My thoughts on Kiltedscot and robbie leaving

[Clan Ewan]

I hope my status as a new member won't disqualify me from commenting on this thread. Look into any area of human interest and you are likely to find traditionalists. They advocate the use of traditional woodworking handtools, paper and pen instead of a Palm and the wearing of proper kilted attire by those who are appropriately blooded. These individuals typically occupy the far end of the bell curve and thus, are usually frustrated by those of us with a more pedestrian level of interest.

Traditionalists deserve credit for keeping kilted attire alive. They are suppose to be purists and keep the rest of us honest. That viewpoint does not, however, and probably never will, represent the mainstream view. I got interested in kilts because I got interested in my Scottish heritage; we started going to highland games; got into Celtic music, etc. BUT, only got interested in wearing a kilt when I became aware of the wonderful array of choices now available. Thanks to modern (domestic) kilt-makers, it is possible to affordably incorporate wearing-of-the-kilt into my daily life.

Is it a loss to the forum when those with a critical eye stop contributing? You bet! The conversation will never be complete unless their viewpoint is represented. However, an online forum is the least confrontational venue I can think of in which to have a discussion on any subject. If some folks wish to disengage from the discussion, then I wish them well. Whether they leave with quiet dignity, or burn their bridges behind them is a personal choice.

[Alaskan Celt]

[macwilkin]

Lads,

I think this poem, which is one of my all-time favourites, equally describes both the "traditionalist" and "modern" kilt wearer in this world of ours -- regardless of our view, we all have, as Freelander put it, a common bond:

The Little Red God

Here's a little red song to the god of guts,
Who dwells in palaces, brothels, huts;
The little Red God with the craw of grit;
The god who never learned how to quit;
He is neither a fool with a frozen smile,
Or sad old toad in a cask of bile;
He can dance with a shoe-nail in his heel
And never a sign of his pain reveal;
He can hold a mob with an empty gun
And turn a tragedy into fun;
Kill a man in a flash, a breath,
Or snatch a friend from the claws of death;
Swallow the pill of assured defeat
And plan attack in his slow retreat;
Spin the wheel till the numbers dance
And bit his thumb at the god of Chance;
Drink straight water with whisky-soaks,
Or call for liquor with temperance folks;
Tearless stand at the graven stone,
Yet weep in the silence of night, alone;
Worship a sweet, white virgin's glove,
Or teach a courtesan how to love;
Dare the dullness of fireside bliss,
Or stake his soul for a wanton's kiss;
Blind his soul to a woman's eyes
When she says she loves and he knows she lies;
Shovel dung in the city mart
To earn a crust for his chosen art;
Build where the builders all have failed,
And sail the seas that no man has sailed;
Run a tunnel or dam a stream,
Or damn the men who finance the dream;
Tell a pal what his work is worth,
Though he lose his last, best friend on earth;
Lend the critical monkey-elf
A razor -- hoping he'll kill himself;
Wear the garments he likes to wear,
Never dreaming that people stare;
Go to church if his conscience wills,
Or find his own -- in the far, blue hills.

He is kind and gentle, or harsh and gruff;
He is tender as love -- or he's rawhide tough;
A rough-necked rider in spurs and chaps,
Or well-groomed son of the town -- perhaps;
And this is the little Red God I sing,
Who cares not a wallop for anything
That walks or gallops, that crawls or struts,
No matter how clothed -- if it hasn't got guts.

-- Unknown

Wear the garments he likes to wear,
Never dreaming that people stare Amen, Amen![/b]

[Graham]

well said Clan Ewan

[Clan Ewan]

well said Clan Ewan

Thanks Graham and Alaskan Celt. I feel better about throwing my 2-cents into the fray since it didn't ruffle the feathers of 2 of the forum's Grand Masters.

Sean

[GMan]

well said Clan Ewan

Thanks Graham and Alaskan Celt. I feel better about throwing my 2-cents into the fray since it didn't ruffle the feathers of 2 of the forum's Grand Masters.

Sean

Sean 2-cents is 2-cents. All wisdom is great!

[Graham]

I hope my status as a new member won't disqualify me from commenting on this thread.

My position is that we are all equal here and our opinions have equal value and worth provided they are expressed with kindness and politeness. I believe that is regardless of the newness of your membership or number of posts.

If I were to apply the Bibical measure of respect then I would say that you deserve more than most here. I speak of the proverb that maintains that the grey-headed man (being an elder) is worthy of great respect for their wisdom.
You have more grey hair than me, actually, you have more hair!

another 2 cents!

[Clan Ewan]

I would say that you deserve more than most here. I speak of the proverb that maintains that the grey-headed man (being an elder) is worthy of great respect for their wisdom.
You have more grey hair than me, actually, you have more hair!

Amen to that Graham! I hope XMarks members continue to share their knowledge of traditional attire, when and how to properly wear a kilt for formal occassions, etc. I've learned a lot from folks on this forum, but I'm looking forward to years of on-going education.

Sean

[Graham]

Well Sean, if I am to judge from your three piccies in your gallery, I would say there is no real conflict between your personal presentation of kilts and the majority here.
You show a Victory Kilt, a semi-traditionally worn kilt and very traditional with your clan.

It seems you have a good balance.

[vwstuart]

The talk about divisions and differences in opinion are all relative to me. While serving in the US Navy, I noticed that if we (Navy guys) were in a bar with another American service branch (Marines or Army usually) tensions would arise and we would be trading nasty comments back in forth with each other (Navy against whoever). If there was a foreign service member or members (usually English Navy or Airforce) then the US military banded together aganist the other military. If another foreign military (other that American or English) was there, the us "Yanks" and the "Britts" united against them.

It seems to me that no matter what our differences are, we are kilted, and if kilted (no matter what type of kilt), we are still kilted brothers. Lets unite under the kilt (no nasty under the kilt comments, please:-)). We are kilted brothers, no matter what. If some of us like a particular kilt, and not another, or whatever difference we have with each other, we are still kilted to the rest of the world. Most non-kilted folks don't make a distinction between what type or kilt, or what it is made of, it's still a kilt (or sk**t to some) to them. We are all the same in there eyes, and we need to band together in there presence.

No matter what, our difference are covered by our kilts (again, no nasty comments please!!) and to the unkilted, we are all the same. I don't care if someone only believes in a traditional wool kilt, or if they want to wear a big, pleated towel, lets all be friends, because when the enemy (whoever that may be) sees us, they see us all the same.

Disclamer, I just watch Lord of the Rings (the last of the series), so I may be typing in a bit of movie induced euphoria, so please forgive me if I am toatally of base, or just way to far out in left field.

Take care,
Stuart