Timke To Get Off Of "please Defend This"

[chambug]

Yeah, Eric -- I gotta agree. And, life's better since I made the conscious decision to stay outta the pissin' matches here. I've got the ability to think this stuff through on my own, I know where to go if I need information to research things, and I know people who I can have reasonable discussions with.

Phil, and many others, are facing a big battle for their homes and their livelihoods. Chambug is right in that we might be better off to think more about those in trouble.

Thank you, Ness! Your statement is objective, while many have made their responses subjective.

chambug

[chambug]

"Then why do you keep reading it?? You certainly don't have to keep clicking on and looking to see what the latest

is."

Spoken by Chief Grey Bear. An American Indian. (Cue gentle breeze through yellow Aspen leaves and flute music). His words are powerful medicine. Let's pass the peace pipe and acknowledge ourselves as brothers. That's right, inhale deeply, feel your Caucasian prejudices leaving your body...

Aahhhhh. Let it be said: religion and politics should not be discussed in a friendly social setting. Nothing good will come of it.

Exhale...

Chief Grey Bear is not the only one with proud American Indian heritage. I have no quarrel with him at all, and my extended right hand will serve as my peace pipe if we ever meet....and I hope we do. I am very proud of my American Indian heritage, whatever my comparable percentage as compared to the Chief or anyone else.

I did not mention religion, I simply pledged my prayers.

Why do some respondants surmise that I should not be interested in any discussion on here, or for some reason I should not participate. Are my rights and interests any less assured than theirs?

My statement did not take sides on the issue....it merely pointed out a subject that, under the circumstances, is of much more consequence. Right now nothing is more important than the safety and welfare of the people in harms way due to the floods and tornados and wildfires.

My State, and the States of most of the respondents on here are affected by what is happening, and I respect the magnitude of their losses.

I choose to help in the best way I can.....I will continue to pray.

chambug

[flytyer57]

Hey joe, I have something else you can smoke too.

[Guest P. owensby]

Chief Grey Bear is not the only one with proud American Indian heritage. I have no quarrel with him at all, and my extended right hand will serve as my peace pipe if we ever meet....and I hope we do. I am very proud of my American Indian heritage, whatever my comparable percentage as compared to the Chief or anyone else.

I did not mention religion, I simply pledged my prayers.

Why do some respondants surmise that I should not be interested in any discussion on here, or for some reason I should not participate. Are my rights and interests any less assured than theirs?

My statement did not take sides on the issue....it merely pointed out a subject that, under the circumstances, is of much more consequence. Right now nothing is more important than the safety and welfare of the people in harms way due to the floods and tornados and wildfires.

My State, and the States of most of the respondents on here are affected by what is happening, and I respect the magnitude of their losses.

I choose to help in the best way I can.....I will continue to pray.

chambug

Well said, and in light of what is going on, I'm sorry if I ruffled any feather's yesterday.

[Tim Smith]

Well said, and in light of what is going on, I'm sorry if I ruffled any feather's yesterday.

You did fine, P.O. I agree the discussion was off topic and for that reason alone I feel a little dirty for having posted. Still, it was reasonably civil overall.

As for not talking about conservation because there is trouble in the world...under those conditions no one would ever post anything.

Unless you're out picking up rubble that's a false choice.

Just keep it civil and don't give Phil and Dano headaches.

[flytyer57]

Well said, and in light of what is going on, I'm sorry if I ruffled any feather's yesterday.

Oh please. I was just getting started when Phil stepped in and asked to shut it down. Which I thought pretty nice of him instead of waking up to a big red X.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Chief Grey Bear is not the only one with proud American Indian heritage. I have no quarrel with him at all, and my extended right hand will serve as my peace pipe if we ever meet....and I hope we do. I am very proud of my American Indian heritage, whatever my comparable percentage as compared to the Chief or anyone else.

And I have none with you. I hope someday we do meet. It is always great to meet new people from the forum.

[Al Agnew]

It seems to me to be a false dichotomy. I think most of us are intelligent enough to compartmentalize...feel empathy for those having trouble AND still be able to discuss things that have nothing to do with the current trouble in the world. To tell the truth, I can intellectually realize that people I don't know are going through hard times, but it really only means much to me if I actually know them. So it would be a little hypocritical for me to spend all my time pretending to worry about people I don't know. For those I DO know, like Phil, who are having major problems, they will be in my thoughts and if I can do anything concrete to help them I will. For those I don't know, I will donate money or even time and effort to helping them, but I won't spend all my time worrying about them. If that makes me a flawed person, so be it.