JimH wrote:
Why do we have to keep proposing a deadline at all?

Let's just keep it going the way it is now.


"Reggie Smithers" wrote in message
...
5 days ago Chuck proposed we make some reasonable changes in rec.boats.

I have found a kinder and gentler rec.boats to be a vast improvement from
where we were. If we are going to attract more regulars to discuss
boating issues, we need to make sure we don't chase them away after one
visit. Chuck's proposal is a start in the right direction.

I would like to propose we extend the challenge for the next 30 days.

As Chuck said:

During this period of time, I propose that the group of worst
offenders, self included, take the lead in this challenge by doing the
following things.

1. Refrain from launching any sort of political or religious thread.
2. Resist name calling and put personal feuds aside.
3. Resist the temptation to respond to any political threads trolled
through the NG
4. Launch a minimum of two boating-related threads (not required of
non-boaters)



The 5-day program is and or was important. Changing behavior (which is
what is involved here- changing the behavior of a group we all belong
to) is tough enough, and when one adds "change behavior forever....."
to the equation the task seems so daunting that it is relegated to the
status of "impossible dream". The 5-day task provides a little bite.

Of course, if we can keep the peace for one day we can keep it for two.
If for two, we can keep it for four, and if for four why not a week? If
for a week, then for a fortnight. If for a fortnight, perhaps a month,
a season, a year....................

Certainly the worst traditional offenders *have* taken the lead in
reducing the amount of political garbage and flame throwing here. As a
group, the worst traditional offenders (self included) can be slightly
gratified by the improvement. An unforseen result is that a group of
previously consistent but (relatively) low-level rabble rousers are now
as obvious as $20 hookers at a high school prom. This too may pass if
we can continue avoiding the temptation to respond to threads with
titles along the lines of, "George Bush is Adolph Hitler", "Liberals
are Satan", and try to stay on topic.

There are thousands of places to discuss the evils of the Republican
party, Democratic debauchery, the shame of American Imperialism, and
our glorious struggle to defend America in Iraq. Rec.boats doesn't have
to be one of them.

Skipper suggested we need a moderator. Nah, all we really need is some
self control- and a group effort to exercise some during the last
several days has made a startling improvement in the tone and content
of this group.

The trick will be to keep it up going forward.

Statistically, the tough benchmarks are the 21st and 28th days. If
we're still relatively civil, respectful, and on-topic the 3rd week of
January there's a good chance the fix will stick.
We should all continue to do our parts. It only takes a few adults to
break the cycle- and it only takes a few to put us back in the toilet.

We still need more boating content, but I have noticed a few new names
with some boating related questions the last few days. Maybe we're not
scaring away potential
participants as badly as we were.