Diversity

**tripleblessed** · 26th February 18, 11:33 AM

I am one who attempts to learn from each and all. In discussions I am often reminded of a comment made, I believe, by the
esteemed Lazarus Long; loosely remembered as that one learns more from those we disagree with than those with whom we agree.
We may enjoy more the company of those of similar mind. Or not. To the point. I have muchly enjoyed the diversity of opinions
here, especially in the past before the curbing of free discussion. @piperdbh , I would want you to know that I have enjoyed
your participation here and was concerned by your last post, as many enjoyable folk seem to post less these days. Please
let yourself continue.

I'd like to say I am happy for you that you had the honor of piping for a giant. When giants are about, some are awed by their
stature, others fearful, some jealous. When they stir, some get stepped on; should they fall, many may be crushed. Any one
of us does not define them, and are rightly accorded our feelings in whatever direction. My opinion of giants does not seem to
have much relevance to them, so I keep them close. Even should I disagree, it would not change who they are. It is valuable
to honor all.

When any of us leaves, it behooves us to honor their effort. Their worth or shortcomings is beyond my pay grade. I am grateful
you were available, and that you let us know. It is good that the family felt supported.

If any feel these thoughts inappropriate, feel free to say so. Or ignore. Or ask the thread be closed. Civility is always appropriate.

**FossilHunter** · 26th February 18, 02:03 PM

I for one am disappointed that a thread that seemed to me to be perfectly within the rules as it didn’t discuss any of the forbidden topics and was actually relevant to the forum as it involved piping was derailed by a post that explicitly violated forum rules. And after all that, it was the OP that was expected to abandon his thread.

I hope we haven’t run off a member of long standing with this. It certainly gives me cause for concern going foreward.

**Father Bill** · 26th February 18, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by FossilHunter

I for one am disappointed that a thread that seemed to me to be perfectly within the rules as it didn’t discuss any of the forbidden topics and was actually relevant to the forum as it involved piping was derailed by a post that explicitly violated forum rules. And after all that, it was the OP that was expected to abandon his thread.

I hope we haven’t run off a member of long standing with this. It certainly gives me cause for concern going foreward.

The policy of the forum is that the OP owns and controls his/her thread. That being the case, when an OP asks that a thread be closed, we always comply.

**FossilHunter** · 26th February 18, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

The policy of the forum is that the OP owns and controls his/her thread. That being the case, when an OP asks that a thread be closed, we always comply.

True. However I felt that Liam’s post (made as a moderator) probably didn’t sound fair to the creator of that thread. There was only one inflammatory comment made in the thread in question and it wasn’t piperdbh’s.

**Father Bill** · 26th February 18, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by FossilHunter

True. However I felt that Liam’s post (made as a moderator) probably didn’t sound fair to the creator of that thread. There was only one inflammatory comment made in the thread in question and it wasn’t piperdbh’s.

I am not prepared to discuss the propriety of any of the posts. I often prefer some posts to others. The fact is that the OP requested closure and I complied.

**FossilHunter** · 26th February 18, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

I am not prepared to discuss the propriety of any of the posts. I often prefer some posts to others. The fact is that the OP requested closure and I complied.

I understand and I appreciate your comments and responses here.

**Liam** · 26th February 18, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by FossilHunter

True. However I felt that Liam’s post (made as a moderator) probably didn’t sound fair to the creator of that thread. There was only one inflammatory comment made in the thread in question and it wasn’t piperdbh’s.

My post was not directed specifically towards the OP. I suggest some of you should re-read Rule #5.

**FossilHunter** · 26th February 18, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by Liam

My post was not directed specifically towards the OP. I suggest some of you should re-read Rule #5.

I am well aware of rule #5. A rule which was not violated by piperdbh but by another who posted in that thread. Piperdbh mentioned neither politics or religion. Only that a famous person who recently died got a kilt when he visited Scotland and that piperdbh played bagpipes in his honor. Last I checked pipes and kilts are okay.

As I said, it was another member who dragged piperdbh’s thread down into rule 5 territory, away from kilts. I can’t speak for piperdbh but I could see how he would be frustrated by that.

**SunriseEarth** · 27th February 18, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by FossilHunter

True. However I felt that Liam’s post (made as a moderator) probably didn’t sound fair to the creator of that thread. There was only one inflammatory comment made in the thread in question and it wasn’t piperdbh’s.

I am a moderator at a popular forum pertaining to credit issues, and, at times, I have to post gentle reminders to participants in a thread (not necessary the OP) to stay on topic. And I believe that was the intention here, to get the participants back on track. OP elected not to continue the topic--which had the potential to further devolve into a discussion outside of the forum rules--and asked to close the thread.

As for Billy Graham, I would contend that his funeral was a "historical event" as noted in Rule #5. Discussion of Graham's beliefs and practices--whether supporting or denouncing--would be an inappropriate discussion by Forum rules.

Anyway, I think everything will work out okay. We are a diverse and wonderful group, and these situations are bound to happen on occasion.

**AFS1970** · 27th February 18, 09:24 AM

This is not the first time I have seem this discussion on XMTS, which is sad. I have seen at least 2 members leave due to their threads being derailed and then complaints being made against the thread. For at least as long as I have been here there has been a secondary agenda on the site apart from the obvious one of promoting kilts and tartans. I am not privy to the discussions of the moderators, nor do I wish to be, but it seems to me that loosing a productive member of the forums is not seen as a terribly bad thing at all. I doubt seriously that the member who derailed the thread will even bet a note saying not to do so in the future. I have seen a member chased away because he sought compassion when his daughter was a victim of a crime. I have seen a member of the clergy chased away because he offered a simple prayer for disaster victims. There may be others that I don't remember, but I for one hope that @piperdbh is not the latest to leave because somebody else derailed his perfectly reasonable thread. This is why I don't reply to threads often and have taken long breaks away from the forum. Yet this forums is still the best place for kilt information, and I hope that that never stops being the case.