OTE shut down? What do you think?

[mzdiagnosed]

Apparently the makers of the STSNBN (OTE) are considering taking the site down. Any comments?

[Kata6]

I don't really understand the point of taking the site down because a few people are disagreeing about something that was posted....hell at least there's some activity over there now other than just countdowns.

There was a time where the closing of the board would have really bothered me and I would have SERIOUSLY missed it, but now, probably not so much. I think there is still a potential for that place to do good or inform people or at least just find old friends. So what if there's no activity? Is that a good enough reason to shut it down? Personally I don't think so.

Again, I don't think I'd miss it, but I don't really think they should shut it down just from this.

[IDBUG]

It makes me sad. I think that the purpose of the site, as stated, is a good one, definitely. I think it has helped a lot of people, and it was a fantastic idea in the first place. I think it has the potential to help a lot more people, and I would really hate to see it go away.

But, it also makes me sad, the stuff I've been reading over there. I'm not sure what conclusion to draw.

I guess I wouldn't like to see them take their ball and go home. The best thing (in my mind) would be if they took an honest $#%@*$ing look at what's happening and said, "wow, maybe there's something we could do differently." But not everyone is capable of that, even if they portray themselves as standing for healing and growth.

It looks like some over there don't feel accountable or responsible for what they do or say, but are more interested in defending and justifying themselves or punishing those they feel have wronged them. I'm aware of what has been said (that they really feel the opposite), but actions speak louder, you know?

I'll shut up now before I REALLY piss someone off.

--T

[webdominatrix]

I agree with most of what Kata and P had to say.

It seems silly to me to shut down a website that was supposed to be a means for survivors or people with questions to find links, watch videos of the Meetard himself, or to read testimonials of those harmed due to a few dissenters. I understand being tired, I understand getting sick of defending something that was supposed to be right and good from others, I understand getting getting sick of defending ones motives and actions. Hell some from over there have even put some of us through that. But it does seem to have grown beyond expectations and if it interferes with familial obligations, mental well being, or you find you just don't have the energy to deal with it anymore, then maybe it is time for them refocus energy. I won't be emotionally devastated if it happens, but I would be disappointed that the resource is gone for others sake. Then I again I'm sure they really care about our take on the matter.

[-]

A few months ago I wrote an email to someone. I pretty much predicted this.

***edited because better judgement prevailed***

It doesn't matter if they keep the message board up or shut it down. I know now that the closure I seek will never come. As long as my email address stays up I get a constant trickle of contact. I am able to own up to and apologize for past wrongs. That's all I'll ever get from that site.

-g

[webdominatrix]

I love you, G.

Also, I will fly down and kick your livers ass if you want me to.

[mzdiagnosed]

Now I am curious what you said, GH. Rats!

Yes, it would be sad if they were to close due to the lull.
I also can't imagine taking that on to begin with.
It's a touchy subject, obviously and it's obviously very difficult to deal with so many varying opinions and personalities; from people who spent a couple of months in the group to those who gave their lives to those who would still defend that creepiness. (I still think it's funny and telling that no one has established a "I love Meetard" site that would attract even half the people that registered for OTE.)
Many of the problems encountered there I find on other message boards. We all don't agree or subscribe to the same philosophy anymore- no surprise since we've all gone our own way since then. Too bad, but I think it's a fact of life.
To me, it would really be something special if the website remained intact while finding a way to absorb varying opinions. Tough job.

[-]

Ok so FUCK better judgement.

I just read some more over there. I swear... someone with a brain comes along and all of a sudden its pitchforks and torches. Why can't someone think for themselves? Why can't someone question authority?

Before I deleted myself I said that I really do think g2s had innocent intentions. I don't think she meant to come off as a Joy-like stalker. I think perhaps she was caught up in the moment and wanted to warn others about what those evil bastards were up to. It was short-sighted. But I'm sure it was innocent. I'm sure because I've known her to be a good person. I've read her posts before. I get it. So, why it so wrong for someone who DOESN'T know her to question the motives? And furthermore why is it so wrong for someone to question how other people reacted when her motives were questioned?

Fuck! And then when the independent thinker expresses themself they are tagged as current staff or Chief in disguise. (And some idiots prolly think Chief is on staff!)

Then the fucking calgary shows up and spouts the party line... Don't make waves...... Don't think for yourself...... Do as we say..... If you even imagine having an independent thought that MUST BE DONE IN PRIVATE! And don't even fucking accuse us of dictating how to act because we are right and true and you suck. We are the healed and the healing. Your ass just showed up...fucking newcomer. What could you POSSIBLY know about cults and healing. Shut the fuck up and do as you are told. And for the love of Pete DO NOT QUESTION THE BOARD!


...but what do I know.... I'm from St. Louis.

[IDBUG]

Yep. "How DARE you tell us how to recover." What complete BULLSH!T.

[-]

idbug said:

What complete BULLSH!T.

P-Diddy... it is ok... here you really can say BULLSHIT....with the i. You don't have to get all Beetle Bailey cussing @#$%^&* on us.... we can say fuck, shit, damn, ass, hell, cocksucker, motherfucker, turd, fuckstick, monkey butt, jesus h. bald headed tap dancing christ, by golly, dangit, etc.

In fact there was a time when Dommie even liked when we called her a bitch... in a loving way. Now my friends just call me a saucy whore. Because...well, I am.

[IDBUG]

LOLOL! Well, unfortunately I'm too lazy to unhook my work laptop and switch everything around to put my personal PC in touch with ye olde internet... plus I'm still debugging (thank god not since last night straight) ... but since I'm going through an ***** tunnel I have to at least pretend not to be as profane as I so desparately want to be... damn, I think I'm still talking in run on sentences... that coffee sure lasted a long time

[mzdiagnosed]

gh said:

Ok so FUCK better judgement.

I just read some more over there. I swear... someone with a brain comes along and all of a sudden its pitchforks and torches. Why can't someone think for themselves? Why can't someone question authority?

Before I deleted myself I said that I really do think g2s had innocent intentions. I don't think she meant to come off as a Joy-like stalker. I think perhaps she was caught up in the moment and wanted to warn others about what those evil bastards were up to. It was short-sighted.

Thanks GH, I understand what you are saying.

Frankly, for me, once posts go passed the original point, the back and forthing gives me a fucking headache.

[IDBUG]

mzdiagnosed said:

Thanks GH, I understand what you are saying.

Frankly, for me, once posts go passed the original point, the back and forthing gives me a fucking headache.

Yeah, it can get pretty stupid pretty quick, IMO. And then there are some that just throw a thousand words at it (never mind if they make sense) and think they've made an intelligent argument. That just speeds up the stupidifying process.

--T

[-]

Now it is official. The OTE board will be ‘locked’ for the summer.

Good. I think mbb made the right call here. I also think he made some good points.

At the risk of setting off a flurry of (I swear we weren’t sending PMs about you, oops did that go to you?!?!?!) PMs saying "GH is sooooooooooooooooooooo fucked up,” I’ll give you my take.

I don’t think there is anyone to blame. I predict that a handful of vocal folks will get blamed. But there is no sole blame. And the fucking irony if BI gets blamed…

I think there are people who will never ever open their minds. And they will forever believe they are right without even stopping to consider any other POV than their own.

What did OTE do for me? It reconnected me. It filled in the blanks. It answered some questions—and opened more. It hurt… like hell. It reminded me that I should always listen to Ang. She’s right, you know. Every time I would open my soul she’d put her hand on my shoulder and say “Honey, you know they are just going to rip you to shreds.” And she never said “told ya” when she held me after I did get ripped apart and misquoted, misunderstood and shat upon—again.

I met new friends that I cherish. G2S is probably one of the most loving, forgiving, strong and funny people. And she can definitely identify with being held responsible for someone else’s posts/actions. It can’t be easy being married to the webmaster. I hope she knows that I do respect her and stand up for her.

The gals here…and hemight, Reno, Casper & Brother G, wherever he is. It was worth every ounce of pain to have met you all. Brunch and tattoos—awesome. I know I can call you all friend. And I know that even when we don’t see eye to eye we value each other enough to see the other side—and work it out. Thank Christ this site is sticking around!

What did other people glean from OTE? I think some people were really and truly helped. I think some people were put in touch with professional help that was desperately needed. What about you? What did it do for you?

[Kata6]

I also thinkg MBB made the right choice.

It's too bad, but I do think he's right with regards to what the board has turned into.

Finding that website a couple years ago mostly just allowed me to be angry and know that it's ok. I was mad when I left the group after realizing how much of myself I put into it and then finding out it was all scams and lies. A lot of other people that left the group at the same time thought I was crazy for feeling that way (which is why they're no longer my friends). I was angry for a long time and felt like I was crazy because of it, until I found that site and realized that I had every right to be angry about what I went through.

That site also allowed me to connect with people, some I knew, some I didn't, and it gave me a chance talk to others and realize that they went through the same things after leaving that I did.

All in all, I will miss the boards, but I'm glad this place is still here. It's just too bad that it has turned into what it is now.

And as far as I'm concerned if some people want to come here and hang out and have a good time, I'm all for it...as long as they post in the surveys.