Silliness in the postings

[MrsDucky]

I was just wondering if the silliness in the postings was a problem? Would it be possible to add chat rooms, or something similar, so we could be silly, but not have it posted permanently for the normals to see? It's just so hard to resist when Terry tells me not to comment! Maybe it's not a big deal, but I do know that when I am looking for a fly recipe or directions and tips for a new place to fish, it's a little annoying to have to scroll through some of the stuff to find the info I want. I also get distracted, and forget what I was looking for while giving people new nicknames (Slow Stripping Mink, for one!) On the other hand, LMW gave everyone quite a lot of fun with their story!

[Phil Lilley]

There are all kinds of people on the forum- those who read, those who read and write... some like the bantering and some don't... some skip over it, ignore it... and then there are some that won't come back because they REALLY don't like it. "This is a fishing forum, not a funny farm!"

Well, I am not going to put controls on the forum or suggesting what people write as long as they obey the rules. Not saying you're suggesting that but I appreciate your comments.

I think everyone would like to see more constructive conversation... more fishing experiences and ideas... and a whole lot more reports!!

Come on spring!

But if you listen to Bill Babler, you should be fishing right now!

[Terry Beeson]

I suppose I have to comment here... especially to correct you, Mrs Ducky... You are NOT the biggest offender. I am sure I am in the crosshairs for that award. Your comments and concerns are well taken. I've had the same feelings in the past, however:

While I am certainly not opposed to the "chat room" idea, there is a problem with that in that to be effective, everyone has to be in the chat room at the same time. With the forum, I can post a reply, rant and rave, make a joke, or ask a question anytime.

I have been and am a member of several forums. And I am pretty much the same on all of them. Out of those, two of them I no loger belong to and will not return to one of those. The other one I merely check once in a while because it is about some "local news" that I am interested in.

The one I will not return to is probably familiar to several on this forum since it is related to fly fishing. The administrator is very strict and it's "his way or the hiway" as far as posting. To me it is very dry and uninteresting and you really don't learn a lot. The website it is attached to is VERY informative and I visit it often. Go figure.

But the very word "forum" itself suggests, at least to me, an "open discussion" among people interested in the subject. The American Heritage Dictionary defines it as:

"A public meeting place for open discussion.

A medium for open discussion or voicing of ideas, such as a newspaper, a radio or television program, or a website.

A public meeting or presentation involving a discussion usually among experts and often including audience participation."

But it ALSO includes the definition, "A court of law; a tribunal."

Anyway... I feel that Phil has been quite patient with several of us on this issue. "Light bantor" is a part of many threads. Some are ONLY light bantor and "kidding" with other forum members. My "silly" comments are usually directed at guys like Leonard, russ, Dano and a few others. I feel a certain "bond" with many of you guys, even those I have not fished with and some I've not even met.

I've had emails, personal conversations, and some people from the forum who have signed my guestbook on my website all stating they enjoy my posts and humor. I've not felt the need to stop. My opinion, there are many threads and postings on this forum that I am not interested in and those I simply skip. Anyone who does not want to muddle through my stuff can just skip over those posts.

Maybe it is similar to something I heard about this morning. A lady was driving past a theater in Florida which was advertising their latest show - "The Vagina Dialogues." This lady's niece was in the car with her and asked what a vagina was. This upset the lady enough to complain to the theater and resulted in them changing the name on the billboard to prevent any controversy. This play has been all over the country for several years and the name has always been the same. It is a very accepted medical term for something that half the population of the world has. But it offended one lady who complained and now there is going to be a big controversy over this. Good publicity for the play, but, to me anyway, quite silly on the lady's part. (After reviewing this, I want to say this is in no way directed as a comparison to you and your original post, Mrs. Ducky.)

I do not plan to change. This is my personality and just the way I am. Very serious on one part, very light on the other part. I do not mean to be and never plan to be personally demeaning to any member of this forum. If anyone has taken one of those as such, my sincere apologies. Some posts, such as the "Slow Stripping Mink" are directed to people I feel I know well enough to impart those kind of remarks. I expect to receive those types to be directed back at me by guys like Leonard.

By the way... Michael Kyle and I along with a couple other members of this forum had a few laughs at the expense of the "Winston Rod giveaway" postings in person at a club meeting last night. So, it bleeds over from cyberspace to "reality" as well...

However, I am not the administrator or "king" of this forum. While I will not change, I will abide by the rules set forth by Phil. If that means I am not able to post as I have in the past, then I will "move on" as I have from those afore mentioned forums.

Personally, I enjoy this forum as much as any of which I have been a member. One of the main reasons is that there is a very eclectic mix of people, subject matter, and personalities on this forum. If you notice, many of my posts are quite serious while many are quite silly. Then there are those that are in between. I think that is one of the big reasons I find this forum worthwhile. You get serious information AND a bit of "entertainment." There is no offensive language and very little "bashing" here.

It's just a bunch of people who love fishing sitting around telling stories, swapping lies, swapping techniques, and just doing what a bunch of people who love to fish would do if gathered together in a big room...

If you do not agree with me, that's fine. And I will stand beside you and fight for your right to disagree with me and state so on this or any other forum.

OH... and anyone who does not like my bantor, posts, or other "junk" can email me personally and tell me so. My email is tbeeson(at)hotmai(dot)com

The above is merely my opinions...

[Phil Lilley]

For the record... I wouldn't change a thing, especially Terry Beeson and MrsDucky.

When I said "more" I meant additional, add-to... more and more. Not to stop one thing and start another.

Emails- written word- can be misconstrued at times... hopefully I've made myself clear.

[damselfly]

i think the sillines is ok....it makes this forum interesting for me. if a post is too long or something i don't like or agree with, i skip it. we all have our opinions. i am like you ms. ducky in that i forget what i'm looking for sometimes, however, that is a byproduct of age i believe (i'm speaking for myself that is !!) i've come to terms with it and look forward to much more hopefully !! i enjoy all the comments it is who we are.

[Thom]

As I have comnmented before. This forum is like a cafeteria. Take what you like and leave the rest for others.

Most of us don't like the strong offensive comments that very rarely get on the forum but that's life. The personal degrading comments that a very rare also are annoying but it takes all kinds.

As long as my scroll button still works I just consider the source and don't let them rent space in my head.

Terry and others add lots of interest and flavor to the forum as well as very useful information. Their banter and joshing of each other reflects friendship and personality and I hope that it continues.

BTW Terry you must have finger cramps after the long post in this thread but it was so interesting that I read it all.

Mrs Ducky you add another interestion dimension to the forum. Keep up your posts.

Thanks to Phil and his tolerance the forum is not censored strickly. It gives all an opportunity to express opinions if we stay within reasonabe boundaries. I tend to learn as much from those with whom I disagree as I do from those whom I agree with. If I disagree I often check my sources to see if I am right or wrong. If I agree I don't so we might both be wrong.

[MrDucky]

Everytime i see my wife post it makes me happy . She loves this forum and its members . If she get's to silly I will take the keyboard to work

[troutchaser]

You know, MrsDucky, I met your husband once. We were parked next to each other at Taneycomo and he was with Leonard. He had just caught a nice brown on a spinning reel and he was excited. I mean like shaking and trembling excited. We talked and laughed and joked for a bit and even swapped some fishing information - just like everyone on this forum.

Here's my point: I think this forum reflects the personality of your average fisher. There's a lot of good information they will share with you, but you sorta have to wait for it to fall out of their mouth between stories and jokes and lies. Don't believe me? Just go to your local fly fishing shop and ask which fly works best in the morning. Just make sure you have some time to kill.

[Danoinark]

I come here first for informaiton, second for the entertainment. This place is well managed and it will not be allowed to get out of hand. Phil has his hand on the pulse of this forum and you can be assured that it will be nothing but above board. As to the humor and fun here along with disagreements between members I have never seen anything that would have needed to be censored. The reason is that most people here know the boundaries and are fine decent folks with the same goals in mind. Dano

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

I agree with everyone else. I enjoy ALL aspects of this forum; the information and the chuckles!

John