to go to Cancun and I'm didn't totally miss the Convention this year is the division between people I had considered colleagues.

I could not sit down and have a drink with many on here that I used to look forward to meeting and/or seeing.

I think I understand what you mean, WMH.

I also feel like people here are like friends I haven't met. We get each other in ways that others don't.

Perhaps a friendly associate would be a better description.

To me, A friend is someone I have in my home. A friendly associate is someone I work with, that I am friendly with at work, and am polite and professional to.

I can learn from & give encouragement to people who are different than me, of course (& I believe the same about most of us here). Compared to a 9-5 type job: you don't need to be friends to get along & get the job done.

However, I do wish we all would do a better job of being friendly associates to one another. Those who engage in personal ridicule of others, and insist on pushing their personal agendas urgently & repeatedly can be kind of hard to work with. And they may not realize it, but it makes it harder to seek / respect their opinions on other things where they really may have excellent expertise to offer - because we may just skip their posts.

I still hope to see many of you at 2021 Convention, though! : )

W,

Covid does not divide us, attitudes and remarks divide people. I am embarrassed by some of the recent posts and online arguments.

It's a disappointing some people get into the Top 10 with 3 stars because they post so many argumentative comments.

Just like basic LLing, don't let a few cranky people ruin your fun. Just sit at a different table. I would LOVE to spend time with you and Hubby!

BRAD

If threads related to a certain subject are left up and not deleted by the forum owner, they're fair game.

I don't want to see that here or anywhere at all. I will continue to speak out on it until it ends or until the day I die regarding it. I will not atone and will not be shushed because some people don't like it.

It's interesting that 6 months ago folks basically cruscified me in here because of my perspective on it. And how I should just fall in line and do my part because "we're all in this together". And what did I say? Not so fast folks. The gummbermint is not supposed to be doing what they're doing. People told me to ignore my rights and do my part.

And 6 months later, here we are....

And this week, some of those same people are all upset about the CDC moratorium. Why? Because now it really affects them. Where was the outrage before? Why are you just worried about your rights now?

If the CDC moratorium affects a landlord at this point who has been blindly complying this whole time and has done nothing to stop if before now, I don't feel bad for them

In the real world, I don't need stars and I don't need friends. And in today's world, I need people who've been fighting this since the start, not just now because it's just starting to affect their pocket books.

WMH's point was that she doesn't want to associate with some people here due to their views on _______.

You do not stand alone, NE.

Many complied and surrendered,

becoming Pawns in a political game.

Keep the batteries charged in your Bullcrap detector.

The loudest people in the room aren't the smartest.

I never got the impression that WMH was saying in any way she only wanted to be around people just like her or who only share the same beliefs.

Like Brad said it’s not the different beliefs that are so bad it’s the attitudes and behavior of some people when they express their differing opinion.

They get so wound up they are unable to consider the rational behind an opposite viewpoint and their scorn comes across as disrespectful. But this is everywhere. You can disagree with someone without being condescending or disrespectful.

I am sick to death with this "CANCEL" culture.

The people that don't respect freedom and liberty are the ones that should be cancelled

WMH,

I don't post often, but I almost always value your posts.

I don't particularly like people at the best of times and I think I know what you mean; however, unlike others, I don't profess to be in your mind and know what your thoughts are.

It has nothing to do with COVID, and certainly nothing to do with sharing exactly the same viewpoints. I think you may have come to the conclusion that many people (perhaps the majority) are complete a.r.s.e. holes, especially when it comes to political topics - their failure to accept that someone else is entitled to a different point of view is bewildering to me.

Oh, and if anyone reading this thinks I'm calling them an a.r.s.e. hole, please raise your hand and think about if you might actually be one :)

I'll raise my hand considering folks think I'm an a.r.s.e hole.

I'm 90% sure WMH's post is geared towards me specifically. Because there's not too many other people that are as outspoken about it on here as I am.

But you see, that's the catch 22 here. People are called out for having differing opinions and the fashion they are presented, yet the people calling them out have their own opinions out there like they are fact.

Doesn't work that way folks.

NE...I have a totally different take on the post, especially as it pertains to you. I will only speak for myself, but I think the wording was such as to convey a sentiment that there is a lot of caring and respect (still) coupled with a sadness that thee is such a different viewpoint on something so important and impactful. Thats all, I think some are reading stuff into it that was not present or intended.

Laura, exactly. Paulio, please don't speak for me. You have no idea who I am nor I you.

Brad and I disagree on a lot of personal things! But when I say "disagree" it just mean we believe different things, not that we are going to get in a slap fight over them LOL! Or even exchange heated words.

We would sit down and talk about what we do agree on, share helpful ideas, laugh at the madness.

Wasn't targeting you per se, NE, there are several on here who have changed my original opinion of them by their own words. As I'm sure has happened about me as well - meaning people have changed their opinion of me because of what I might say.

WMH, I agree that often the comments are "snarky" or offensive. WHen I first joined this forum I got some of those responses...and when I complained about it a few people said I needed to get thicker skin.

This thread reminds me of way back in elementary school. Starting in about sixth grade for the girls, seventh grade for the boys. Sort of a flock mentality, and the older kids , leaders of the flock would try to steer conversations always to their liking. If one student was sick that day, the others gossiped about how that person this or that. I had a hellova lot of crapola going on in my own family life, so I became a loner. Couldn’t add to the stress at home by having more stress of trying to fit in in school. So, I just decided to put up with sticking out, being separate.

Being a loner has stuck with me, though I had plenty of friends in high school, more than enough boyfriends. ( was well ...ummm... put- together, and can be funny.) Yet, still have maintained a strong streak of...crowd is going this way...I’ll take the road less travelled.

"WMH's point was that she doesn't want to associate with some people here due to their views on _______."

That's not true at all. I can still like someone even if I don't agree with them. There are a few subjects that are beyond the pale, but very few.

But I don't care for "in your face" people in general. I have had my share of tenants like that - no more.

If we don't agree, and we know we don't agree on some point, I would prefer to just drop the subject and carry on about a different subject.

It's when someone won't drop the subject, or starts name-calling and questioning the intelligence of the person they don't agree with OUT LOUD - that's no fun.

I have noticed a big change in tone here. As I say, what works for one of us, may not work for others, but it is nice to hear the things that are working. I will even discuss with people who have a different opinion. But it is the tone, it is the name calling and the putting down of people who think differently. Just because people think differently and do different things, does not mean they are #$%s. Even this thread you can see the people who have to call others names because of what they think.

Sisco, I'm not far behind you. I was never one to spend much time "at the bar" at night, except the last Convention when Laura/MD and NE did keep it tipping for hours.

There are people here who I don't always agree with -- like Brad, for example -- who I would love to sit down and talk with even though we have different views on some things. I think we could talk and DISCUSS things even though our opinions on it differ. There are lots of people like that here who I'd love to talk with more sometime.

But then there are those who I cannot "discuss" things with. Those who will immediately call me a "sheep" or worse because we don't agree on something -- who are convinced that they know better than everyone else. I can't have a "discussion" with that sort of person. I have no interest in meeting them in person, of course.

But, really, I think there are only a handful of those sorts of people here. The rest I think could actually discuss things -- even if their opinions differ -- without it falling apart.

It is good to talk to people with different opinions -- provided that both sides can actually see where the other is coming from. Some people just can't do that, so I see little point in trying to "discuss" anything -- especially in person.

But, again, the vast majority of you -- who I might sometimes disagree with -- I'd still be happy to TALK to and discuss those opinions from both sides.

- John...

John, I agree. Respect and being open to seeing someone else's perspective certainly enable a good discussion. You don't have to agree with someone else's perspective, just be respectful and you might learn something. Without them though, most of us will shut down.

MikeA, I know. I've been online far too long - I was on Compuserve back in the day. Talk about wild.

I also know that the people on this Board have been on long enough to know better, even if some are young enough to be my kids...maybe even grandkids LOL! It just doesn't make sense to be rude and call names.

That's right. Keep telling yourself it's the other guy! It's not me -- its you-them-the rest of you!

Jeffery can you hear me up in VA Beach?

I think its a sad state of affairs when we cant enjoy a good friendly argument.

Nobody LIKES to be told they are wrong, but that is where growth happens.

I learn the most when I am wrong. Surrounding myself with people who think the same as me prevents growth. Yeah, that means I have to wade through a hot dumpster of garbage ideas sometimes but I still usually learn something.

Identity politics is to blame. Now days if you don't look or think right, you get cancelled or instantly put into an arbitrary group. Your own "group" will punish you for thinking outside the box and other groups will punish you if you don't think inside theirs.

myob: I was thinking the same thing.

I'm sure it is me for some people. I come across as harsh when I'm on a topic that I feel that I know something about (such as Service Animal or ESA laws). And I know that, with some particular people that have named-called me directly, I have not been pleasant. So, yes, I'm sure I'm the one that some don't want to meet. I hope that isn't the case for all, of course.

But, yes, I see the exact same people that I wouldn't want to talk to because I DON'T think they can see both sides replying here saying that they'd be fine. So, yes, I think most people do not see it in themselves.

I've never called anyone a "sheep" or written off their concerns with a statement like "cry me a river." But I see those that have done exactly that now replying here saying that they "agree" with me. None of us see it in ourselves, apparently.

- John...

Alrighty then... has everyone finished making their points about why they can or cannot be able to come together?

Can we now get back to the business of coming up with solutions for the unique and unprecedented changes and challenges being imposed on all of us.

Let's take all the ingenuity that's on this board and continue to impact all of our lives for the better. Where we agree fine, where we disagree, let still keep moving forward.

If you come across a post where someone posts a personal attack or demeans another by name-calling or questioning the intelligence of another person, PLEASE send a quick email to webmaster@mrlandlord.com. Such repeated actions will not be tolerated. However, the webmasters have to be alerted because they are not monitoring this forum 24/7.

And to be frank, there has been no need for that. Come on grown folks, we are landlords. We put up with enough stuff from our residents. I don't know about you, but comments here are nothing compared to some of the stuff I have to deal with in day-to-day landlording. That's not an excuse though to be rude to anyone here. Yes, this forum should be a place where we do feel good in our interactions and even have fun in doing so.

You know more so than most how you want to be communicated to and respected. Let's do the same here for our peers who each in their own right, is successful and have a lot to offer. So let's pull out the best from each other, so we all win!

Let's put on our big boy and big girl clothes. I'm still having way too much fun (and growth) learning from all of you. And it's far too much at stake to focus on what divides us, instead of focusing on what unites us.

And for those of you who put your ultimate trust in the Lord, He is still on the throne and working all things together and He finds value in ALL of us and has EACH of us here to provide a needed part to the whole.

“Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.”

Thank you Jeffrey.

We are most of us under extreme stress these days, from Covid worries to family separations to NO TRAVEL to CDC guidelines and the whole nationwide "Cancel The Rent" movements.

WMH - your last line - "We should be able to talk here about our COMMON issues AND leave off the non-landlord stuff we disagree on."

I would respectively say, instead of the words "LEAVE OFF" at the end of that phrase, I would suggest "AND IGNORE what you consider the non-landlord stuff we disagree on.

I say that because, what some consider "non-landlord stuff", others (including myself), in many cases see how it ultimately connects with landlording.

You know, I constantly look for how the world around us, other industries and more, relates to landlording and how it directly, indirectly or psychologically can affect or be utilized in our interaction with residents.

So where one landlord may not always see how something going on in the world affects the landlord-tenant relationship, another landlord may offer a perspective where it can tie in.

And we should benefit from the various perspectives all of us have to offer. And I want to always encourage those various perspectives. Has Hammer said above, I don't want to miss out on the potential merit of that 1%, which in some cases may make all the difference.

Again, let's communicate respectively, but I want everyone to know that their wealth of experiences and different perspectives are always welcome here, as long as they are communicated clearly without rudeness, not overly repetitive or demeaning and is supportive or beneficial to our fellow landlords.

We have one rule in the military vehicle club. Treat each other as you want to be treated. It is not always easy to follow in life as we are all different and have our own ideas and view points but for the most part it works great. I miss the truck events as well.

I still say you are all AWESOME!

Thank you for sharing your wisdom to all of us and even to those not so intelligent or educated as myself.

Strange thing about conflict.......most of the time people can agree that there is a problem and what the problem is.