Am I right or am I wrong?

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Bill Martino

Bill Martino

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Mar 5, 1999
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I try to be a decent human being first and a patriotic American citizen second. You see the first come into play in the way I try to do business. It's simple. I try to operate by the Golden Rule. I am not perfect and make mistakes but I try. You see the second come into play in the way I try to moderate this forum and what I say here. Again, I am not perfect and make mistakes but I try.

The business end -- the facts are spondylolisthesis II and a ticker running on spare parts from the junkyard. I can't get things done like I could 40 years ago even though I get in 60 hours a week. Add to this poor eyesight and a failing memory along with computer illiteracy and what you see is what you get. I do the best I can with what I've got and the only way it's going to get any better is for somebody to tell me how to erase 40 years but I'm open to any suggestions for improvement.

The forum end -- the reason anything is fair game is because everything has to do with khukuris and here's why.

People make khukuris and run the show in Nepal. Men, women, Hindus, Buddhist, agnostics, atheists, and a Sikh tossed in here and there. Social Democrats, Khukuri party members, and others from the 49 political parties in Nepal, including a Communist who is now in jail. People, religion, politics, all involved. Couldn't ship for 10 days because of violent politics.

People = khukuris

People buy khukuris. People from all over the world. Saudi Prince and a couple of khukuris a month back went to a fellow in Jerusalem. Ivan Campos in Brazil and Joe Leung in Hong Kong. Satoshi in Japan and Modh in Kuala Lumpur. Maui Rob in Maine and Gene in Los Angeles. Howard in Washington and Blues in Florida. Christians, Jews, Muslims, agnostics, Buddhists, Hindus, atheists. Republicans, Democrats, Socialists, Libertarians, and more.

People = khukuris

When it's about people from all over the world, all religions, all manner of politics, you're bound to run into disagreement and difference of opinion and philosophy. Some I'd honestly rather not hear and try to deal with but I do because I feel it is my duty and I am honor bound to let everybody have their say and here's why.

This forum is American. It's here. I'm an American. I'm the moderator. I run the forum based on American principles. I defend the Constitution of the United States. It's that simple.

This position I know is costing me some customers and friends but I don't know how to do it any other way and still be true to myself and maintain my honor. And to me, life without honor and freedom is not worth living. But, I'm open to suggestions here, too. If anybody can convince me that I'm wrong have at it.

I'm going to end this by plagiarizing from my friend, Blues.

"Live free or die."

I am fair game. You can say anything you want so have at it.
 
I know I don't need to say it, as it is understood, but I stand with you, Uncle Bill.

And though I acknowledged as much in a private email, thank you again for your kind words earlier.
 
ARe you right or wrong? I think you're right. A better answer might be you just are.

Some feel you should kick people out. I don't know where you'd draw the line once that started. Letting people in - to get hammered if that's what the behavior warrants, carries with it the possibility people can change for the better. If they are not engaged they cannot change.




munk
 
im with you too, uncle...

people have to be responsible for their own actions...

what it boils down to here on the forums, as in america, is freedom... speech is one of those freedoms...
 
If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

I think that you stand for what is noble, right, true --- and necessary.

If need be we'll stand on each side of you and help hold your arms up.
 
"I don't know where you'd draw the line once that started."

And neither do I!

"If need be we'll stand on each side of you and help hold your arms up."

And it well may come to that!

Thanks.
 
We can build you one of those robot chairs like the original star trek episode with Commander Christopher Pike. Now, all he could do was indicate 'yes' or 'no' with colored lights as he sat imobile in his chair. We can do better than that. How about a robot arm which launches violently upwards holding a Gelbu Special?

munk
 
What happens in this forum between posters has no reality. It is just black text on white background. It affects objective reality not at all. When someone buys a Khukuri, that improves the lives of some people we all care about. That is reality.

Break contact, continue mission.
 
I usually don't have much to say, but I agree 100% with what Bill is, what he stands for, and what he says.

JimF
 
I agree - except that I thought this forum was international rather. No bearing on the free speech bit, just my conception.

-_B.
 
Uncle Bill, you've always done a great job in a sometimes unenviable position. You do your best, and that's all anybody can expect. I for one agree with you.
 
Uncle Bill, you are, of course, correct in your statements.

It is reasonable to expect that differences of opinion will surface in a potpouri of personalities such as found in this forum. As long as the discussion doesn't degenerate into a baseless flame war, I am OK with what anyone wants to say. I won't necessarily agree but that is just me. I believe our life experiences influence and form our views. If, along the way, I would have had different experiences perhaps I wouldn't be as right wing as I am today. Who knows for sure.

Not everyone in my family thinks the same as I do. My nephew is a member of the Solidarity movement. He thinks communism and Mao are the answer for what's wrong with the world. Needless to say we have some very intense discussions! I pray that one day he will see the light (as I know the light to be, of course). :)

Semp --
 
It is an American forum open to the world and we welcome all -- and as long as I am moderator that's the way I'll keep it unless someone can show me the error of my ways -- or I get fired.

One thing that is sure as hell. If these folks from strange lands come here and see us play by a different set of rules on this forum than those we profess to be good, noble and true they are open to believeing that we are a bunch of hypocrites who don't practice what we preach and I just ain't gonna stand for that or be a part of it. Apologies again to those who don't share this philosophy.
 
Bill. Although I'm a newbie here, I can only reiterate what others have said, you have our support.

One thing comes to mind. Some of those expressing their opinions might consider this thought:

"Souls are liable to estrangement. Such methods should be adopted that the estrangement should be first removed, then the Word [ie one's words] will have effect."
 
If your health is failing because of bussiness, take a break.
And I won't let anything stand in your way if you do.
 
I just poked my head into one of the current hot threads.

My opinion:

I appreciate the way this forum is run. It's unrestrained and interesting.

It's much easier dealing with occasional STRONG disagreements than scaring off everyone who pokes their head in to ask a question for violating some arbitratry rule.

I respect Uncle Bill for sticking by his personal beliefs and letting others stick by theirs. As he has said many times, free speech has a high price, but the price of removing it is even higher.

It is an extremely useful skill to be able to stop trying to convert someone to your point of view, say "I don't agree with you" and walk away. Experience is the only true teacher.
 
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