please read this...

[bmattock]

i have really mixed feelings about this whole p.m. thing.

i need to think on it a bit...before i say anything.

joe

It's not PM's. I get emails complaining about various aspects of my behavior. I don't want to say any more.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[FrankS]

Same here.

 

[bmattock]

Is this any better?

 

[Jocko]

It's not PM's. I get emails complaining about various aspects of my behavior. I don't want to say any more.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

I wonder how other members reacted to this. I think such behaviour is outrageous - a single step from writing anonymous letters or smearing filth on a neighbour's door. Everyone here shares a love of a particular - idiosyncratic - form of photography. Beyond that we constitute an immensely diverse community. These differences and that common bond combine to provide the extraordinary reservoir of wisdom and experience that make this forum such a delight. Debate is essential and friendly argument a joy - but much of the pleasure in such discourse lies in the potential for challenging, changing and broadening one's own ideas. Nothing is gained by abusing our friends, but the whole community is harmed. Everyone is here to learn, so - to quote a fellow fenlander - let's "think it possible [we] may be mistaken". It makes life much more interesting.

May I also add, speaking as a Brit, that Canadian Cheddar is sublime.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Bill,
I prefer the "I can lift heavy things" picture.

So, we're all pretty sure this thing didn't happen because I made fun of FrankG getting his finger caught in the SLR Mirror, huh?

Really does hurt.

I had to wear my wedding ring on my right hand for two days because of the swelling.

 

[taffer]

I prefer the "I can lift heavy things" picture.

Agree. Be who you are Bill, the one and only 🙂

 

[back alley]

I agree! Be who you are.
There are only two bosses on the board. And neither would hesitate to say if you were out of bounds.

i think this pretty accurate.

joe

 

[Socke]

Just two things.
1. on the way home I heard Americas Horse with no name and thought about Bill who's hopefully out off the desert

2. Brians signature reminds me that there are only 10 people, those who understand binary and those who don't

🙂

 

[VinceC]

>>Though I am a libertarian at heart, I certainly would not object too strenuously to banning new members whose first 1-20 posts are related to a M6 they have for sale << --Flyfisher Tom

I can't say I disagree.

 

[Trius]

Bill: I learned something a few years ago. Not to go into too many details and I don't want to be maudlin, but I got dumped, big time, and it was very, very difficult for me. I had to get meds and counselling to get through. I had a couple of wonderful friends who also helped, and from one of them I learned this lesson.

There is "my stuff" and "her stuff". I am only responsible for my stuff. And responsible does not equal blame. I learned it's a good thing to not attach myself to the stuff ... mine or hers.

I'll stop now, before I become an evangelist for Buddhism. 😉

Earl

 

[Bertram2]

i have really mixed feelings about this whole p.m. thing.
i need to think on it a bit...before i say anything.
joe

Joe,
I suggest you to leave it as it is, it's a great second info channel on a second personal level and it makes sense for the forum in general IMHO.
It's so easy to turn a private message into a public message if necessary.
I never got any offensive, naughty or cheeky p.m. but if somebody could not resist to abuse this feature for verbal terrorism I'd send you a copy and you would "repair " the prob in a minute as I expect ?

Best,
bertram

 

[Richard Black]

This forum belongs to the fellow who created it and who he has chosen to moderate it. This is fine with me. They make the rules; this is not a democratic forum. But unlike the Moral Majority and those who lean in their direction, I have not felt the need for the moderator to delete any of the reponses with this group. I don't object to guns or some of the political writings, but if I did I know I would censor them myself by not reading them. I have the remote and I am in charge of what is on my TV. To our international members this is a back-hand slap to those who believe they should dictate what is on our tele. To paraphrase a great English writer, " To read or not to read...that is the question" That's my 2 cents. What is the EU's version of that?

 

[FrankS]

"To our international members this is a back-hand slap to those who believe they should dictate what is on our tele."

Sorry, Richard. That sounds too much like the " America, love it or leave it." line. That rankles many. The European/German experience of an episode in history where a population did blindly and largely unquestioningly follow a government, created a completely different mindset, that I hope you can appreciate.

"I don't object to guns or some of the political writings, but if I did I know I would censor them myself by not reading them."

Perhaps you would be less tolerant if what you read ran counter to your convictions. This is a RF photography site. That is what connects us, certainly not the issue of gun ownership or international politics.

That may sound preachy, but that's just the way it was wtitten. So as not to take it the wrong way, imagine we're having some beers together at a pub and just having a friendly discussion. After a snowfall that night, I'd still come over the next morning to help you shovel your driveway. 🙂 (Typed words over the internet are so lacking in the non-verbal communication that goes on when people communicate normally.)

 

[Socke]

Richard, my verison as a citizen of the EU is close to yours.

And we too don't want to be dictated by anyone, again 🙂

 

[Richard Black]

Frank S,
I have failed in my writing skills to adequately place my tongue in my cheek. For the most part I am as "left wing" as you will find. If we shared some beers, and I do like Moosehead, you would have understood that the moral police want to limit my oppotunities by their standards. Censorship is unacceptable, with the exceptions set forth in our laws, i.e. the disemination of child pron is one. A healthy debate on the issues is preferrable to a plain argument. I did not take offense your response at all. I can disagree and still enjoy the company of others. My complaint is in the uncivilized behavior of name calling or harshness of language. I have been wrong in the past and expect to be in the future. However, it is not made better by referring to these blunders as stupid mistakes or that ilk. Frank S is this clearer?

 

[FrankS]

I can disagree and still enjoy the company of others. My complaint is in the uncivilized behavior of name calling or harshness of language.

Exactly! 🙂

 

[Al Kaplan]

This place is a real pleasure compared to the Leica Forum over on P-net. I've never been a complete rangefinder purist. There are things best done with an SLR (or Visoflex), a larger format, or the swings and tilts of a commercial view camera. I fully realize that today's news photographer needs to be shooting digital but since the Social Security checks started rolling in and I'm shooting for fun there's no need for the constant put downs over on P-net of those of us still using film or preferring traditional silver gelatin prints from the darkroom.

Let's enjoy our rangefinders and use this place for a civil exchange of ideas and techniques.

 

[FrankS]

Welcome, Al!

 

[Kevin]

My complaint is in the uncivilized behavior of name calling or harshness of language.

Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.

Did you not learn that in preschool, Richard?

 

[back alley]

trite sayings do not erase the need for civility on this board!

joe