Where are we going?

[ginzokid]

When I started this group a few miles ago, we were a small yet comfortable group of friends who were sick and tired of the crud that was going on in the other group at that time. We had a mission I thought to stick together and learn from each other the ins and outs of model railroading. Along the way, we came to know each other in a more personal way and became involved in each others personal lives. We have been through deaths, medical problems and divorces. We have held each others hands so to speak as a family. Then came the "outsiders". Some became family members too and some did not and have left our fold. I'm to blame here since I let go of the reigns. Doug has been more lenient than I was and let in new blood to see how they would fit. He mostly emails me to get my opinion and then does what he thinks best. No problem there. We have gained a few very helpful and endearing members as a result. However, we are now at a cross roads that is partially my fault. The discussions have turned away from model railroading for the most part and have become just open season on any topic. Sure, I'm to blame again. Look at the activity in the "political" thread. I never should have opened that can of worms, but in my naivete, I thought we could have some fun posting jokes and poking fun at the politicians who generally make idiots out of them selves. But we went another way. I'll admit that I stoke the fire at times since I'm so hot blooded, but there are some subjects that just gall me! Enough. Notice how when someone posts a real question how we all jump in to help? Point as illustration: Gene's newest question about turnouts. It's early, but there is a lot of help posted already. This is what the group is supposed to be about; what I had intended it to be. Can we somehow get back to that feeling? Right now I don't want to post anything about my personal problems like we used to do. I'm not comfortable with the response I might get. Frankly, I don't feel like the "family" we used to be. Does anybody else feel the same way, or is it just me? The Founding Father and Princess the Wonder Dog B-) & :x

[dl85vette]

Perhaps we can keep the threads simpler as far as content. one or two for chatting. As a nascar fan, I wouldn't be upset if that thread ended. Keep the majority of threads train related be it modelling techniques,questions,tip, layout progress, and if no one minds prototype info/photos. I njoy sharing my photography and enjoy it when others post railroading in their area, as well as any photos of industries,etc to help others with ideas for their own layout. the thread for chatting can still contain personal info if one wishes to share their weekend adventure with the family,etc.. After all that info is what made this a personal group of train goons. that's all I have to say. It's be a shame to fold things up and say have a nice life. This group allowed Fred & I to meet up and share train/modelling experiences,etc.. so I think that is pretty cool to do. makes the universe that much smalller. dave

[nascarpetlover]

I don't see anything generally wrong the route the group has taken over the year(s). We are an internet example of a model train club with daily meetings instead of weekly meetings. As with any club group you will become close and personal with most of the members as would be human nature, with some becoming very close friends. And the meetings would always include some personal discussions as is being done in this group. Lou PS Just my two cents worth.

[beastranger]

It's all yours Pete, just like it's always been. And no, I don't want to be a moderater. Doug

[beastranger]

It was midnight here when I made that last post. It is now almost 2:30am. I tried to get to sleep early to go fishing in the morning but I'm royally pissed. I am done as the "so called" leader of this group. Every few months YOU Pete have someone disagree with YOU and you either threaten to quit or want me to give the "reins" back to you. Well now you have them back. If I remember correctly YOU started this group because the other group didn't want stuff that wasn't train related. NOW what do YOU want, all trains. Read the damn group charter that YOU wrote (sorry for the profanity). I too haven't cared for some of the discussions lately especially about racism but for the sake of FREE speech I have let them stand. Here's my thought about it. What would that dumb WOP do if a NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN walked into his shop and ordered a sub in the Cheyenne, Sioux or Cherokee language? Tell him to speak a da english? NO Pete I am not going to Ban you from the group for overstepping your bounds. NOW that YOU are leader YOU can ban me. Doug sorry if I offended anyone

[beastranger]

by the way I deleted the ENTIRE days of MY life thread. Doug

[spottzz]

I don't know where y'all are going, but I'm gone. I still love though................................ Bill in Phoenix

[ginzokid]

Sorry you feel that way Doug. I think you have misconstrued my ideas a bit though. At no time did I say I wanted just train discussions. That is not the case. We have had too much fun talking other topics too. It's not all about me either. If you recall, we had communication previously about my intentions and you said you would back me all the way. All I'm trying to do is bring the closeness we once had back to the group. If anyone needs a whipping boy, I'll take any blame you want to throw at me. I'll also be happy to take the reins again. If this change is not to the group's liking, we can have an election like before. I sincerely hope that we can still enjoy each other's company and freely exchange our life experiences and our hobby. B-) & :x

[beastranger]

GONE FISHING Punk

[untabubba]

This is SO IRONIC! I was walking through the halls of school yesterday (Friday) and my mind wandered to the group. I was thinking..... "What has happened? We went from a few guys sharing our thoughts on model railroading to a group of "angry men" spouting rhetoric, out to cure the problems of the world! What's up with THAT?" THEN, this morning, I read Pete's post and it all crystallizes....... One of the "Golden Rules" I was raised by was "Never talk politics or religion in polite company." Well, I blame the "Politically Incorrect" thread for ALL this descension! Yes, it was light-hearted and fun AT FIRST, but quickly evolved into a forum where we, ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED, felt it okay to vent the worst sides of our nature. (Racism, gay-bashing, intolerance, "pomposity", etc) Quite frankly I felt WORSE AFTER reading those posts than I did before! If I were a moderator I would have deleted some of MY OWN posts, after I saw how they "read" on the computer screen.....AFTER the "heat of the moment", so to speak. Then there have been a couple newer additions that CLEARLY don't "fit" the mentality of "Our Group". I don't want to step on toes, but let's just say "Know-It-Alls" annoy me! That's NOT what I come here for! I have ENOUGH problems...we ALL do! I come here to read about modelling, trains and, YES, maybe have a few laughs. NOT to become embroiled and enraged! I think Doug did a good job during his tenure. I also feel, and I MAY be wrong,(correct me if I am, Doug.) that the "Mantle of Command" was, kind of, thrust upon him and maybe he wasn't so comfortable with it after a while. SO, let's take a deep breath, step back and realize, we are a handful of folks who met in cyber-space and have grown rather close, some more than others. Let's call this a "Family Spat"...we've ALL had those, I'm SURE! Hurt feelings will calm down. Tempers will cool. Hell, my sister and I didn't speak for a year, a couple years ago....we are fine now...... I say DELETE the P.Inc. thread and be done with it! I know it's hard for intelligent adults to converse without talking about the "problems of the world", but let's think of Our Group as a REFUGE FROM that crap! Now I want everybody to shake hands (we get to hug Dot! :x :D) and let's get back to trains and some light-hearted fun............... Oh, and I say...If Doug REALLY wants to quit (after he cools off)Pete for leader! Marc (can I still be Mr. Breeze? ;\)

[g-pa1]

I too feel the same as Marc. I think Doug has done a great job as leader/ moderator. After all he has kept me on the straight and narrow and has deleted some of my crazy but inappropriate posts to this group as well he should have. I hope he stays as leader. Pete don't take this personally but you seem to me much more helpful when you are not the leader. You seem more relaxed and I think you do enjoy the group more. I have no qualms though if Punk does want to relinquish his leadership role afer his fishing trip. I hope we can all enjoy our common ties to the group. Gene

[flaretired]

It seems to me that this group has gotten away from what this group was intended for. I joined to learn about Model Railroading and learned a lot from this group. I don't ask a lot questions any more because I was once told if you research your own question you learn it better. But if I cannot find an answer than I ask. Yes I posted in the PI thread also because there are issue's that really bother me, but again if that thread was not started I probably would not of posted. It was really nice to see the way this group used to joke with each other and have fun. Even though I am not that close with the members, like some of you are you all still responded when I have problems and I asked questions. I hope this group can stop its bickering and get back to what it was originally created for. Chuck

[crazyd37]

I am not the leader nor am I a moderator but I am a member of "OUR GROUP" and hate that things are turning sour in what IS a great mixed group of individuals that share at least ONE common interest which is Model Railroading. Since the question posed in this thread is "Where are we going?" I will only add a few thoughts on that topic. We have a leader and 3 moderators. From here on I would like to see decisions (like deleting threads, adding new members, asking members to leave, etc.) made by those in charge as a unit, not on an individual basis. NO ONE PERSON SHOULD HAVE ALL THE SAY IN WHAT GOES ON IN THIS GROUP. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE A SMALL GOVERNING BODY. Unless the post that is made is against ebay rules from here on decisions should be made by ALL of the Governors not by only one. That should help with alot of this confusion. I will also make a motion, today, June 10, 2006, that the Political thread be deleted. Perhaps instead of allowing things to get this far, we should step up when we see a thread going in a poor direction we should ALL be more responsible and make motions to either stop/delete that type of talk. That said, I hope that those that have been hurt, deleted, or misunderstood, come back and help to make this the great group that we all know we can be. Thank you for listening to me, Dot

[ginzokid]

I just made a new poll. Let the majority decide. In the mean time I will unfreeze the thread. B-) & :x

[flaretired]

I second Dot's motion. Chuck