Recluse
06-09-2011, 01:08 AM
Interesting lamentations of recent about the changes some perceive to have occurred here at Cast Boolits.
And I'll agree: There have been changes. Some rather rapid, and others more in the pace of evolution. I guess the question some of the original members ask are, "Is the change for the better?"
Speaking strictly for myself, my response is, "Yeah. I think so."
I'm not a plankowner here (the Navy guys will understand that), but I was hanging around and lurking during the Shooter.com days. Followed the transition to Cast Boolits and finally had something to say one day, so I joined up and made my first post.
Mentioned a couple of very narrow and specific incidents that happened somewhere around 2004/2005, and one of the moderators commented on my first post about "an all-time lurking record" or something like that.
Point is, I've watched this community grow. And overwhelming for the better.
Here is a perfect example of what change brought us, and scarcely but a year ago: A post by Gray Wolf and a reply by Bret (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=78259&highlight=Gray+Wolf+truck)
Right here, right now, we have this: Rally the troops. Help for a member (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=118276)
Take a look at the benefits auction forum--that's something we used to not have. Look at the pure unselfishness exhibited there with people donating items and buying items that benefit Ken, the founder and mayor of Cast Boolits, that benefit other members and members' families.
Look at the epic Gpal thread. Nowhere else in the entire world wide web is FREEDOM exhibited more than right here at Cast Boolits with that ongoing discussion. We saw, firsthand, how many "respected" forums cut their members off at the knees when discussing Gpal.
Not here.
I've had many a phone conversation with Ken (45Nut) and as passionate as he is about casting his own lead projectiles and having a forum where others with this passion can meet and discuss, he is more passionate about two other things:
1. Community. A family of patriots from different backgrounds, different walks of life, different economic circumstances and even different politics (with a wink and a nod to Junior, who IS a plankowner here :)) but who all have a place where our passion for shooting and reloading and ultimately, casting our own boolits draws us together--and where that fellowship and common respect KEEPS us together.
2. Freedom.
We shoot and reload and cast largely for hobby. Yes, we eat the meat off the game animals we shoot and yes, we take our self-defense quite serious. But largely, this is a pastime of relaxing and stress relief for us.
So why do we allow our blood pressure to rise over our perception of changes to the one forum dedicated to our past time?
The simple answer is, "Beats the hell out of me."
But rather than looking at what we perceive to have changed in a "negative" fashion, why not look at what has changed at Cast Boolits in a positive fashion? Again, I give you the threads on Gray Wolf and another member as but an example of MANY times our community has pulled together to take care of one of our own.
We still congratulate one another on the graduation of a daughter or the marriage of a son or on becoming a parent or grandparent. Conversely, we offer prayers and tears alike when we lose a loved one, be they family or friends of the sort that are often more dear to us than family.
We keep an ear open for jobs when we find out we have members who are struggling in this vast "hope and change" economy, and yet even in this economy, many of us are still willing to drive up to several hours in neighboring counties or states to help a new member get started in casting.
That's community.
Perhaps the greatest thing about Cast Boolits is that whether it's your tenth post or your ten-thousandth, post count does not equate to "rank" or "seniority" around here. Likewise, neither does join date. We're all equal.
That rankles some, I know. But I would also wonder how those same folks feel about the Declaration of Independence and the notion that "all men are created equal."
Bottom line: This is a very non-pretentious community we have here. Yes, the family grows larger, but we remain committed to our objective of promoting the casting and shooting of lead projectiles.
Are there arguments, disagreements, snide remarks? Absolutely. There were five years ago and beyond, too. Disagreements are nothing new and did not come about simply because membership grew and the forum evolved.
I prefer to look at the positive. Yes, there have been some changes. But the net result is that we're still family and we still--and will continue to--take care of our own.
That's what makes Cast Boolits what it is.
:coffee:
And I'll agree: There have been changes. Some rather rapid, and others more in the pace of evolution. I guess the question some of the original members ask are, "Is the change for the better?"
Speaking strictly for myself, my response is, "Yeah. I think so."
I'm not a plankowner here (the Navy guys will understand that), but I was hanging around and lurking during the Shooter.com days. Followed the transition to Cast Boolits and finally had something to say one day, so I joined up and made my first post.
Mentioned a couple of very narrow and specific incidents that happened somewhere around 2004/2005, and one of the moderators commented on my first post about "an all-time lurking record" or something like that.
Point is, I've watched this community grow. And overwhelming for the better.
Here is a perfect example of what change brought us, and scarcely but a year ago: A post by Gray Wolf and a reply by Bret (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=78259&highlight=Gray+Wolf+truck)
Right here, right now, we have this: Rally the troops. Help for a member (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=118276)
Take a look at the benefits auction forum--that's something we used to not have. Look at the pure unselfishness exhibited there with people donating items and buying items that benefit Ken, the founder and mayor of Cast Boolits, that benefit other members and members' families.
Look at the epic Gpal thread. Nowhere else in the entire world wide web is FREEDOM exhibited more than right here at Cast Boolits with that ongoing discussion. We saw, firsthand, how many "respected" forums cut their members off at the knees when discussing Gpal.
Not here.
I've had many a phone conversation with Ken (45Nut) and as passionate as he is about casting his own lead projectiles and having a forum where others with this passion can meet and discuss, he is more passionate about two other things:
1. Community. A family of patriots from different backgrounds, different walks of life, different economic circumstances and even different politics (with a wink and a nod to Junior, who IS a plankowner here :)) but who all have a place where our passion for shooting and reloading and ultimately, casting our own boolits draws us together--and where that fellowship and common respect KEEPS us together.
2. Freedom.
We shoot and reload and cast largely for hobby. Yes, we eat the meat off the game animals we shoot and yes, we take our self-defense quite serious. But largely, this is a pastime of relaxing and stress relief for us.
So why do we allow our blood pressure to rise over our perception of changes to the one forum dedicated to our past time?
The simple answer is, "Beats the hell out of me."
But rather than looking at what we perceive to have changed in a "negative" fashion, why not look at what has changed at Cast Boolits in a positive fashion? Again, I give you the threads on Gray Wolf and another member as but an example of MANY times our community has pulled together to take care of one of our own.
We still congratulate one another on the graduation of a daughter or the marriage of a son or on becoming a parent or grandparent. Conversely, we offer prayers and tears alike when we lose a loved one, be they family or friends of the sort that are often more dear to us than family.
We keep an ear open for jobs when we find out we have members who are struggling in this vast "hope and change" economy, and yet even in this economy, many of us are still willing to drive up to several hours in neighboring counties or states to help a new member get started in casting.
That's community.
Perhaps the greatest thing about Cast Boolits is that whether it's your tenth post or your ten-thousandth, post count does not equate to "rank" or "seniority" around here. Likewise, neither does join date. We're all equal.
That rankles some, I know. But I would also wonder how those same folks feel about the Declaration of Independence and the notion that "all men are created equal."
Bottom line: This is a very non-pretentious community we have here. Yes, the family grows larger, but we remain committed to our objective of promoting the casting and shooting of lead projectiles.
Are there arguments, disagreements, snide remarks? Absolutely. There were five years ago and beyond, too. Disagreements are nothing new and did not come about simply because membership grew and the forum evolved.
I prefer to look at the positive. Yes, there have been some changes. But the net result is that we're still family and we still--and will continue to--take care of our own.
That's what makes Cast Boolits what it is.
:coffee: