This is my last post, sorry to say. No, its cause of the people on here, you are a nice bunch who I'd like to someday meet up and just have a jam. But the thing thats bothering me about this forum, is that its like you dont have the right to say your opinions. I mean, sure you can have them on guitars and stuff, but you cant have the views on society and government and religion. That is why I'm leaving.

Peace~Love~Empathy~Freedom

RM

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riley

Riley I have been laid up with the flu and this is my first night on the forum in a week and I am trying to piece together events that happened by going through the post. I have seen there was a thread locked by Brad that had to do with religion and also an apology to CC from someone that feels he might of been out of line.

First let me say we would all miss you if you left so lets 86 that. For the most part Brad lets us say pretty much what we want and it is very very rare that a thread is ever closed so I would believe Brad felt it was going to get out of hand and used his best judgement. As you get older you will see nothing can cause an uproar like religion and politics. I think you are old enough to understand most wars through history have been caused by them.

I do not know what was said but I know the forum and for the most part everyone is free to speak there peace. Just take it that it was closed in the best interest of everyone before things got out of hand. And just forget about it because you belong here. I know you bleed Fender.lol

The threads were locked to keep harmony dude.

Starting a thread on 9/11 and another asking people what religion they are is just not how its done. As Straycat says, this is how wars start, on this scale its how arguments start. Such personal things such as religion shouldn't be asked because it actually MAINTAINS our freedom to interact with one another on a worldwide basis.

As Straycat also says you will find this out as you get older. I lived in New York during 9/11 and I also lived right in the middle of the Northern Ireland Troubles so I like to think I know what I'm talkin about, unfortunately.

EDIT: Also it is EXTREMELY RARE a topic is ever locked. To have 2 locked in 2 days says to me you need to think before you start one. On the other hand it says to me you are just showing your age and naivety which I must admit you do in most of your posts. For the most part I don't think this is your fault but lessons are learned in every possible manner in life.

Peace.

CC

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Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
Fender Telecaster 72 Custom RI
Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5

Even with as off topic as we get on the Forum there are some subjects that just don't belong.
Brad is extremely cool about most subjects. There are some that push the limits of a Guitar Forum.

My personal opinion is to just put it behind you. Stick around and be part of this Forum. But, try to avoid subjects that may be controversial.

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Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

It's a shame you're leaving mate, but at the end of the day this is a guitar forum and there is no actual "section" on this one for so-called "off topic discussion". This is probably a wise thing. As others have already stated, discussing politics and / or religion in a public forum is how arguments start as a lot of people take these topics VERY seriously and some people aren't necessarily as open minded as others.

I visit several forums relating to my various interests and quite often when someone starts a contentious thread in the "off topic discussion" area, it doesn't take long to degenerate into a slagging match where people start making personal attacks on one another.

If you are still here on this site reading this Riley, then can I just suggest that you use this forum to gain and share information about music and playing. There is a wealth of info here and generally speaking the people are friendly and welcoming. I know I've learnt an absolute ton in the past year and look forward to learning more.

Don't give up mate.

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MIM Std Tele, MIM HSS Strat, Homemade Mongrel Tele, Blues Jr, Champ600, coupla pedals...sweeeet!

Hey Riley,

I want you to stick around my friend. Like Straycat and CC and Chet (who are all my friends too) say - there are just some topics that aren't good for a place like this. The problem is, is we have people from all over the world that come from a lot of political and religious backgrounds, and some of us have some pretty different ideas than others. That's not a bad thing at all, in fact it's a very good thing, because that's what makes us all individuals, and we all have that right to make choices.

Society, government and religion are very hot, sensitive topics and I understand why you want to discuss them. It's how you learn about others and learn about yourself. I actually like to hear you asking about such things - it shows me you are a smart young man and you are thinking about how the world works and what your place in the world is. But again, this just isn't the place for such hot topics.

I really do want you to stick around. I want to hear how you are progressing with your music, your girlfriends, your stories of growing up and other topics like that. Those are safe topics to discuss. I really want you to be able to get your HH Jaguar and your Mustang and I hope to see pictures of them one of these days.

So - please stick around - we just have to sometimes be careful about what we discuss on a worldwide forum. Also remember - both StrayCat and myself have told you you can always email us privately and if you have hot topics to discuss maybe we can talk about them on a one-to-one basis. It's probably a lot safer that way - we don't get anybody PO'd.

Anyway bud - stick around. I'd miss you if you were gone.

Rick

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Old age and treachery will win every time over youth and enthusiasm.

"You can never have too many Tele's." A quote from my Sweetwater Sales Engineer

Dont take it so hard Bro. They have to moniter the post and topics there of. We dont wont you to leave. Stick it out for a while, I have been to a lot of sites and this is the best. IMO

Its not cause of the 9/11 topic, no where near that. An its not cause of all the off topic threads Ive posted, I was very f$#%in bored then. Its just that, its a bit hard to explain, but, it mainly is personal issues (i just made up a other excuse to get off easy). I've made some good friends, an its hard to leave.

So, farewell, have a good time on here, hope to see you guys some time and jam together. Who knows, one day you just might be listening to my song on the radio .

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riley

Riley I understand where your head is at and this is all part of growing up and becoming a man. It is funny when you are young you try so hard to show you are to be taken serious and are an adult. Then when you are an adult and hit a certain age the reverse kicks in and you try to show you are not old and that you are still with it.lol I think that is the crazy mystery of life.

If you feel you need to take some time off go ahead, but remember you have your friends here and the door is open.And if you want to talk in private Ricky and I will be glad to hear from you.

Well Riley, sorry to see you go. Hope you get the personal stuff worked out soon. Pop back again when your a bit more up to it, eh mate?

No one here has a problem with you. Ok mate as I see it the 9/11 thread was a little insensitive as people on this forum were directly affected by that and lost loved ones. Anyone can see your intentions were good, maybe a little misplaced or badly executed through the zeal of youth but thats about it.

Take care of yourself son, as I said pop by when you feel a bit more up to it.

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No no and no

That's is the long and short of it.

After all, it's a private company's website: they can run it any way they choose. In fact, I think Brad does his job with an amazingly light touch: he treats people like grown-ups so 99% of the time that's how they behave.

Very cool.

Riley, is there something a bit absolutist about announcing your departure? If it ain't making it for you at the moment just do something else for a while. No reason not to leave the door open to return later if you feel like it, huh?

Cheers - C

hope you don't go, if you take a break, remember that you have a bunch of friends here.

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2012 American Vintage Telecaster 1958
09 Fender american deluxe strat.
97 Gibson les paul special P90's double-cut
65 Princeton reverb re-issue
2010 Guild Gad-F40e

It is indeed unfortunate to see you leave,but as others have already noted take the time to remember that even in a land that we have the freedom to say and do a lot of things that do indeed show our freedom that limitations sometimes have to placed on us so that we do not offend folks with a different perspective on life. Don't do yourself the injustice of leaving, take some time to weigh all that this means to you. You'll realise at some point that sometime for the betterment of all restriction must be placed...
Peace and remember that we are all part of a vast minority that are called upon to speak of things that all of us don't share the same opinion of you'll be better for it my friend...

It's not good to see anyone leave because they felt pressured to do so for any reason. However, having said that. I've been on other discussion boards and dvd trade boards where discussions become heated and than things get ugly.

While we all have opinions, the very nature of a written post leaves itself open for many interpretations, things get misunderstood, and than heated just because 100% of the writer's intention is not clear to someone else.

I feel very "out of it" on here much of the time since I don't have alot to offer. At times I post things that I'd like feedback on that are ignored by others, I don't always feel like a real "member" or something. But in the long run whether I'm part in all discussions or not, I learn alot about guitar and artists I might not otherwise be aware of so I stay.

Make your choice as you feel it in your heart, you have a responsibility only to yourself. This forum would go on with or without us.

Take care and keep playing.

Riley man... you disappoint me! I thought the folks from OZ were fairly unflappable!

Here's a bit of advice for you and please heed it even if you're still on your way out...

Don't let other people run your life for you! If you like it here, then you certainly have as much right to be here as anyone else. There are things here that bother some folks, most know enough to avoid them and leave it alone. Some choose to jump into a fray, I guess to voice their discontent with the subject matter. I just speak my mind but tend to keep out of discussions once I see them turn sour. Those threads are quickly closed anyway. That, my young friend... is the sign of good moderation.

There is my 2¢ worth... hope to see you around.

Ron