To Karen & Jeff

> Hi Karen & Jeff,> I would gather that Diane has levelled her criticism> and anger at me as one of the persons involved in her> decision to not return to this wonderful web site.> Unfortunately, I was not angry or nasty as she has> said - but some of her statements invoked responses> that she may not have wished to hear. I will let you> read hers and my messages and make that judgement> yourself.> I Love this web site and love long hair - but believe> that love is not based on appearance or "how long> will you grow your hair for me" attitudes.> I believe this is a hair chat Board that was intended> to discuss long hair - the care of it and the> encouragement of it. But when people post that> husbands, friends or lovers will leave you for cutting> it because thats what is the major attraction - POOP!> I trust love has more to do with than the physical> appearance. I hope it goes deeper than that which is> constantly changing. I hope love is an affair of the> heart and not an affair with hair.> Enough said - I apologize to Diane if she took my> statements as a personal attack. This was not the crux> of the comments - but rather to make people think> about what truely is important.> SteveSteve, I personally did not take any of your comments (& I read most of the threads referred to here) to be seeded in anger or hostility...only to relate the viewpoint that love is what matters here. Period. A perfect story comes to mind to illustrate this point: The Gift of the Magi by O.Henry. Hope you didn't loose too much sleep over the debate. Take care.

Dear Diane,I am glad you appreciate Hair Boutique. Jeff and I have spent a lot of money (all from our own pockets) to provide a visually beautiful and caring site to talk about hair.I personally believe in "freedom of hair". I respect that every person sees their hair as an expression of who they are. I currently have hair that is to my butt. Jeff has hair that is too the middle of his back. However, I have many dear friends with hair that is very short. I don't judge anyone for how they wear their hair. Nor do I judge what it the right hair color, hair shape or hair style. You would see that if you read my AskKaren column where I help people with all sorts of hair.I am sorry you had such a bad experience at Hair Talk. Jeff and I refrain from censoring the board as much as possible. Unfortunately when you have a board like this on the Internet you have lots of people from everywhere. Hair Boutique averages 3,000 visitors a day and Hair Talk will have anywhere from 250-300 visitors a day. There is no way that everyone will agree on everything.I often receive private email about my hair and my photos on the site. I am told that I should have bangs, not have bangs, cut my hair, grow my hair, color my hair...etc. I do not take that as criticism. I take it as a compliment that people care enough to write to me.If people express angry thoughts it is because that is who they are. Jeff and I would prefer for Hair Talk to be a warm and loving place where people can visit and talk about hair. But not who is right or wrong...long or short. That is not the issue.For many years I was kept in the dark about how to really care for my hair. Depending on who my stylist was I got limited answers on the best hair care products, the best styles etc. I had not resources to get help or find out about new products. I had no idea how to save money on the products I liked...or even how to find the best products.Neither Jeff nor I ever accept free hair care products or services. So when I write a review of a product, I have paid for it out of my own pocket and the opinions are my own. The opinion is not in any way controlled or manipulated by the manufacturer of that product. When I tested Dawn's hair jewelry, I paid full price for every piece before I decided to carry it on Hair Boutique. Same with the ARTec I reviewed. Also I have ordered tons of stuff from WW Beauty and sincerely believe in those folks.When I recommend Amazon.com books it is because I have personally bought and read every book first.The goal of Hair Talk was to allow people to get information about hair care. Period. I want to help share experiences about how to be successful consumers in a world that is often clothed in mystery and secrets.I respect that everyone has their own opinions about hair length, color, style, etc. I admire that.If there is anger or nastiness here I am sad, but I can't control it. I just wish that if people are going to send anger back and forth that they take it offline and send private email. That allows everyone to argue if they want to, but not ruin it for the rest of the people who come for hair talk.I wish you the best Diane. Thank you for honesty.Hugs,Karen> I appreciated your site.> Its makes one week now that I decided I will no longer> participate in this site. There is too much anger in> this site.> Yes I will agree that probably some of my comments> weren't understood and at times I should have ignore> some comment like I am doing this evening. I was> trying to make peace and I was attack again.But at the> same time I will thank all the people who emailed me> and had the same type of thoughts. Many people thank> me for standing up the rights of long hair. Long hair> is also nice to have. I believe that men are treated> wrongly for having long hair.> Hair is an expression of your inner self and Yes I> strongly believe in long hair. I was a short hair> woman for years and I loved it at the time. I never> knocked down someone for having short hair or choosing> short hair.. I happen to love long hair because its> very easy to take care and I can change my style> everyday .> Some people take too much pleasure of not trying to> understand other people thoughts and ways of> expression. People insults and then there are> exsuses" oh I was frustrated etc". It very> rare today to hear I am sorry!> I lost sleep because of this site. I couldn't beleive> how cruel some people can be.> I came from a site that everyone believes in the same> things.> I believe there is a need for a site that invites> conversations about hair and society for this reason I> decided and was invited to join in an exclusive hair> site that one need a membership and one cannot> participate without a membership.> I see that I don't belong here becuase this site is to> discuss cuts, shampoos.> I have a greater need to discuss the juctice for men> and women that involves long hair in society. For> example my powerpoint presentation made my instructor> think why he felt he needed to cut his hair just to> get a job.> Like I said at the time I didn't realize what this> site was about. Now I do. Its about hair cuts and> color and shamppos etc.> Maybe I am saying there is a need for a site that> talks about our rights in society. Gee maybe in a few> years I will start a site that is design to discussion> as I am going to learn how to design a web site.> The funny part is that it will be me that you will> remember because I make noise. You would remember the> real trouble makers that are laying low and laughing.> Thank you for your time. I am now deleted your> address.> I had enough. I often say in life that there are too> many plastic people who are not sincere.> IRelated Link:Another Example Of Graduated Cut W/ Layers