[Rhodes22-list] Political discussion is diluting the value of theRhodes 22 newsgroup

[Michael D. Weisner]

Paul,

I think that most agree that the personal attacks are not necessary.  As far 
as the political commentary goes, I think of it as background banter.  If I 
am not interested in the discussion, I move on to the next "table" (using 
the sailor's bar scenario of "da list") to see what is going on there. 
Sometimes, even the political discussions catch my attention.  Over the 
years, I have learned much from the list and hopefully provided some help.

I had suggested that we provide a second list (John says it can be done 
without too much effort) for sailing only topics.  All posts to the sailing 
only list and the replies would appear on the "da list" as well.  This would 
permit the list to remain as it is and an alternate list to exist just for 
sailing discussions that would be posted to both.  Maybe the time has come 
...

Ed means well.  He just doesn't realize that we have had (and continue to 
enjoy) one of the best summers in years, especially for sailing.  The 
weather has been great and the winds are fair and regular.  No need to try 
to sail on mud flats in SC in the heat.  We sail several times a week, 
getting wet last night on the way home from some unexpected (and  not 
forecasted) light rain.  Hey Ed, maybe you should haul your boat up to LI 
Sound and enjoy some real nice late summer / early fall sailing.  The water 
temperature is about 74F, the air temperature is in the mid 80s and the 
winds are perfect.

Mike
s/v Shanghai'd Summer ('81)
Nissequogue River, NY

From: "Paul Krawitz" <krawitzmail-rhodes22 at yahoo.com>Sent: Wednesday, 
September 03, 2008 4:48 PM
> Ed K,
>
> First of all, thanks for the invitation to South Carolina. Actually, there
> is terrific sailing here on the north shore of Long Island, where friends
> and I go out three times per week on sailboats ranging in size from 16 to 
> 44
> feet. The marina constantly tries to steer me into a larger boat, since
> every winter I'm the runt on the lot. But I like my Rhodes best.
>
> I appreciate your strong feelings that in order to keep the list ongoing,
> that alternative discussions need to take place, or else the group will
> atrophy.
>
> But I'm not a "newbie." I've been a Rhodes owner on and off for the past 
> 12
> years. I may not contribute that frequently, and you may not consider me
> "salty" enough, but recently I made a long post in response to the 
> plethora
> of problems people were having with their Yamaha outboards. So I want to
> contribute.
>
> Yes, there are pen pal friendships (and even in-person friendships) made
> because of the newsgroup discussions.
>
> Terrific.
>
> It would be even better, in my opinion, to make the discussions sailing 
> and
> boating related. And this could be loosely defined...interesting sailing
> venues, how does sailing help you to emotionally cope with stress, photos 
> of
> get-togethers with other Rhodies, applauding Stan's magnificent writing 
> and
> outstanding web site (which is what drives his sales after all these 
> years),
> best practices to maintain your boat, how to get the Rhodes to point 
> upwind
> better, sailing poetry, and more. In other words, not all the Rhodes
> discussions have to be posted looking for help to solve an emergency
> problem.
>
> To suggest that political commentary is necessary for the success of the
> group, and furthermore to acerbically attack the "newbie" for questioning
> the wisdom of placing political commentary on a sailing newsgroup, is both
> short-sighted and mean spirited. And it's unfortunate to see dispirited
> people leaving the list.
>
> There are several people who emailed me privately, agreeing that the 
> group's
> politics have gotten out of hand and hurt rather than help the subscriber
> base. Unfortunately, they were afraid to post their comments and face the
> very public ridicule that I am braving.
>
> Ed, since you seem to be one of the group's most vocal proponents, perhaps
> you could initiate a weekly discussion on pertinent sailing topics and ask
> everyone to respond. That would make the group both more vibrant and on
> target.
>
> Paul K
> "Clarity"
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