2021 Pledge

[f6john]

The last 12 years has taken a toll on my mental well being, how about you? Of course the last four years being even more divisive than the preceding 8 which has really saddened me for the country and my grandchildren. I don’t want to stick my head in the sand and want to keep myself informed, but as some of you have mentioned, I am watching less and less news and taking what I read on social media with a grain of salt. Many contributors to our board list line after line of links to support their positions which mean absolutely nothing to me as I no longer trust most sources to deliver unbiased news, even “facts”are presented with a slant.

2020 has sucked in many (“most”) ways but on a personal level a lot of good events have transpired (my first granddaughter) , I’m still here, I don’t have COVID, made a ton of progress on my remodel project and on and on. With 2021 just around the corner, may I suggest we take a hard look at what is important to us as a group of motorcycle enthusiasts? Politics will continue to dominate the news cycles and attempt to infiltrate our daily lives in any way possible. If discussion, arguments, fingerprinting, and insults would solve our issues they would have been put to rest long ago. So as a willing and enthusiastic participant in political posts I would urge everyone to take a step back and consider the purpose for starting a political thread or participating and adding your two cents. Maybe because we are so wrapped up in our outrage over certain events that we lose sight of how many of are members have just faded out of active participation on the board. Surely the Valkyrie and motorcycling in general can offer enough fodder for a full and enjoyable motorcycle board without the constant rancor we impose on ourselves with divisive subject matter.

We are not going to add a political board to our general, tech and for sale sections so it’s on us to decide if our point of view on the politics of the day is more important than the health and longevity of the VRCC. So I pledge to not start nor participate in any political discussion on the VRCC message board. Who will join me?

[Oss]

Like asking the mouse not to nibble the cheese in the trap

But I agree we need to go to our roots more  Also happy to visit granddaughter and now know what the big smiles are about as we watch her grow but dont have to change diapers

Although my business took a big dump this year I am positive about 2021 and through hard work and new ideas I hope to beat the 2019 numbers in 2021 by a country mile. 

Can I plug my youtube?    evanrogerslawpc    If I get 100 subscribes to the videos I can do more with it
and really get my messages out

Looking forward to riding ohio and west virgina with some of you in 2021 and hope to do a 3rd fall ride thru the catskills again hitting some new gems as well as the crown jewel claryville rd

Had covid early,  it is in my rear view mirror now

Best wishes John for a merry christmas

[Gavin_Sons]

Like asking the mouse not to nibble the cheese in the trap

But I agree we need to go to our roots more  Also happy to visit granddaughter and now know what the big smiles are about as we watch her grow but dont have to change diapers

Although my business took a big dump this year I am positive about 2021 and through hard work and new ideas I hope to beat the 2019 numbers in 2021 by a country mile.  

Can I plug my youtube?    evanrogerslawpc    If I get 100 subscribes to the videos I can do more with it
and really get my messages out

Looking forward to riding ohio and west virgina with some of you in 2021 and hope to do a 3rd fall ride thru the catskills again hitting some new gems as well as the crown jewel claryville rd

Had covid early,  it is in my rear view mirror now

Best wishes John for a merry christmas

Subscribed, post it on facebook, you will have 100 subscribers by dinner.

[Bret SD]

Like asking the mouse not to nibble the cheese in the trap

But I agree we need to go to our roots more  Also happy to visit granddaughter and now know what the big smiles are about as we watch her grow but dont have to change diapers

Although my business took a big dump this year I am positive about 2021 and through hard work and new ideas I hope to beat the 2019 numbers in 2021 by a country mile. 

Can I plug my youtube?    evanrogerslawpc    If I get 100 subscribes to the videos I can do more with it
and really get my messages out

Looking forward to riding ohio and west virgina with some of you in 2021 and hope to do a 3rd fall ride thru the catskills again hitting some new gems as well as the crown jewel claryville rd

Had covid early,  it is in my rear view mirror now

Best wishes John for a merry christmas

Subscribed..

Evan,
You're doing a great service I believe, we need more good men like you helping us fight the globalist plague. 

Merry Christmas!

[..]

Can I plug my youtube?    evanrogerslawpc    If I get 100 subscribes to the videos I can do more with it
and really get my messages out

 

[Jersey mike]

Your post hit home and I’ll admit I’ve posted my share of the political posts on a variety of topics.

Many of these topics and posts are not an intent to read my own words and thoughts but because I find them of importance.

The last 3 years have been hectic to say the least in our house so any rides I’ve managed to squeeze in have been of little to no importance, usually just a couple hours at most to clear the cobwebs and not much to speak of.

Without the Covid situation there would have been a significantly lower number of posts on the board but the urge to provide updates and information on a quick basis to help put that information out to our group  seemed to be a good thing. We all seem to be gathering information from a variety of sources.

It may not seem as so but I’ve been trying to curb my posts the past few weeks but at times reading through articles is aggravating and frustrating regarding the election and its outcome.

I never had the intent of being a nuisance and I’ve noticed that while some of my posts aren’t responded to on a big level they are viewed and seemed to pique some interest so I didn’t think they were out of bounds.

I know some things I wrote seemed controversial regarding the Covid situation so I’ll look to cut back further on my “new posts” but may still respond to posts and topics.

Thanks for bringing up this topic, I’ve read similar posts before and should have paid closer attention to the message.

[hubcapsc]

I've been coming around here around 14 years now. And I frequent a guitar
forum, no spacebook, I read a news source I pay for and a local news source
which is a local radio station's web site.

Anywho... it is hard not to get sucked into the political discussions that
drive away people who come here for motorcycle stuff. Over on the guitar
web site, they have a "general board", they call it the "open mic". But it
is heavily moderated, some stuff they don't tolerate, politics, covid and calling
each other names in particular.

They have numerous moderators, they seem to kind of cycle through them.

There's a bazillion guitar players, there's so many that if some people get
mad and leave because their posts got moderated, there's still so many
high-quality guitar-related posts every day that nobody notices or misses
those who left.

There's only about 142 Valkyrie riders  ... if people leave here mad
we notice right away. It must be a hard balancing act for the moderators,
let people be driven away by pages and pages of unpleasant non-valkyrie
blather, or drive people away by moderating their posts.



-Mike "vroom vroom"

[Valkorado]

Years ago and during the '16 election cycle I was more active in political posts.  Since, I have made a conscious effort to try to avoid politics as much as possible.  I have been sucked in on occasion.

This topic has come up many times, and I have always said I'll gladly abide by what the moderators decide upon regarding banning non m/c posts altogether.

The concensus has always been that the general board allows general posts.

Considering this, it is not unusual that COVID, the top health story in our lifetimes, would become an active thread.  Unfortunately nothing is beyond politicization nowadays.  It's the nature of the beast in our nation.

I have no doubt dealing with politics, religion, conspiracy theories and the resulting arguments and bad feelings must be a hard balancing act for the moderators.  I would also point out that not all moderators are the same, and not all have been above the fray.

[f6john]

You know, I don’t need a moderator to set the limits for my behavior or determine how my input affects the health of the board. As members, we either care how our interactions either advance or detract the satisfaction of our use and the attraction of new riders investigating our playground.

All these thoughts are coming from a guy who hasn’t ridden a bike in 6 years but who for the most part visits this site daily with few exceptions. Anyone and everyone can justify their actions on the board but we all have to live with them.

[The emperor has no clothes]

We are not going to add a political board to our general, tech and for sale sections so it’s on us to decide if our point of view on the politics of the day is more important than the health and longevity of the VRCC. So I pledge to not start nor participate in any political discussion on the VRCC message board. Who will join me?

I hope you are successful in bolstering your “mental health”. (I don’t think you are in any danger of being committed) I probably won’t make the pledge. I made a commitment to not contribute to politics on here on the Sabbath. Even at that I have failed on occasion.   I think your goal is noble. I just don’t know if I am capable.

[f6gal]

Until recently, I had made a conscious effort to not get into political threads.  I fell short in the last few months.  And, you know what?  I made absolutely no difference in influencing anyone.  So, people have to ask themselves, what's their purpose?  We're not going to change each other's minds one iota.    

A separate political board has been discussed many times.  I have been opposed to it.  With already having the tech board and classifieds, I fear that restricting the general board to motorcycle only topics, would diminish our activity to an unsustainable level.   

I am willing to take the pledge, but I find myself wondering where to draw the line.  In the past (when I avoided political threads), I didn't consider posting off-topic about guns, pro-police, sickness, etc to be political.  But, in today's world, it seems everything is politicized... sadly, even some motorcycle topics.

So here's what I pledge:  I will make a concerted effort to avoid posting in outright political threads.  In other threads, I will try to be clear in my responses that they are not based on politics.  I will try to respond in motorcycle threads, so they thrive.

I won't pledge to not post in off-topic threads, including guns, law enforcement, sickness, birthdays, or whatever, that I don't think should be politicized.  

[The emperor has no clothes]

Until recently, I had made a conscious effort to not get into political threads.  I fell short in the last few months.  And, you know what?  I made absolutely no difference in influencing anyone.  So, people have to ask themselves, what's their purpose?  We're not going to change each other's minds one iota.    

I don’t think you give yourself enough credit. (More than an iota)

[Valkorado]

So here's what I pledge:  I will make a concerted effort to avoid posting in outright political threads.  In other threads, I will try to be clear in my responses that they are not based on politics.  I will try to respond in motorcycle threads, so they thrive.

I won't pledge to not post in off-topic threads, including guns, law enforcement, sickness, birthdays, or whatever, that I don't think should be politicized.  

 

[Valker]

I will subscribe to Oss' YouTube.
Politics-it seems to me that people seem to think this 'division' (I disagree that is the correct term) is Republican vs Democrat, it isn't. The real chasm is between those who think America and the American Dream are worth preserving and those who want to fundamentally change America into what other, even third world, countries have become. This isn't political to me but is an invasion by the enemies of my country. They are trying to destroy the basic Law of the Land by ignoring it and saying it must change because their 'feelings' say so.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Well, that didn’t take long. 

[Tx Bohemian]

I will subscribe to Oss' YouTube.
Politics-it seems to me that people seem to think this 'division' (I disagree that is the correct term) is Republican vs Democrat, it isn't. The real chasm is between those who think America and the American Dream are worth preserving and those who want to fundamentally change America into what other, even third world, countries have become. This isn't political to me but is an invasion by the enemies of my country. They are trying to destroy the basic Law of the Land by ignoring it and saying it must change because their 'feelings' say so.

I agree!
Well said.

[f6gal]

Until recently, I had made a conscious effort to not get into political threads.  I fell short in the last few months.  And, you know what?  I made absolutely no difference in influencing anyone.  So, people have to ask themselves, what's their purpose?  We're not going to change each other's minds one iota.    

I don’t think you give yourself enough credit. (More than an iota)

So, you're saying I influenced you at least 2 iotas?  I knew there was hope. 

[f6john]

Well, that didn’t take long. 

I’m not discouraged. I didn’t expect everyone to just fall in line with my thinking. But there are only two questions to consider. When starting a thread with a political motivation is it really necessary or just something to make you feel better, or make everyone else feel worse?  Secondly, when you view a political post, can you resist the urge to prolong a discussion that’s going no where as it relates to our motorcycle and related activities?

As Connie suggests, making political posts verboten, would probably end up doing as much harm as good. The question remains what kind of VRCC do we want. I don’t really care for the road we have been going down for some time now even though I have contributed my share of unnecessary and less than positive input. It’s up to us not the moderators to keep our house in order. At least that’s my opinion, and I’m sticking to it.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Until recently, I had made a conscious effort to not get into political threads.  I fell short in the last few months.  And, you know what?  I made absolutely no difference in influencing anyone.  So, people have to ask themselves, what's their purpose?  We're not going to change each other's minds one iota.    

I don’t think you give yourself enough credit. (More than an iota)

So, you're saying I influenced you at least 2 iotas?  I knew there was hope. 

1.7 iotas.  

[f6gal]

Until recently, I had made a conscious effort to not get into political threads.  I fell short in the last few months.  And, you know what?  I made absolutely no difference in influencing anyone.  So, people have to ask themselves, what's their purpose?  We're not going to change each other's minds one iota.    

I don’t think you give yourself enough credit. (More than an iota)

So, you're saying I influenced you at least 2 iotas?  I knew there was hope. 

1.7 iotas.  

1.7 iotas = 1 smidge (mathematic license applied)

[Jersey mike]

Well, that didn’t take long. 

I’m not discouraged. I didn’t expect everyone to just fall in line with my thinking. But there are only two questions to consider. When starting a thread with a political motivation is it really necessary or just something to make you feel better, or make everyone else feel worse?  Secondly, when you view a political post, can you resist the urge to prolong a discussion that’s going no where as it relates to our motorcycle and related activities?

As Connie suggests, making political posts verboten, would probably end up doing as much harm as good. The question remains what kind of VRCC do we want. I don’t really care for the road we have been going down for some time now even though I have contributed my share of unnecessary and less than positive input. It’s up to us not the moderators to keep our house in order. At least that’s my opinion, and I’m sticking to it.

When I make posts I hope to engage in discussion, not provoke argument. I’ve always believed in open and fair discussions on a variety of topics. Presenting a topic for discussion means many things and presents a need for patience on all sides, decorum is one thing that helps by all involved.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Until recently, I had made a conscious effort to not get into political threads.  I fell short in the last few months.  And, you know what?  I made absolutely no difference in influencing anyone.  So, people have to ask themselves, what's their purpose?  We're not going to change each other's minds one iota.    

I don’t think you give yourself enough credit. (More than an iota)

So, you're saying I influenced you at least 2 iotas?  I knew there was hope. 

1.7 iotas.  

1.7 iotas = 1 smidge (mathematic license applied)

yes, but 1 smidge is equal to 3/4's of a skosh.

[ridingron]

my 2 cents

[ridingron]

   yes, but 1 smidge is equal to 3/4's of a skosh. 

4 skosh equals a tad

[f6gal]

   yes, but 1 smidge is equal to 3/4's of a skosh. 

4 skosh equals a tad

Ok, so this is the influence I've had on Meathead:

1.7 iotas = 1 smidge = 0.75 skosh = 0.1875 tad

Meat, you must be a hard core conservative by now.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

   yes, but 1 smidge is equal to 3/4's of a skosh. 

4 skosh equals a tad

Ok, so this is the influence I've had on Meathead:

1.7 iotas = 1 smidge = 0.75 skosh = 0.1875 tad

Meat, you must be a hard core conservative by now.   

(I feel a tingling sensation, is this normal ?)

[Oss]

3W told me once that this is like teaching a pig to dance

you get dirty and the pig gets upset


Not saying if anyone is the pig (even a skosh)  

Thanks Valker and Gavin for subscribing

Oss



Wish I could ride today, icy roads and salt everywhere   Temps got up to 30 today too  

[Robert]

We are not going to add a political board to our general, tech and for sale sections so it’s on us to decide if our point of view on the politics of the day is more important than the health and longevity of the VRCC. So I pledge to not start nor participate in any political discussion on the VRCC message board. Who will join me?

Interesting thoughts, but I more agree with F6gal.

I really dont understand why a political thread would stop someone from posting a motorcycle related topic. Do they stop the posting of other threads, is there a rule that says no one can post if a political thread is on the board? Or is is more like you want to post a motorcycle thread but you cannot help yourself from looking at the political threads.

We are diverse, the 1500s are fading as is so many that came and went on this board. I know many here died, some just left and a few were told to leave.

Even the originator of the board has changed lifestyle and bikes and has gone on to other things. I will never forget the pessimistic statement that the board more than likely will not be around much longer from one of the originating members.

I have been here about 15 years and seen many come and go and the board has changed so much since the beginning. The first board was all about the mods and tech that the guys had done along with rides. The modifications that were done gave way to all the special items that are still around on some bikes. Like tube toppers, trailer hitches, triple tree brace, wind breakers, clocks, blowers, valve jobs, paint schemes and the list goes on. I dont see that today much on most of the boards.

Traffic helps pay for the board and anything that brings that traffic is a good thing. You may not change someones mind but you may support someone who is on the fence about their thoughts on an issue.

We see today Facebook, Instagram, you tube all acting like the communist party in blocking out any conflicting ideas that they do not approve of. What if this board is the only different idea some get rather than the local media? I know many that were intimidated to support Trump and yet when many on this board expressed their support for him it gave many confidence to express themselves. It gave them facts to support their point of view.

So no it may not have changed their opinion but it gave them support, courage, ideas, and knowing that there are like minded people in the world.

We are a diverse group of people with a common love of riding and riding the Valkyries.  Nice to share many views with those you would not normally get a chance to that share the common bond of the love of riding. I know that motorcycle riders like the ones on this board have a perspective that is not shared by most in the general population. That one difference makes the expression of ideas interesting.
 

[Tundra]

my 2 cents

[f6john]

Bingo!

[Davemn]

Almost half of those on this board won’t get the vaccine to keep themselves and their families/neighbors safe. What does that tell you?

[Pluggy]

Almost half of those on this board won’t get the vaccine to keep themselves and their families/neighbors safe. What does that tell you?

Riding a big motorcycle makes you smarter than doctors and scientists?

[f6gal]

Almost half of those on this board won’t get the vaccine to keep themselves and their families/neighbors safe. What does that tell you?

It tells me that we live in America and everyone has a right to choose whether of not to vaccinate.  I won't pretend that there is no risk in taking the vaccine.  For myself, the benefit outweighs the risk.  Others feel the risk outweighs the benefit.  I respect that.  I also hope that by the time it's their turn to get vaccinated, there will be enough evidence to assure them that risk/benefit ratio favors the vaccine.  If not, so be it.   

[Oss]

With the antibodies still present I do not think I will get the vaccine.  Wife also has the antibodies after 6 months post covid

Hearing that pfizer makes the vaccine in china does not help my decision nor that the vaccine will alter my dna

Thought they told us to stop taking Lsd for that reason in the 70's 

Fortunately, no side efffffectts

[The emperor has no clothes]

Almost half of those on this board won’t get the vaccine to keep themselves and their families/neighbors safe. What does that tell you?

Riding a big motorcycle makes you smarter than doctors and scientists?

[f6john]

We are not going to add a political board to our general, tech and for sale sections so it’s on us to decide if our point of view on the politics of the day is more important than the health and longevity of the VRCC. So I pledge to not start nor participate in any political discussion on the VRCC message board. Who will join me?

I hope you are successful in bolstering your “mental health”. (I don’t think you are in any danger of being committed) I probably won’t make the pledge. I made a commitment to not contribute to politics on here on the Sabbath. Even at that I have failed on occasion.   I think your goal is noble. I just don’t know if I am capable.

My mental well being was diminished by my own habits related to the amount of time I devoted to things I could not control. I agree that being committed is probably not in my future but turning away from unnecessary strife is already making me a happier person. I hope it shows in my discourse in the future.

[f6gal]

With the antibodies still present I do not think I will get the vaccine.  Wife also has the antibodies after 6 months post covid

Hearing that pfizer makes the vaccine in china does not help my decision nor that the vaccine will alter my dna

Thought they told us to stop taking Lsd for that reason in the 70's  

Fortunately, no side efffffectts

The vaccine will NOT alter your DNA.  If you've had Covid and have antibodies, you go to the back of the line.  They still recommend you get the vaccine, because it's not clear how long your antibodies will provide immunity.  But not until after everyone that does not have antibodies.  

[Robert]

From what I am reading they are also not sure how long the shot will last either.

If they use mRNA and know so much about it why doesn't it work on cancer?

[f6gal]

From what I am reading they are also not sure how long the shot will last either.

If they use mRNA and know so much about it why doesn't it work on cancer?

Trials are ongoing. 

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials/intervention/mrna-based-personalized-cancer-vaccine-mrna-4157

[Jess from VA]

Politics-it seems to me that people seem to think this 'division' (I disagree that is the correct term) is Republican vs Democrat, it isn't. The real chasm is between those who think America and the American Dream are worth preserving and those who want to fundamentally change America into what other, even third world, countries have become. This isn't political to me but is an invasion by the enemies of my country. They are trying to destroy the basic Law of the Land by ignoring it and saying it must change because their 'feelings' say so.

I agree with Eric 100%.  I will not agree to stop political posting, but I think I have done pretty well at sticking to facts, fostering good discussion, and not attacking other members.  My deletions have all been bad language (not that bad IMHO), not personal attacks.

The trick is to have meaningful and informative political discussions (which I enjoy and look forward to), without getting upset and angry and attacking each other over them.  Current events certainly anger every rational person, but focus your anger on the events, not each other.  The best way to do this, is to freeze out and ignore the 2-3 (and rare occasional others) without taking their bait and arguing with them, which (as they know and certainly intend) often results in post deletions and thread locks (and Willow pulling his hair out).  You'll note they almost never make any serious or genuine attempt to convince anyone their positions are worthy (which is not possible anyway), they just insert posts to anger, divide, and disrupt.  So give them silence, please.  They don't have minds that can be changed anyway.  Arguing with them just empowers them and is direct stimulus for them to post more divisive crap.

And Connie, I appreciate and enjoy all your (more recent) posts on all subjects, please keep them coming.