</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
bebop said:
I think what people that know about this so called Dr Bob is trying to do is be supportive in the manner of trying to get a misguided very young lady to understand what kind of man she is "in love" with.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Sigh. His name actually is Dr. Bob. Robert Hsuing, MD. There's no "so-called" about it.

"In love" and feeling "love" are not the same thing. I believe what GL is saying she feels is love, not that she is in love with Dr. Bob. Of course, only she can tell us for sure.

How is it that folks are able to say what kind of man Dr. Bob is truly? Has anyone met him or corresponded with him? Just curious.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
I wanted the option of making up my own mind.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Always a healthy thing.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
If you have never been there ask someone for the address for it and take a look for yourself. You have to agree to be open to his research. "lab rats" in my opinion.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Actually, Dr. Bob has acknowledged that the blanket consent in the registration process is NOT adequate for him to use poster's posts in research. Thus, he has since required specific informed consent to be given for any research projects he's conducted on Babble which use individuals' words. No one has to agree to these specific consents. This info is unclear in the registration process and should probably be clarified by Dr. Bob so that this misconception does not continue.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
It is very unhealthy for someone online to have that much feelings for someone whoever it is without really knowing the person. Love is a very very strong word. I do believe this man putting his arms around her and telling her it is ok for her to love him is a terrible thing especially it being an older man with a younger vulnerable woman. To me that says predator! just my opinion so please don't jump me for that.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

With all due respect, none of us were present at the meeting GL describes, but others were. There were at least five other people there who could describe the vibes that were present in the moment. I suspect they would be better able to judge this interaction than we are.

And as an aside...I love many people, some whom I do not know all that well. I agree it IS a strong word. It's a lovely and powerful word. However, loving someone does not mean that you do not also have boundaries. Boundaries can make even unusual relationships acceptable and not "harmful".

Perhaps instead of invalidating GL's feelings by telling her she shouldn't feel them, we could instead help her develop good boundaries and maybe also help her to see where these feelings stem from? Just a thought.

gg

Addendum from edit: In the interest of full disclosure, I should let folks know in case they were not aware that I am a deputy administrator at Babble.