To Rant or Not to Rant

Last night, we got wind of a rant.

Last night, I read the rant and felt a little annoyed by ranter.

Today, in my curiosity and as I was reminded of the subject, I went to check up on the comments, and that’s when I noticed how big the little rant had become.

Ranting is one thing, bitching is another, and utter bullying is something completely different. It doesn’t take much to make one little rant entirely and inappropriately personal, and when it becomes personal, it has turned into bullying. Keeping things ‘anonymous’ and then going off to say all kinds of things about the-one-who-shall-not-be-named does not mean it isn’t personal. We’ve all read Harry Potter, we all know who you-know-who is.

So today, I am furious. Having had much experience of being both on the receiving and the giving end of bullying, I am the first one to say that it’s simply not cool. And publicly ranting on a blog about someone is taking it a step further than nasty comments. When someone puts something out in the open like that, they can very well expect people to respond, defend and lash out at them in return.

I do not condone bullying, but I will stand by my friends. I am the ultimate diplomat, and I prefer to make nice than be bitchy, but some people really make me want to bitch at them. I don’t like who I become when I bitch at people.

Maybe, just maybe, it would be better for me to contact these people by PM or email and nicely point out where their arguments don’t add up and stand up for my friend. Or maybe I should contain my rant in a private place, so the people in question wouldn’t get hurt. It is what I would have suggested in the first place, if anyone would have asked my opinion on it. It is what I usually do whenever I need to vent.

But why should I rise above these people? Why should I be the one keeping my mouth shut and not bitch in public? Someone said Freedom of Speech, so I’m using it. Someone also said do unto others as you would have them do unto you (yes, me, the atheist, is quoting the Bible, deal with it), so I’m doing unto others what they would have others do unto them. And with that, I’m ready to have someone rant about me in return. The cause is well worth the risk.

The third golden nugget: if you are attacked -- attack back, but with class. Jeez. Some people should really think before they say something, and actually look at all sides. What has been done and said so far is far from classy. Besides, can anyone remember who was attacked first?

I can.

And that’s exactly what drives me to rant myself.

I hate that this is my first blog post on here, and I definitely don’t want to waste my week on a rant, so y’all should expect another blog soon, something more cheerful, I hope!

Oh, and there are other mama bears in this fandom, some of whom I am more scared than others (*cough AT cough*)