Actually, Regan just repeated that quote:

Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.
John Adams, 'Argument in Defense of the Soldiers in the Boston Massacre Trials,' December 1770
US diplomat & politician (1735 - 1826)

As far as food stamps - 39,000,000+ Americans are on food stamps. That is nothing to brush over or make light of.

Doug... certainly wasn't try to make light of it...simply correct it

The internet, in all it's glory, gives us a forum such as this to discuss our love of Barths and RV's in general. It also gives everyone who wants to make up bull about anything they don't like a perfect forum. I wrote a large paragraph in this space, but I deleted it and wrote this instead.

My momma always told me: two things you do not discuss in public...politics and religion. And I think that sentiment has been pretty right through most my life.

Jim,

I commend you for printing your views even though I didn't completely agree with them.

You appropriately posted in the section that was labeled "express yourself". You didn't use bad language or write insensitively. You simply expressed yourself on a very timely subject which inspired much discussion. Quite frankly, it was good to see Barthmobile so active for a change!

Some websites are designed to be very topic specific, while some invite off-topic subjects. I've enjoyed B-M because it does inspire human interaction, almost like a cyber GTG.

If people don't want to discuss a certain subject, appropriately categorized, should they post that others shouldn't either??? It's a form of censorship which I don't agree with. Perhaps, if others are bothered by the openness, they should start a new category to discuss the appropriateness of sections that invite other discussions.

I've been to RV gatherings where topics or events popped up that I didn't care about or agree with, I simply walked away and found another group of interest or went back to my RV. Honestly, I don't change my mind easily as I get older, but this group has had more influence on me in thinking and acting than most other parts of my world. I think it's because I "respect" your opinions even when I can't always agree. It is also one of the very few places where I can find reasonable people with other world views. That's priceless

Do not judge another man unless you walked a mile in his shoes - at least you are one mile away and got his shoes.

I have never been much of a social networker, but I have always enjoyed this forum for its kind, respectful, diverse and intellectually curious membership. The wealth of information that is archived here is second to none. The discussions are always informative.. sprinkled with some good natured ribbing, sometimes admittedly opinionated views but always civil and factual. I have always felt a little guilty that I have continuously received more good advice and information from everyone here than I will ever be able to give back. We all come from different areas of the country with different ages, backgrounds, walks of life and points of view… a true cross section of America. With our news filled with regurgitated sound bites and ridiculous polls it is often times hard to know what is factual, what is exaggeration, what is taken out of context or what is being said simply to stir people up for ratings. Therefore, I would agree with Corey, that although we all have our sensitive issues, on occasion, under the proper heading and with civil, factual discourse, a discussion of a current event may be helpful to all.

The sooner we quit fearing opposing views, the sooner we may be able to make rational decisions. I am not offended when people don't agree with me. I appreciate them sharing their view. I may find new facts that will aid me in making a valid decision. Let's quit worrying about people not believing exactly the same as we do and just accept people for their ideas, even if they don't agree with us.

Regardless of the merits of taking unilateral action in Libya, when the 'trouble' started, the US had one Navy ship in the Med, if the sources on the Imus radio show were correct.

And on the matter of self-interest, unless a force can go in fast and strong and secure the oil fields, the resultant economic trouble is going to worry any world decision maker. No one wants another scorched earth like Saddam left on his way out of Kuwait.

There are also stories that Khaddafy and Al Qaida did not get along well, and some of the rebellion might be at the behest of the radicals. Who knows....

I think George Washington is credited with the quote, 'Beware of foreign entanglements'. Sounds right to me. Or was that someone else?

Dreaming of $2 a gallon!!!
Matt

quote:

Originally posted by BarthBluesmobile:
.......some of the rebellion might be at the behest of the radicals. ........

That is my general fear of all this arab unrest. That radicals or fundamentalists might take over.

I really worried this could screw up the Paris-Dakar Rallye

Unrest and other issues have already caused the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix to be cancelled.

Corey, what Dakar rally are you referring to? The Dakar rally has been held in South America for 3 years because it's not sane to hold a race over there. It might not be to sane to hold it in S.America either, but at least I'd go if I had the chance.
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/...kar-Rally-Recap.aspx

quote:

But, Ronald Reagan bombed Gadaffi's compound in 1987, losing one aircraft and two pilots. The Libyan sponsored terrorist attacks didn't stop and the UN condemned the action.

I learned about this attack far before most Americans - having gotten a call from the JCS War Room about actions of one of the participants in the (unrelated) logistics exercise I was directing at the time. Some Barthers have already heard the story, and I'd be happy to retell at any GTG. Ask me about what my duty Battle Watch Commander named, "The Night of the Long Knives."