Disgusted with some of this board right now.

[Nighthawk]

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-vegans-69629/

Really? This is how we treat new members? Let's replace "Vegan" with "Muslim" or "Alcoholic" or "Catholic." We, who are here to celebrate our own diversity, would belittle someone else for their own? C'mon, folks- we're better than that.

[Riverkilt]

Hear hear!!

But sadly, the request may not be possible for a single tartan kilt.

I once owned a vegan Utilikilt Workman's, but it was natural white...

[CDNSushi]

Nighthawk,

Thank you for your voice of support -- I'm glad that you care enough about the community here to express your disappointment so candidly.

Let me however make a small point, from one moderator's eyes (mine) that may help everyone out here a little.

Quite often in the mods' daily duties, we run across threads and posts that are unsuitable for this forum and we always try our best to deal with them in the best way possible so that the outcome benefits the community at large and isn't just self-serving. In order to do that, we have to sometimes take a deep breath, drink a cup of tea (the preferred technique of one of the mods) and consider the next step. We are no different than anyone else in that it's easy to get riled up and agitated by certain issues, especially when they hit close to home or happen to be a sore point because of our own life experiences and histories. I've also had members report posts (and have threads reported) who have expressed many past hurts, many of them unrelated to this forum or its members, but whose emotions have been affected by something that was said or depicted here.

What I'm trying to say, is that none of us are perfect, and that we all fall short of our expectations on occasion, and nothing makes that more evident than being a mod on a forum with literally thousands of members. I encourage everyone to not give in too much to their emotions, and let's keep everything that's been said in perspective.

The thread being discussed here was moved to the private mods' area at first, but I made the decision to put it into Cooling Off corner for a couple of reasons. First, in the interest of being transparent, I felt that it was important that the members realize that the mod team was aware of the issue and working on a resolution, not just snatching up the thread to hide it away in some secret laboratory. Second, I wanted those who posted in the thread in question be allowed to see what, where, and how things began to sour and to reflect on the thread in light of our forum rules and guiding principles. My purpose however was NOT to arouse anger or hurt feelings. I was hoping (and still do) that by allowing the thread to remain readable, that some degree of learning takes place so that we can all do better in the future. As for me, I feel a bit bad for not having caught this particular thread sooner.

All this said, I do hope that we can move past such issues and just remember to focus on being the gentlemen and ladies that I know we are, be friendly and welcoming to our new members, and let it be a reminder to us to remain kind and tolerant to those who espouse different views.

[Harold Cannon]

I have a cotton kilt but the only problem is that the company I bought the tartan from no longer carries it as a rule. You can have fabric woven but it is a 500 yard minimum. That doesn't help much I know unless you maybe a higher up in the clans orginization and can take a huge order for many members of the clan. I think I paid $15.00 a yard since I bought 10 yards when they had it in stock. I hope that's a little helpful.

[ohiopiper]

I must have missed that thread.

I have personal beliefs and leanings that are contrary to some members here. But guess what? We all agreed to play nice here. We don't beat each other up about it and concentrate on having a good time discussing, via the web, the things that we DO have in common. Mainly, kilts.

Pretty unusual showing for what is usually a very welcoming and friendly board.

[Harold Cannon]

Yes ohiopiper you're right it was a poor showing but we have to take the bumps and lumps and keep going. We have to use it as a learning experience. I personally have no problem using animal products but that is me. I can respect a mans beliefs if he feels that it is wrong and chooses not to. As long as he respects mine and doesn't try to throw a bucket of paint on my wool kilt or one of my handmade custom sporrans we will be just fine! Cause I assure you if a man does do that he will find himself flat on his back in the middle of the street with an impression or two of my fist on his person! LOL! I am quite tollerent of others beliefs and I expect they be tollerent of mine as well.

[Harold Cannon]

LOL! CDNsushi we must have been typing and thinking the same thing at the same time! LOL!

[Nighthawk]

CDN, you folks do a fine job, and are not as heavy-handed as you have been in the past. It's made for a stronger community I think. But there some things that are just so far out of line that they need to be addressed. And man, when I'm the one getting offended, that means lines have not only been crossed, but have been shelled with artillery! I'm next to impossible to offend... and that thread really upset me. And yes, I do indeed care a lot about this community. It's really the only one that I take any invlovlement in. I know and have met in person more people from this forum than from my high school!

[thescot]

I have to say that it sometimes takes a tough skin to put up with the ribbing that goes on. I really do not believe that anyone set out to offend, attack, or insult a new guy. Maybe it got out of hand as things sometimes do with guys--you know, chest thumping, burping, etc.

I just went back and read over the whole thing, and I can see where being on the receiving end might make one a little sore. So, CDN fixed it, and everyone behaved.

But, having said that, I can say that being on the receiving end of piling on is no fun. Had happen to me once, right here, and at least one of the folks complaining were among the piler-onners. It's really a matter of perspective, and I hope that New Guy can take it all in stride.

And, yes, I do agree that the current mods do an excellent job without resorting to Gestapo tactics.

[GreenDragon]

That thread really did take a turn for the worst. It's a viable question: "where to find non-wool kilts?" There are numerous reasons to look for a non-wool kilt: being vegan, allergic to wool, etc.