I believe MG was referring to volunteer organizations, and on that account she is dead on. You're comments about some people trying to keep the circle small to retain power and authority are somewhat true, but I think most of those types around FR have picked up their ball and moved on to browner pastures. I can tell you that I have adamantly been opposed to those who would exploit FR for their own personal agrandizement or personality cult. Each one who has tried has failed and I can tell you most of them reached the point of claiming "We don't need Jim or Jim's approval, we can do what we want."
The rest of your argument (and the argument of some others) appears to rest on the brooding resentment of one not being picked first for the dodgeball team in elementary school. I can't think of an instance where someone in FR has sincerely stepped forward to offer assistance or a plan of their own, who if not handed some tools to help were at least embraced and given moral support in their efforts. The fact is there are some who feel the legendary prowess of their writing and debating skills are so enormous that they need not lower themselves to offering their assistance, that their organizational and leadership skills are self apparent and others should just concede power and authority to them. Ain't going ot happen, not in FR.
Let me make this perfectly clear. There isn't one person in FR who has gained any increased station, authority and respect via what they post on this board, they've gained it by what they've done and accomplished.
Quite a few leaders have arisen out of FR but the fact is FR will always be filled with many keyboard cowboys whose only goal seems to be self validation. I have no quarrel with that, it is the nature of the site. The best however, spend time here but then take what they have learned and put it into concrete action.
That is not to say that the Forum by itself is not valuable. It's main purpose is information and education and to that degree, it has and will continue to be very successful and important. It's next purpose is as an incubator for future leaders and activists. To those who take it one more step and face victory or defeat in pursuit of their ideals out in the real world, thank you. At times it appears as if the Forum is too self absorbed to notice or care, but those standing along side you know your efforts and appreciate them and you.
Bob J is the only one left now right? Anything you want to dicuss Bob? :)
I'm not sure what you meant by this. I have very little to do with Forum management or decision making anymore. I am not the only one left, maybe the only one left who had high visibility in the early days of FR, but their are plenty of old timers who stuck it out. Many of them lead chapters and others are with FR Network like Nick Danger, Minute Gal, Seeking the Truth, Doughtyone and The Shrew. After the early and difficult debacles of FR and the unstable personalities I encountered, I decided to it best to work with those whom I knew to be honest, sincere, dedicated and hard working souls. Some people have left and others have stepped up to the plate to take their places. In this regard, FR is like any other organization.
If you are asking me to engage you in some kind of planning or strategy, have at it. However, keep in mind that the people in whom I place trust are those that have offered not just their words but their time and committment to what they preach. To me, talk is cheap. When I see someone starting up an effort or getting out in the street and carrying signs, then I know they're sincere.
There is one thing I would like to add and it will appear in the form of advice to all. I have been in FR just about since it's inception and have worked around almost all the personalities discussed in the past sense. There seems to be two reoccuring scenarios that encourage good people to burn out and turn into critics. First, they get so wrapped up in the Forum that it becomes part of their identity. They reach the point that any criticism, even when offered as positive, cannot be assimilated as it strikes at the core of their self approval. Don't let the Forum become you. It is just a website and each individual is so much more than any screen persona one creates for themselves here.
Second, no matter what you do, don't be led to believe believe that you owe Jim or that he owes you anything, other than mutual friendship and comraderie.
Jim did not set up and run the Forum for us specifically, he is doing it because of his love of country and because we told him the country needs it. On the flip side, we should not feel Jim's owes us anything either. Whether one posts, donates, runs a chapter or engages in activism activities, remember that we all are here for our country, no one individual.
I honestly believe many of these "past tensers" could have avoided the nasty break ups and hard feelings if they remembered this.
Many thanks for verifying what I said in my post.
See ya next year when you return for your kicks.
Leni