questions and this is what I believe I have discovered about Hepc. Not the intricacies of the disease but information about hepc. I am very interested in your opinions. I am also very disappointed but not surprised. As John Lennon stated

[Tony-z]

<B>understood</B>

But I  feel sorry for the souls that need and want comfort, in dealing with Hepatitis-C.

hippiemom:
   I will pray that you find GOD, as Enternity is a long time.




                           TonyZ

[ringeding]

it is just plain irresponsible to not look at the politics involved here.  we are affected directly by 'politics' with this disease, or any other for that matter. if the goverment does not do the right thing, many more will continue to die. we are only the very very very few that are aware of this disease to the degree we are informed, thius finding our way here to this forum.

also, the silence and taboo that surrounds this disease is clearly motivated by 'economics'...which equats to goverment.  if the masses were as aware as they should be, and were than to request, demand testing, the goverments would surely go almost bankrupt in the process.  so clearly there is a blatant , not so obvious, hidden agenda that can not and should not be denied, nor over looked, nor shhussed.

while i appreaciate the difficulties with liability i believe that the disclaimer would absolve medhelp from responsibility of our discussions...no?

[derail]

how does a generalization about politics and religion in any way affect the charitable standing of Med-help. we also touch on the good done by the afore mentioned topics.Does that mean all Pro gov't sites or comments are allowed and not negative ones? CDC is a gov't agency and can we not comment, good or bad about things this  Org. has done?  So what if some people are agnostic. Does that mean that those who are not must suffer?
Cindy, a can of worms is in the offing. I would suggest that the disclaimer is adequate since Med help itself is not posting the so called questionable posts.However, if you feel that these comments MAY affect your status, perhaps the forum posters can be supplied with the appropriate gov't body that deals with this to register a complaint I'm sure the intent of the body was not to restrict opposing views, and comments to this site are similar to letters to editors in every news org. in North America .Was not freedom of press one of the reasons
we went to war? Thanking you in advance, for this consideration,  I await your reply. Daryl (derailhcv@msndotcom)

[Tallblonde]

For the record, the last post from Ring on the thread below is a complete untruth.  Anyone who has gotten to know me during the past year knows that I NEVER said, or even implied, the kinds of things she wrote.

Susan

[Tallblonde]

Okay, I don't need a ton of bricks to hit me on the head. Obviously, I'm not welcome here, so I'll move on.  A small but vocal group has dominated this board for the past six months or so and have made it abundantly clear that only former drug users with a liberal worldview, who are currently or formerly on treatment (and loving it) are truly welcome.  Anyone else is THE ENEMY and must be dispatched.

So I guess you did win after all, Kimmy.  Maybe you'll get really lucky and I'll have another miscarriage soon.  That should give you and some real satisfaction and something for Cuteus to ROTFL.  My, how I wish I were as compassionate and tolerant as you two.  

Susan

P.S.  To all the sane, decent folks on the board....best wishes to each of you.

[Sam Hall]

I think you need to qualify the meanings of both politics and religion, as to generalise in the way you have will leave an awful lot of misunderstanding on a world wide service.For many people religion is their daily life and their condition is inseperable. Also as has been pointed out the budgeting involved in all countries is a political issue. I use this phrase fairly often in  response to some post's but this is simply GAGGING and will destroy the quality of the site. What are your reasons? The reason i return to this site is that you never know what your'e going to encounter from 1st class info to cat fights and it has been insperational to see humans with such passion whilst undergoing often terrible conditions. I personaly take your post as condecending and insulting.
Sammuel Hall

[ringeding]

convienently duck out before the on slot of those members that DO clearly remember your post about the doctor asking if you had ever done drugs and your horrified response because, as you said, "there is nothing about me that 'looks' like a 'drug addict would look" and how horrified you were to have him even think you had ever been a dirty filty drug addicted junkie.YOUR WORDS!!! EXACTLY.. and the horrible indignation, the inference had caused you....enough to almost drive you over the edge...i am surprised you forget, as it was a very long ongoing post that took up many threads susan......as we all debated about what exactly 'one' would look like.....until eventually we all began to make jokes about WHAT a drug addict would look like.

if you rememebr i also left you rather lenghty post on some of the most prominent and profound 'drug addicts' and 'alcoholics'and the incredible work they had done in their lives, and even went as far as to suggest that had sigmond fraud , carl jung, or picasso (sorry for spl errors)want to have dinner with you, you would not likely have refused, but revelled in the prestigous invite!....

in reference to your miscarriage, i think it would be near impossible to find ANYONE ANYWHERE who would see that as anything BUT tragic.

goodbye
kimmy

[jg2001]

Well, a good day to all. I checked in today to see how Honey, Chevy, Vicki, Kimmy, Cuteus and most everybody else were doing.  Today, again, I am reminded of how precious life is.  This disease or any disease, that causes one to stop and seriously look at one's past, present and future, is a learning experience.  There is no possible way that you or I will ever be the same after an experience like this. As with certain diseases, there will be those that recover and there will be those that do not. Regardless of the outcome, good or bad, you will forever be a little more aware of the important things in life; colors of the sunsets, sunrises, flowers, the smell of the ocean breeze, a kitten purring, a vegatable garden, a reminiscence of the past and a thought of all that you would miss...an appreciation of how wonderful life is.

Remember what is important, that is what it is all about.

I hope all are well.

Always,

Jamie

[Sam Hall]

Can i get this staight now ringeding won and Tallblonde has gone to live in a tree because her genes turned out to be a C***lic *****lican and that makes her a bannana.? Bye then TB.
Sam
Ps Is a bannana republic politicol?

[DoubleDose]

I fully agree.  We should honor the request, and stick to the serious subject of HCV, treatment, therapy, coping, fellow support, and medical advances and options.  Bringing religion, politics, 'adult' humor , sociological views, etc. into the discussion takes us away from the purpose of the board, creates animosity, turns some people off, and leads to the development of 'cliques'.  We have overcome board problems in the past in order to preserve this wonderful communication resource.  Let's respect the wishes of those providing the medium.  Thanks to all of you.  Your HCV thoughts and views are very much appreciated!

[crybaby]

I truly hope you will reconsider and post again, when you feel like it. And I do recall your comment, not the exact words, that expressed your disdain for the drug addict culture. But so what? (ring, cuteous, vicki also have expressed strong opinions but apparently there is no organized clique to berate them for a past comment).

I think it is the Forum's loss when a participant is made to feel unwelcome, regardless of their views. Where is Oaky, Girlwithhepc, and others ...

[Dorothy and Toto]

When I first came to this forum before treatment I was so happy to find valid answers to Hep C.  It was very frustrating to see many threads being wasted with bashing, and political views.  Now I am 6 months into treatment and read it all with amusement and would not add to the forray (sp).  But the new people must think we are all crazy with our personal views and ***** fests that have nothing to do with our disease.  It is frustrating to them.

Tall Blond-they are just jealous of you, you can see it a mile away!  I laughed so hard at Ringadings comments from the 20th and the others. I don't look like a drug addict either and would be affended to have a doctor assume that I was.  Now 34 years ago at Woodstock would be another story!!  I still have my rose colored round glasses.  Oh well there is my two lousy cents worth.  Keep this forum going!  Bless you all. Dot

[harley dude]

Like Sands through the Pegasys syringe, So are the days of our Lives.

[Daria2]

Thank you for reminding us all what is really important. Daria

[snook_man]

Don't take the comments personal, I was called a arrogant pompass @sshole, and I am sticking around. Everyone is fighting, and I think harleydude said it the best.. Just like a soap opera.. What the hell happened to my thread below?? You guys ate it up pulling each others hair out!! I know you are, but what am I?? I know you are, but what am I?? Get some mud, a thong, and duke it out!! At least let us all get some entertainment out of it.. I think Derail voluntered to referee it!! I'll just watch, and post politically incorrect, and sexually racist comments about it!! HA HA HA!! Kidding of course ladies..

[GulfCoast]

I truly appreciate finding this site as I am a "newbie" struggling to understand this diease and how to cope. I remember my father advising not to discuss religion and/or politics and my experience thru the years makes me tend to agree. These are hot button issues that people have intense, passionate feelings for.
I also feel it's unfortunate the rancor and discord that I've seen on occaison here. I try not to send emails/posts when I'm feeling emotional about issues. It's too easy to freakout online when you would never do this to a person's face. It's like bad phone manners. You're anomymous and may react out of character.

My 2 cents. Peace.

[honey1616]

haha That is a good one and soooo true!

Snook,,,Don't go and get it all twisted...I never called YOU that and if that is way you took it,,,,I'm so sorry.  At the time you had made a comment that I really and truly felt,,,that you did not really think before posting it.  I was referring the the comment but hey,,,,Thats all I can say at this point and if you choose to put me on ignore,,,thats ok.

Hey there Jamie,,,So glad to see you posting and what you said does ring so true! Hope you are doing ok these days and would come more often!

[derail]

does this mean we have to be serious staid conformists. I think not.Although there has been some mudslinging? it still doesn't detract that at the forum we can be ranting, raving laughing and enjoying the comeraderie found here. If things are taken personal,the intent MAY not have been that. some are not wordsmiths at phrasing the right way about how they feel about certain things .Just as not all are doctors lawyers or whatever; we do have different phraseology we use. Thus, something I might maen when said is different from someone else.
If we were all the same it would be very boring. Ilike to flirt, tell jokes and possibly pass wind but these are what I like. each of us likes something different or says something some other way
If we are to put a soap opera spin to it, it would be AS THE Stomach Churns
anyway I hope all bury the hatchets and have a good Night..Daryl