Good Morning Local's Friends! You know who you are and where you hang, Refugees, Phamily, Bigots, Dawn Patrol, Early Birds, Triggeratti, Fascinating People, Supporters, Members and Scrollers. Happy Saturday to each and to all!

Every community that I have visited around Locals has its own vibe, but seems to have a common thread of intentional respect even where there divergent opinions. Any of us who have visited virtual communities over the years have tired of the mindless attacks of people incapable of discussion. You get sucked into a discussion thinking they might actually be capable of rational discourse, but what you usually get is personal attacks and arguments to the absurd. It wasn't all bad, at times it provided entertainment and an odd sort of release to return their comments in kind. But it didn't further understanding (other than unaccountability leads to the worst of behaviors and display of attitudes) and it did more to damage a sense of community or civility.

Local's and it system of gated communities seems to keep out the random wandering trolls and miserable minds. They can like things and that it is. To pay some sort of subscription so you can come on-line and do what you used to do at Fascist-book and its predecessors like MySpace and Chatrooms seems exceptionally stupid. Local's has a good method for even managing those rare subscribing jerks.

MUTE - Suddenly that person is off of your feed, no post, comments or replies are seen; for a day, a week, a month, 3 months or F O R E V E R! Forever??? I haven't met anyone on Local's that I would want to mute forever, but some have gotten muted for various occasions, usually what appears to be more of a spamming post that seemed to always be promos for their own Locals and site.

What about ideas that you disagree with, that you find offensive? MUTE them if you need to. I typically just scroll on by the posts which I have learned not read. No one has a right to not be offended. Overcoming offense, responding to it with thought, discernment or humor is far better than going on the personal attack. Sometimes I can learn something from that which I deem offensive or objectionable. One of those unexpected surprises in life that happens less and less in a toxic public but perhaps more often here.

As has been mentioned in a number of Coffee talks in the morning, I may not agree with everything you have to say, I may not support every cause you champion, I may even strongly disagree with something you treasure, but I respect your right to say it, to support it and to treasure it. If there are laws I don't like, systems established that I reject, it is up to me to change those with people of similar minds and attitudes.

Thanks for indulging this morning ramble. On to some nice artwork by Mary Engelbreit and the quote that inspired this post. Have a great day friends at Local's, even those that may have muted me. 😉