So many of the wonderful posters have come back to post a congratulatory note.  This certainly shows the Masthead Ladies of wow that we DO WANT WOW TO SUCCEED, but in a changed atmosphere.  

I felt bad for one of our male posters and really want to address him as it directly relates to his being able to post as well as the betterment and the continuation of Wow.  That poster is Roger.  Roger….I don’t know you but you seem to post sensible posts and I have seen some mighty harsh words coming your way from the posters who are so called currently manning the helm  …..even some blaming you for the downfall of wow and for you being a man and allowed to post here and one even alluded that you should leave. Comments like this have no place on this site. I may not agree with you in every instance but I do not and will not call you vile names. A wingnut is not a vile name and if someone wants to call me that I will laugh my socks off because it would be absolutely the funniest thing in the world.  And you aren’t either.   I do not mind your posts at all and would like to see you post more and feel you are very welcome on this site and would most likely be welcomed on any site. I don’t think a lot of the current posters can boast that and yes I also witnessed the driving away of some of wow’s current posters from a different site.  They know who they are.   If you want to pretend you are a woman and call yourself Rogessie, I will be happy to lend you a skirt and a pair of high heels so the others will think you fit in. pfffffffffffttt to them I say.

 I’ve read your description of what goes on on this site and feel it is very accurate and I personally think the majority of posts on this site are appalling. This is my opinion but from discusssions with many people (some from this site, people on at least 10 other non-related sites who discuss a number of current events) by far the majority of people think this WOW site has deteriorated and note that intelligent posters have left wow, thus the number of posters is skewed towards the far right Republicans. These same people whom I talked, think the current majority of wow posters are posting based on their political views, the hatred for the result of the general election as well as total dislike of the new President. Totally incredible! In no way can the public reading this site get a fair representation of the consensus of opinion on any subject and especially the Political threads. In my opinion, some of the very people who post vile posts are the ones who think their posts are so cool and right and always on target. Forgive me, but I can still read and I still have a brain which deciphers right from wrong.

Congratulations on your first year wOw! I have been visiting this site since last summer and—while I still enjoy the site overall—I am also distressed at many of the same issues that Rainbow mentioned. I enjoy respectful debate, but some ‘low blows’ are being dealt by some regular posters. I, admittedly, have allowed myself to be baited in a few instances, but I try to keep my responses at an adult level (with a notable exception being a certain trollish type who seems to get away with anything and everything…). ANYWAY…here’s hoping for a bigger and better year to come!!!

P.S. Roger, you’re okay in my book too—glad you are here!

Rhonda, the best we can do is to alert the Veterans that this pension is available. I’d like to get on my roof top and shout it out.

It does make a difference for us and would for many others, I am sure.

Thank you for your kind words.

I was among the many women who saw the founders of wOw on Charlie Rose last spring discussing this new ‘idea’ of a website were women could come and voice their opinions on any topic.

Immediately I was thrilled, and wanted to participate.  Yet, often I felt a bit  ‘out of sync’  with many of the posters, respective to political/philosophical ideology.  For sure, I’ve posted comments, which were unpopular and regrettable.  And more often, as the months passed, I didn’t feel my ‘point of view’ mattered to the ‘typical’  wOw posters who emerged to become the majority ‘voice’ of this website.  Yet whether I was admonished, criticised, or  ’complimented’ for my divergent opinions, I’ve learned so much here on wOw, and have gained insight about womens issues, I might never have known. 

However, I became increasingly ‘put-off’  by many posters who engaged in mean-spirited debate, when points of views clashed on ‘hot topic issues’.   Nevertheless, I returned to wOw several times a week to read commentary from my favorite posters.   And whether I agreed or disagreed, I attempted to avoid  purposely offending any posters when responding and expressing my point of view. 

I confess that I ‘stepped away’ for a while when tempers were a bit too hot for my sensibilities.  And, when I returned, for a while it seemed that ‘debate’ was more substantive, and pleasingly intriguing.  But in recent months, once again, there has be a deluge of insulting commentary posted, and it truly saddens me.

For this reason, I don’t post as often as I used to because I’m a ‘coward’  when pitted in the midst of philosophical/political ‘brawls’.  Yet, my hope is that wOw will continue to attract women who are incredibly intelligent, and who offer a wealth of information and insight on the countless topics which are introduces for discussion.

Happy Birthday wOw.  I have faith that this second year will effect a model by which the creators, moderators, and participants of the wOw community might find an equalizer, which will inspire and motivate more intelligent discussions, and will offer a more respectful environment where more women and men will feel welcome to participate and want to remain for the tenure of this site.  

All the very best to everyone.