.... that if we feel the urge to have a helmet discussion, it needs to be a new one. A new discussion. A new way of looking at the subject. And I'm not in any way sure that can actually occur.
I've been bumping around the interwebs since dial-up days, and have seen only a few topics turn truly, utterly and mind-numbingly ugly on a uniformly consistent basis. Helmets is one of those. I've never seen it end well. I've watched good folks who I knew and respected, other folks who seemed to fly in for the fight, and a whole lot of howling and sniping and cut-quoting. My personal view is that helmets is a topic where everyone starts out with the best intentions, but it devolves and becomes a harsher and more strident environment. Which is one of the things I'd hoped to avoid in this list. And just to say it clearly and loudly, we by and large have done so - avoided it, I mean. Thanks everyone who kept their head cool and presented facts, tried to keep a lid on a relentlessly explosive topic, or wisely took it off-list. I'm aware of how the topic got brought up, and how it specifically relates to Grant's writings and statements, and by extension how it could be related to this list. Thanks for no name callin', and no "oh yeah, so's yer old man!" positions being taken. I don't think any other group could have pulled it off so well. I'm just asking that we let it sit now (ok, I've actually locked the topic, so, it's a pretty strong "ask") and take a couple steps back and not pick it up again. Because, it's an every-steepening slope with increasingly slicker sides. As for that "new way" I mentioned above. I have no idea what it is - whether we have the ability to have the discussion without a lot of other things operating. Some of those things are well and fine, and others may be not even recognized impulses and reactiions. The only thing I can think to use as an analogy is when you are out in a boat and suddenly the fog creeps in tight. You can see the water but as soon as you lift your vision up, landmarks are gone, perspective is skewed and it becomes a sudden, strange world. The best thing to do is first recognize that you are in the situation. Then figure out the best way to calmly and safely withdraw. There are probably some places to discuss the topic, to make the case or prove the point. But, my suggestion is that we not do so in this group. Thanks and thanks to all for their contributions. - Jim / List Admin Jim Edgar / Cyclofiend.com / cyclofi...@gmail.com -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/uLy1LYkcvDQJ. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
