In the GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS, the spats we have are quite civilized compared to most Internet forums. I have probably been on the "Intetwebs" longer than anyone else here. I was involved in the infamous talk.origins flame wars on Usenet, back when 95% of people never even heard of the Internet and computer screens had green text on black backgrounds.
There have been ruffled feathers and disgruntled members, but you never get the downright virulent name calling that occurs most places.

Yeah, I too have recently begun to feel like an outsider here. But I still think this is one of the finest groups of people assembled on the Internet.

At the risk of being publicly ridiculed might I offer a suggestion to help bridge the gap between old and new...

Why not have new members be sponsored by older members? Have the older members explain the genesis of COTEP and give a little background as to who's who here.

As something of a newb myself, I can tell you that it can get a little confusing when posts are referring to folks by their proper names and all I saw/see are screen names. Someone mentioned cliques in a post - I saw them too - when I was brand new here!

I mean, it's easy to complain and even easier to sit back a sulk silently but who is willing to step up and put in some effort to improve the current state of affairs? I'm game and if anyone else wants to try something new and work together, let me know.

It would be my pleasure and an honor to be part of the solution. If, of course, folks actually want solutions.

If you want the history, go back to the first posts in new members, main forum and lounge sections

No need to apologize, I don't own the emotion that gets bad or hurt feelings long term. Fact is I rub alot of people the wrong way....in print. I'm as rough around the edges as life made me. If you knew me in person my rapid fire jokes would have you in wet drawers.

I'll meet you at noon, on Main Street. I'll be the guy in the middle of the street with the sun at his back. :D

Oh, I didn't quit the forum....H---E---L---L NO, that is not an option. I'm just taking my wife and kids to SC and I never know if the Internet will work out there. It has gotten MUCH better, but perfection is a ways off. We aren't leaving today cause of the storm off the coastline, we are gonna let that move north.

I really do have eight sisters. I am number nine of ten, one older brother. Barely any of my family talks to each other due to childish arguments. Such a shame that family members in their sixties don't even want to know each other. I try to make contact and get rejected, even though I was never part of the arguments, I was just a kid back then. Don't want that to carry on into my own life's friends, which is why I don't quit easy.

The Forum will change. Shadow made the perfect reference. While FCC was under private guard it was a cool place. Once it got sold it went to a for profit hell. I think that is partially why former FCC members like it here so much, brings back that family forum feeling. I am confident our Admins here know how to keep it fun.

This Forum is all good with me, always has been.