[Mitchell]

Kenny, no one has taken away that right, nor are they trying to. This forum is designed to discuss woodcarving and related topics. It's grown to be a "community" of sorts and quite a few of us have developed friendly relationships that sometimes take topics off-subject and into areas that the forum is not here for. It's great that we can do that, but then again, we shouldn't let this opportunity REALLY "go down hill".

The internet is FULL of similar sites....similar in that they are designed for a particular interest group and limited to that specific interest. No one MAKES posters come here and no one MAKES viewers read the topics.

It's great that we can get together over a common interest. The "Bill" is designed not to limit anyones right to an opinion, it's designed to keep this site a bit clean of "trash" that's being spread on all the message boards on the internet, and also to help some posters think about others before saying (typing) something that they would really regret if said to someones face, or as previously stated - step on their toes. A good way to think about it is that there should be no personal attacks. You can disagree with the material within a post without making it personal to the specific person that posted the material. Lynn's post a week or so ago is a perfect example. He doesn't like using BLO and others expressed that they used it frequently. There was no "attacks" on the person(s) for their opinion, just discussion on why they had that particular opinion.

If anyone wants to discuss politics, religion, etc. there are plenty of sites DESIGNED for that purpose. If someone wants to discuss those subjects with another poster here, use the PM feature or e-mail.

[Kenny_S]

Mitch, I never said I wanted to discuss politics nor religion in my post. I posted once and had a little problem but has been taken care of.
Now, I did however, voiced my opinion several times and it was just my opinion, just like I posted tonight. That is my right also, just like everyone else here has their right to an opinion.

Been in many different organization and it seems that when a Bill of rights or rules or laws are set up, it is only for a few and not all. Seeing that here lately and I am not the only one that sees it.
I stand by my post and seeing a once great board becoming sadly just like the any other board.

JMHO!
Best to you.

[Mitchell]

Kenny,

The first part of my post was to you, but then sort of flowed into a "general" discussion.....I'm not a talented enough writer to distinguish the two.

I think (just my opinion) that Bob set up the "Bill" to make the rules standard for all and not have the circumstances as you noted ("only for a few and not for all").

Thanks for your input.

Mitch

[BobD]

Growing pains hurt...and that's what's happening to this board.

It's funny; I eat my lunch at my desk most days, so I have a chance to catch up on what's happening on the board; whenever I'm stuck on an article, I click onto the board to get my mind off it. So in all, I spend my 30 minute lunch break and probably another hour of short glimpses each day here...in addition to all my other responsibilities. I believe in this board!

I appreciate the friendships I've made on this board. But frankly, things are growing to the point now that we need some guidelines--That is what the Bill of Rights is about. We need some guidelines for handling complaints, or conflicts, or disagreements. That is what the Bill is about. It's in place so EVERYONE knows what is expected of them, the Administrators, Moderators, and Members.

I don't think setting up rules is going to make this forum slide down hill, but that's just my opinion. There comes a time with any community where you need to make a decision: maintain the status quo and stay the same size, or jump in, organize, and continue to grow and improve--again my opinion.

I realize that I may have lost friends over this. While that saddens me greatly (I've never had more friends than I have on this board), I've got to do what I think is right for the board.

Regards

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Why does my name always seem to come up in these discussions? I'm starting to get a complex!

[BobD]

That's the price of celebrity, Lynn...
BTW, have you gotten more hits to your blog after I wrote the little article up on it? (WAY OT!!!!)

Bob

[Irish]

I'm with Bob on this one, Lynn.

You are a major mover and shaker here. What you post is important, well read, well respected and so quotable. And although on a couple of occassions you and I have had different opinions of techniques or materials, our discussions about those opinions bring about new insights, new ideas and new ways of considering our craft ... at least for me.

If I am the one talking I only hear my own opinions, if you are the one talking I only hear your opinions, its when we both get to talk that new ideas are born!

Susan

[Just Carving]

Survival often requires a time when things must change. I have seen several organizations go from a hand full of individuals joined together--some by fate, some by necessity, some with purpose, but with a common goal--on to bigger and better things. But not without difficulty.

This forum started out the same way. An idea...some interested individuals... a common goal.

Now, the forum is going from childhood to adolescence--a time when growing pains occur, a time of turmoil. And, a time when discipline must rear its ugly head--because the childhood innocence is no more.

In the long run, these pains will yield a stronger result in achieving the goal--to make carving better and more enjoyable for everyone. The stronger organizations do change and will continue to evolve while the smaller ones often stay small, and even sometimes, wither and die.

Friends may be lost but not because of anything anyone has done. They will be lost because change is upsetting and difficult especially for those who have been involved for a long time. Those who choose to leave do so of their own free will. But sometimes when the time is right, those who left find their way back. And when they do, they will see things in a different light. Then, they too will enjoy the benefits of the change.

As the saying goes, "time heals all."