I think you care. I think you care a lot about people's suffering. I think you were concerned for b_b when he wrote his very sad piece. Your reply to b_b was the first one posted. You responded right away to show support in your own way. By mentioning how really crappy so many other things were, you hoped maybe he'd feel better. I guess. That might have been your plan also in the post above. I'm not surprised though that steve saw your reply as apathy towards his suffering. b_b might also have wondered why you replied the way you did. There is no guarantee that a reader will read it the way we intend it.

Now I'm aware that you are not asking why steve might have thought you were showing "world-class apathy" - but if you want to make sure people hear your actual compassion, it might be a good idea to first say something like, "Steve, you must feel so invaded to have someone walk into your yard and take your stuff. It's easy to see why you feel discouraged in humanity today." -- something like that... Steve will think "yeah, kleinbl00 sees what I'm going through." -- and then he'll be interested in hearing your experience.

What do you think kleinbl00? Maybe you feel that just by responding to a public forum, that's enough to show concern? What do you think mk and thenewgreen - I noticed you said "sorry" before saying anything else.

Anyway, having people hear and get what you intend by what you say and write -- is difficult.