Thread:JenniferLNW/@comment-26422322-20160528040345/@comment-26424426-20160604065529

You are right, SOLONM,  I don't. My mom could be a bully, and I was bullied growing up. I have worked with and for bullies. I have a neighbor whose family are bullies - but they slipped up and got caught by some of us, and now just lay low.

I was not a bully; if I didn't care for someone, I just left them alone. Bullies are cowards. When they feel threatened by another's talents, goodness, etc., they decide to despise and bully. Rather they should befriend and learn and share. I do not feel sorry for them because they do know what they do. They want to be "on top" and stupidly decide that any means are acceptable. They are narcissists. Bullies cross all gender, religious, economic, political, cultural, etc., lines. In extreme cases we have Hitlers, KKK, violent domestic partners, etc. We cannot be silent. We can defend others and serve as an agent of change (some can learn) by doing so with respect and dignity, by being the kind of person we want them to embrace.

Bullies inflict long-term pain a ND damage.

Bullies conveniently forget the mean, horrible things they have done. You can focus on making my life hell, and then regard me as so unimportant as not to remember having done so. Why do it then if I mattered so little?!

What gets to me most is that when they are called out on it, they'll deny it and say they are the ones actually being bullied. No, not by me you are. And your being bullied by another does not justify you taking it out on me.

Sorry, coming down off my soapbox. It hits a nerve, and I cannot stand to see bullies being praised as strong people and leaders. I will not go further on this subject out of respect for others' opinions. I see bullies all across the spectrum; it's never just one.

I do not tolerate bullies, and I like that our community here shows that through their kindness, compassion, understanding and compassion.