Why are Potter-Haters Still Here? (Ranting)

[Katie]

I really wanted to post this to the main list, but of course I would 
have been skewered by the List Elves, so here I am. 

I don't know about anyone else, but I am sooooo tired of some posts 
that are so hateful and so negative. Why are these people still here? 
Someone posted that they had been hating the Trio since OotP...why 
did you (general) keep reading??

I particularly do not comprehend why on earth you would spend time 
posting and arguing about a book/books you profess to loathe. 

And the posting has gone beyond, "JKR ain't the greatest writer." 
or "I really took exception to Harry using Crucio." Some of it has 
gotten quite mean and unpleasant. People seem to just be taking 
potshots at each other and the books/characters.

And, it seems that often when someone tries to voice a positive 
opinion of the books, they are basically accused of "doing what JKR 
wanted them to do" or "thinking what you're supposed to think". I 
feel this overwhelming pressure to think exactly the opposite (of how 
they are presented) about every character. Like, Harry and Hermione 
are actually awful people...while the Malfoys are lovely people whom 
I'd like to holiday with. I just don't feel that way, and I feel like 
my opinion is really in the minority right now. 

If you (again, general) think JKR is a terrible writer, if you think 
Harry is a vile, ungrateful, indulged brat, and Hermione an evil mind-
controlling wicked witch...if you think Dumbledore is a malicious and 
cold-hearted old crackpot, if you think the story doesn't work or has 
a nasty moral message...if you cannot find anything positive or 
enjoyable in these books...Why, oh why, are you still here???

I am IN NO WAY saying these books are beyond reproach. I find plenty 
of small stuff...and occasionally larger stuff...to criticize, and I 
enjoy debating those issues. But by and large, I love, love, love 
these books and these characters. I would not be here if I didn't 
love them, and if I didn't want to discuss them in depth. But there 
is a hugemungeous difference between discussion/debate, and just 
spewing victrol at each other and the books. 

I just am finding the main group less and less fun, and it's because 
the threads seem to be getting really negative and unpleasant. And I 
know that if I hated something, I sure wouldn't waste my time and 
effort writing about it. Like, I hate brussel sprouts, and I don't 
belong to a brussel sprouts discussion group. :) 

By the way, Potioncat's new thread about "One Moment" is a lovely 
breath of fresh air, and I thank her for that. 

Does anyone else feel as frustrated, or am I cracking up? Cheers, 
Katie