I sent this out and was informed by someone that I should not have. I was told I should just delete the email's I don't want to read and leave it at that. My point was that I don't want to receive them at all.
Hi all,
I'm writing to ask everyone to remove me from their forwarding list in regards to political emails. 'Tis the election season and I am being inundated with messages from friends and family, from both political parties, exclaiming national demise. I completely understand that you have an opinion, and I respect that. However, I do not have the time or fortitude to enter into a political debate with you. (And with my character, its the first thing Im want to do!) Not all Republicans are white and making $200,000 a year, and not all Democrats are fist-bumping and on food stamps.
I'm sure this may offend some, but please understand you may be offending me and others with your politically-charged email.
However, I would love to hear how your family is doing and read funny (not-political) anecdotes. I'm currently trying to convince my 2 1/2 year old that he is most definitely NOT A CAT, while cuddling with my 7 month-old who is working on her eighth tooth. Between the kids and the evening news there is enough drama at my house as it is.
Please remember, you are in my life for a reason and I am more fortunate for it. This note was not meant to offend - just inform. It is also a send-all from my address book. If you have not sent me any election propaganda please disregard and take it as a hello-note instead. I hope you have a fabulous day!
ETA: I sent it out as a blind notice, whether that makes a difference or not I don't know?
-- Edited by Sibeski at 21:55, 2008-07-17
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Curve: The loveliest distance between two points. ~Mae West
I don't think it's offensive at all, and I think that it was actually nice of you to send that out. I personally have many relatives on the direct opposite side of the fence from me, figuratively speaking, and I find many of their political e-mails offensive. Far more offensive than politely asking to be removed from those political mailing lists.
ETA: I have one friend in particular (and old coworker) who likes to send politically fueled emails. He's a die-hard Republican. I am not. So you can imagine, I get somewhat offended by his emails. I'm not sure if it realizes I'm not a Republican or where I stand on political issues. I think he's assuming I agree with him.
I think it was funny, but it was also a public calling out to all the people who were sending the political notes. You probably sent it to everyone on your list so that you wouldn't have to single out a particular few and directly confront them. Which makes sense. But the problem with that is now they feel like they've been embarrassed in front of mutual acquaintances, for doing something they think is the right thing.
Telling people what you think they should do, in a mass email, isn't going to be welcome by everyone, even if your point is that they should stop sending mass emails.
So basically, they were rude to send you a bunch of emails, but it might be appropriate to approach a few of them to apologize and say you were just trying to be funny.
Update with full disclosure: I honestly would be a little offended if someone sent this to me and where I live (dc) it would not be ok with most people. Most people just don't send mass emails to anyone about anything, ever. So I think you were just being funny, and maybe a lot of people would be ok with it, but just maybe think twice about the "reply to all" button temptation. It is high risk.
I think you handled it well - it doesn't put any particular person on the spot, but they know who they are. If they're embarassed, good. They should be!
Frankly I find forwards of any kind to be the single worst side effect of having email. All we get is ridiculous political crap or disgusting jokes or religous stuff - if I would risk excommunication by my family (the prime offenders) I'd ask them to stop just like you did!
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To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment ~ {Ralph Waldo Emerson}
I don't think it's offensive at all - and I wish I could find a way to get my good friend to stop sending me pictures of white trash weddings and the difference between men and women - to which she inevitably adds, "ladies, isn't this true!?"
I don't see anything wrong with that email. Luckily my friends haven't started sending political emails/forwards to me but I wouldn't have a problem telling them to knock it off either in the way you did. I also think the way you sent it as a bcc helped as no one really knows who got the email and who didn't.