Gentlemen,

If you wish to debate endlessly, could you find a more appropriate
newsgroup? If your conversation consisted of 20 posts, it would be
within reason for an OT series, but these have gone on for more than
1000. Find yourselves a better home. Please.

"Bob P" wrote in message
...
Gentlemen,

If you wish to debate endlessly, could you find a more
appropriate newsgroup? If your conversation consisted of 20
posts, it would be within reason for an OT series, but these
have gone on for more than 1000. Find yourselves a better
home. Please.
===============
It's just hard not to disuss other things when the ice hasn't
gone out yet and you can get your paddle wet.
Talking about paddling sometimes gets you down when you can't
even get your boat off the rack. Too anxious to get out, but
can't find the open water, so the "other" disussions are a
diversion. You could just laugh at us though, when we take
ourselves too seriously...

Gentlemen,

If you wish to debate endlessly, could you find a more appropriate
newsgroup? If your conversation consisted of 20 posts, it would be
within reason for an OT series, but these have gone on for more than
1000. Find yourselves a better home. Please.

I'm not sure I agree; at least, my news reader shows almost all on-topic
subjects, with a sprinkling of off-topic ones (like the Iraq elections one).
And my solution is simple... I just don't read that particular thread
anymore.

It's the same in all news groups I've visited. I read what I wish to read
and ignore the rest. Very simple
"Bob P" wrote in message
...
Gentlemen,

If you wish to debate endlessly, could you find a more appropriate
newsgroup? If your conversation consisted of 20 posts, it would be
within reason for an OT series, but these have gone on for more than
1000. Find yourselves a better home. Please.

"Grip" wrote in :

It's the same in all news groups I've visited. I read what I wish to read
and ignore the rest. Very simple

Sure, it's simple to delete posts that you're not going to read buy why
should we? This is a newsgroup about paddling. There are many other
newsgroups in which political discussion, and even flaming is on topic.
Those that want to read that kind of article can go to those groups. That's
the whole point of creating topically based groups. I've been reading this
group for about 7 years and this is the worse case of off-topic article
posting I've ever seen. I've been participating on usenet for 20 years and
the number of off-topic article to on topic articles is just about the
highest ratio I've seen as well. Those that continue to post the off topic
articles are just flat out rude.

"Bob P" wrote in message
...
Gentlemen,

If you wish to debate endlessly, could you find a more appropriate
newsgroup? If your conversation consisted of 20 posts, it would be
within reason for an OT series, but these have gone on for more than
1000. Find yourselves a better home. Please.

John Fereira wrote:
"Grip" wrote in
:

It's the same in all news groups I've visited. I read what I wish
to read
and ignore the rest. Very simple

Sure, it's simple to delete posts that you're not going to read buy
why
should we? This is a newsgroup about paddling. There are many other

newsgroups in which political discussion, and even flaming is on
topic.
Those that want to read that kind of article can go to those groups.
That's
the whole point of creating topically based groups. I've been
reading this
group for about 7 years and this is the worse case of off-topic
article
posting I've ever seen. I've been participating on usenet for 20
years and
the number of off-topic article to on topic articles is just about
the
highest ratio I've seen as well. Those that continue to post the off
topic
articles are just flat out rude.

"Bob P" wrote in message
...
Gentlemen,

If you wish to debate endlessly, could you find a more appropriate
newsgroup? If your conversation consisted of 20 posts, it would
be
within reason for an OT series, but these have gone on for more
than
1000. Find yourselves a better home. Please.




I have been camping for 40 years, and sat around many campfires, where
many strange topics have been discussed. Sometimes they even talked
about the days fishing or hiking, biking or skiing. If the topic was
not of my interest, I could always grab another adult beverage, set
back, and contemplate the sparks rising over the campfire. Usually the
chatter would lull me into a luxurious state of semi-subconsciousness,
which convinced me that a hard day of exercise followed by the
campfire, is better than any day at WORK!

If the above did not occur, I could always retire to my tent and let
the darkness embrace me in slumber. I usually did not last long
listening from my tent.

If the OT chatter, disturbs your sleep, I apologize! I find this is
some of the best part of the day, and talking to fellow paddlers, even
OT, is very stimulating. So maybe, next time you should pitch your
tent a little further from the campfire IMHO! TnT

On 5 Mar 2005 16:29:48 -0800, "Tinkerntom" wrote:

I have been camping for 40 years, and sat around many campfires, where
many strange topics have been discussed. Sometimes they even talked
about the days fishing or hiking, biking or skiing. If the topic was
not of my interest, I could always grab another adult beverage, set
back, and contemplate the sparks rising over the campfire. Usually the
chatter would lull me into a luxurious state of semi-subconsciousness,
which convinced me that a hard day of exercise followed by the
campfire, is better than any day at WORK!

If the above did not occur, I could always retire to my tent and let
the darkness embrace me in slumber. I usually did not last long
listening from my tent.

If the OT chatter, disturbs your sleep, I apologize! I find this is
some of the best part of the day, and talking to fellow paddlers, even
OT, is very stimulating. So maybe, next time you should pitch your
tent a little further from the campfire IMHO! TnT

But how does one determine whether the tent should be pitched farther away
or that the party around the campfire has just gotten too rowdy? What if
they start chanting religious stuff real loud and you can't get to sleep
even if you pitch your tent a hundred yards away?

Not to disagree with your analogy, just being an ass. Personally, I'd have
said that if you don't like what's going on, contribute(help change it) or
leave, but don't just whine about it.

Galen Hekhuis NpD, JFR, GWA
Illiterate? Write for FREE help

Galen Hekhuis wrote:
On 5 Mar 2005 16:29:48 -0800, "Tinkerntom" wrote:

I have been camping for 40 years, and sat around many campfires,
where
many strange topics have been discussed. Sometimes they even talked
about the days fishing or hiking, biking or skiing. If the topic was
not of my interest, I could always grab another adult beverage, set
back, and contemplate the sparks rising over the campfire. Usually
the
chatter would lull me into a luxurious state of
semi-subconsciousness,
which convinced me that a hard day of exercise followed by the
campfire, is better than any day at WORK!

If the above did not occur, I could always retire to my tent and let
the darkness embrace me in slumber. I usually did not last long
listening from my tent.

If the OT chatter, disturbs your sleep, I apologize! I find this is
some of the best part of the day, and talking to fellow paddlers,
even
OT, is very stimulating. So maybe, next time you should pitch your
tent a little further from the campfire IMHO! TnT

But how does one determine whether the tent should be pitched farther
away
or that the party around the campfire has just gotten too rowdy?
What if
they start chanting religious stuff real loud and you can't get to
sleep
even if you pitch your tent a hundred yards away?

Not to disagree with your analogy, just being an ass. Personally,
I'd have
said that if you don't like what's going on, contribute(help change
it) or
leave, but don't just whine about it.

Galen Hekhuis NpD, JFR, GWA

Illiterate? Write for FREE help

Well if it has just gotten too rowdy, we'll be more than willing to
tone it down, If you ask us real nice! Like I have been doing between
K&r, and they seem to be listening. A couple of the rest of us have
been having a discussion on the side, and I have not heard any yelling
or chanting so far!

I would point out that the OT posting in this group, and in the two
threads have been going on for quite awhile, so the post count has
gotten high, but it is mainly restricted to these two threads. I have
checked out other groups where every thread goes OT shortly after the
original post. I am happy to see that most threads here stay on topic.

Even the current thread regarding the accident in Florida, has slipped
off the original topic, but is certainly within the normal topics of
the group.

I have found that paddlers have a perspective of many issues that you
do not find in the other groups. It may have to do with setting too
close to the water, and having to keep your eyes on the current, the
wind, the weather, the shore, the goal, and having all the gear on
board, and knowing you will get along ok because you forgot something,
and still having a great time getting there.

Some have even said that we are all sick when there are so many other
ways to get there, and we say paddling is the only way to get there.
Now I don't have the foggiest idea why someone may suggest that is
sick, I just know I enjoy the campfire. TnT

"Tinkerntom" wrote in news:1110068988.426962.125150
@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:


John Fereira wrote:
"Grip" wrote in
:

It's the same in all news groups I've visited. I read what I wish to
read and ignore the rest. Very simple

Sure, it's simple to delete posts that you're not going to read buy
why should we? This is a newsgroup about paddling. There are many
other

newsgroups in which political discussion, and even flaming is on
topic. Those that want to read that kind of article can go to those
groups. That's the whole point of creating topically based groups.
I've been reading this group for about 7 years and this is the worse
case of off-topic article posting I've ever seen. I've been
participating on usenet for 20 years and the number of off-topic
article to on topic articles is just about the highest ratio I've seen
as well. Those that continue to post the off topic articles are just
flat out rude.

"Bob P" wrote in message
...
Gentlemen,

If you wish to debate endlessly, could you find a more appropriate
newsgroup? If your conversation consisted of 20 posts, it would be
within reason for an OT series, but these have gone on for more
than 1000. Find yourselves a better home. Please.




I have been camping for 40 years, and sat around many campfires, where
many strange topics have been discussed. Sometimes they even talked
about the days fishing or hiking, biking or skiing. If the topic was
not of my interest, I could always grab another adult beverage, set
back, and contemplate the sparks rising over the campfire. Usually the
chatter would lull me into a luxurious state of semi-subconsciousness,
which convinced me that a hard day of exercise followed by the
campfire, is better than any day at WORK!

If the above did not occur, I could always retire to my tent and let
the darkness embrace me in slumber. I usually did not last long
listening from my tent.

If the OT chatter, disturbs your sleep, I apologize! I find this is
some of the best part of the day, and talking to fellow paddlers, even
OT, is very stimulating. So maybe, next time you should pitch your
tent a little further from the campfire IMHO! TnT

If that's the analogy you want to use I'll play along. Your analogy doesn't
exactly represent what's going on. In this case a group of camper have
pitched their tents around a campfire and have settled into a choice spot
they like. Then several others decide to pitch their tents in the same spot
and proceed to cause a ruckus. When the original campers complain about the
ruckus the new campers have the gall to tell the original campers if they
don't want to listen that they should move their tents elsewhere.

John Fereira wrote:
"Tinkerntom" wrote in
news:1110068988.426962.125150
@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:


John Fereira wrote:
"Grip" wrote in
:

It's the same in all news groups I've visited. I read what I
wish to
read and ignore the rest. Very simple

Sure, it's simple to delete posts that you're not going to read
buy
why should we? This is a newsgroup about paddling. There are
many
other

newsgroups in which political discussion, and even flaming is on
topic. Those that want to read that kind of article can go to
those
groups. That's the whole point of creating topically based groups.

I've been reading this group for about 7 years and this is the
worse
case of off-topic article posting I've ever seen. I've been
participating on usenet for 20 years and the number of off-topic
article to on topic articles is just about the highest ratio I've
seen
as well. Those that continue to post the off topic articles are
just
flat out rude.

"Bob P" wrote in message
...
Gentlemen,

If you wish to debate endlessly, could you find a more
appropriate
newsgroup? If your conversation consisted of 20 posts, it
would be
within reason for an OT series, but these have gone on for more
than 1000. Find yourselves a better home. Please.




I have been camping for 40 years, and sat around many campfires,
where
many strange topics have been discussed. Sometimes they even talked
about the days fishing or hiking, biking or skiing. If the topic
was
not of my interest, I could always grab another adult beverage, set
back, and contemplate the sparks rising over the campfire. Usually
the
chatter would lull me into a luxurious state of
semi-subconsciousness,
which convinced me that a hard day of exercise followed by the
campfire, is better than any day at WORK!

If the above did not occur, I could always retire to my tent and
let
the darkness embrace me in slumber. I usually did not last long
listening from my tent.

If the OT chatter, disturbs your sleep, I apologize! I find this is
some of the best part of the day, and talking to fellow paddlers,
even
OT, is very stimulating. So maybe, next time you should pitch your
tent a little further from the campfire IMHO! TnT

If that's the analogy you want to use I'll play along. Your analogy
doesn't
exactly represent what's going on. In this case a group of camper
have
pitched their tents around a campfire and have settled into a choice
spot
they like. Then several others decide to pitch their tents in the
same spot
and proceed to cause a ruckus. When the original campers complain
about the
ruckus the new campers have the gall to tell the original campers if
they
don't want to listen that they should move their tents elsewhere.

Your analysis is faulted in that though you have been camping here and
setting up your tent on certain choice sites over the last few years,
you do not own the site. It is a general public camping area. so if you
pitch your tent, and someone new comes along, and pitches their tent
next to yours, and you find you don't like your neighbors! Your site is
no longer choice, and you are free to move. You are not free to take
out your shotgun and explain that the others should leave.

Now in the analogy, there is a campfire, and there most likely are many
different campfires going in the general area that is used for camping.
If you don't like the conversation, at a particular fire ring, you are
free to browse around until you find one that is to your liking.

If the converstion at the ring near your tent, is not to your liking,
again your site is no longer your choice site, you are free to move.
And someone else may find it very choice. It is not the site that has
changed, just your choice!

Now if someone is actually causing a ruckus, you can definitely go and
talk to them and try to get them to settle down. But you are not the
Sherrif! Most folks though, if approached in a civil fashion,
non-threatening, and respectfully, are more than willing to listen and
try to modify their behavior. We are all here to have a good time, so
if you are really troubled, feel free to talk to the offending parties.
It certainly does not help to make a big scene yourself, adding to the
ruckus, and further polarizing the various parties. Especially calling
them names, or sounding like you are whining may do nothing more than
entrench them in their behavior.

Infact, you might find you would accomplish more by inviting them over
to your favorite campfire and offering them an adult beverage, and
including them instead of just hanging with all your good old buddies,
and looking at them as the "invaders". That way they get vested as well
in the general peace and order of the camp, and everyone is happier. Of
course you might find that it is not good to start to many off topic
discussions, because you don't know how this will inspire and stimulate
their reaction. Though you may have been able to discuss these topics
with your good old buddies, having know them for a long time, times are
changing.

However if it is just what they are saying that bothers your tender
sensitivities, then just ignore them, and if that is not possible, get
out your earplugs. Being thinskinned about what they are saying, also
proves nothing, except that you are thinskinned.

If you have infact been around for awhile, you probably already know
all this stuff, so I am sure I am not saying anything profound to you.
Though I realize that when it is your choice site that is being
disturbed, it is disturbing! TnT