IMHO: too much negativity. We all share something fun and valuable here

[sharpdressedscot]

This is probably one of the nicest sites I've been to. The arguements are nothing here.

[Arlen]

I think that's something worthwhile, Alan.
I know I've certainly said things I wish I hadn't. I learned a hard lesson about just not replying to a comment or thread that bothers you.

Here's to Alan's positive reinforcement.

Kilts are great and so are you guys.

[davedove]

I have seen arguments on other sites that just seem to be arguments for arguments sake. And other times where the people were arguing the same thing, just in different terms, but didn't take the time to realize that.

We all need to slow down and consider the other person's point of view. We don't have to agree with it, but we should strive to understand it.

[The Wizard of BC]

So does this mean that from now on Jamie will be sending notes home to my Mommy that "Steve does not share or play well with others."

It's just all these incessant demands. I already smiled once this week. Now you want me to do it again?

[James MacMillan]

OK – You aren’t going to be negative…. Well you are going to try to less negative. I guess that’s OK – But I have another take on the situation.

Please remember folks that this is a discussion board. What good is it if we can’t express differing points of view? If some person posts a picture of him/herself and it just has so many problems with it – am I to understand that you don’t want to say anything negative?

Rest assured, if you see a photo of me with a rubber chicken as a sporran badge, or striped soccer socks in place of kilt hose, or a Black and white striped shirt worn with a Buchanan tartan kilt, I think that I deserve the truth. I want someone to have the gutts to tell me that I look stupid!!! (It's not hard - Jay, that looks stupid!)

What I want more people to do is what I think that Grant and I do, and that is to maintain a sense of humor. Learn to laugh a little bit. Life is too short! Don’t go off the deep end when you hear an old curmudgeon say that because he wears a kilt everyday he thinks that he is better than you are. Don’t get a holier than thou attitude when you read of a person’s real life experiences that differ from what you read in a book. Don’t get in a tizzy when you hear of someone else’s opinion, point of view, or fact that you disagree with.

We are all different in this world – we can be tolerant of each other and still be friends.

If I want to read about comments that always agree with me, I can go somewhere else.

I like differences! I like discussion and argument. I think that they are healthy. I do think that we should not take ourselves as seriously as some seem to be doing.

[Jake_S]

I already smiled once this week. Now you want me to do it again?

[Jake_S]

I applaud your attitude Alan, even though the arguments here are mild. I think everyone has the right to there opinions, it's how the opinions are expressed that tend to rub others the wrong way.

Let's all be aware of what we write (say), smile big, wear our fave kilts, and all will be good with the world.

Just my 2 cents.
Jake

[Bugbear]

Hey Alan, from my prospective, you all that keep arguing about these things need each other in ways that might not be so clear from the arguments. Many of you are bringing valuable information and experience to X Marks, and we are all learning from it.

[McClef]

Most of the time disagreements are civil and respectful and we prefer to say nice things. We try on the whole to generate light rather than heat whereas with many forums it is the other way around.

At the end of the day opinions are expressed and then we do what we want to do anyway as individuals.

That doesn't stop the fellowship and the camaraderie and it's great to know that there are friends and potential friends all over that otherwise would not know each other.

[ccga3359]

Thanks a lot Alan now one of the Mods knows me name! This is all your fault, me? I was happy just flying below the radar...