Okay, my last post on this topic
Bill, I think you are misunderstanding me. It hurts when you keep saying ''..if your e-group is so good, go there.'' Number 1, it is not *my* e-group. Number 2, do you want free speech for all on this board *except* if someone, however gently, has a slightly differing view from your own? And I do mean slightly--you and I are on the same page. But I just feel that it is time to accept the vote that was taken, and try to make the e-group work. I'm all for protecting the minority. But sometimes the minority, in a vote, loses the vote. Then in that case, majority rules. Your right to dissent still is in place and go for it if you like! But don't act like anyone who now chooses to accept the vote and move on is some kind of traiter. I of all people will never be happy with the way the whole subject of the message board was brought up in the first place, but in the end, it was voted on fairly in a democratic process, and I do feel that the majority rules. I just feel that there are positive points about the e-group and, for me, it is time to focus on those. This board here is going to go away. You can rage against me all you like about that, but your anger is VERY misplaced. And very ironic, too--if you had only been at the board meeting when this topic was first raised, you would see just how ironic. But I have faith in democracy and now that the whole process--ugliness, warts and all--is overwith, I accept the outcome. I'm not saying you ''should'' accept it, too, but I do. Allow me my right to do so. For me, it is time to move on--that's what happens in Democracy. I just thought of a great analogy: The 2001 prez election. I have MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH IT. Let's just leave it at that. Yet, now that shrub (a.k.a., Bush) is in office, I accept that he is my president. Do I think the voting process that put him there was entirely fair? Hell no! Was there ugliness and hurt involved? Hell yes! Am I the hugest Gore supporter that ever walked the earth? Damn straight! But shrub is now president. Since I love my country and believe in the democratic process, flaws and all, I accept that. It doesn't mean I might not stand there with a ''Hail to the Thief!'' banner if he ever sets foot in St. Pete. Hey, long live dissent! It is what this county is all about. But it DOES mean that I'm not going to riot in the streets and shut down the country until Gore is put into the White House.
Now, so it is with our little website here in the 'hood. The initial process of hashing out people's concerns with it was far from perfect. Blood was shed, most of it, mine. I got hurt. I was in the minority. But, in the end, a vote was taken, and this is a democratic association, so majority rules. I'm sticking up here for the bigger principle of majority rule, not my own little personal hurt feelings. Also, I feel that a good solution/compromise was reached by instituting the e-group. Personally, this is my last post on the whole matter. I'm so over this!!! I think it is time for all of us to have a mondo GROUP HUG, chant the following six times, real loud: WE ALL LOVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS IS OUR COMMON LINK, go out for a drink at Ferg's (except I don't drink and I can't be around cigarette smoke, so ya'll are on your own for this part), and MOVE ON. If I of all people can say it is time to let go of this isssue and move on, then believe me, IT'S TIME! At least, for me it is.
Peace, Bill. You are one of my fave people. A big part of that, besides your essential ''Billness'', is that you do have a keen understanding of the importance of dissent, democracy, and free speech. Those are all biggies to me, too. I hope we are still buds.
