Chuck,

I couldn't agree more. When I saw all the political finger pointing and
name calling the day of the disaster, it turned my stomach. I decided it
was time to take a week off from work and especially this NG, and try to do
something to help. It was very easy to find a charity working with the
refugees who needed help. I don't know how much good I was able to do, but
I know I felt better for trying.

My original question was who are the non boaters in the NG whose sole
purpose is to throw crapballs at each other, but after reading your post, it
might be easier to ask who are the active posters in rec.boats who don't
throw flaming crapballs at others?




wrote in message
oups.com...

Starbucks wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
. We have several very active posters here who don't even own
boats, but are simply hanging out to throw flaming crapballs at a few
other individuals.

Gould,
Now that JimH has purchased a boat, who are the others who don't own a
boat?
I know Harry doesn't own a Lobster Boat, but I am pretty sure he owns a
Parker, at least he keeps it parked in his driveway.


I would be surprised to learn that very many of the several people who
never post anything about boats or boating, (yet cannot let a day go by
without either pig piling on a personality- bashing thread or starting
one of their own) actually own a boat. Rather than get all finger
pointy, I will simply float my theory and let you see if anyone comes
to mind that fits the general description. If so, then we agree on a
small issue. If not, then you can think I'm full of horse crap and you
won't be the first to draw such a conclusion. :-)

As far as the specific individual you named, yes he is now once again a
boat owner. I have been impressed by that person's struggle to monitor
and improve his own behavior, and I have been quietly rooting for his
success. I continue to believe that if just a few people (self
included) would modify their behavior in the NG it would take on a
different tone. Rather than disrupt every thread with outrageous
profanity, etc, (as others have done in failed attempts to modify the
NG), the individual you mention has wisely recognized that he cannot
change the group but he can change himself and thereby somewhat alter
the group dynamic for the better.

This week has been tough on everybody.
Remember after the last major disaster, 9-11, how the country pulled
together for at least a little while? (Long enough to give Bush
overwhelming support for the retaliatory strike on Afghanistan and the
alleged hunt for Osama bin Ladin).

I guess we're jaded now. The flood hasn't even drained and all we can
seem to do is argue about whether George Bush caused the flood or
whether all the looters are liberal Democrats. The "anti-liberal"
defensive whine is in high gear over on right wing radio this week, and
there is no shortage of people second guessing everything Bush did or
didn't do in response to the hurricane. The terrorists don't have to
lift a finger, we're going to destroy this country all by ourselves
with hatred and negativity (from both sides of the fence). A look at
the f'd up NG is a microcosm of what the country is rapidly becoming,
and the folks (of all political persuasions) who live by the creed, "If
you can't say something truly negative, mean, and nasty don't say
anything at all" are leading way.