It seems that some people just had it out for her, and I'm just wondering if they feel better now?
Angie
I've been watching for a while now and over the last few months it seems like there are certain people who always followed RB and knocked everything she said.
If you go back over the histories you would probably figure out who they are.
devil's advocate here too.....
i think sometimes i put capitals if i just want to emphasize a word or comment. it really is hard to hear what or how a person is talking on the computer.
i'd rather have an honest opinion anyday over an Eddie Haskel.
Its not like RB got banned because of one comment in one thread.....when you have the time go to her profile and read through all of her threads. And then try emailing or pm'ing her and disagree with her...its not pretty. She comes to a site that is primarily made up of people who bake from home and what does she do? She states over and over and over again about it being illegal, wrong, blah blah blah.
I'm not one for syrupy sweetness either, but come on there has to be a way to put things better than RB did. I know people around her who state their opinions in a blunt way, but not rude or condescending. How is it that 98% of this site manages to do it but she cant??
I was in Miami last week and I phoned Risque to visit her at her shop.
I must say she was a very very nice lady, I know she doesn't seem like that on posts some times, but in person she is very kind and cheerful. Her shop is tiny, but very cute, and you can tell how much effort she puts in everything she does.
We talk about cakes and talk about the forum too, We agree that sometimes people ask for an honest opinion on a photo, but what they really want to hear is GREAT CAKE, but we did it laughing, she never said anything that sounded rude in person.
Se was very helpful to me. I said I might be moving to Miami, and she started giving me tips on how to star my business, and encouraging me to do it, and offering me her help if I happened to move.
I'm very sad she left, I personally think that a place were different personalities change points of view it's much more interesting than a place were we rub each-other's egos just to sound Politically correct.
I, too, am amazed and sadened that she had no idea what was going on.
I guess since this is a privately owned community no one has to give us an explaination - they can remove whomever they wish and I get that - however I have lost all respect for many people here. I have seen many, many more members post in a worse manner than RB (again, not that I ever was offended by what she said - she always posted that she was not writing simply to upset people, just give an opinion) and they are still here.
I doubt she'd want to come back after all this, but I wish she would at least be invited back. I will miss her.
moydear77 and kneadacookie - I'm with you.
I don't post a lot, but I read a lot of the posts and learn SO much from them. RB seemed to be very well informed on the aspects of running a business, decorating, etc. I really valued her opinions. Did I agree with everything she said? Not always. I was never offended though, and could always close the browser if I was. . . this is all a bit ridiculous to me. I come to this site for ideas, inspiration, knowledge from other people more experienced than I. . . not for drama and spite. I could get plenty of that in my "real life", if that was something I wanted.
Wow! I didn't see anything wrong with RB's post in "to comment...". There were no bad words and she just stated her thoughts on the whole commenting thing.
I don't think RB's posts are troublesome, they're just an opinion of someone who, sometimes isn't wearing rose-colored glasses.
I second this, I don't think RB was trying to be rude, I think that it is very hard to figure out what people are trying to express and sometimes it comes off wrong. She has a very forward way of saying things, but at least she's honest. What would the world be like if we were all made out of the same mold?
Ummm...is it NOT illegal for a lot of us to be baking and selling from home? I think that's something we're all pretty aware of...so now she's being kicked out for stating the obvious? Or is it because she defends her opinions and views? Or because she didn't post "Awesome Job" on every cake in the gallery? Which is it?!?
I like Simon Cowell and I can't stand Paula Abdul.... her comments mean nothing, she is nice to everyone. I personally prefer a little bit of "rudeness" (so long as that person is consistent and they are just the brutally honest one out there) we need at least one for a little balance. I guess this is a little like the math dept. vs. the english dept. I notice the lovely ladies in the English department are soooo sensitive, while the math guys just blurt things out. Nobody is trying to offend anyone, but just different sides of the coin take things differently and feelings get hurt. I think there is room for everyone so long as it isn't profane. I will miss RB.
Regardless of our opinions on whether or not RB should have been removed, we should remember that Jackie and Heath are the owners and operators of this site. They have created the BEST cake decorating website on the internet, bar none.
I don't know all the reasons behind their decision, but maybe we should give them the benefit of the doubt?
It can't be easy dealing with this mess and some judgement calls have to be made. I don't know if the right decisions were made, or not, but let's at least assume J & H's intentions were good, and that they want to do the best things for their website.
I think a well thought out, articulate e-mail to them would be more useful than arguing in the forums.
Yelling back and forth doesn't seem to get us anywhere, does it?
(Feeling like the little kid in the corner whose mommy and daddy are arguing 
)
I'll speak up for RB. If we have lost her, we have lost a very talented cake decorator resource. I did not always agree with her opinion, but she does know her cake business. If she got off on a rant, I just scrolled down the page. No one forced me to read the whole thing.
Damn straight!
If she's been kicked off, it's a freaking shame. I quite like people who are straight-shooters and don't sugarcoat everything they say.
Wish I could read everything, but I've got to go teach a class and when I return home, this thread will be locked and removed like so many others.
And I'll probably be "Not Registered" again, too, for commenting on this subject. *Sigh*
She comes to a site that is primarily made up of people who bake from home and what does she do? She states over and over and over again about it being illegal, wrong, blah blah blah.
People don't want to be told the truth? Just because you're outnumbered doesn't mean you're wrong.
I don't spend nearly as much time on here as I did when I first signed up, but I always looked forward to reading whatever RB had to say ... she tells it like it is, and she knows her stuff. She works 'in the business' and knows what it takes to succeed. I found her refreshing.
And I'm with you, kneadacookie, on that Eddie Haskell remark 
(My birthday is also October 19, and I spent many happy times in Berkley while growing up -- my cousins lived there.)
It wasn't just the "to comment" post that brought all this about. The same day the "legal or illegal" post was locked for the same reasons. I am pretty opinionated myself but I try to do so in a nice manner. She does come across pretty "brass" sometimes. Some people can take that and some people can't. Some have said that you can just ignore those type posts but I don't feel like we should have to ignore certain posts. JMO
Diane
She comes to a site that is primarily made up of people who bake from home and what does she do? She states over and over and over again about it being illegal, wrong, blah blah blah.
people are here asking for help. i think she is sincerely trying to do just that. i mean, hello, it IS illegal. it IS wrong. i don't think she's calling the health department on anyone. a ton of the posts on here are asking about home baking. a ton of people on here are asking how to become legal. i do believe she's just trying to help. i mean, blah blah blah, come on. like others have said if you don't want to read it, then don't.
This was sent to me via email. It is from RB and she asked me tp post....
"Thank you all for your support and lovely emails, but please don't get on the short list on my account. There seemed to be a campaign to keep cake central homogenous and I guess I was the fly in the ointment. It was never my intent to offend anyone, just to EDUCATE about the "OTHER" side of cake decorating....to share that it's not all sugar and crisco...the hours a long and the sacrifices are MANY!
Sugar is a demanding Mistress and she takes EVERYTHING from you..but she is also a very rewarding Mistress.
I never tried to BULLY anyone, but I do have strong and passionate beliefs about what I do, and I am totally in LOVE with what I do, I have to be after 30 years of doing this..( or crazy!! lol) and I KNOW that how I chose to express my talents, offends a few ...but I thought there was room for diversity here, no matter where it came from.
Those members that have met me face to face tell me how great it is to finally meet me,and what a great energy I exude!
I had no idea that my account had been deactivated, I had chosen to stay away for a while an let everything cool down, I found out my account was deactivated when I got tons of emails in support! I want to thank each and every one of those people that took the time to write to me...but, please..please...keep that support off the boards as I don't want anyone one else to get banned because of me...it's just not worth it to lose your membership to the only site that has as much information as this one.
A site that a lot of us use because there is nothing else like it out there..even for professional bakers or Chefs! If you must launch a campaign, keep it private, you can have the same effect via a well written PM to Jackie and or Heath.
Don't let the few, claim another one.
Thanks!
Ciao!
Not to be dramatic, but I'm outta here!
There seems to be an imbalance without the opinions of those who don't always agree.
Soon it'll be one great big Utopia...don't try to step out of it or you'll be slammed by realism....she just called it as she seen it.
All the best to each of you!
Jeanne
Its not like RB got banned because of one comment in one thread.....when you have the time go to her profile and read through all of her threads. And then try emailing or pm'ing her and disagree with her...its not pretty. She comes to a site that is primarily made up of people who bake from home and what does she do? She states over and over and over again about it being illegal, wrong, blah blah blah.
I'm not one for syrupy sweetness either, but come on there has to be a way to put things better than RB did. I know people around her who state their opinions in a blunt way, but not rude or condescending. How is it that 98% of this site manages to do it but she cant??
I DON'T think that 98% of this site manages that claim. I think that some people just don't get along, and it doesn't matter what she said, someone was waiting in the wings to attack her post. Clearly, the last thread she posted in was evidence of that.
I find those people MUCH more offensive than any of her comments. She's outspoken. So what?
She states over and over and over again about it being illegal, wrong, blah blah blah.
Ummm.... it IS illegal - in some places.
However she never stated any of this unless someone asked.
I'm not as familiar with Janice - veejaytx... but I loved RB! I felt her frustration sometimes especially in regards to "illegal" businesses like mine...... I just do cakes for close family and friends who would have gone to the grocery store if they didn't come to me..... so I never really feel I'm personally undercutting anyone in business.... and as far as I know, no one in my area other than home bakers are doing any of the types of cakes I do. But if I was a legal business and went through all of the claptrap and stress that goes along with it, heck yeah I'd be upset too if I felt others were undercutting me or taking my business.
The only time I ever felt even mildly offended by RB was when she responded to attacks from so-called "Christian" members. And I was more saddened that people who called themselves Christians or had Christian "taglines" acted in what I would consider a very un-Christ-like manner. Unfortunately that's a problem in all of society where a lot of people wear the name "Christian" but act in a way completely different. And I don't mean that every Christian is perfect or should be expected to be perfect, but some people out there try to use the Bible or their "Christianity" to "defend" or "validate" their un-Christ-like behavior by twisting scripture and it sickens and saddens me.
Anyway, I digress.... I will miss Risque and am saddened by her being banned. And I understand the "thick & thin" skinned comment. Some people are very easily offended and some forget that when reading a message board you have to understand that you can't "hear" inflections or tones.... so you have to read things "with a grain of salt" and maybe re-read them before replying or feeling offended b/c sometimes you're just reading your own mood into someone's post and can completely take an innocent post the wrong way. I think if you really feel the need to make a comment or respond to something very specific about other person's post, you should PM them. Save us all the trouble of listening/ reading all the bashing and back and forth on some issues.
I can also, as a member for about a year, understand people's frustrations sometimes when the same debates happen over and over - like cake mix vs. scratch - UGH! However, I always take a second to remember that people are new and some aren't very computer savvy- and don't know how to Search the forums for previous posts about the same thing. So I just don't even look at those posts anymore when I see them. I say a slight - UGH to myself and move on to another post.
And personally, I've never really seen any harsh critiques on pictures... except one where some "no name never before posted any comments didn't have any pictures" random person decided to leave a post saying one of my cakes was the "Ugliest cake they've ever seen". Now that's a post I think you could take some offense to.... granted I knew it wasn't the prettiest cake in the world but still - if you're going to leave a comment that isn't positive, at least offer CONSTRUCTIVE criticism.... like cute cake but I'm not wowed by the color combination..... maybe use some different colors next time"...... (they also said the colors I used were hideous) But I think we should all welcome constructive criticism... we're here to learn and improve too aren't we?And if you don't feel comfortable leaving criticism as a comment on a photo - PM the person and tell them you liked their cake but thought that it could be made even better if....... or that the person who posted their picture stated in their "description" of the cake that they had a rough time with the fondant so here are some tips for next time.......
We're all grown adults here and sometimes I just think we need to count to 10 before hitting "reply" and lashing out at someone. Maybe you rea something into their post that isn't really there... or maybe it's a comment best left to discuss by PMing them or discuss it with friends elsewhere... let's keep our comments honest but constructive and helpful. I will be sad to see RB go.
why do i feel like i'm at a pta meeting watching a cat fight between moms?!?
i think i'll go watch my kids fight...it's easier to stomach
I'ts been almost a year since I've signed up on CC. At first I thought this is a great site, learning a lot of new thing (still do), made a lot of friends.. but since this Fall I don't know what happened to this site, people get ticked off at everything and for nothing. I love Janice and Mara. But what I don't like is negativity. Mara has never been hard with me, always good tips to share. But I can understand that some people were offended. I was bullied at school when I was a teen, and I know the feeling. Sometimes just a word can make a difference in a post for someone, even if it wasn't intended to. Reading through all the pages of this thread got me thinking... there's too much negativity.... it's sad... they were both banned because of this, and now this thread is going and going, all in negativity. 
I came in here to learn and perfect my cake decorating skills, since there's no Michael's or Hobby lobby or other stores here that offers classes.... So I guess I'll just keep looking at the "learning" sections and post only when very necessary... I know that it's not an obligation to read everything and when it's what we want to read, just not read it, but it happens so often, that good posts are lost in between. And now good CCers are gone too....
So that's my opinion, I've said it, now I'll go to other sections to learn and be positive!
Have a great! Everyone deserves a good day and happiness....
Lorris
Yes, the world is made up of all sorts of people with all sorts of opinions ( nothing wrong with that ! ) But is it really that hard to be polite/encouraging to people ? Even those you don't know ? Say you've just started making cakes/ biscuits whatever,you know that compared to other photos on CC,that you're not that good but hey ! damn if you're not sooo excited & thrilled with what you've done,that you put the photos on anyway.....you don't want to hear how crappy they are ( no, you don't ! ) you know that already 
( I'm NOT talking about anyone,just an example ! )
What you want to hear is : wow, your colour combo of purple,orange & lurid pink is an interesting choice,I bet your 99 yr old grandpa loved it 
The world is sometimes an angry,scary place - no need to bring that here.
Well I think it was only a matter of time really...I saw it coming! I never had a problem with her personally, and she did share a lot of helpful information. But she could be unnecessarily rude to people. I could have gotten over it, but it may have caused some other members to not want to be a part of this forum...dont you think?
Regardless of our opinions on whether or not RB should have been removed, we should remember that Jackie and Heath are the owners and operators of this site. They have created the BEST cake decorating website on the internet, bar none.
I don't know all the reasons behind their decision, but maybe we should give them the benefit of the doubt?
It can't be easy dealing with this mess and some judgement calls have to be made. I don't know if the right decisions were made, or not, but let's at least assume J & H's intentions were good, and that they want to do the best things for their website.
I think a well thought out, articulate e-mail to them would be more useful than arguing in the forums.
Yelling back and forth doesn't seem to get us anywhere, does it?
(Feeling like the little kid in the corner whose mommy and daddy are arguing
)
Diddo. 
Hello, everyone! I am sorry that many of you are saddened about loosing two members of CC.
Let me just assure you that Jackie and Heath do not make decisions without taking time to carefully study situtations and will not ban or remove anyone for just one post or one thread.
Opinions are most welcome but at the same time is best to make them with concern to other members, understanding that we are not all the same and do not share the same opinions.
This is by no means a place were opinions are censored. What is censored is the manner in which they are addressed.
Lets be honest, but also kind to others.
I think it's a shame what happend to risque. I mean, i'd prefer getting an honest opinion (which she has nicely given me) than the same old "awesome cake" line. I feel like i'm back in high school and the "popular" girls are telling on another for being mean. COME ON! and for all of you sitting here gossping and talking about another member, well that's just sad. i guess the rest of you should be booted as well for just being too mean as well.
Boy I'll be glad when this thread is locked! 
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