I've been watching the Sierra Club thread, and apart from my disappointment that it evolved from my post about my favorite beer, can't help but think that some of you enjoy arguing about politics more than you enjoy talking about airplanes. Some topics certainly bring the low timers out of the woodwork.

From a certain perspective, the fact that we are enjoying topics of conversation apart from flying shows that this place is more of a community, capable of interests apart from the cornerstone. But some of the topics can be quite polarizing, just like any that pits "right" against "left." In my opinion, partisan politics is a fool's game.

I'm not saying the Sierra Club is a totally irrelevant issue, because it is very relevant. But it is intimately tied to politics.

I won't stop you from sharing your opinions, even though they may differ from mine. But I will remind you guys that the person you're flaming is a real person, and likely someone you will meet in person in the future. Before you pull out your best zinger or insult, ask yourself if you would say the same to the person's face. Before resorting to insults, such as calling someone's politics a "mental disorder" pause and consider if you would say that before a live audience and expect any kind of respect.

I've gotten into it with people and moderators on other forums before, such that my anger stayed with me long after I left the computer. That's just not right. I visit these forums for enjoyment and enlightenment. I'm drawn because I'm interested in sharing information about my hobbby. There are much better forums for arguing politics, just as it's better to argue politics with strangers rather than your friends and family.

So my advice is to keep it friendly and always take the high road in your style of rhetoric. Personal insults only prove that the one doing the insulting can't address the real issue.

Finally, I don't want to have to create an opt-in group like on SuperCub.org so that you guys can argue and piss each other off.

Well Spoken Zane, tactfulness like that is an exceptional characteristic.

I'm with ya Zane, I didn't think that thread would last more than a page.
Shows how little jokeing nudges can turn into a big deal pretty quick.
I'm ready for everyone to get back on flying so I can soak in more of everyones' wisdom!

You guys are #%&*!@#$%^^&&)%(@!&, I'm goin' flyin'.
tom


ps. "Liberalism is a Mental Disorder" came from Michael Savage

Nice job Zane.

The best political statement I ever saw was on a bumper sticker. It said "Nuke the Unborn Gay Whales".

Maximum impact - minimum words. Kind sums up the futility of it all. Yuppers - I don't do politics!

Damn moderator,,, just when we were starting to have fun.

I agree to a point but think political discussions, that pertain to the subject of the website, can be had just as long as you don't target any individual. ie you can say I think the libs or dems are wrecking General Aviation because of xyz or the next target of the vast right wing conspiracy is Idaho's backcountry airstrips or whatever organization is planning on doing whatever to the chicken strip, well you get the point. Just don't say Homer Simpson in his Aeronca Champ is a idiot because he supports the Sierra Club. (Homer doesn't by the way ) It's a fine line but it has to be followed if you want to discuss anything political. Take it from somebody that has been out on that limb more than once.

Aside from that, Zane does a great job of letting us run our mouths while I know he's biting his tongue.
Thanks Buddy !

Mark

Thanks Mark. You know I have a mental disorder but I don't like to talk about it.

I'm all for a good heated discussion, especially about stuff that directly relates to the future of our flying.

I apologize if I hurt anyone’s feelings. I think I need to go to BCA (Backcountry pilots anonymous:-) Kind regards to all...Rob

zane wrote:I won't stop you from sharing your opinions, even though they may differ from mine. But I will remind you guys that the person you're flaming is a real person, and likely someone you will meet in person in the future. Before you pull out your best zinger or insult, ask yourself if you would say the same to the person's face. Before resorting to insults, such as calling someone's politics a "mental disorder"

Zane, I for one am really glad that you are open minded enough to let us have our own opinion. There is a wealth of knowledge residing within this group. If however you are referring to my comment, What I said was Liberalism is a mental disease. I didn't call it a disorder. A disorder is a distinct pattern of symptoms. A disease is a condition of society that is regarded as harmful.

Mental disorders: don't knock 'em if you ain't tried 'em!

Sierra Club thread: I got about as far as halfway thru the first page, when I realized I didn't want to go there. "Never" is a long time, so I'll say this-- you'll rarely change another person's politics or religion by discussing them, all you'll do is piss yourself off (and them too) in the process. So I avoid those subjects.
I do have a question for the "greener" of those among us. I heard something on the radio that referenced "renewable fabrics made from hemp and bamboo". Is cotton extinct now? I don't get it.

Eric

mr scout wrote:What I said was Liberalism is a mental disease.

Yes, you did. I'm glad to say that it's likely no one cares about my political beliefs, so in addition to remaining neutral around here, I won't presume to share them. It's a surefire way to alienate people we might have a lot in common with.

zero.one.victor wrote: I do have a question for the "greener" of those among us. I heard something on the radio that referenced "renewable fabrics made from hemp and bamboo". Is cotton extinct now? I don't get it.

Eric

Bamboo fabric is actually much more comfortable than cotton, though more expensive. Feels almost like silk but not THAT expensive.

Zane,

Great post, and great advice.

MTV

Been reading these forums for a while. The site used to be neat to visit, I see it has been a pissing match to no where. Not much on the good old stuff you could read about just a few years back. To tell you the truth I took it off my favorates and moved on. What happened to the FLYING AND AIRPLANE TALK? There may be new people on here that really don't belong here on this site or in the Back Country. Bummer it used to be good reading about airplanes, not politics and puffy head sand pounders!
Over and out !!

I liked that SC thread. but then I usually go against the grain. Free speech gets rowdy sometimes, grow up! I want an edgy website. You cant expect to go thru life without being offended.

Squaretail,
Why does people exercising free speech anger you? If you dont like it just do something else

There are plenty of opportunities for combat on other web sites, including (unfortunately IMHO) most other aviation web sites. The best thing about this site is that it has pretty much completely (until the SC thread) succeeded in avoiding the mud pit.

I deal with confrontation all day long for a living. The last thing I want or need is an "edge" applied to my favorite pursuit.

If someone doesn't get their minimum daily adult requirement of scrapping out of regular working hours, PLEASE go somewhere else. It's not like there aren't a million other venues waiting for your insights.

Thank you.

CAVU

CAVU,

Nicely put, I agree.

As someone else stated, you wont change the other persons mind,

All you are going to do is raise blood pressures.

Now the discussion on min radius turns was a good thread.

Obviously you may be the type I mentioned val170B. No where did I say it bothers me in my post. No ONE can PISS ME off except myself. You missed the point I said. You are new and were not on the site a fews years back. The site was about FLYING.
I could really give a shit what people want to say about anything. This is a site that used to be good about backcountry topics and planes. Now it is getting out of that from some of the topics being posted. I come here for airplanes not pussy or baseball or whatever. If people want to talk about some fag trying to close down a USFS in an aera then lets talk about finding the son of a bitch and puttin a stop to it. If it is beer good I prefer whiskey.
Any one of you out there tell me to move on if I am harsh or if I dont like what I am reading go somewhere else. You can go stick your propeller up your ass!!
I am going flying now and when I get back I tell you just how good it was while you sat here and jerked off on the keyboard!

Do You Kiss Your Mom W/ That mouth?