I find it funny that.....

[Dave]

....individuals over at a certain forum would feel it humorous to poke fun at this site when they are so weak in their individual beliefs that they can't even deal with any one that doesn't agree with them.

Probably wouldn't be so sad except for the fact that they can't even live up to what it says right on their main page, that 'everyone' is welcome.... everyone that agrees with them anyway. Its like you have freedom of speech there as long as you don't rock the boat.

Oh well, its their loss if they wish to stay there instead of visiting other forums where you can actually speak your mind :-)

[Dave]

Let's hope not... he's mentioned a few times to being a little heavy set and I fear I might hurl if I see any heavy set guy in a Catwoman outfit.. lol

[XLFD]

The wisdom runs deep in that Dave fellow. Aquaman, your driving me daffy with your M&M-speak, or is it S&S-speak (scotch & soda), LOL.

[Edie Lindsey]

Hey guys, I went over to that other site, Lakeshore Soup, to check it out. I couldn't get past the main page without signing up. I was scared off ROFL by some discussion about Cowards at an Unmentionable site, and read some very grown-up discussion among the latest activities. I cannot truly speak my mind without adding fuel to the fire, but let's let those people sit around in a little circle in their closed group and stew over us.

[Mary A.]

Odd. Everyone is welcome, but no one can enter to preview the site because it's private. That's more of a put-off, I would say.

[AQUAMAN]

How true Edie, a spoiled stew it is too. At least at most sites, you can look in and see what the forums are and be an observer. I've done that before at several sites for several months, before joining.

[XLFD]

Alas, Edie, it was not always so. That site was created by Behr because of a disaffection with Ludington Tawks by a sizable number or members who were either banned or repressed by Shoreline Media's policies. I believe it has a valid niche, but perhaps has fallen short of its pledge to inclusiveness and open-mindedness. Behr's not a bad guy, and I would hope that Lakeshore Soup, a mentionable site, and us, can get along as friends with differences.

[Max]

I agree with you X, that we should -- and I would like it if -- we could get along. But if they don't have the spine to say things to our "face" so to speak, they have shown their true colors.

Having differences in one thing, and there is nothing wrong with that. But "talking" behind our backs and accusing us of being "cowards" among other things, is hateful downright shameful. They are quick to accuse others who disagree with them as spewing hate, yet they waste no time doing what they rail against.

[Dave]

BINGO!

I don't mind them doing whatever they want to do... its what we enjoy about this site and others that we might take part in. I find it incredibly hypocritical though to do as they have been doing over yonder. LT has its issues too.... I do think that they can be a bit to reactionary in giving out warnings and throwing out a ban here and there. So far i've apparently stayed within their parameters and I think i've done so by being fairly respectful to pretty much anyone there.

I don't know if I ever got the same respect over at the Soup. Things would be ok as long as the subject didn't go against the majority... if it did then you were ridiculed for no other reason then they didn't agree with you. And then of course there was the 'house cleaning' not to long ago... I chose to leave before what would of been a ban had I stayed. I keep my eye on whats going on over there from time to time (hence this thread) and see it doing exactly what I figured it would... small group of the same people that have been there, usually not talking a whole bunch of anything worth noting. It could be said that this site doesn't have all that much chatter either which would be true... but its also only a month old as compared to the Soup which has been around since at least last Spring if not longer.

I think X is going at things the right way here, not putting to many rules up and keeping it open to any and all people that want to take part. I would say that its one thing that this site has over its main competitors, that you can what you want. No worries about having to be in the 'club' like at the Soup or worry about being banned if you don't keep it nice like at LT.

[Mary A.]

As for your last sentence, Dave, I hope this site can keep some sense of civility. There's no need to berate another or swear like a sailor to get one's point across.

[Dave]

I think that most here will keep it civil... might be times when things get heated but that's ok... sometimes a heated debate is what needs to be said.

[XLFD]

Alas, civility and freedom of speech rarely walk hand in hand (note to self: use the word 'alas' more sparingly). If our site's members keep their passions about a topic under control of their vast intellectual knowledge, as they have so far, IMHO, we will do well.

But by all means, point out hypocrisy and foolish talk when you see it, and expose it for what it is--that's part of what we do here. Well-reasoned and passionate dissent will also always have a home here.

[AQUAMAN]

Everyone posting here the last few days has hit the nail on the preverbial head. Hypocrisy and foolish nonsensicle talk, mixed in with swearing and profanity, doesn't impress anyone with a brain to back up their debate with facts. That, unfortunately, doesn't ring true with some muddy watered sites, as an example. Keep up the good work here all, it's a pleasure to visit and converse, and feel mostly relaxed in doing so.