ed4copies
Local Chapter Manager
No, I don't have time (nor did I keep the statistics) to COUNT the views and entries that have been made since I left the office and my internet access Friday night. But, I can calculate that about Forty-Two hours have passed.
In that time, THOUSANDS, possibly TEN THOUSAND times, these threads have been viewed. And HUNDREDS of posts were made.
When I left Friday, everyone was "playing nice" in the sandbox. Some casual conversation going on that had the potential of going downhill, but ALL WAS WELL in the kingdom.
Today, I get here to read the forum and find there have been handsful of sand thrown. Since I can't SEE the first offending thread, I have merely been able to read the "follow-up editorials".
Gentlemen, and ladies, this community has a skirmish from time to time. (SURPRISE) Call it "Holiday dinner". New people move in, old members become less active, the over-all "community" evolves. AND, some of the history becomes legend and we all KNOW legends are BIGGER THAN LIFE.
But, in a couple threads, people got real FRANK (no, not Rifleman, the OTHER frank). THIS HAPPENS. A couple times a year, close as I can figure. IT IS OUR RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH.
<center>MEANWHILE</center>
Dozens of other "Threads" (Internet equivalent of conversation) continue. A nice birthday party going on in the topic next door. NEW members introducing themselves in another "block". Buying and selling going on in the marketplace - ALL of THESE neighborhoods are friendly. So, for those who are willing to SEE it, the community is moving in a positive direction.
<center>SO:</center>
Let's not look at "Old" members and "New" members, let's just see "MEMBERS". Some of us know each other better (or we think we do) and will UNDERSTAND comments differently than if we did NOT know each other. If you think that's cliquish, consider it may, instead be called "friendship" (which develops over TIME).
When weighing internet speech, I have said to MANY, "You can't throw a rock and hit me!" What I mean by this is simple: You will never physically damage me in these internet exchanges. So, whatever you SAY can be ignored, if I don't like it.
<center>I WAS ASKED YESTERDAY:</center>
"Did you go down to Kenosha to SEE the houses that were flattened by the January tornado?"
I responded: "NO - What could I have DONE to make those folks' lives better???" I don't think they needed ME to view their tragedy.
We get traffic snarled to SEE a WRECK. So, when there is concentration on the threads that are a WRECK, it should be no surprise. But please DON'T generalize. The IAP is NOT a WRECK. A couple of cars collided, no one was injured and the "traffic" in the surrounding neighborhoods is moving along well.
There is NO traffic cop that can STOP every WRECK. Just, move on!!!
Thanks for reading
Ed
(One of the "old" guys who WELCOMES "new" guys and really welcomes ANY girls!!!)
POSITIVE comments invited.
If you are tempted to add negative feedback, PM me instead.
In that time, THOUSANDS, possibly TEN THOUSAND times, these threads have been viewed. And HUNDREDS of posts were made.
When I left Friday, everyone was "playing nice" in the sandbox. Some casual conversation going on that had the potential of going downhill, but ALL WAS WELL in the kingdom.
Today, I get here to read the forum and find there have been handsful of sand thrown. Since I can't SEE the first offending thread, I have merely been able to read the "follow-up editorials".
Gentlemen, and ladies, this community has a skirmish from time to time. (SURPRISE) Call it "Holiday dinner". New people move in, old members become less active, the over-all "community" evolves. AND, some of the history becomes legend and we all KNOW legends are BIGGER THAN LIFE.
But, in a couple threads, people got real FRANK (no, not Rifleman, the OTHER frank). THIS HAPPENS. A couple times a year, close as I can figure. IT IS OUR RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH.
<center>MEANWHILE</center>
Dozens of other "Threads" (Internet equivalent of conversation) continue. A nice birthday party going on in the topic next door. NEW members introducing themselves in another "block". Buying and selling going on in the marketplace - ALL of THESE neighborhoods are friendly. So, for those who are willing to SEE it, the community is moving in a positive direction.
<center>SO:</center>
Let's not look at "Old" members and "New" members, let's just see "MEMBERS". Some of us know each other better (or we think we do) and will UNDERSTAND comments differently than if we did NOT know each other. If you think that's cliquish, consider it may, instead be called "friendship" (which develops over TIME).
When weighing internet speech, I have said to MANY, "You can't throw a rock and hit me!" What I mean by this is simple: You will never physically damage me in these internet exchanges. So, whatever you SAY can be ignored, if I don't like it.
<center>I WAS ASKED YESTERDAY:</center>
"Did you go down to Kenosha to SEE the houses that were flattened by the January tornado?"
I responded: "NO - What could I have DONE to make those folks' lives better???" I don't think they needed ME to view their tragedy.
We get traffic snarled to SEE a WRECK. So, when there is concentration on the threads that are a WRECK, it should be no surprise. But please DON'T generalize. The IAP is NOT a WRECK. A couple of cars collided, no one was injured and the "traffic" in the surrounding neighborhoods is moving along well.
There is NO traffic cop that can STOP every WRECK. Just, move on!!!
Thanks for reading
Ed
(One of the "old" guys who WELCOMES "new" guys and really welcomes ANY girls!!!)
POSITIVE comments invited.
If you are tempted to add negative feedback, PM me instead.
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