"does not have the best interests of the United States of America at heart"

[f6gal]

I've been called a "right wing dumb bubba conservative red neck" and a "left wing commie pinko liberal" literally at the same time.
I had PM's sent to me like that at the same time, FOR THE SAME ACTION I'd taken!

Perhaps I didn't state that clear enough... that's exactly what happened to me on several occasions!  

Always remember, if you're getting yelled at from both sides, you're doing a good and balanced job...  

Thanks for that bit of encouragement!  

[RP#62]

Perspective is a funny thing.  George Carlin explained it this way:  Have you ever noticed that when you're out on the highway anyone driving faster than you is an a-hole and anyone driving slower than you is a moron.

-RP

[Michael K (Az.)]

Ha!!!

[Stanley Steamer]

Perspective is a funny thing.  George Carlin explained it this way:  Have you ever noticed that when you're out on the highway anyone driving faster than you is an a-hole and anyone driving slower than you is a moron.

-RP

Outlook on it too!!....... ... ...

[girlie girl]

Wow, doesn't anybody want to talk about the fact that I may soon have MUSIC on my bike?

It makes me wonder how the club could possibly thrive.... or why several members who seem to be unable to recognize when someone is baiting a conversation and sitting at the screen just waiting to see if the bait is taken, so they can 'whack-a-mole'??  Why is it that 'a few were alienating many' is fine?....why is anybody allowed to alienate anybody?

Everybody is entitled to their opinion and the freedom to share it, but if you are truly part of the VRCC for the right reasons, why wouldn't one join in the banter on a political forum or start your own blog. 

The minute 'lively' discussion turns from mature conversation into 'woe-is-me and we're all going to die' talk there is negligence to the purpose of the club.  If this is what stirs your soul, then maybe you should get off your computer and on your bike.  We are part of a motorcycle enthusiasts group and there is a need to referee online politics??   

I know there are people who hesitate to participate and/or be active in the club and yes, right here in our own back yard (IOWA), but have expressed they don't feel like this is something they can do because of the topic of the day (usually an on-line argument of sorts) or a member being hassled or publicly ridiculed via the board. So they sit back, read the posts, shake their head and don't have the fortitude to risk posting. 

P.S.  I may soon have MUSIC on my bike.
P.S.S.  George Carlin was right.

Girlie Girl

[Steve K (IA)]

I am sure all the haters are happy now.  When 2 moderators last night joined in with the lunatic fringe, Wayne probably figured there was no use hanging around.  It's a dirty shame that the admin. let a few alienate so many.  Talk about bullies on a playground....and now all the gloating.  This crap makes me sick!  

It is this kind of divisive statement that makes ME sick!  You are surely painting with a broad brush calling anyone who doesn't agree with your way of thinking the "lunatic fringe".  I guess you would have to put me in that category as well.  Much better in my mind than being an arrogant elitist  

I see you removed your post, you must have embarrassed yourself!

I never pulled my post.  I see it's gone though.  Better look to someone else.  I guess I have to draw my own conclusions as to why my little 5 sentence post was pulled and the posts from someone from the right who is manufacturing Truth....their posts are allowed to stay up forever.  I am sure one of those who have the power to pull a post was responsible.  Probably because they were embarrassed...you take a guess.
I've been a member here for 9...maybe 10 years.  If I have EVER missed a post on the general board in all this time, I would be surprised.  Oh, I might be away for a few days, but I do catch up on my reading.  And I have NEVER responded to any political posts before.  I guess I finally couldn't just walk away last night.  I even asked my wife if I should post it and she said I had every right to post my opinion.  I told her it would get me in trouble....I was right.  I was never asked to show my voter registration card when I signed up so long ago.  But it is apparent that to be in good standing with the Admin around here, there needs to be an (R) behind your name if you are to say anything political or you get called names and shouted down. 

Chillerman....I never called you any names.  So.....I'm arrogant?  You better believe it.  You could even call me an asshole and you would be right.  But an elitist ...never in this lifetime.   And about my "wide brush"?  I'm afraid it's not near as wide as the brush that some of the (now I said "some") wingnuts use around here when they respond or start these posts.  And if you want to align yourself with the lunatic fringe?...I admire you for at least admitting it.

I hate to make excuses...but, I have been able to ignore these type of posts for many many years.  Last night, I had a stiff JD & Coke...now, I don't drink very often....and always the last thing before going to bed, I read any new posts.   I finally broke.  Really, I have no ill will towards anyone here, including you, because I believe you and I and a lot of others react before.............you know, open mouth, insert foot.

So, if you and I are ever in the same location...InZane, CBR ?? and you think I might be in a crowd of people, just shout "hey asshole!"  I'll be the one who answers.

[Chillerman]

Steve, I have no ill will toward you or anyone else on this board.  Like you, I have not entered into political discussions until recently.  It seems like there are a few people who cannot pass up a chance to bash someone for stating their opinion.  One of them is gone and it doesn't hurt my feelings in the slightest.  Now, those same people seem to cry wolf whenever they are questioned about their beliefs.  There never seems to be a time when these people can discuss a point without direct insult and confrontation.  There is always an underlying agenda and a pompous attitude when replying to said posts.  It is ok to bash Bush and the previous administration, but it is verboten to call out President Obama and the current admin.

Your soapbox last night, whether it was alcohol induced or not, just goes to show how name calling seems to be the modus operandi of a certain faction on this board.  You can call me the lunatic fringe all you want, like I said the alternative is certainly worse in my mind.

I have a hard time believing your post was pulled by admin especially after two of them quoted you, but I guess it is possible.  If so, it was wrong.  I happened to catch your whole post before it was deleted and didn't think it warranted pulling.

If we happen to meet each other someday I would be happy to share a drink with you.  Just not a JD and Coke!! 

Sean Peter

[Willow]

I never pulled my post.  I see it's gone though.  Better look to someone else.  I guess I have to draw my own conclusions as to why my little 5 sentence post was pulled and the posts from someone from the right who is manufacturing Truth....their posts are allowed to stay up forever.  I am sure one of those who have the power to pull a post was responsible.  Probably because they were embarrassed...you take a guess.  

Steve, I simply assumed you had deleted your post as I knew that no one had discussed with me deleting your entry.  After your statement that you didn't, we researched and found that someone who didn't intend to had deleted an entry from this thread.  That's as much as the log tells us, but since yours is the only one missing, it's safe to assume that it was your entry.

It appears to me that nothing was truly lost as both Connie and I quoted your entry in it's entirety and those quotes have been repeated again including in your own post above.

I'm certainly not embarrassed by your post.

As to the accusation that moderation on this board is done based upon someone's political bent, perhaps you haven't been paying attention over the past eight years when you were reading all the posts.

As for today's environment, the active administrators on the board are Scott, Connie, and me.  Two others have administrative authority, but do not actively use it.  I am the junior member of the VRCC staff and it is generally my job to watch the board and process the email.  If something gets deleted from the board, there is about an 83% chance that I was the one who deleted it.  I have actually deleted very few posts.  I will not, by intent, remove anyone's post because of its political slant, but have modified or removed several because of the offensive way in which they have been expressed.  If anything, I try to be more lenient to those who post  views contrary to my own to be certain that I don't allow my personal bias to be a factor.  That includes the car tire debates.

If you want to know where my nerve endings are most sensitive, you will lose intellectual respect from me immediately when you start to  use terms like lunatic fringe and implying that everyone with whom you disagree is either stupid or insane.  I think those things myself, but I don't express them on this or any other public forum.

As Connie has already stated, no matter what is done by board administrators, someone will complain.  We do the best we can.  we will continue to do so.  We've accepted that we won't please everyone.  We won't try.  We've accepted that there are some we will never please.  I'm okay with that.  I hope you are, too.

Now go out and find some wind.  That Interstate of yours is not getting early enough exercise.