I have to admit that I didn’t bother reading that. Is it worth it?
But Perspephone wasn’t being unrepentant. She was expressing gratitude to the people who helped her get her act together, which she admitted she’d needed to do, and was equally grateful for the wakeup call. Other posters all but put words in her mouth, interpreting her post as “I can fuck up and other Dopers will save me!”
I still remember an incident on the AOL board, which thankfully didn’t turn into a flamefest, where I confessed to feelings of guilt over my self-admittedly bratty behavior in college. I mentioned that I’d written a letter to someone who’d given me a lot of support at that time, apologizing for having taken so much and given so little, but that I hadn’t gotten an answer*. I went on to say that the lack of response increased my remorse.
Another Doper posted back to say, “And why should she respond? You admitted that you were a taker!” I didn’t appreciate that at all. But I reasoned that it was my fault for sharing, and since that particular poster was and is perfect, I definitely would not have shared, had I known they would read it.
*There’s always the possibility that the letter went astray. I got the address from her parents, but I don’t know who she might have been living with.
You forgot those who are trying to pull their nuts out of the fire by trying to change the subject. Or all three.
Forgive this sinner, O Mighty One. I spoke in haste and with regard to nothing but making my own point!
(Now, where was that damned post so I can STILL prove him wrong? 
)
Stop the hijacks! I thought we were talking about Heather Locklear here!
Well, at least you’re consistent on this issue, which is more than i can say for some who have contributed to this debate. Some seem to want special protection for certain Dopers, but laissez faire abuse for the rest.
I’m not quite clear exactly what you would do, then, if a friend of yours were fairly and justifiably pitted. Would you refrain from entering the debate altogether? Would you enter and tell everyone to cut your friend some slack because you’ve had a beer with him and know what a nice guy he really is? Would you email your friend and tell him he was being an ass? Should i be prepared for you to defend your friend, even if i’m in the right?
Well, the other one (which, lest we forget, was a Pitting of someone, whereas this one is simply an explanatory thread) was pretty much the same, from what I read.
In a sense, they’re both witch hunts of two divergent people who’d probably just as soon forget the entire incident.
Uh, when I read the post for the first time, I, much like CKDH and others, got the impression Persephone was taking the issue rather lightly. I would even say there was no repentance in the OP. The only thing close to repentance was the line “I am not worthy of you. But I swear, I will make myself worthy.” That gave me the impression that she was vowing to change her behavior as a “thank you” to the helpful Dopers, rather than for the welfare of her own kids.
I hold no grudge against Persephone, and her later posts made clear that she is taking the issue seriously. But re-read the OP (of the original thread). To me, she seemed more concerned about the hardship placed on her during the ordeal that the hardship created for her children. In hindsight I don’t think that was how she was feeling, but I don’t think you can blame others for taking it that way.
Pash
Actually, Pash, although she may have appeared to be taking it lightly (and showed later that wasn’t true), it may have looked that way because she was trying to focus attention on those who had helped her, not on her own problems.
Meanwhile, I’ve been so busy following this thread and waiting for some kind of resolution that my dishes are piling up and I haven’t had any time to vacuum or take out the trash. Can I get a little assistance here?
Nah. These can go on for years. All I have to do is mention a few names (WHICH I AM NOT GOING TO DO!) and I could restart highly polarized discussions that have been going for years. Better take out the trash and get comfy.
(re-reading SuaSponte’s original post)
Hmmmm…hmmmm…Oh!..Nope, I had it right in the first place.
Scoundrel! Knave! RASCAL! How DARE you take advantage of our real-life acquaintenceship and my crush on your fiancee in your vain attempt to avert my wrath! Fie! Your little tale of perversion and bad science fiction is STILL an execrable example that had no similarity or relationship to Persephone’s story and the craven admission of hyperbolity you pasted on with venom and bile does little to detract from the damage you had already done. I retract my retraction!
(Really, friend, I still disagree that your example was appropriate. Let’s move on.)
With the benefit of hindsight, I can agree with you on this point, Dan. But I still think CKDH’s reaction was not unreasonable upon first read of the OP.
You might have seen an example earlier in this very thread. They usually start out, "Techchick (just an example, but it’s usually her anyway ), you know how I adore you but maybe you ought to refill your meds/admit that so-and-so might POSSIBLY have a point/take a long vacation/etc. It’s my “damned Minnesota passive-aggression,” as a co-worker describes it.
OK, folks, I think this has run out of gas. Thread closed.