[SEL] Hypocrites - SEMI-OT

[Arnie Fero]

Hi Bill,

You are absolutely correct.  Engine friendships are based on far more than
simply engines.  We discuss much at engine shows and other meetings and
from time to time post such topics to the lists as well.  It adds spice to
life and provides additional dimensions to those we come to know via their
posts.

BUT...  And it's a big BUT.  Like your momma told you when you were a kid.
"Son, when you're in that bar enjoying a beer, talk about anything, but
leave the politics and religion at home."

So it is with lists.  Unmoderated topic-oriented lists (such as this one)
operate by consensus.  When a given topic crosses the line (as when Slick
Willy was doing his thing in the oral office) or when folks begin to thump
their bibles, or when folks go off the deep end on the latest idiocy on
abortion or gun control, THAT is going beyond learning about a mate's new
truck or his newfound passion for antique pipe organs.  That's going OFF
TOPIC.  It's like letting a really stinky fart rip in an elevator.  Sure
you can do it, but let's face it, it's a damn rude thing to do.

And THAT is why Jim Dunmyer setup the Slick Willy list.  If someone feels
the NEED to rip one, step off the elevator.  Post it to Slick.  We have
great free-wheeling discussions over there (involving a great many of the
folks who post to the engine lists).  Nothing is sacred; any topic can be
discussed and usually is.  As I've said before, when you do post to Slick,
if your thinking is fuzzy; if your logic is illogical, someone will likely
hand you your head.  But hey, if you ranted stupidly in a bar to a
stranger, he'd likely put a beer bottle up your nose, so Slick is a
kinder, gentler place in that regard.

Now since I haven't seen any of these discussions over on Slick (YET),
maybe folks need the instructions again.  Political liberals & religious
zealots are ESPECIALLY welcome.  They have such fun, wacky ideas.  8-))

See below for the SIMPLE instructions for signing up for Slick.  I hope to
see you there and bring those discussions of religion, politics,
abortion, guns, liberals, creation "science", etc. (and please do NOT post
the above topics on the engine lists).

See ya,  Arnie

Arnie Fero
Pittsburgh, PA
fero_ah at city-net.com

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On Wed, 19 Apr 2006 bill at antique-engines.com wrote:

> I guess I always figured this is a list about stationary engines (and
> related equipment) it's a gathering place for people whose primary
> hobby/interest (well, besides the normal other interests) is engines.
> At least it's seemed like that for the past, what, 8 or 10 years or so....
> That being said - if you go to an engine show or event or an auction where
> a collection of engines is being sold - do you walk away from friends if
> one of them suddenly starts talking about their new truck, or new
> baby/grandbaby, etc? In most cases, the topic will soon swing back to
> engines, but if you are at a show or whatever and go from crowd to crowd,
> group to group, and walk away from any where the topic is not solely
> engines, well, results could be lonely after a time.
> OK, so this is computer based and as such, there are limited resourcces
> for bandwidth (I'm on dial-up - no choice - and it can take 10 to 15
> minutes to get my email in the evening) there is limited time to read
> messages, limited disk space, etc.
> We are human, and once in a while even those purists will slip up and need
> to talk about something else....... if you want the topic back on engines,
> then by all means, post something interesting you know or saw or ask a
> question about engines.