Why we post?

A

Anita Marie

New member
Do you post to help folks with their boating experience or to get advice on a boating problem? Do you post to share fishing/cruising experiences or ask for help on places to visit? I think most people love this site for all of those things and even more. What I don't think most people come to this site for is this:
This article was in Fridays Centralia Chronicle Newspaper

State Considers Tolls to Fight Global Warming
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) --- Two global warming bills that have passed the state House and are now in the Senate could lead to tolls on Puget Sound highways. The bills require the state to reduce greenhouse gases by cutting the number of miles traveled by vehicles. Money from the tolls, which would vary with traffic, could pay for more transit. Environmental groups support idea. The director of the Transportation Choices Coalition, Jessyn Farrell, says “congestion pricing” is a key piece of the puzzle. Farrell says it also could reduce traffic jams.


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Now really what does this have to do with boating and don't give me the bit about towing your boat on a toll road. This is a pure political opinion post and has no relevance to boating. I think the folks that feal compelled to post these need to find another avenue/site. I care about things passionately but I sure don't think this is the venue for them unless it is boating related. Do you really think this is the proper place to be talking about the spotted owl, sun spots and its effect on global warming or any other blah blah blah political piece, spare me. I have sat on my hands for awhile but I had to get this of my chest. If you want to blast me go ahead. If the administrators want to delete this post, I will not protest.

I have been a long time member of this site and know a lot of you personally. I have cherished my experiences and friendships that I have enjoyed over the last 7 years and look forward to many more.
The tone and tenor of the site has shifted in the last year or so. Many folks who used to post on this site have gone and I miss them.
 
I post to talk to folks about everything and anything. mostly about boats but about life too. For everyone that does not want this type of post there is one that does want it. I see post thay have no interst to me all the time both about boats and not about boats and I dont read them or post on them because it holds no interest to me at all. I could care less about some things posted here but would never tell others what to do unless they were violating the one rule, be nice. If that happens and it has, then action should be taken. I think your post is more about you not being albe to ignore what angrys you or you disagree with. Yes there are all sorts of site that deal with these issues and not boats, and I post there to, its jsut that I like to talk with the c-brats about the world around us because I respect many here and want to share with them not the face less guy on the other side of the net. Next we will have a approved list of topics for gathereing??

Anita marie, are you guy coming for dinner and show on saturday???
 
Anita Marie -

I would rather support you than blast you. Your reasons for posting are the reasons for which I enjoy this site, and I share your concerns. The political stuff stresses me for reasons I won't go into, but I assure you that lack of an opinion or a disinclination to argue are not among them. I find myself ignoring some threads for days, based on their titles. Then I can't resist and almost always wish I had. The sad thing is --- well there are several in my opinion --- and they would probably provoke someone.

In my short time as a member on this site, I have noticed the prominent participants who do not usually join in on the threads that eventually sink to disparaging remarks and labels. I find that telling.

Greg
 
Anita Marie":2joo1v4h said:
... Now really what does this have to do with boating ... I sure don't think this is the venue for them unless it is boating related. Do you really think this is the proper place to talking about the spotted owl, sun spots ... The tone and tenor of the site has shifted in the last year or so. Many folks who used to post on this site have gone and I miss them.
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Couldn't agree more. Not trying to censor anyone, but this site has a boat logo in the upper corner. I first came to this site looking for information on C-Dory's. I asked questions like "do I need a kicker?" and what is better, twin engines or a single.
I also shared experiences I had with my C-Dory's - i.e. how not to reconnect your steering cable, learning about currents, etc.

There are a lot of other sites to spout off about politic's, crime, religon, etc..

Cheers,
Tom
 
The following post is my opinion:

Politics and religion are two areas of human activity that may be more based on 'belief' than logic. ( My definition--belief--to accept as true without proof)

Discussing politics is a very difficult subject. There was a news report recently to the effect that political orientation may be determined by genetic structure. Brain scans showed different patterns for liberals and conservatives. If so, then we cannot really change anyone else's 'beliefs' or political opinions, we can only change our own.

It may be best then not to try to change anyone else's mind about these subjects. Seems like it devolves into a p***ing match! LOL

However, the posts about toll roads and carbon emissions taxes do impact us as boaters and trailer towers.

If our government taxes our trucks and cars on engine size and carbon emissions, how long do we have until they tax our boats on engine size?

I suggest that any discussions about non-boating subjects be posted under the 'That's Life' forum, where they will die 90 days after the last post. That will keep our archives clear of non-boating material, and will keep the discussion private from guests on our site.

In fact, this discussion might be better placed on the 'That's Life' forum.

If we follow this suggestion, folks who don't want to see non-boating threads can skip all 'That's Life' posts.

An alternative is for each member to skip threads in which they have no interest. We do that when reading a newspaper, don't we!

The above is my opinion.
 
starcrafttom":1xudgmzl said:
For everyone that does not want this type of post there is one that does want it.
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You are so wrong...the sh*t disturbers in society, always have an exaggerated opinion of their popularity. This is no different.

You grossly overestimate the interest in these contentious and divisive posts. Every single time I lock one of these threads, I get TONS of PM's thanking me.

I can count on one hand, and have fingers to spare, the number of times I've received objections.
 
Anita Marie":2xra70r2 said:
The tone and tenor of the site has shifted in the last year or so. Many folks who used to post on this site have gone and I miss them
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I agree with you 100% Fred. Actually, you're one of the guys I miss posting. Thanks for getting it off your chest.

Peter
 
As one who has posted his share of politically inappropriate stuff, I know that Fred's statement is correct. Sometimes it's hard to compartmentalize these things in life that come at us, not in neat little boxes, but more like Joycean stream of consciousness, so to speak. We don't convince anyone of anything, we just sort of choose up sides and loose some good friends. Personally, I need all the friends I can get.
 
Fred-

I agree with you 100% and feel that this is a boating site, period!

We went around about the appropriateness political and religious threads a few months before Christmas, remember?

I find the threads that drift into politics (and rarely religion) unnecessarily contensious and distracting, even though I consider the posters my friends.

I tried to take the high road on the last thread about "Hard Times", but the thread degenerated into a rant on the oil companies, and no one really wanted to discuss world economics, only dump on Dan and the oil companies.

We originally created the "That's Life" category so that we could discuss non-boating issues among trusting friends that wanted to go beyond boating.

However, more recently, we've gotten into these divisive pissing matches that characterize websites of a less friendly and classy nature.

It seems the same folks usually wind up at odds in these discussions, seemingly wanting to contest whatever their rivals say.

Perhaps the best solution would for those who want a different flavored website to take their controversial topics to a website of their own, breaking off from this one and leaving the rest of us in peace.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
The very fact that this topic has come up twice within the past three months must be telling us something. Recently I've been asking myself this exact question, why do I participate in net forums? It's really a pretty simple answer. Net forums are a type of community. Rather than geographical, presumably they are communities of people with common interests.

Quite obviously I'm frequently involved in the more contentious discussions that crop up. I'll take either side of an argument just to probe and learn what other people think. And frequently launch off on a fool's errand to try to get people to think beyond the morning headlines. More this time of year simply due to winter boredom because of where I live.

But lately I've been wondering myself whether things have changed around here or if I'm just getting to be a cranky old bastard (or more so). So I went back and read some old posts. Being as objective as possible, I don't really see much difference in my level of sarcastic comments etc. then versus now. But what has changed is who is engaged in the discussions. Many of the participants have changed. What has changed is the community.

And of course it has changed. Many of us remember what an event it was to break the 1000 member threshold. Now we're closing in on 3000. Like any growing community, more and more of us are strangers. And strangers are less apt to recognize and accept a village idiot like myself as just part of the scenery. Maybe even let him help rake some leaves once in a while until his parents come looking for him. Strangers want to beautify the community in their image. Call the dog catcher on the stray muts and the guys in white suits to come put a straight jacket on the village idiot. That's just life. And more so on the internet than anywhere else, we have the right to choose when and in what we participate. And the right to decide what community we want to be a part of.

For my part, I'm beginning to get that same closed in feeling that prompted a move to Alaska. Like the guy in the clown suit isn't funny any more. Matter of fact maybe too many people are making more of connection with the clown in that Stephen King movie. And frankly that sucker creeped me out too....
 
da nag , as I told others, if you dont want this type of thing then ban it and I will not start this kind of post..oh wait I did'nt!!!. either let those of us that like to talk here about more then boats do so or outlaw it. I am really tired of reading a post, making a commit and then getting yelled at for having a idea different then those of others. I have been here a long time and have done a lot IMHO to both promote both c-dorys and this site. I am really tired of these "what you should or should not post" post. maybe I should just stop all together. Make a choice. let us post as we wish as long as we are nice or have a approved list of topic's. and everytime you have closed a post it had gotten nasty and you were right to do so. but post that started this post had not. maybe you should read my email sometime when you kill a subject. Now whos coming to dinner :lol: saturday?????? :wink:
 
Dan, I count you as funny...a humorous guy with a good command of the english language who can slay someone into thinking you're saying one thing when, in reality, you're saying just the opposite, but leading them to think you're saying what they think you said in their haste.

I wouldn't take any of your posts as offensive, as I've met you, sparred with you and have great respect for your knowledge.

I agree that we do have a much larger community than even when I joined, and I find I read fewer posts because of a general lack of interest, as well as seemingly a lot of negativity ... I sorta scan and see if there's anything that catches my eye, mostly from the folks I've met, and these days may only read one thread out of 20.

Growing pains, I guess....

I need to get on the boat and go fishing!

Caty
 
Anita Marie":2jdanciv said:
Now really what does this have to do with boating and don't give me the bit about towing your boat on a toll road. This is a pure political opinion post and has no relevance to boating.
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I feel I have to defend my post about "Toll Roads" that got this thread started. Most things on this site are political. (Political = a following / supporting / biased / taking sides / opinionated). A lot of threads fall in this category, even those about boats.

How do toll roads affect our boating? I think Larry summed it up very well. If you can't see that, then there isn't anything I can do to help. The tolls will not affect me, it will probably help me, but I think it will hurt most boaters in the Puget Sound area. Maybe you don't care, I do, and was trying to make you aware of what our State Government is trying to do to you and me, often times under the cover of darkness.

The title of the bill does not have to have the word "boat" in it to negatively affect our boating a great deal. I could go on and preach to you about it, but I won't.

The word "you" used in the above paragraphs is meant for "people in general" and not any one individual person.

Bill, I see you moved this thread to "That's Life", I would appreciate it, if you will do the same for the "Toll Road" thread. Thanks

Fred, you will get your wish. I will back out of this site. By
________
Dave dlt.gif
 
Come on Dave, give me/us a break, those of us who know you, and know Fred, and personally know about a hundred other C-Dory enthusiasts who all have their opinions on various subjects, respect those opinions.

You are more clever than me or I would have cut my 22 in half and made a 24. Or my 25 into a 27. The followers of this site who really care about what the site is all about recognize that there will always be interjection of "non-boating issues or comments". And sometimes just plain crap that most of us are not interested in. I have no problem with it in general, because I just click off of a subject, or don't click on it at all when I see that it is of no interest. I think that is the case for most of us that are here for boating, C-Dorys, and C-Dorys, or derivatives thereof.

When I review the "View Posts since Last Viewing" I scan down and quickly discount some and are attracted to others that have posted. I always enjoy both you and Fred's posts, and a couple of others.
 
This is not personal Dave. If you do think it is I am sorry for that but we all need to decide for ourselves. I know you have valuable things to offer people and should really reconsider your dissision.
I for one will make an effort to contribute more to the site and try to be a better member than I have been. I also want to thank everyone for their feedback, it is much appreciated.

Fred
 
When the C-Brat Site was first launched, we referred to the site as a "Pub", a place where we could pull up a "bar stool" and have discussions with our friends. When we attend C-Brat Gatherings we don't always discuss boats as we enjoy getting to know each member as a "whole" individual. (Personally, I've always felt this to be an establishment similar to "Cheers" ...the old and beloved TV show).

I value everyone's input on this site and certainly, I don't agree with all that is said and when some discussions get too "heavy" or tend to raise my blood pressure (although nothing really does.. :roll: ) I know that I can just relocate myself to another "bar stool" at the "Pub" and carry on a discussion with another C-Brat buddy of mine.

There have been many "off topic" subjects presented on this site that have truly been valuable to me in increasing my thought processes and perhaps have even changed my opinion on certain issues. As I advance in my years, I find that ideas different than my own, challenge me to think a bit deeper about what is going on around me. Certainly, when Jessica was born when I was the ripe "young" age of 45, I soon gained a multitude of new perspectives in life and hopefully it made me a better individual.

No doubt, I have offended others at times (although, I do truly attempt to be sensitive to others' feelings). If I have offended anyone, it certainly was not intentional and for that I apologize.

However as a number of other folks have stated, that is why the "That's Life" forum was established.

:love Dave S. :smile
 
Why do we post? I can only speak for myself, but sometimes I get so excited about this boating stuff that I would absolutely explode if I didn't let all that glee out. :wink: I admit that I don't read every post like I did a couple years ago - I do want to spend some time running the boat around, not just reading and posting about it. 8)

No doubt this place is a community. I can't think of any place I've spent much time where there wasn't someone who was a rabble-rouser (That may be an old fart's term... give me another couple minutes and I'll find a way to work "whippersnapper" into this conversation! :mrgreen: ). We get and give information, entertain and get entertained, laugh, cry, applaud, grieve, sympathize, empathize, and just generally share some time together. It may be the boat that brought us to this place, but it's the people who keep us here.

Dave, you are one of the first C-Dory owners we met after taking delivery of our boat and one of the kindest. It would be a shame to lose you from our ranks. I've met Fred face-to-face, and know he's a good guy, too. Everyone here has something to offer, and like any community, we aren't always going to see eye-to-eye on everything. It may be a cliche', but we can disagree without being disagreeable. At the very least, we should try.

I'd venture a guess that no one here knows my political leanings. I try to not bring an agenda to this place. And I have a good way to deal with posts that try to suck me into those things... ignore 'em. This stuff is supposed to be fun.

I had a tough day today, but I always look forward to spending a little time here... time to unwind, probably learn something, maybe see a point of view that I hadn't considered. I think our only rule here works quite well most of the time.

I am grateful this place exists. Where else would this totally irrational attachment to fiberglass and metal and my desire to burn fossil fuel at varying degrees of efficiency be understood? Here, I am amongst community members who get it.
 
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