"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 11 Jan 2006 19:44:53 GMT, WaIIy
wrote:

One thing... I'm suprised that Harry is jabbing you in the ribs.

Harry is suffering from some withdrawal symptoms and there are always
a few who'd like to see him fall off the wagon. I'm hoping he'll
continue to take it one day at a time and prove them wrong.


I think this needs to be said.

I've been a subscriber to rec.boats since 1995. For the most part it has
been a very enjoyable experience. I've enjoyed the boating discussions,
sea stories, tall tales, humor plus the more than occasional "Off Topic"
discussions that amount to nothing but dock chat. Although I've never met
most of the participants, the names are all like old friends.

Many times the NG has provided entertainment that you just couldn't find
anywhere else. Who can forget the famous bilge pump debates between
Marcus and Mrs. B.?

Unfortunately, the political side of things invested itself during the
election of 2000.
Certain people have never let it go - and the political infection of
rec.boats took root. This, singularly, has been the primary reason for
the deterioration of the group during the past 7-8 years, IMOH.

The attempt to return to "boating" only discussions will never work,
because rec.boats was never only about boating. It was an internet based
comradely of people who shared a common root interest but enjoyed the
discussion and humor of all subjects, very much like the social
environment at the dock or marina.

Like every other social group though, you gotta leave politics and
religion out of it.
If we all simply did that - this NG would be fine.

Eisboch



I agree.......to a point.

There have been several political discussions here over the past several
days that were perfectly civil. It can be done.

However I generally agree that eventually discussions about politics and
religion can and most likely will become heated. That is a universal truth.

All I am trying to do is to get folks to see that it does not all have to be
about boats.......leave out the personal attacks, flames and trolling and we
will be fine, regardless if we talk about pigs, cameras, computers or sex
offenders set free.

And except for a few repeat offenders we have proven we can do it.

So let's stop the netcopping. Let's ignore those who continue to fan the
flames and personally attack. Let's not force topics to make sure they
contain the word boat in them. Let's get back to being an interesting NG
that can civilly discuss most every issue, boating related or not.

OK?