Who knew a lame April fools joke would get all of you so worked up.  This isn't congress for Christ sake.  It's whitewater.  Get over it.

Come on, this is fun. You can see the foaming spittle on the corner of Leifs mouth.
Don't make it dirty, I was talking about spit.
Poke the Bear, Lest he poke you

Interesting that you have injected partisan identity into what is meant to be a tongue-in-cheek rant. I didn't attack or claim allegiance to any ideology.

I don't think there is a great difference amongst our domestic political parties. Corporations are the halls of power today, and our government, in all it's forms, supports their profiteering.

And really, with such rampant overpopulation, I'm not sure there's much to be done, except wait for the earth to restore balance. Except speak the truth as you see it, and try to keep a sense of humor in the face of so much destruction.

I'm very happy for you Leif that you are a proud Republican. I'd say it fits you very well.

And here I was mourning that my son (being 1/2 Japanese) could not join...

Boy am I glad this thread was started or maybe I would have done something rash.



(I liked the joke )

pretty clever...  at first I was in total shock.  like what happened?!  and then Beth says, ha haa haa, it's April Fools Day !  of course, how could I be so duped :?

Jed,

I can respect that, though I disagree. For the most part, the writing is on the wall with this forum, and it is what it is. It's irreverent and not particularly on topic. I don't think it's even as bad as boatertalk, and I know most of the folks I engage with here outside the forum. I think the majority of my posts are on topic, and when I have something constructive to add, I try to do so. For the most part, I've tried to stay out of the sh*t talking fray, but as much I like and respect Leif in person, I find the tone of most of his posts aggravating and sometimes I am going to say so. I only say so about 2% of the time that I have that reaction. Most of the time I just ignore it. Clearly I'm not alone in finding his online demeanor annoying.

All of that said, I think you might be taking this a little too seriously. For one thing this is an activity and community we engage in for fun. Just as there's some sh*t talking in the eddy, there'll always be some on the forum. I don't want to participate in a place where I can only write factual boring on-topic posts. I'd go back to school if I wanted that. If people are turned off by that, well, so be it. This is a more vibrant online community than several that have been tried before for this region, and those other boards tried to be more on-topic and "socially correct." I honestly don't know where all the folks who don't like this board were when those other forums were falling apart, the on-topic nature sure didn't seem to generate the participation or broad slice of the boating community that this site has.

Also, I'd point out this an April Fool's thread -- if ever there were a place for this kind of thing, this seems the place. So I'd again have to point out that no one has to read this, or agree with it, and anyone who doesn't like it is welcome to start the umpteenth Robe Canyon thread. Maybe the gnomes will have something more on-topic to add, but all the Robe threads I read have one-line posts, little beta, and no discussion.

Most of the threads that seem to get traffic and actually engender discussion here on wancor don't seem to be beta posts or trip reports aanyway -- that ain't my fault or Leif's fault. I'd argue it isn't a "fault" to begin with anyway, but rather the sum of the contributions of those who participate. Like any democracy, if you don't like it get involved. For all the gripes I read on this board pining for some kind of pure on-topic only discourse, I don't see all these lurkers that are apparently driven off by our communal uncouth conversation choosing to sign up and make on-topic posts. The forum is going to reflect those who participate. I myself am a juvenile petty fool, so that's what you can expect from me. At least I own it and don't do it out of malice.

There ya go Jed!   See, snark can be fun!

I think I'd like a "Wankor" sticker for my boat.

and a far better place to be! the river.