On a golf course certain rules apply. If one is guilty of infracting the
rules, one can be ejected. Generally speaking, golfers know the rules and
they abide by the rules. For one thing, they think it's sportsmanlike to be
considerate to their fellow golfer, the course and the staff. Golfers are
civil and courteous to their fellow sportsman. Politeness and silence is the
rule rather than the exception. Any rude, noisy and discourteous golfer
would be ostracized and rightly so.

So, what's happened to the sport of sailing? It seems lately that the more
loud and obnoxious, ignorant, drunk and uncivilized a boatload of cretins
can be, the more they think they are having a "good time". They honestly
feel their 'good time' trumps the rights of the majority of fellow sailors
to a little peace, quiet, civility and safety.

Judging from replies I've read in this group in the past year or so there is
a significant minority who actually believes just about anything goes. If it
makes life miserable for the majority they honestly think, "Tough!" and they
believe the majority can kiss their ass. They are uncaring hedonists who
believe sailing isn't about the next guy at all. Rather, it's a selfish
pursuit all about the selfish individual who makes life miserable for every
considerate soul.

I, for one, will not abide such selfish and aberrant thinking and crass
action.


Wilbur Hubbard