[Valigator]

Originally posted by L. Cooper
Well, that proves something, alright Rattus. I agree with you that your last post represents real prejudice. What you don�t understand is that prejudice is never a good thing. Ever.

When I first started reading Hunt Chat it was a really great site for hunting and shooting information of all kinds. There are still some people here who are unparalleled sources of information about both. Eventually, I moved from lurking to occasional postings. I checked the site almost every day at some point. Not any more.

I don�t know if anyone else has noticed that there are far fewer hunting and shooting information enquiries and discussions than there used to be, but I feel there are. Bigbrother is hanging out in the Beyond 500 Yards forum asking where everyone went. I used to love reading about those guys and their techniques and equipment. I didn�t do that stuff, and I always thought they were a little nuts, but it was fascinating. Now, nothing.

Is anyone else wondering why this site is slowly contracting in numbers with a kind of evolutionary change in the topics of conversation away from the hunting and shooting focus it had to a kind of angry, protectionist, and extreme right wing social and political whining? It�s just not much fun any more.

It used to be that disagreement was met with disagreement and argument: just what I would expect from reasonable, but strong minded people. Now, my attempt to stir a reasonable discussion of causes and possible solutions to a very serious economic issue is met with ridicule, anger, and �real prejudice�. The level of name calling is very sad. Just look at how many times in the last month Obama�s name has been twisted into rhyming jokes like I used to see in the elementary school yard.

Why is it necessary to call him names? Is genuine political discussion now impossible? What happened to the ideals of respect for individuals, free speech, democracy, and the right to think whatever you wanted? How did disagreeing with someone come to mean it is time to whip out the name calling and insults? Is all this part of the reason the �Tools of the Trade� section is basically dead? Have people just quit coming here because Hunt Chat has lost its focus, and is now a narrow minded source of �real prejudice�?

To the moderators who still seem to me to be trying, I wish you the best. Several of you have helped me in the past with advice on guns and shooting, and I have enjoyed discussions of other things with you too. But it just isn�t very informative to come here any more. And the attitude I get now if I say anything about my own social or political opinions is almost always angry, condescending, and insulting. No discussion; just the assumption I am stupid.

Hunt Chat is not what it was. It has lost its focus, and gained too much angry prejudice. I will be back to read this thread and see what reactions this post gets, but I will not post here again.

I always liked and enjoyed your post..I wish you wouldnt go...Val