On Mar 17, 3:42*am, riverman wrote:
SNIP

And your point is? What? Political expression makes you uncomfortable?
So what you don't like is "deliberately inflammatory" etc etc. And
your bare assed buddy is intractable so you want to deflect your
"concerns' in these holier than thou screeds? Is that too rough for
you? Sorry. I grew up in Jersey.

When folks get together to fish that is one thing. That's fishing.
When folks share info on fishing here thats sharing, (although for
Bare Ass it has often ended up as some kind of nasty arm-wrestle if
his ego isn't petted ad nausea. ) And if its a political or economic
thread its rough and tumble, and very American in style, although Ive
noticed that those foreigners with reasonably free political systems
seem not to be bothered.) You might also notice that the political
and economic environment have been highly chaotic and ideological the
last few years and at least some of us live in a country engaged in at
least 2 long nasty wars. So, people will talk about these things in
other than hushed tones.

As to people leaving ROFF because of this or that. Get real. There are
people who announce they are leaving after one visit because no one
gave then the info bit they wanted, or 2 responders disagreed on a
response. There are some guys who cannot stand to mix environmental
information with narrowly drawn "fishing.." There are some, recently
retired especially, who are such babies about getting their own way or
having their every word praised by synchophants, that even good
natured fellowship offends them. There are some that just get tired of
fishing for awhile. There are some who unfortunately get insulted
during the rough and tumble of a ROFF debate and feel humiliated and
leave. A few very knowledgeable people fit this last category who, we
all regret loosing and who hopefully will heal and return. But sorry,
I do not think your carping will change that because of the very
nature of an unmediated group.

Finally, bottom-line is that ROFF, for its flaws, imperfections,
addictive qualities, etc etc, is still the best game in town. Not for
patterns, not for nifty new crap, not for Bare Ass on his dark days or
any-day for Mr. CPA-less, or any of the mealy lib **** or Wingnut dead
ender circle jerk crap, . . . but definitely FOR the irreverent
community banter, the real answers to real FF questions, the loose and
forgiving, primarily MALE community of people who can say whats on
their mind, laugh at themselves, say goodbye to the dearly departed,
and in the end, fish with just about anybody. And some guidelines,
like leaving family and race out of the negative, have evolved. But
not everybody is going to feel comfortable all the time in such a
community. And sometimes we just need to take a time out, but if and
when you do, like I did, you will find that ROFF has changed little
either for the good or the bad if and when you return.

You want change? Go recruit some younger players, focus on your
international fishing experiences in well titled threads, keep these
threads going and fresh. foster an international clave, etc. support
"OT" labeling so sensitive folk can opt out.

Dave