12 Comments
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NJ's avatar

I have been pondering leaving facebook due to some of the very same things you talked about here. Still not sure what I will decide but your article brought forth some very good points. Thank you.

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Justice Bartlett's avatar

I've really come to appreciate the "clean slate" that having my account disabled provided for me. It definitely has its perks and pitfalls. Thanks for your comment, Neva.

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Lee Zeller's avatar

For many reasons, I just don't like eating meat, but I do enjoy eating things that swim. Pescatarian. I have had many ask me if that is a religion. Umm, no, I did not say, Presbyterian. Then it begins. Good Lord. Who CARES??? what I eat. I also don't drink Gin because I over drank it 40 years ago and woke up with no friends. Apparently it is my truth serum. Yes, they are all back to the friend world, but only because of tequila and vodka. Thanks, Justice, for your opinion. Keep them coming. Your opinion matters. To me.

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Justice Bartlett's avatar

"Woke up with no friends" ha!! I get it, Lee. I shun Crocs because I think they are hideous and lazy excuse for footwear. I mean, how dare they even call themselves shoes. Also not a fan a flip flops off the beach or pool. I mean, really! That's all you got. I should start a church probably, the holy order of: What the fuck is wrong with your shoes?

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Jann  Dolk's avatar

Thank you Justice for always stating your opinions. Even though I may not agree with all, I respect you and enjoy reading everything you write! This one is spot on about privilege.

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Justice Bartlett's avatar

The beautiful thing is we don't always have to agree to respect each other! Always love your thoughts, Jan.

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margaret boswell's avatar

I thoroughly enjoyed your opinion. I am so happy to know that there are still people who express their thoughts and feelings both eloquently and authentically.

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Justice Bartlett's avatar

Thanks, Margaret! I'm full of opinions. 🤣 I also think it's ok and important to be able to say, "I don't know enough about this to have an opinion". And your opinions are always welcome here.

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A.B.'s avatar

I was almost sure you'd say something about that vegan post. I felt very uneasy by being called "cruel" indirectly just because my body cannot handle a vegan diet (tried it and lived bloated, hungry, and in pain). I'm glad you addressed that with assertivity. No labels are good. We can't judge people about their eating choices. And in my home country, being vegan is a privilege of the rich since most people eat what is available and still deal with malnutrition. I have a vegan doctor there who recommends a non vegetarian diet to my family member because of her age and iron deficiencies and other complications. So this person is automatically "cruel"? I just can't deal with judgemental veganism anymore. Thank you for you voice. I appreciate you. :)

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Justice Bartlett's avatar

I got your back, babe! And I call that particular flavor "militant veganism". Truth be told, it's attitudes such as the one portrayed in that post (and other publications that you and I are familiar with) that turns people off and shuts people down to it. Our food choices are deeply personal, and we should never be shamed for them. As I said in the thread, the fact we can consider "conscientious" food choices is such a privilege.

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Cynthia Lee's avatar

Well taking a break was a very good thing. I have been thinking about these things for the last year or two. The general population seems to have forgotten what opinion means. Facebook is not a force for good, it’s a force for selling things. Mostly useless things. Including opinions. People have been attacking others forever, it’s just now they can do it anonymously in public instead of mostly privately among close “friends “ .

Thank you for another beautiful piece of work.

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Justice Bartlett's avatar

It's not just that people are attacking others openly in these forums, it's that they've branded it (in some instances) as social justice. And that generates even more self-righteousness. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about it all, and for your support, Cynthia.

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