Attention all members - new poll on Club News page

[Kent 436]

... where you can make your opinions known on whether non-tractor related discussions should be allowed. I have officially cast my "No Opinion" vote to make sure it works....[A href='http://www.simpletractors.com/clubhouse/_private/club_news.asp']http://www.simpletractors.com/clubhouse/_private/club_news.asp[/a]

[Putter 0]

Kent, thanks for your work on the site as always. I cast my vote but was disappointed there wasn't another choice. Would another option be to create a separate discussion list for these NT post? Maybe like a NT meeting place. I can see the frustration some people have as the vote was closer than I thought it would be. This would keep the tractor related posts on page 1 longer for those that want them on them there. Just a thought as I check this site every day and would miss the other topics if they were banned completely. There are times when you just need to know when the heck the sun will finally rise in Barrow, Alaska. I occasionally check the chat feature but it seems that there is not many people that use that, not everyone is on the computer at the same time of course. Just a thought, whatever is decided is OK with me but I would miss the banter from this site.

[MPH 12]

Thankyou for your extra effort Kent..MPH

[JimV 0]

Kent, I, in a previous post, expressed that we "keep-it-tractors", not because I am not worldly or interested in views and opinions. I took a slight "bashing" from other upstanding contributors to the sight and I gracefully backed off. I believed at the time and still do that, we all have subjects that "trip" our triggers and I don't believe you took the time and effort to orginate such a knowledgeable sight about "garden tractors" for it to take detours into personalities and feelings. We all have experienced things in our lives that at times are emotionally overwhelming and others don't know what they are. If you set up a separate page, that's fine for those who want it, but, I personally like to keep it tractors. If I want to express something to an individual I "click" on his email address and send him/her a message. Thank you for your concern (sure you don't want to lose anyone because of another's soapbox) , Marion W. Kerr

[PatRarick 1]

Marion, I agree with you, to a point. The more politcal *NT* posts do sometimes aggravate me, but I still think that they are necessary to the success of this club. I read them all, however, just to see other points of view. I would go along with a seperate page, but we have to consider Kent, who puts this thing together, and consider the additional work that would be required. I feel that Kent does an excellent+ job, and I think asking him to build and maintain one more forum, is unfair to him. I don't like a lot of what is on TV or in magazines, but I do have control to turn the page, or flip the channel. The same can be done with *NT*. Pat

[Tutt 0]

Hi all, I have been visiting this site regularly for about a year now, though I haven't posted much. I, as with many others, enjoy reading the posts almost daily. Lately, I have noticed a lot more of the NT subjects sometimes dominating the discussion, but the fact that these are dominating the discussion tells me that there is a need for this type of forum to allow for the development of a "relationship." Lets face it, we all "know" a lot of the regular posters in the discussion a lot better because of the openness of this discussion. We all have feelings for personalities and individuals that would be lost if the discussions were strictly all technical. Having voiced this, I can also understand the frustration of the other club members whose post gets lost in the pile. It has been great reading ALL the messages, and I would be saddened if the personalities of this sight were squashed. I am not worried as much about someone having a differing point of view as I am about the serious "help wanted" posts being lost in the shuffle. If possible, (and not too much work) I would appreciate and visit a separate discussion forum for NT posts. This in my mind would allow for the establishment of the friendships with others with similar interests, while allowing the REAL TRACTOR topics to have their opportunity in the spotlight as well. My $.02….Thanks for this wonderful relaxed, informative, and family atmosphere. I have definitely learned a lot from you “guys” over the past year. Tutt

[MikeES 469]

Kent, this is a great site and you do a great job. My $.02 is that anything mechanical is fair game for this discussion forum. But I don't think that politics and religion has a place here. If you notice, most of the not so pleasant (unfriendly) responses ended up from these type of posts. Mike S.

[Roy 0]

Gang, I would make a lousy Communist because it seems to me if there are three or more in a group at least one of them turns out to be an SOB who messes things up for the others. Having said that, hopefully this great club will eventually decide how to handle "NT" messages and will continue to function as it has. I see no harm in "NT" messages since no one has to look at them if they choose not to. However, I do think it best to avoid religon and politics. Remember, a fanatic is impossible to deal with on any topic. My nickels worth. Value it accordingly. Roy

[Kent 436]

Kent,I can remember a long time ago you had to get out the bloom so to speak from something getting out of hand and you being the janitor had to sweep the mess and I know you have done so sence. Saying that I agree with Mike-ES some stuff is just better off not mentioned on our club. Herb-Dutch's type of humor is something this site has always had from one or more members and is in my opinion needed to break the ice from an all tractor poster board. NT or non tractor in my opinion just isn't needed on our club's board "meaning keep it as close to tractors as possible. I have noticed more and more non-tractor comments along the politcal nature and I just don't care for it saying that humor in good taste would and is welcome to me but there will always as you know someone whom will be afended at one time or another. Summary: This is and always has been about tractors "but" sure it with all of us members will and does drift off that topic. Really I feel its more common sense then anything about where the topics should go this being a tractors club and I don't feel we need to expand to another area of NT non-tractors at least in our tractor club. Just my opinion and I don't see how a single "yes or no" can cut it as that limits the good taste that members like Herb and his sense of humor done in good taste would'nt be able to add to us all" there for I will not be voting at all". I just don't see how a line can be drawn without stepping left or right of it from time to time. Thanks, Jack>>->happyjack<-<<

[Kent 436]

Jack, Glad to see you back! We've missed you. You missed signing the 6000th message... ironically that one was about this whole "NT" thing. My view is I'll "sweep out" whatever the club wants me to sweep out, including the cat... but I don't want to "throw the baby out with the bath water" either, if you know what I mean. It's the people that make this club work -- our tractors can't talk nor type... BTW, did you see my B-210 with a Sundstrand in it -- talk about a huge improvement, even if it isn't original! But then I converted my 65 Falcon Futura with it's 6-cylinder, 3-speed (unsyncronized low gear and all) for a 289 Hi-Po, 4-speed and limited slip rearend... Some would probably say that I could never leave well enough alone...[A href='http://www.simpletractors.com/do_it/variable_to_hydro.htm']http://www.simpletractors.com/do_it/variable_to_hydro.htm[/a]

[johnb110 0]

Also happy to see you back Jack and your very insightfull as always. I'm also back from a long hiatus. My opinion is this. Kent started this club many eons ago he's put countless hours into this site as it's builder and Custodian. I use the word Custodian as opposed to Janitor as it more accuratly states what Kent does for this club. A Janitor generally cleans wheras a Custodian looks after a building/business's/web site ect.'s entire function. Being as this is a closely contested issue with no right or wrong answer let's turn ownership of this club back over to Kent which he so richly deserves and respect whatever decision he may make regarding this issue. Yours truly John Thompson John B-110