Post deleted. War time Atrocities!

[Steve Ashton]

Ah, Ok, I see where we are having a problem understanding each other.

Under the vBulletin software I can set a forum section to open or closed. There is no other option.
If it is open anyone may post in that section. It would take a Moderator to close a thread.

If the forum is closed no one may post to it. A Moderator could move a thread into a closed section thereby stopping follow-on posts but not even a Moderator can post to a closed forum section

So while a good idea I do not know of a way we could actually make it work given the limitations of the software.

[tripleblessed]

I am grateful to have now a pretty complete explanation of the chain of events regarding this specific thread, and
of the process in general. Thanks to all. And a special thanks to those who serve here that we might have this
discussion.

My comments were not accusing the forum of censorship, nor was I speaking specifically to this thread, I was
addressing an ongoing observation across many threads over my time here; many comments by many members
who have stated in fairly direct terms that because they were personally offended by something, they felt it had no
place here. I don't understand this, and I find that thinking offensive. My offense is my own burden; I have no wish to
impose it on others. I was making the statement that all are free to do the same. I don't find myself to be anything
special; if I can do this, I'm pretty sure most can. I am and have been attempting to say I think we'd be better served
if this could be a general view. Feel free to be offended, free to say so, and free to allow the discussion to continue.
And I feel free to continue teaching myself to eliminate this thought process from my behavior. A very wise person
once said no person can give you offense; it is something you must take for yourself. Offense is a topic where less is
definitely more, to reference another thread. I'm not saying be unmoved, to repress one's feelings. Speak one's
mind, in civil, even congenial terms. Many of us here are friends; it is a community, aside from the efforts of some
to avoid that reference or reality. That is, feel free to deny the community nature of this forum, your unwillingness to
perceive such does not change the reality.

On that note, John, I am saddened to hear of your losses, and troubled that the tenor of some discussions deprived
us all the opportunity to be of support to one in need. I have said that I treasure my experience here; getting to know you
and your family as we have is a perfect example of why. To offer support is one of the hallmarks of being human.
Or elephant. Or whale. Or almost any social animal. The subsuming of everything into computer terms (0/1; either/or)
cannot be allowed to govern our behavior without the loss of who we are. We're back to my prior comment about
the need to grow up.

The brain has been said to be a marvelous computer, and indeed in many ways it it is, and outperforms the most sophisticated
hardware yet built, and its connectivity exceeds that of a network of Crays. It is the mind, however, which brings us
here. The mind is characterized by oneness and wholeness, and there is a price paid for imposing limits and eliminating
the need to apply personal responsibility. Life itself is whole, though admittedly a set composed of possibly infinite subsets,
only some of which involve kilts. I apologize if my lack of skill at compartmentalizing interferes with anyone's
need to. Achieve. Discrete. Sections. Of. Experience. Doesn't translate well to human experience, and
has been shown to decrease performance at a wide variety tasks. Some small exceptions. Thinking isn't one of them.

[Father Bill]

These are some beautiful resolutions!

If an old priest may be allowed for a moment to think pastorally though, I would both hope and assume that no-one would knowingly give offense, and that were it taken whether rightly or wrongly, that the one who gave it (presumably unintentionally) would regret that result and seek to rebuild bridges.

That is the sort of behaviour that I have seen here more often than not, and for that I am grateful to our wonderful and truly great Rabble!

Thanks to all those who seek so often to be supportive of a group who have in all senses except physical presence become friends.

Ain't the Internet wonderful when it's well used?

Bill+

[TheOfficialBren]

Dead horse.

Off Topic (momentarily):
Typing on your mobile phone?

I am grateful to have now a pretty complete explanation of the chain of events regarding this specific thread, and
of the process in general. Thanks to all. And a special thanks to those who serve here that we might have this
discussion.

My comments were not accusing the forum of censorship, nor was I speaking specifically to this thread, I was
addressing an ongoing observation across many threads over my time here; many comments by many members
who have stated in fairly direct terms that because they were personally offended by something, they felt it had no
place here. I don't understand this, and I find that thinking offensive. My offense is my own burden; I have no wish to
impose it on others. I was making the statement that all are free to do the same. I don't find myself to be anything
special; if I can do this, I'm pretty sure most can. I am and have been attempting to say I think we'd be better served
if this could be a general view. Feel free to be offended, free to say so, and free to allow the discussion to continue.
And I feel free to continue teaching myself to eliminate this thought process from my behavior. A very wise person
once said no person can give you offense; it is something you must take for yourself. Offense is a topic where less is
definitely more, to reference another thread. I'm not saying be unmoved, to repress one's feelings. Speak one's
mind, in civil, even congenial terms. Many of us here are friends; it is a community, aside from the efforts of some
to avoid that reference or reality. That is, feel free to deny the community nature of this forum, your unwillingness to
perceive such does not change the reality.

On that note, John, I am saddened to hear of your losses, and troubled that the tenor of some discussions deprived
us all the opportunity to be of support to one in need. I have said that I treasure my experience here; getting to know you
and your family as we have is a perfect example of why. To offer support is one of the hallmarks of being human.
Or elephant. Or whale. Or almost any social animal. The subsuming of everything into computer terms (0/1; either/or)
cannot be allowed to govern our behavior without the loss of who we are. We're back to my prior comment about
the need to grow up.

The brain has been said to be a marvelous computer, and indeed in many ways it it is, and outperforms the most sophisticated
hardware yet built, and its connectivity exceeds that of a network of Crays. It is the mind, however, which brings us
here. The mind is characterized by oneness and wholeness, and there is a price paid for imposing limits and eliminating
the need to apply personal responsibility. Life itself is whole, though admittedly a set composed of possibly infinite subsets,
only some of which involve kilts. I apologize if my lack of skill at compartmentalizing interferes with anyone's
need to. Achieve. Discrete. Sections. Of. Experience. Doesn't translate well to human experience, and
has been shown to decrease performance at a wide variety tasks. Some small exceptions. Thinking isn't one of them.

[Grizzly]

Off topic? I wouldn't worry about that Bren my original question was answered on page 1 or 2 of this thread. It's still been an interesting thread though!

[TheOfficialBren]

I've found that the longer the thread the more interesting.

Thank you for being gracious, my friend Simon.

[416 Rigby]

Reading this entire thread has been interesting. My opinion doesn't count because I'm just a new guy here, and it is Mr. Ashton's site afterall, and he is the Last Word on things. Here's how I see it, though...

We all have many interests. As an example, I am active on a couple internet forums with my other hobbies, which involve the outdoors. The owners of this certain make of boat are very active and we have a great site. There is one rule "No rules, just be nice." It works quite well. There is a section called "That's Life" where non-boating topics can be discussed and if people don't want to go there, they don't. 99% of the time, things are very civil. This group of boaters have evolved, through a common interest, into having "get togethers" to enjoy each others company, food and drink, and of course, check out each others' boats and the modifications we have done. We get ideas from each other. It's been a great journey and I'm met some wonderful people. Many of us share other interests, and that has led to some strong friendships.

I guess I look at the subject as a missed opportunity. Many of us are military veterans, but we cannot discuss that to learn more about each other in that respect. One of my passions is fine firearms and hunting, which are taboo here. There are probably many X-Marks members who share those interests as well, but how would we ever know it if we can't openly discuss them, at least as an initial discussion to be taken offline through PM's later? I'm sure there are many backpackers, rock climbers, teachers, hunters, car fanatics, musicians, fly fishermen, etc. among the X group, but if we cannot talk about it, we'll never know. We'll miss that opportunity to build even stronger relationships.

Just my 2 cents...and worth about as much. This is a great site and I learn something every time I log on. If it hasn't been said before, Thank You, Mr. Ashton for your efforts with this site.

Rick

[Steve Ashton]

416 Rigby,


The Miscellaneous section is the perfect place to discuss those other things in your life.
If you wish to discuss "backpackers, rock climbers, teachers, hunters, car fanatics, musicians, fly fishermen, etc." you may. All anyone has ever asked is that you stay within the rules.
If a kilt brought you here and another interest leads to friendship then is that not exactly what the title of the Miscellaneous section says.
" The idea is to discuss those things which bring us together,"

Weapons are however one of those topics that we have never had success with. Time and time again some members have turned every mention of a weapon into a debate over the US Constitution and 'rights'.
The stance of the forum is not anti-gun or anti-weapon. But after so many years of having innocent threads turned into flame wars we just had to say "NO". I'm sorry, it is not the topic, it is what some people persist in doing with it.

[Steve Ashton]

As the OP's question has been answered, and I have opened another thread about ways to make the forum better, would anyone mind if we just let this thread die a natural death?

[Grizzly]

As the OP that is absolutely fine with me Steve. Please close this thread.