Is this who we are? If so, shame on us.

[gwynng]

I was reading through a recent thread where a gentleman asked WHAT would be appropriate to wear with his kilt to a specific occasion. He had questions regarding things such as accessories and the formality of what he should wear. Immediately (like as in the first post) the thread declined into the appropriateness or inappropriateness of a man wearing a kilt to the event and focused on a heated and mean spirited debate on Scottish-ness, national dress and from my point of view, some fairly ugly opinions regarding "who-gets-to-wear-what-and-when-according-to-the-great-and-glorious-me". It even has gotten to the point of questioning his right to play the role at the event. Who the hell are we to question that. For all we know, he could be the PM. All in all, I was pretty shocked at the way this gentleman was treated by our "rabble". And please keep in mind that he has been on X-Marks for a WHOLE FIVE DAYS!

I sent him a PM of support and encouragement. He had the courtesy to reply, but has decided that X-Marks is peopled by bullies who want to pick fights with the new guy and wants off X-Marks. I don't think that I or anyone can convince him otherwise. He told me he has found another forum.

It really saddens me to see us do this to a new member. We were all new at some point. Think about it. This isn't the first time that any of us has asked a simple question or seen a post get blown out of all proportion with some fairly ugly opinions get spouted about as if they were gospel.

I thought this forum was about a brotherhood. A brotherhood who encouraged one another to dress out of the box, to be different, to be adventurous, to have a laugh, to try making something from scratch, to throw heavy rocks and telephone poles, to share experience and wisdom, to be MORE. Not bash the new guy (or anyone) who asks a simple question and is rewarded by a handful of guys jump down is friggin' throat. (And yes, you know who you are out there.)

I know this post is going to be unpopular and meet with some fairly defensive rebuttals. So be it. But if this is who we have become, shame on us.

sincerely,
Gwynn