SOL/Tim,

Like you, I have FRIENDS on this forum, and that does include many folks I have never met or spoken with,
and many that I enjoy the hell out of fishing with.

John Lee Hookum made a very relevant comment that I would like to re-post:

"It would be a shame if you chose to not participate in this forum because of personalities. This is a forum of personalities and that's what captivates our interest. The most important thing that governs us, as well as the Moderator are certain principles. Examples are; 1. Sexual content, 2. personal attacks, 3. Profanity and, 4.Blatant Dis-respect of other members. If we find ourselves being moderated in those areas, then maybe more attention should be given before clicking the send button. I consider you a giving and deserving guy. You are much more of an asset to this board than a detriment. Keep the things that work and take a good look at the things that doesn't work. By doing this you can navigate a coarse that we all get to benefit from. "

I think that pretty much says it all.

While this IS a forum of mostly men, there are ladies (and I mean LADIES, not just womenfolk) that also visit here. Hell, this board can be viewed by anyone in the whole flippin world...so young eyes, minds, fellows wives, etc. may all visit, lurk or even post from time to time. What kind of stewards are we, when our fish stocks are in danger of disappearing, and sportsmen (of any kind) are brought into more and more scrutiny with the media because of the issues and the anal (ie: animal) rights folks?

Enough of my blather. I don't want to leave this forum, and I do hope folks will consider my angry rant and stomping out the other day as just that...my temper flared up and I sometimes think it's best to take a "breather" from the battle. Just like in an argument with the wife...there are times to talk, and times to go for a long walk alone and consider the issues before us and what has REALLY made us upset at the world. Most times I think we figure out (not always too late) that the REAL ISSUE we are upset about hasn't a thing to do with the present topic of argument with our friend/family member, but something else that has been stuck in our craw for a long time that we DO NOT want to address...but find we must deal with it before we bring our whole family down.

As a person, I have heard from many that you are an awesome guy to be around, and that your "real" personality does differ from that on the forum.

We all have our issues to deal with in life, and right now (as you yourself have said recently and in past occasions) you are dealing with some challenging personal issues of your own. Don't worry, we ALL have those battles to fight in life at various times...and now seems to be your time.

When we are at our personal limits (and we all have them) we (all of us) tend to go right to the fringe of socially acceptable lifestyle/behavior ...why... Because we are ANGRY at "(insert issue here)" and don't see a way out from it.

I've told you before that I've been where you are, and do understand. I think many others understand too, but out of respect (or avoiding your wrath) they don't always speak up. I don't believe people (anyone) should condone your comments of late...(when I went though my recovery the Internet (thank God) did not exist at this level yet but if it did exist I am sure I would have said things not much different than you have. You learned to speak your mind in life,..well, you aren't alone!

In person I can be just as raunchy as you, as after 10 years of being a long-haul trucker I can keep up with the best, however, on a public board like this I prefer to muzzle my mouth and consider that I am speaking to a room of adults and their kids...and try not to use words or comments that would be insulting to any individual. This does not mean being on a persons best behavior, but rather a consideration of who is actually reading the posts vs. who from the board might reply. We all forget that at times, and that's why there are Moderators.

If you do, in fact, take a break from the forum, or even "public life" for long enough to work through these issues then I wish you the best and hope SOMEDAY we can get together, pound down a few root-beers (I don't drink anymore) and swap lies about fish we have known and lost...and get past the nastiness that has pervaded our communications on the board for too damn long. If you don't take a break then I do plan to avoid your posts...not because I wouldn't have a reply, but to add fuel to a fire serves no purpose, especially when what started the fire, in reality, has nothing to do with the discussion.

I've spent too much time on here as well, (based on the math shown in another post) and need to concentrate more on business during the day and not spending my time rattling on about issues that create additional stress on the day and in reality we have little or no chance of finding solutions for. I do plan to stay around, but at a very reduced posting rate from the past.

Good luck to all (honestly) this weekend, and hope the gathering turns out to be a big success.

Mike B