Opinion Poll

[sledge]

I think an off-topic section falls under the, 'necessary evil' category. If there isn't one, more inane posts make their way into legitimate threads on prepping.

My favorite prepping site has rules (like others) but among them includes no debate of politics or religion. I'd take a gander and say a good chunk of the reason the site has the variety of input that it does is due to that (There's less, 'that MF'r thinks XYZ so I know he's stupid so I'm not going to listen to his input on ABC'). While I'm sure the majority of posters have the same general political leanings and perhaps religious beliefs but for the nuts and bolts of prepping, it's totally immaterial (except for something goofy like, 'What's the best way to pack my prayer rug in my BoB?' 

Noteworthy that they're a registered NPO so they cannot endorse any particular religious or political viewpoint. Whether the 'no politics or religion' was conceived of first or added because of NPO status I have no clue. Regardless, the result is the same.

Politics and religion are certainly contentious. I'm not suggesting that these be rules implemented but I would suggest some sort of compartmentalization (like a subforum). That way if someone doesn't want to read it, they don't have to. Kind of like how Frugal Squirrels has a, 'conspiracy theories' subforum.

I agree with Dave on the issue of religion.  We each have our own personal views on that which affect us and no one else. 

On the issue of politics I see things a little differently.  Although, I agree they should be kept separate from the prep discussion areas.  And there is a politics section here.  The reason I think politics is important is because political policies have affected, are affecting and will continue to affect the prepping community.  (For example the UN Small Arms Treaty being advocated by the administration and the recently passed farming and land use laws and regulations.)

Part of prepping is being aware of your current situation and situations you could face down the road. 

I do agree also that the cursing, MF's and the like, need to be limited to make it a classier site.  I'm as guilty as anyone.  I'll try and do better.

Thanks for the input Dave.

[NOLA556]

TG, I don't think that eliminating the off-topic stuff all together is going to make any difference. I suppose maybe tightening down on the rest of the legitimate boards and enforcing the rules there would go alot farther to clean up the site.

if everyone can just "play by the rules" and keep the BS out of the legit boards then I simply can't see where the problem is.

TG, having spoken with you multiple times on this subject, I'm pretty sure I know what you want for this site, and I admire that. you're striving for it to be something bigger and better. however, I just don't think you can "force" that on the membership. I mean, think of it, there are lots of guys here that could probably be posted much more useful content than they are (myself included), but lots of people may be just starting out, and they're only here to learn. they haven't been on the prepping beat for long enough to really contribute anything. and I may even venture to suggest that the off topic board is important for those new preppers because it's a more casual atmosphere, and it feels more like you're just hanging around with your buddies. that sense of community may just be what keeps a new guy around.. it may not always drive them away.

[505th.NM.Militia]

It's all just a big  misunderstanding.   We didn't choose "straightprep.com" to show our dedication to preparedness culture.  We chose it 'cause "gayprep.com" was already taken for a "high value" prepardness group website.   

/I just clicked it Sledge. [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

[sledge]

It's all just a big  misunderstanding.   We didn't choose "straightprep.com" to show our dedication to preparedness culture.  We chose it 'cause "gayprep.com" was already taken for a "high value" prepardness group website.   

/I just clicked it Sledge.

    Yep, I'll tell you what.  I'm really glad that gayprep name was already taken too!  I shudder to think of some of the posts that would be put up and the call signs that would be used.

[Dave_M]

On the issue of politics I see things a little differently.  Although, I agree they should be kept separate from the prep discussion areas.  And there is a politics section here.  The reason I think politics is important is because political policies have affected, are affecting and will continue to affect the prepping community.  (For example the UN Small Arms Treaty being advocated by the administration and the recently passed farming and land use laws and regulations.)

Discussion of politics and possibilities is different than saying, 'XYZ is a fucking tard and anywho who supports XYZ is one too'. That's what I'm referring to

[sledge]

On the issue of politics I see things a little differently.  Although, I agree they should be kept separate from the prep discussion areas.  And there is a politics section here.  The reason I think politics is important is because political policies have affected, are affecting and will continue to affect the prepping community.  (For example the UN Small Arms Treaty being advocated by the administration and the recently passed farming and land use laws and regulations.)

Discussion of politics and possibilities is different than saying, 'XYZ is a fucking tard and anywho who supports XYZ is one too'. That's what I'm referring to

I know in my heart you are right about that Dave.  But sometimes calling XYZ a F*****g tard  is a good way to release frustration with that person.  Not to mention it's fun.  Personally, I like to make fun of Obama's large ears or wind sails, or whatever you call those things.

But you're right, it really doesn't add much to a discussion of political policies.

 

[EJR914]

TG you assume that if you take away the Off Topic section all that will go away, and the in your opinion "productive" topics will increase...
It won't.
All off prepping topics (which I don't consider the Top Secret section to be part of) will just spill over to the "AK's are awesome" thread and next thing you know it will be hijacked a by someone who wants to talk about David Hasslehoff.
And whats wrong with a little bit of culture?

This, TG, I've seen boards after boards take away off-topic sections time and time again, and the off-topic stuff then just starts to pour into other threads, and good threads tend to get hi-jacked more often.

The truth is, people are going to talk about off-topic stuff whether you have an off-topic section or not, having an off-topic section just allows them a place to do that and to channel that discussion, while not dragging as many prepping topics off-topic in the process. 

Trust me on this, I've seen it happen with almost every board that I have been on.

Guns, prepping, politics, every forum I've been on HAD to add an off-topic section to try to keep the off-topic chatter out of other threads, because they were constantly getting hi-jacked.  Unfortunately, off-topic is a necessary evil to internet forums. 

You think moderating is hard now? 

Try moderating every hijacked thread and deleting all comments that are not on topic, or constantly begging people to get back on topic to no avail. 

I'll be honest, I think its time you guys chill and let this board do some self-regulating. 

All this regulation seems to be putting a lot of good members here off.  Sure we lost some very awesome members here, but I have a feeling that you're going to turn even more of them off with too much regulation.

You don't really want to know what I think of people that just get into a huff and puff and leave over one comment, or one thread, or a couple of threads that they find offensive. 

Yes, these people would have been AWESOME if they would have stuck around because of their knowledge and experience, and I would have learned a TON from them, (and I did learn a ton from them while they were here) but that's internet forums man, people come and go, and yes even the "really good posters" are usually the ones to leave for some reason because something offended them.  I've seen it TIME and TIME again on other forums that I am on.  It seems like the ones with the most knowledge and experience just also seem to be the first ones to get in a huff and puff and storm off and never reply again.  Its just the way it is.  You HAVE to have thick skin to post on an internet forum, you just do.  You will see so many opinions and comments the offend you, or you just disagree with so deeply in your core that it offends you, but that America man, we ALL have different opinions on things, different personalities, different lifestyles, different senses of humor, different backgrounds, different religions, no religions, hell America is a melting pot, and we're going to see all that melting pot right here on this forum.

Do I miss them and their input? HELL YEAH I do!  But that's one thing that you'll never be able to control here, who gets offended by what, who stomps off and gets their feelings hurt, or gets offended, and who comes back or who leaves forever.  Its like war, you can't make sense of who gets hit and who doesn't.  It just happens, well losing people like this is about the same.  Its going to happen, just as people get hit in war, and its just as easily unpredictable. 

I promise you, I'm going to probably get my feelings hurt here or get offended here someday, but you know what, I'll take a break, I'm not going to whine and bitch about it, or even probably tell one of you MODS, and I'm certainly not going to tell you to delete my profile, as in taking my ball and going home.  I'll probably take some time off, regroup, come back, forget about it, and keep on working because I'M DEDICATED to this site and to prepping, and I believe in this site and what it stands for, and what you and 505th stand for.  I'm NOT going to just quit this site, no matter how angry I get, no matter how offended I get, or no matter how butt hurt I get, ect.

Its not about trading this person for a bad joke or trading this person for something rude said, or whatever.  If they don't have the GUMPTION, the intestinal fortitude to hang around, and realize that there are TONS of us who just read stuff, and are amazed by the content, but are too unknowledgeable about the topic to even post a reply really, or even discuss it, then that is their problem, and I fear for their fortitude and sticking power in the coming darkness and hard times.  Its going to take a lot of TRUE GRIT to make it through this rough time that is coming to us, and also a lot of OPEN MINDEDNESS, and I'm going to tell you this, some people here don't have it, and that's fine, its just a fact of life, but I'm not going to get all bent out of shape about it either way. 

If people want to make sick jokes here that I don't find funny, that's their business, it doesn't affect me any, doesn't affect my prepping.  If people want to be make a comment to someone else, it doesn't affect me any, doesn't affect my prepping.

I will say this though, this site DOES need to be a whole lot more about prepping.  Sometimes I post something about prepping, and for whatever reason, it doesn't get any replies.  Now I don't know if that's because, like I mentioned above, nobody is knowledgeable about the subject, could be nobody is interested in the subject at all, or it could be that everyone's already heard about it, already knows it, and just doesn't care to discuss it or hear it again, so I'm not making any judgements, because I don't know, but it does seem to me that sometimes I get the feeling here that people are not really that hard up or hardcore about prepping here, and I do think THAT needs to change.  I am not going to lie, I saw the same sort of thing happening on LNL as well.

I will, however, keep doing my part and posting things that I am reading about prepping, regardless of if anybody posts a reply to it. 

I think we need to man up, I think we need to get more HARD UP about prepping, myself included, and we need to get serious about it.  I mean you can for sure enjoy your MF'in life, but this place needs to be a place about prepping, and we need to take that part seriously.  I mean whatever you do, DO NOT Forget to enjoy you MF'in life!  But if you're going to be a prepper, be into it.  I understand some are just starting out and that's great too!  Do not do too much and get burned out.  EVERYTHING needs to be in moderation in your life, and I understand that, totally.  I'm just saying those that are here that are calling themselves preppers, well maybe we should be a little bit more hard up about prepping.

All the other crap, I could care less about, and I think it would behoove others to learn that if you see something that offends you, or is rude, or whatever, and you DON'T think it needs your involvement and a smack down from you, just don't click on it, just don't let it bother you, as it doesn't effect you personally, and just move on and read the things that interest you here, and post things that you're reading on prepping, whatever.  Especially, if you know you are the type to get into a huffy puffy, leave, and never come back.  Just DON'T click it or read it.  You have that power.

I'm not saying do not SMACK SOMEONE DOWN if they need it, because that is really more of what we need here.  MORE self-regulation, so that we give the MODS a break.  I'm just saying don't get all pissed about it, don't take it personally, and don't get in a huffy puffy about it.  Smack down where is needed and then move on.  Make this SITE what we want it to be.  Take command and control of the site and the information on it ourselves.

Also, I think some people do need to be more open-minded.  I mean some of these topics, as horrific and awful as they are, we also need to prepare ourselves for them.  They might actually happen.  I am currently prepping in hopes that I don't ever have to do some of horrific things that have happened in other parts of the world and at times in our own country in the past, but they happen, and they MAY happen again to you, no matter how hard we prep, so we may as well talk about them now, prepare ourselves mentally now, ect.

Well that's my piece, and now I'm out.  I'll sit back and chill for a bit.  Ya'll have a good one.   [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

[EJR914]

I'd rather have it and not need it ...

Besides, where else can I post stuff like this http://jalopnik.com/5842192/watch-assault-rifle+wielding-saudis-endanger-dozens-in-craziest-driving-video-ever

I only watched the first minute-ten of it, but wow, I had no idea a Hadji could drive so well.  LOL

[sledge]

Is that all you have to say about that?  lol  When you get on a roll, you roll, don'tcha brother.  lol 
Well, I agree with you.

[thatGuy]

I dunno...if people can't play nice what's the point in all this? 

I've been in a pretty shitty mood lately and that is kind of how I was feeling.

[sledge]

I dunno...if people can't play nice what's the point in all this? 

I've been in a pretty shitty mood lately and that is kind of how I was feeling.

I think people get along here and are supportive for the most part.  We don't all agree on everything, but we all do agree on the things that are important to prepping and it's importance.

We lost some good people over some stupid discussion that in all likelihood won't take place to begin with.  What happened has been discussed over and over again at length.  Water under the bridge, we can't change it now.  We can only move ahead.

The "point is" to have a place where those who see the reason for prepping now and will see the need for prepping in the future to have a place to communicate, share, learn, and share fellowship.

Thank you Thatguy and 505 for giving us that.   

[thatGuy]

Thanks Sledge.

[Outonowhere]

I have to say that I feel like, as has been stated before, that the off-topic section is needed.  Not only for people to vent and to keep the "Prepper" sections clean but also to have a sense of community beyond the "we are all Preppers" aspect.  We are all unique in our thought process and while we are not all on the same page when it comes to different issues being able to bring those issues up is important.  Not only for bringing up something we as individuals may not have thought of, but also to bring peaceful and thoughtful discussion about them. 

Now obviously we need to mostly police ourselves.  We as members of this forum need to step up when things are getting out of hand and remind people to keep things civil, or at least take it to PMs.  Only when someone refuses to be civil and not disruptive to the positive learning atmosphere this site is supposed to be about should a moderator step in.  I know how hard it is to moderate a forum (not to mention the other stuff besides your normal lives you guys are doing) and I think that what you have done with the weapons section is probably the best route you could take.  Pick a couple people that you know and trust to just help you "moderate" and keep people honest.  That way you can handle the bigger stuff and not have to baby sit all the time lol.

TG, 505th, you guys have set up a great thing here and its growing at a wonderful pace.  yes we are experiencing growing pains.  And while I agree that some inappropriate (some not) things were said in the past, when a person decides to leave there is a larger issue for them.  For the baby killing jokes, Ive heard them before, i think that for this setting they are in poor taste.  But as has been said before, if you don't like what the post or the person says, ignore them.  No one is sewing their eyelids open and forcing to read every post on here.  Maybe if a mod reads a post and thinks it could upset someone either suggest the OP add or do it for them ***Explicit*** to the title, just as a heads up that if you don't like it, don't read it. 

I also believe that while some things are "out there" to most in the top secret section, they are important none the less.  How many things from the original Star Trek that started as movie props became real life tools and tech?  Again, if someone things a post was made by someone eating too many hot pockets while watching X-Files marathons, that's their problem.  Bring back the Butt-Hurt Complaint Form lol.

Everyone, from the young kid just becoming aware of prepping from the old vet who has seen more shit than an elephant keeper at a zoo, has something to add to this site.  Whether its knowledge or just spurring questions, everyone contributes something.  I'm sorry to see people leave for whatever reason, but as long as the discussion stays civil, appropriate and LEGAL, it shouldn't be impeded.

Just my $.02
 [url=http://yoursmiles.org/p-m

[Dave_M]

So who have we lost? Technique I know for sure. Militaryman84? Who else?

[Veritas]

I haven't seen KindredSpirit, and her forum is gone.  Saw Rangermedic post a few times, but not lately.  Reaver has been pretty quiet also.

[Dave_M]

I think there's obviously something going if we lost that many quality members in a short period of time.

[505th.NM.Militia]

Honestly, I'm not judging here, but it was RvR and everyone else talking stupid shit.  I've got the email records from all the correspondence we were doing to try to work shit out.  And believe me we f****** tried...