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Post by wollastoni on Feb 20, 2022 12:54:35 GMT -8
I appreciated many of the related experiences and I am glad it helped me to be more diplomatic in my dealings with some. As we mature, I hope that we do not run off the younger crowd and come across as being arrogant. This hobby like others (geology, aquarium keeping etc.), will slowly pass into the nether regions if we are not more welcoming (ie belittling) and choose our words carefully. I've been here a long time and am active in supporting our advertisers, forum and even other members here with money and time. I started a thread about how I was ill and it turned into a mess with vaccine talk blah blah blah. It had to be deleted. Was I upset about it? Nah. I just learned more about the rules and how to post here. Rant over. I love you guys for the work you do here! Thanks for these wise words ! |
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Post by foxxdoc on Feb 20, 2022 13:03:27 GMT -8
when there appears to be a slant by those in charge this will result in offending participants.
I was an active member inn the Lepidoptera Society when the butterfly watchers condemned collectors. Some very famous collectors were attacked for their collecting. ads for specimens dwindled.
I quite renewing.
I saw no attempt by the administration to stop it.
I never saw any reason to complain about this forum . editting is dangerous.
I would not have dropped Leroy. Didn;t know the man l loved his knowledge.
TOM
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Post by papiliotheona on Feb 20, 2022 16:37:33 GMT -8
Not a fan of FWS at all--for decades they have operated under the mindset that we're guilty until proven innocent. They are morally offended by what we do even if no laws whatsoever have been broken; they see us as no different from tiger poachers, even if we are catching/trading/selling an insect species that numbers in the tens of millions. They have bought into the N.A.B.A./P.E.T.A. mindset and then some.
That being said, Bill G. is still a drama queen and I have no sympathy for this hissyfit of his. Wish him well, and that the door won't hit his keister on the way out.
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Post by papiliotheona on Feb 20, 2022 16:40:09 GMT -8
I'll take the blame. I deleted the word "goon" twice from his post - in reference to people who work at USFW. I explained to him privately, that it is best to assume that the site is monitored at some level, and that it is best for all of us "not to poke the beast". It's one thing to explain your concerns, it's quite another to to inflame the situation further by denigrating other people. That was too much for him I guess. I too am sorry that he is leaving - and told him so. john John... in hindsight was this really necessary? We have been kissing FWS' behind for decades and yet they just get more and more Draconian every year. They are drunk on their unelected, unaccountable power. At some point, we need to have our own safe space where we can speak honestly. I guarantee you that our being on our "best behavior" is not winning over any hearts and minds within Uncle Sam. But, as I have stated earlier--his reaction was still over the top and unwarranted. |
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Post by wollastoni on Feb 21, 2022 2:55:39 GMT -8
I have received a very kind and wise email from Bill and I hope he will be back soon on Insectnet forum.  |
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Post by mothman55 on Feb 21, 2022 6:35:38 GMT -8
I find this forum valuable as it is the only place I can read, learn, and share stories, experiences, photos of a hobby that most just don't understand. With a forum with many members there will always be differing opinions and personalities. If we just focus on the topics and the love of our hobby, and less on politics and personal grudges, we will be better off. I am thankful to those that run this site as it is difficult to know what might be offensive to some and not others, you do your best and move on.
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Post by jshuey on Feb 21, 2022 6:37:38 GMT -8
John... in hindsight was this really necessary? We have been kissing FWS' behind for decades and yet they just get more and more Draconian every year. They are drunk on their unelected, unaccountable power. At some point, we need to have our own safe space where we can speak honestly. I guarantee you that our being on our "best behavior" is not winning over any hearts and minds within Uncle Sam. In hindsight - yes, I feel that it is necessary. The idea that in a civil society, we can go around calling people derogatory names in untenable. First, I believe that we are trying to build an inclusive forum here - not one based on an "us versus them" dynamic. Second, we can certainly have strong feelings about people and agencies, and expressed articulately, I'm all for it! But as soon as we start slipping into less than civil discussion, we start to loose our member's interests. And in my opinion, you lose your actual argument and credibility the moment you start going down this road. These types of arguments are best confined to 4chan forums if that's what you are looking for. I'm a great example and I personally quit watching this forum for about a year a while back when civility declined. I don't want or need negativity in my life, and since I have free will, I can choose with whom I associate. I simply took a break for a few months, and when things calmed down a bit, came back. I use this forum to hear about insects - not about bitching and moaning. I suspect that others likely leave us entirely. As to winning the "hearts and minds within Uncle Sam" - you are probably correct. But there is a difference between annoying our dear friends, relative to pissing them off. And Uncle Sam pissed off can be problematic for us all - right? John |
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Post by billgarthe on Feb 21, 2022 7:11:53 GMT -8
Ok all, Oliver and I have this worked out. Yes……mybad for the way I went abt my issue at hand as several of you so eloquently pointed out. I’m requesting that this thread be locked or even deleted and we all move on. I will endeavor to better abide by the rules……sorry for this mess.
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Post by wollastoni on Feb 21, 2022 8:12:19 GMT -8
Good to see you back, Bill. I will lock the thread and delete it later. |
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