Sorry, but someone needed to say this in the open forum it s

A lot has been said on this site in relation to Heather and her spelling. The last "episode" was on www.redtailboa.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=index&action=reply&topic=9904&forum=2 .. continued to this new thread here...

Now as for the "spelling" items of commentary that have gone on in relation to Heather's posting here. I will note that it can be a bit on the "irritating' side when trying to read what is being said in the posting, BUT the posting can in this case be readily adapted to content with the spelling errors none the less also. If one were to take into account what the spelling errors consist of specifically, it would be noted that they are within the context of someone whom is trying to spell the words via the use of "pronunciation/verbal' context structuring no doubt. This is a "known" method for people to utilize that have a hard time when it comes to spelling btw also. The use of a dictionary [ book that is ] is useless for a person who has problems with spelling also to this degree. If they can not come up with the proper spelling by use of verbalization of the word, then they will also not be able to come up with the word in the dictionary either. That is why the use of a spell checker or ol dictionary would actually be the better choice for them in trying to obtain proper spelling[s] of words. This is a "deficit" that MANY people in life have to deal with on a daily basis also btw. It is not something they have the choice of having happen or not either. It IS a "deficit" that they must endure on a daily basis though. Sometimes struggling to attain what comes naturally to others even. [Like most of us that would be].
When others keep "jumping" all over a person who is dealing with such a thing, it can have detrimental consequences that are multi-faceted also btw. We all have our short comings, noone is perfect [ those that think they are.. in actuality are the least perfect..imo of course [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] ].
This is NOT something that is going to change for Heather over a night.. or even a few days time or such either. She has made many an attempt to conform to "our perfect' world from what I have seen in her posting at times. I think over time though that it has become apparent what has been going on in relation to her spelling errors. I am sure, as I have discussed with MANY of you guys/gals previously, that all the "bickering/commentary" that has taken place on this site in relation to her spelling is NOT what we want for this site at all as members of this community. It is dragging this site down IMO [ and that of others who have also stated such on multiple occasions as well]. Who and what deficit they have are we going to "jump all over" next even ? This is wrong...what has been done here in relation to her spelling, but of course that is IMO also [ which I am entitled to btw [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] ]. I just don't see the "morality" of doing such a thing to someone when it is quite obvious that they have such a deficit.. again it is my opinion.
I actually commend Heather for continuing to post on this site with all the "attacks" on her spelling in her posts that have taken place. She has shown a great level of attempt to "conform" to our "perfect" world , as can be seen in her progressive posting on this site even. I also think that there are many of us on this site who should be ashamed for what has been said in relation to her spelling and the continued "attacking' of such also. The action[s] of such are not within a context that they are going to help her out at all IMO. Isn't that what this site is/was all about anyways ? To help others, not just try and tear them apart ? Have we all lost sight of such ?
I personally have a child who has the same problem when it comes to spelling [ allthough not as in depth as it is for Heather].. Can bet anything that I would NEVER allow him to post on this site to be exposed to such "ridicule" and "insensitivity" as Heather has been here from what I have seen though. He has a problem in the area of spelling formation comprehension , but his IQ is much higher than most people he converses with. He tested with an IQ of 158..for those of you that don't know about IQ #'s .. that is basically a genius. You'd never know about his spelling "issue" from conversing with him, BUT if you read his writing you would wonder no doubt if it were the same person. A "qualified" teacher once told him he was a "stupider person" in relation to the way he spells when writing than others are. That one comment sent him into an emotional downslide to the point of depression to say the least. It took approximately one whole year to bring him out of that state of mind. It took only a fraction of the time to place him there though. We've learned to accept him, deficit with spelling and all. May I suggest that others do the same for Heather here also please.
We ALL have our "deficits" in life.....We ALL need to learn to accept others and their "deficits" in this world also..at "face value" [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

for future reference as an admin on this site... Should heather decide to continue posting here on RTB.. I for one shall NOT allow/permit what has happened to continue henceforth..ie.. i shall edit any further posting that is seen as derogatory in relation to her deficit in the area of spelling.. however need be.
I know there will be a few people who will not be appreciative of most of what i have set forth here, but just deal with it please. I have no less respect for anyone who doesn't like what I have said , it just needed to be said was all.. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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	In My Opinon IMO = In My Opinion and IMHO = In My Honest Opinion

[SteveP]

Ah, when the lions have nothing else to chew on they eat their own young. Thank you Lori, I agree with you 100%. Despite Heather's spelling short-comings, which have perplexed me at times as well, she has chosen to be a part of this community because of a common love for the animals we keep. For her to be slammed all the time is just down-right rude and nonproductive by any measure. This is touted as one of the best websites of it's type anywhere but there is the tendancy for the bullies to pick on the weak. The solution for Heather is more than this group of social experts is going to solve on a thread. I think we've all pretty much comprehended what Heather attempts to communicate and she's going to learn more here than by being driven away! Help her out guys...she's one of our own!
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[jpaulson]

Lori,

From what I saw of her posts, I can see that there are other underlying problems then the obvious. I know that this is a community of reptiles, and not proper grammar. BUT, it is extremely frustrating to try to understand what she is trying to say. FYI, she was the one that brought that topic into a personal attack. It was a debate on feeding live vs. P/K, and she said she would not whack a mouse for her snake. She would not feed the snake if it meant whacking a mouse. Moreso, she went on to say that the mice and rats that were fed to her snake were the mean ones, the ones that did not bite. (Jules saw the post...ask him) She expressed other personal problems with this, that she would not devulge. How can you say that you love your snake, yet pick out the mean mice to feed it? That is just messed up. Those were the things that we could understand. It was difficult to see what she was trying to say through all her typo's. The point was made, and I agree, that it was not so much as the spelling, as in how she was taken. It is hard to take someone seriously and at their merit when you can't understand what they are saying. This is a site where ALL any of us really know of the others and our opinions of others is through their words. We cannot pick up the phone at a whim and call others. We have to base our opinions and the validity of the advice given just from words.

As she progressed in the posts, I saw her get more and more frustrated, and now I can understand why a little bit better. At the end, she "threatened" to leave the site again, meaning she has done it before. I explained to her that I too, and many others, have made mistakes, and taken the brunt of everyone here.(i.e. my post on feeding my snake in repti-bark, and getting it out of his mouth). I got my butt chewed, and to be honest, I needed that. It made me understand my mistake better. I am not saying that everyone here reacts like that, nor should they. BUT, we all have to learn to take constructive criticism here---that is what makes us grow and learn.

We are a group of professionals here, or at least should react that way. And as some of our behavior was not appropriate, like a mature person I accept my part in this. BUT, you will never see me threaten to leave the site because someone pointed out one of my flaws. In fact, I am more likely to stay because of that.

One of the things that I love the most about this site is that everyone has the freedom to express their thoughts and opinions, either right or wrong. And as moderators, I know that it is your job to moderate the discussions. You have opened my eyes to another view of this, and for that I thank you.

"Those that make us weak, make us stronger"

I invite everyone that reads this post to stop and re-read that statement. Learn from it. I did just now from Lori.....Heather hasn't learned it yet.
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[JuliusSqueezer]

In all my bluntness and lack of tact, I never meant to ridicule Heather or anyone else that seems to be entirely revamping the spelling of the English Language all by themselves. Georgia is rated as one of the lowest states in Education. I think this has a lot to do with all of the funding going into the Atlanta area where a lot of the inner city kids just do not utilize it and the subrurb kids do and usually do well...but it leaves nothing for the vast areas not in the Atlanta area. Other states have multitudes of large cities spread across them it seems to get dealt out more evenly. Both of my sisters are teachers here in Georgia schools and I get frustrated from hearing some of their stories of how their hands are tied in many ways that keep them from helping kids that are being left behind. In two years Heather will have the same highschool diploma that all her classmates will have but won't have the proper education to go along with it. I just don't think that is fair to Heather or the other kids. I don't blame her in any way. We pay taxes to send her to school and learn. We all do. It is the Educators that I am #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& at and hold responsible and in many cases the parents as well...I do not know her situation so all I can do is ask questions. I really want to know what is going on in Georgia schools because I live here. I have a son in school and may one day have more kids in these same schools and dammit...I will not sit here and allow my child or children to cruise through school and be passed on to the next grades just because they showed up. It isn't fair to anyone and I'm #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& that it is going on.
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[bensnacks]

I totally agree Lori, bout time something was mentioned.

I always tried to join any mention of Heathers spelling with
encouragement and, (hopefully ) good advice.
Heather is obviously a very caring person, her heart is deffinitely
in the right place, these traits are just as, or more virtuous than being
some brainiac.
She does not deserve ridicule and taunts from us.
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[faze]

as far as i remember i have never made any rude comments about heather's spelling on the forums BUT i have made some comments about how she act's and presents herself....imo if you want people to respect you you need to act like a adult (and yes i DO think 16 y/o should be borderline adult) from what i've seen she's almost always presenting herslef like a child when something doesnt go her way she doesnt try to discuss it with the other's but instead she throws a tempertantrum and gets all offended when someone says the slightest thing that might throw her offgaurd...
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[faze]

and if i'm TOTALLY off on this one then please someone tell me
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[jpaulson]

FaZed,

I don't think you are totally off on this one. Read my post above. I do agree with Lori to an extent, and I explained that. We were not TRYING to anger or ridicule her. Her behavior edged in on, I think. Still does not make it right though.
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[najaboy]

I have mixed feelings on the entire fracas. On one hand, some form of admonishment was warranted. On the other, I think it could have been handled with a bit more tact.

The grammar is only one facet of the problem. It is painful to try to decipher, and saddening that someone could so badly mutilate their native language.

As I said though, there are other facets, which the others have touched on.
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[Ed_r]

We all have our shortcomings. No one is perfect. My mom always taught me if you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all. Come on everyone this is getting really old. We brought this to Heather's attention and she admitted she has a problem with this. She is sorry about it. This is a herp community, not English class.

Let he who is without fault cast the first stone!
Have some sympathy and compassion. Why can't we just deal with it and quit riding the poor girl. She tries to fit in here and all lots of people do is tear her apart.

People that need help hit a soft spot in me. 6 years ago I'm not sure how I would feel on the subject. Now I have a wonderful son that is autistic. Most people would say "Oh my God I'm sorry." I'm not one bit sorry, because he has taught me more about being a human being, than I could teach him about any subject. It's a real eye opener.

Everyone try putting yourself in the same place and see how you would like it.

Yes some of the things have irritated me with the posts, but I would never slap it in her face with it.
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[shady1]

>>. We all do. It is the Educators that I am #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& at and hold responsible and in many cases the parents as well...I do not know her situation so all I can do is ask questions. I really want to know what is going on in Georgia schools because I live here. I have a son in school and may one day have more kids in these same schools and dammit...I will not sit here and allow my child or children to cruise through school and be passed on to the next grades just because they showed up. It isn't fair to anyone and I'm #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& that it is going on.

heh jules, I attended high school at North Gwinnett, and to tell you the truth it's one of the lower class schools, drugs, crapping learning, and what not. But you couldn't pass 9th grade without completely understanding your native language.. So, I wouldn't expect any other school to be too much worse. But then you have to factor in they now have classes for slower students, It goes from College Prep, to Technical, To Resource, and If you have a kid in resource then he/she shouldn't be in the school in the first place.
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[Constrictor_BO]

OK now, I have to put my .02 in here. I have seen it on too many occasions where kid