Don White wrote:
Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
snip
Participants like you and Chuck have a good point - I don't deny that.
However, my approach, and my suggestion, is not to engage, but (1)
ignore or (2) have some fun with the post.

I'll say this again because I think it's an important point. There is
a place for civilized, rational and polite discussion of issues that
affect us all. Boats, boats, boats 24/7/365 is a completely and
totally unrealistic goal.

I like Chuck and I enjoy his presentations of boats he reviews. He
edits a top notch magazine and I enjoy that also - he has been kind
enough to send me the magazine and I actually look for it on a monthly
basis.

However, his approach to boating and my approach to boating are
completely different. His posts regarding cruising level boats, while
interesting, are not relevant to my boating experience - he's a large
boat cruiser and I'm a small boat speed freak and fisherman. Doesn't
mean that I don't appreciate his efforts, we just don't enjoy the
hobby in the same way.

On the other hand, Chuck has some opinions on issues that are similar
to mine. Not all, but some. I would like to explore that commonality
and would engage others who share similar opinions. I think that
Chuck's approach to rec.boats is limited and short sighted.

I think it can be a much better place if we all work to make it a
better place by being civilized and not use rancor to issue political
ideology rants or personal bashings based on past issues.
Yesterday is yesterday - tomorrow never comes.

We have today and if we limit how we engage others to strictly one
subject, then we are all poorer for it.

snip..

Well said. We do have a number of people in here who earn their living
from boating who could be called professional boaters vs quite a few who
may be weekend warriors in a very short season.
Should these 'professionals' elevate themselves to an 'all
seeing/knowing eye' at the very apex of the wrecked.boats triangle?

Don,
Don't you agree that the name calling, petty fighting, us vs them
mentality that used to be so pervasive in rec.boats sucked. All it did
was chase away people who might have wanted to discuss boats.

Chuck can not control this NG, he can point out those who are obviously
trolling for a fight, and highlight what happened when rec.boats was
dominated by this activity.

Do you disagree that inflammatory posts and/or cut and paste trolls have
a negative effect on the NG?