XMTS Motto

**MACKAY** · 22nd August 07, 05:33 AM

I personally prefer the F-H.A.C.G.'s suggestion "In Kilts Fellowship." In my mind the motto is a reflection of the ‘clans’ personality and is almost the marquee of the group. I look at my own motto for Clan Mackay “Manu Forti” – or “With a Strong Hand”. What does this say about the Mackay’s? To me it says we a strong and steadfast clan, one that does not back down under the yoke of oppression, one that stands strong for each other in times of trouble and offers the impression and stature of strength and longevity. There are many other examples, and one of my favorites is “Touch not the cat without a glove” (not sure of the Latin) – This one really does not need an explanation!

The current suggestion of "By Choice, Not by Blood" to me is way too over the top for what we are. As has been eloquently articulated to a great degree, the suggested motto is too exclusionary and has significant political overtones INHO.

I voted NO.

**davedove** · 22nd August 07, 05:44 AM

"By Choice, not Blood" sounds a bit too defensive to me. To me it's saying, "We are too a clan!"

It would be better to have something more in line with what we are all about. I like "In Kilts, Fellowship" or even as mentioned in the other thread, simply "Freedom."

**Perldog007** · 22nd August 07, 06:18 AM

Xmarks is a community, or clan where membership is by choice, not blood.

I like the proposed motto. To me it does not detract from any ancestry. It says that I am a part of a community where diversity is valued, where what is on your mind means more than circumstances of Birth.

I respect the opposing views, but I like the proposed motto.

**Sean_the_Kilted** · 22nd August 07, 05:28 AM

Quite the spirited thread with a lot interesting ideas on both sides. I think the "By choice, Not Blood" is a decent motto that doesn't exclude anyone despite what some say, but I don't think we should have it as our motto. "By Choice, Not Blood" alludes to how we all joined X Marks, but nothing about what X Marks is about which is Kilts.I think that our motto should mention something about kilts. Here are a few suggestions that we could translate to latin or gaelic at some point:

In Kilted Fellowship (as someone else suggested)

Fellowship through Kilts or Worldwide Fellowship through Kilts

Freedom from Pants! or Freedom from Bifibrication!

On the funny side:

The Kilted Clan or The Clan that Actually Wears Kilts

Its not a Skirt!

Also can we have a new poll to include some of the other mottos people have suggested?

Finally, relax. There are a few people that seem to be taking things way too serious and/or literal. This is a fun forum. No need to get high blood presure over a motto.

**MacWage** · 22nd August 07, 06:35 AM

Several Kilt related ideas:

"Kilts for Everyone"
(Problem-sounds like we are GIVING them away)
"KILTED"
-VERY simple
"I'm In a Kilt"-> state the obvious
"I love kilts"-> a bit childish, but HEY, it work for New York Ciity.
-Anyone can wear a kilt" or "ALL can kilt"

-ANY of the above could work well, esp. if in Latin.

**Rampant Lion** · 22nd August 07, 07:13 AM

Well after reading through this thread I've come to like two suggestions for the motto.

The first is simply "By Choice." I like this shortened version more than "By Choice, Not Blood" because, to me, that seems redundant. Obviously it's not by blood if it IS by choice. The longer version is sort of like: Completely Green, not Blue.

The second one I like, and I think I like this one more, is "In Kilted Fellowship." Because really, could you not define XMTS as a kilted fellowship?

Haha! Now that's 4 cents from me!