All:
In the not too distant past, any thread was locked if it was not related to
firearms or current political subjects affecting our Rights (usually
firearms-related).
Members indicated they wanted to get to know each other so Rich relaxed
the rules (severely increasing his expenses). The stress was on
camaraderie, unity, firearms, and dedication to preserve our Right to Keep
and Bear Arms (RKBA).
When the general atmosphere on TFL became stressful, we sometimes had
some “mad” moments and went bonkers with humorous threads.
Then gradually, subjects began to go far afield for a bulletin board called
“The Firing Line”. Nothing was said. But then, some of the “far afield”
subjects degenerated into flame wars - arguments intending to demean rather
than illuminate. There were facetious innuendoes and outright insults.
Such arguments divide rather than unify.
Personally? My priorities on TFL involve both seriousness and humor. Off the top of my head I believe I would list my personal priorities as follows:
1. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
2. Peacefully return America to Constitutional law.
3. Make our government more responsible and responsive to the people.
4. Create a populace capable of ensuring Constitutional Law for my progeny.
5. Learn.
6. Make friends.
7. Have fun.
Discussing medieval history is a learning process(5). We can make friends(6)
and have fun(7). But when the activities of 500 or more years ago begin to
divide us today, we need to remember our mission and our need for unity if
our Rights are to survive. We must unite!
When our political or religious views leave no room for other people’s
concept of morality, such dogmatic views divide us. There is room in the
struggle to preserve our Rights for people of all colors, creeds, sexual
persuasions, religious beliefs, ethnic backgrounds, educational levels, or
whatever. We must unite!
I am an American. My ancestors were Irish. If I hate or love the British
collectively or individually is irrelevant to our present and future effort to
preserve our RKBA. We must unite!
We have TFL members whose ancestors were Scots, Germans, Brits,
Japanese, Chinese, Irish, Ukrainian, Spanish, etc. etc. Be proud of your
ancestry but remember we are Americans. We must unite!
Our future may be in our hands but it will take us all, working together, to
fulfill the promise of our future. If we fail, the “Noble Experiment” fails. And
our ancestors will have the right to hate us for our petty divisiveness and lack
of dedication to restore and preserve Constitutional Law in America.
The number one issue on TFL is our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. If we
lose the Second Amendment, all our other views shall become irrelevant.
Our government will tell us what to think and do. That must not happen!
These are my opinions, and mine alone. As always, I look to the
Administrators for guidance - they have been there for me since I first became
a member and we had about 700 members. Now we have nearly 2100
members and God only knows how many “lurkers”. Already we have
attracted the attention of those who would divide us, make us powerless, and
destroy our RKBA. We have seen “probes” by those intending to confuse us,
distract us, and destroy our unity and effectiveness. Such divisiveness will
not be tolerated.
Have I had flames to throw? You betcha! And when I first came to TFL I
had to be told that the rule is to keep it off the board and go to e-mail. Then
it does not become public, it does not divide us as seriously, and it does not
become permanent record to be used against us on some later date.
We must not permit TFL to be anything less than Rich’s motto states:
Simply the Finest Firearms Information Site on the Web
So, as DC might say, “Play nice”.
Now, if y’all will excuse me. I must write an e-mail apology to a friend I
have offended. (sigh)
