United we stand...

Actually, I think it is a lot of things: the faltering economy, increased tension over illegal immigration (with and without racism), skyrocketing fuel prices, the demise of quality and pride of workmanship, the incomprehensible dog-eat-dog insanity going on in the Middle East and the great divide between The Rich and The Rest (subdivided into Greed, Selfishness and Arrogant Disregard for Fellow Men).

We are, none of us, happy with the way the world is going. Its hard not to feel helpless sometimes in the face of such downward momentum.

Plus, we have the nightly spectacle of the politicians stirring all of it up for us, ratcheting the tension and fueling the rage, reminding us how bad we've got it, how screwed up the other leaders are and how desperately we need Change.

And, of course, we're all weary of this lingering winter and all souls ache for Spring, the smell of rich soil and the whisper of a warm summer breeze. Godspeed the first day of plowing, the lightning bug and the honeysuckle.

Meanwhile, I hear more and more of you snarling and snapping at each other, calling each other stupid, using cloaked profanity in front of women and kids (they're here too you know) and generally making fools of yourselves. Hey, whatever happened to the concept of America being a place where its okay to have differences of opinion about politics, family values, religion or anything else, even tractor colors? If a man disagrees with you, that doesn't mean he's stupid.

I think people all need to take a deep breath, relax and try to regain some civility. This is more than a tractor forum, its a place where people from all walks and from all corners of the world come to converse, share ideas and ask for advice. If we can't keep it decent, clean and constructive I think Kim should just shut er down because the last thing we need is another breeding ground for discontent.

Lighten up. Smile. Take a walk in the woods. Love One Another for crying out loud.

Please knock off the hateful, intolerant and belittling put-downs. Like your mama said: if you can't say something nice...

Yes, this is the wrong place for political issues.

But, NOWHERE is the wrong place for challenging people when they put down the country they live in with false information. Some "old timers" might call that patriotism.

I've heard cries about "freedom" - which means little. By defintion, freedom cannot exist with other freedoms. One person's freedom takes away someone else's freedom. If I was free to do whatever I chose, I could take away all YOUR freedoms, etc.

This country (USA) has existed as long as it has with social controls dictating everyday life - instead of relying only on written laws. But, that seems to be going away.

By pretending that, we're all equal, all should have our say, nobody anywhere is wrong, etc. - is the #1 problem in this country right now.

So, I don't know what to tell you. You do, of course, have the freedom to just read the posts that interest you, and avoid the others.

You mention "bumbling old farts that scream tractor talk only must not have much of a life..."

Yup, that"s me. Over 70, and on the glide path to the home for the simple, and the loss of testosterone makes us tend to not scream, just smile with our friends. Memories and old tractors keep us going, and going, and....

I only ask one thing of you: Please tell us what this board is called. It"s at the top of this site.

I wish the best for you, Leland.

LA in WI

So what do you suggest we change to? If I have time, I"ll do as you suggest.

I fish in Canada twice a yr, I drive a delivery van in afternoons for a printing company, I do some volunteer work, I repair toys for needy kids for Christmas, I pick up road/ditch litter for 4 miles about 10 times a year as it"s good exercise, in the mornings I sit here at the monitor with my coffee and enjoy the visits with some real nice people. Then I just go in my shop to tinker with my Farmall and 2-16" plow. Then I"m so tired I go take a nap and dream of when I too was loaded with testosterone.

I"m tired and retired, but I"ll change for whatever you would like for us "old farts".

LA

So all you skinny people can see,
just how far human skin will stretch!!

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I agree with you, Kent, and I too have been spending less time here. I always come back to a quote I heard awhile back. It's kinda offensive, but it does get the point across.

Because we used to have a place here specifically for talking trash and discussing things that a few of the ladies here don't like. The OT board gave guys a place to vent and kid each other and talk about what they wanted to.

But a few of your holier than thou types couldn't handle it. They couldn't accept the fact that some guys like to puff up their chests and play keyboard commando once in awhile. The main problem comes when you have a few old ladies here that think the world revolves around them and they should decide what gets discussed. They are true cowards and to this day they run crying to Kim when their tender little feelings get hurt.

So I predict this place will wither and die. The tough talk will drive people away. And slowly this place will disappear.

So hopefully you tender types that cried until you got the OT removed will realize the consequences of your actions.

Why did Kim close down your favorite forum? Well, it's kinda like a restaurant that sets up a separate area for smokers. If the smokers decided to spit on the floor and p*ss on the furniture, they would wear out their welcome.

This site die out? Not likely - there are too many of us old guys who would rather talk tractors than trash, though simple-minded we may be. I find it relatively easy to skip over a topic or back out of one in which I find boring.
So, why not just pick up your toy soldiers and go fight your word battles with more worthy opponents than all of us doddering, old, cowardly "women".

Note: no need for a reply because by the time it got posted, I will have forgotten my own name - it goes with old age. Godspeed to you.

"We are all born with two sacks - one filled with luck and an empty one for experience. The trick is to fill the sack of experience before you empty the sack of luck".