On another thread, "If you could meet one member who would it be?" http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...ho-would-it-be , the conversation evolved to include talk about "get-togethers" and Lloyd Smale brought up the need to include folks who might have opinions contradictory to some, many, or even the majority on the forum; just to keep things interesting (unions was his example of a contentious subject).
This got me thinking about how we sometimes get into some rather heated discussions. Heated to the point where the mods feel the need to step in to prevent a boil-over. I began thinking about how much I admire the folks on the forum for their ability take a disagreement to, "you Blankety, blank, blank, so & so, such & which", you don't know $__t from shinola. Then, practically on the same day, move past that disagreement and offer moral, financial or if need be physical support to that same member who triggered so much consternation.
Lloyd's comment made me wonder. It's a lot easier to dismiss frustration brought on by someone's inability or just plain refusal to buy into your point of view if they are miles away than if you are face to face. If we're close enough to see the frustration and perhaps even anger on each other's faces, can we still be as tolerant and thick-skinned? Can we remember that what brought us all together in the beginning and keeps us a cohesive body is our love of casting, reloading and shooting? Can we go from, "what the heck are you thinking?", "I think you've lost your mind.", to a shoulder shrug, a grin, and a " lets go get another plate full of that pulled pork, BBQ beans and cole slaw (that was dinner last night).
I've seen the term, "Cast Boolits Family" used and am reminded, what makes a family a family is the ability to disagree, sometimes emphatically, and still turn right around and offer moral and even sometimes financial or physical support. I have seen on this forum, folks get into some pretty ugly arguments. Then, a few days or even a few hours later see a post from the same member who caused them so much anxiety before, asking for help, prayer or support and with no apparent hesitation whatsoever, they are Johnny-on-the-spot offering that support.
Sorry if I've gotten a little mushy here. But, aside from the volumes of technical information available here, the mutual support and comradery is a factor that, in my thinking, makes this forum stand out from most, if not all others that cater to our hobby.
Hope ya'll will excuse my rambling.
smokeywolf
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