[Hugh R]

I've noticed a big increase in the rancor on PPOT in the last few months. Perhaps it's the economy... I don't know. What I do notice is that Pelican's that I've broken bread with seem to be a lot more civil to me when I disagree with them. Especially on political threads.

I've met a lot of Pelicans around the world (literally) and enjoyed the company of everyone of them. It's way too easy to get in a heated/spirited debate with someone you think is a moron/stupid/liberal/conservative/pro-choice/pro-life//////whatever.

Let's take the specific case of Shaun 84 Targa. He and I had a wonderful dinner at the Union Oyster House in Boston (the oldest continuously operated restaurant in North America) and he gave me a bunch of fantastic long sleeved T-Shirts with an image of my 1930 Rudge Whitworth motorcycle. I'd given him a bunch of green screened pics of it.

Shaun and I agree on a lot of stuff, but we also disagree on a lot of stuff. I consider him a friend. I may kid Shaun on a rebuttal, and I may seriously challenge him with a "Shaun, WTF are you thinking" but it's always respectful. Ditto with him. He doesn't respond with an "Eff you" for challenging me. Where am I going with this???? You guys, with your venom are going to kill PPOT. Members will just go "Screw it, I'm out of here"

I have not yet been able to make the Las Vegas get togethers, due to my travel demands. I will do my best to commit to the next one. I think the more Pelicans you meet the better. Then, while you may disagree, you'll at least have met them and had a beer and realize that they are not that different than you.

The regular posters here are "junkies" including me. I know "Junkie" is a hard word, but like AA, your first step is to admit it, you're an addict. You get your addiction from other posters that agree or disagree with you. If everyone you disagree with goes away, where is the challenge? If you poison the well, no one will drink from it.

Oh, and the thread I started a few days ago about posting your first name was sort of along the same theme. I can go to websites all day long where kids hurl hate at each other.