I know I'm new here, but I need some help

[knitter4democracy]

I am a regular at another board, a knitting one, that until recently has been very polite and nice, even about politics. In fact, we've even discussed the election with people all over the political map very nicely with no fights.

Well, someone started a thread about those poor Russian kids being held in that hellish hostage situation in North Ossetia. I was concerned about a couple of very nasty anti-Muslim comments and decided to just post a quick history of Chechnya to explain why Chechens are pissed at Russians and have resorted to acts of terror. One of the other regulars instantly attacked me, saying that all Chechen terrorists are Sunnis and therefore all Muslim extremists (regardless of the independence issue). She also said they deserved getting sent to the gulags by Stalin because of their deal with Hitler in WWII, since it was Hitler, and now they deserve to get wiped out for what they're doing. I explained that I'm not a Chechen sympathizer, that I'm Russian Orthodox and have a really hard time with violence of any kind, and that I just didn't think simply lumping everyone together was going to help anyone. Then, she started another thread elsewhere on the board about the ignore feature, obviously referring to what was going on in our thread and my posts.

What really got me today was that she posted a link to site monitoring the crisis filled with hate toward all separatists of Muslim faith in Russia. I mean, people were saying to nuke Chechnya to end everything, kill all Muslims, build concentration camps and fill them up fast, crap like that. What those terrorists are doing is wrong by any standard, but is that the way we should respond? Has it ever worked before? Stalin tried that, and look at what's happening now.

I'm taking a break from that board (hard to do, considering how much I'm there), but what should I do when I calm down? How should I handle this?

Thank you.

[bicentennial_baby]

1. Bina?

Hi, I'm a Knitty person too, and I saw that thread. Just wanted to let you know you're not the only one who feels tha way, and that there's another knitter here welcoming you to DU!! :hi:

[knitter4democracy]

2. Yeah, it's me

Thank you so much. Honestly, I'm crying about it, it's so bad. I think the hardest thing about it is how much Knitty means to me and now I feel like I need to leave for a bit. Is that a bad way to handle it?

BTW, I'm so glad I'm not the only Knittyhead here. It makes me feel even more at home here. Thanks.

[bicentennial_baby]

5. It's not a bad way at all

There are people here at DU who get very heated every now and then, and taking a break from the board is often the best way to resolve issues without leaving forever in a blaze of glory, if you know what I mean. Don't worry about it, and don't feel bad about leaving for a while. If you get a jones and wanna talk knits and purls, just shoot me a pm!

[yardwork]

3. This problem seems to be breaking out all over

I'm angry with a long-time friend for saying that we should just "nuke them all" in the middle east. I called him unchristian, which wasn't very nice, but I was appalled by what he said.

The hatred and racism directed toward anyone who looks remotely Arab or Muslim or middle eastern is appalling to me and many other Americans. I'm not going to sit back and listen to it anymore than I would listen to people advocating genocide against any other group.

We have to stand up for real American values, even if it means losing some friends.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

4. This happened on a Knitting Forum?

Jeez. You know things are bad when the extremists start to take over knitting forums.

[knitter4democracy]

7. Yeah

I wouldn't normally have called this person an extremist, but I would have to now.

[Wilber_Stool]

6. That's a hard one.

Although the Russians are guilty of unspeakable act of brutality in Chechnya(wholesale rape, murder, robbery,and terrorism) holding children hostage isn't a good way to gain support.
Drastic times need drastic measures?
The rest of the world doesn't even know what's going on there. It's hard to explain things to the uninformed. I include myself in that group as well.

[knitter4democracy]

8. I totally agree

Especially now with the raid and them firing on fleeing children, not many are on their side. That said, terrible things have happened on both sides, and it's time to lay all weapons down and figure out a new way.