What this forum is for.

[vermonster13]

First off let me state I am as guilty as anyone in the way the forum has moved from the intended purpose.

This forum is for letting folks know of impending legislation, rule changes, etc that need action that will impact Traditional Bowhunting in either negative or positive ways.

It is not for discussions on ethics, philosophies, social trends, maybes, etc.

The important issues that need action can get lost in the clutter and while these other topics are interesting to discuss/debate they tend to distract folks from the issues that need tending to and we can have real impacts on.

Perhaps a more esoterical forum is needed here, but that is something folks will need to discuss with Terry.

[Ray_G]

Thank you for the reminder, Dave.  I would say it is our passion that fuels the off topic discussions and while some of the subjects are not currently pending in Congress or State houses, they very well could be if enough of the populace wants it that way.  Then would be the time to voice it here.

I will remember that the forum is for the stated purposes.

Ray

[Bonebuster]

With so much screwed up stuff to talk about, and so few like minded people to talk with, I`m surprised this forum wasn`t more clouded than it was.

It`s nice to converse with someone who has their eyes open.

Vermonster...  

[Brian Krebs]

I agree that a forum that allows people to openly discuss the ramifications of laws; and the philosophical impacts of legislative action: is needed.

[JStark]

It's good to remind folks, vermonster, but I do want to echo the voices here that, considering the volatile nature of these topics in our times, and considering the diversity of political thought I find in the trad. community, talk here has been remarkably civil.  This is why I keep coming back.

[Brian Krebs]

This is not a time to sharpen our swords; we should be discussing things that are integral to the survival of what we are - with respect and dignity.

 The swords should be left at the door; but why should we fear talking about things? What is wrong with that?

 And where can it be done about traditional bowhunting and be heard and inputted by enough people to make conclusions and fix a direction of thought; of ideology; and concerns for the future of our art form and relationship with nature; and society.

 Vermonster suggested that we needed a forum that was more "esoterical".

 This is the definition of 'esoterical'

Designed for, and understood by, the specially initiated alone; not communicated, or not intelligible, to the general body of followers; private; interior; acroamatic; -- said of the private and more recondite instructions and doctrines of philosophers. Opposed to exoteric.

              ?

[vermonster13]

es·o·ter·ic  (s-trk)
adj.
1.
a. Intended for or understood by only a particular group: an esoteric cult. See Synonyms at mysterious.
b. Of or relating to that which is known by a restricted number of people.
2.
a. Confined to a small group: esoteric interests.
b. Not publicly disclosed; confidential

Some things need to be discussed behind closed doors and not in public forums.

As for this forum, it isn't for debating or discussions, it's for action on legislation directly impacting Traditional Bow Hunting or policies doing so. Those are the limits with which it was allowed to be created and I am glad to have that much. There used to be nothing at all here and it could go back to that if the limits aren't followed.

[Brian Krebs]

Vermonster: I guess the biggest problem I have with all this is that I know your potential to control and moderate. I figure you could handle it.

 I look at the majority of trad bowhunters as those that do not belong to groups; or clubs. Perhaps I am wrong. But if I a right; it seems a forum that allows free thought is appropriate. As with everything....with moderation.  

[Bonebuster]

Yeah...what he said!

[d. ward]

yeah no kidding...bd

[Curtis Haden]

One of the main reasons I started hanging out on TG (almost exclusively) was the quality of moderation and the apparent capacity of the membership here to have civil, intelligent discussion on topics of widely disparate views.

 

Originally posted by vermonster13:
There used to be nothing at all here and it could go back to that if the limits aren't followed.

Unfortunately, that has already happened to some degree.

As to having a more esoterical forum, we had one, and it got changed to this.

Esoteric, in the sense that not everyone in this old world is able to see past their own emotions and closely held opinions, but most of the folks who posted in the old forum were certainly capable of understanding and rational discussion.  I like to believe that I am capable of listening, learning, and even change.  When one loses the capacity to learn, then one is truly an old and crusty curmudgeon.  -- No George, I'm not talking about you...      

 

Originally posted by vermonster13:
Some things need to be discussed behind closed doors and not in public forums.

This saddens me.  It was never, and is not now, my intention to cause problems, but censorship of ideas and different views is certainly not the path to informed discussion and enlightenment.

 

Originally posted by Brian Krebs:
I look at the majority of trad bowhunters as those that do not belong to groups; or clubs. Perhaps I am wrong. But if I a right; it seems a forum that allows free thought is appropriate. As with everything....with moderation.    

To expand on what Brian said, one of the great things about Trad Gang is that it gives us a place, a group, a "club" if you will, to share our thoughts and fellowship.  A place where people from all over the country, and even the world, can congregate and talk.

I don't know Terry or any of the original members, but surely that is what they intended???  Do you tell a friend to leave your campfire, simply because you discover his view of one topic or another is somewhat different from your own? ...Do you reason with him to arrive at consensus, or at least, understanding?  ...Is he your brother - does he share your camp - only because he feels exactly as you do?

I don't want to lose my place here, and I do appreciate this; the opportunity that Trad Gang affords us.  Even if "Hunting Issues and Politics" never returns, I'll still come, read, and try to understand how and why others feel and believe what they do.  Where else can one find such a diverse group of decent people who share the love of the bow and hunting with it?

[Curtis Haden]

You know, I re-read (several hours later) what I posted above, and thought maybe I should clarify something...

That wasn't just a gripe, or even just a good whine.  Just one person's opinion, with a little tangled metaphor thrown in.  If I didn't make it clear enough in the last paragraph, I appreciate Trad Gang, the mods, and the membership.  Things do change and evolve, and I'm glad to be here.

Thanks!

[Terry Green]

No worries Curtis....

We never intended for any discussion outside of traditional bowhunting.....and we never will have a free for all community forum.

This place (Trad Gang) was intended to be an escape from all the other clutter of life.

I hope all understand, and continue to enjoy the site.

Thanks,

[Widowbender]

Less clutter is good...There's plenty of issues facing the traditional bowhunter to keep us all busy...Thanks Guys

David

[MYSTIKBOW]

TTT

[Orion]

Thanks for the reminder Dave and Terry.  I agree, if you let it devolve from notices of pending legislative or regulatory actions to pontifications about politics, religion, the economy, whatever, it becomes a downward spiral.  This isn't the place for it.  

[dragon rider]

Agreed.  Dave and Terry, thanks. OK, guys, let's keep our focus - however much fun it might be to argue.