Here is how I look at this issue in a nutshell:
This is a website that is by it's logo a fishing related website. Fishing by nature is a familiy oriented sport and this website has always promoted this site to be family oriented.
I am one of many folks in the fishing business that have ties to this website. My clients and I am positive the clients of the many other fishing related businesses that have ties to this website serve the public...that is, people of all ages, races, religions and political affiliations.
Since I consider this website to be one of the best websites on the internet for folks to get fishing related information, especially for those that fish on our lakes and rivers here in Kentucky (no matter what state they reside) and because it is a website that basically has a "G" rating in accordance with the rules, I know my clients can come here and browse this site and not get personally offended as is the case on some sites. With this thought in mind, I am always recommending this site to my clients and even I have on many occassions promoted this site as such to folks all over the country over the years when I have traveled to do fishing seminars. Here are a few of the places I have spoken to large crowds over the years to give you an idea: New York, Massachusettes, Florida, Alabama, Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, North Carolina, Missouri, Kentucky, Louisiana and more.
I can tell you as a fact, the folks in the audiences that I have spoken to either doing seminars or one on one between seminars are made up of every race, religion and political affiliation. These folks were not there to debate politics or any other topic..they were there to share and learn more about fishing.
Now, as far as the "Off Topics" board here...I do not see a need for a change other than folks need to just abide by the rules if they want to continue to debate these controversial subjects. In my opinion, if the folks that visit the "Off Topics" board cannot keep their comments at a "G" rated level then the "Off Topics" board needs to be totally eliminated. I think Peter is giving you folks that visit the "Off Topics" board a chance to police yourselves to keep all aspects of this site as family oriented...that means all families of any race, religion or political affiliation.
Getting all fired up in these controversial subjects and losing control once in a while and then apologizing later is not good enough in my way of looking at it. I don't want my clients seeing your over the top posts before a moderator has a chance to see it and delete it...time and time again. It is not good for my business, nor is it good for the business of this website or any of the other fishing related businesses that are affiliated with Fishin.com
Here is my suggestion:
Do away with the Off Topics section and keep this site fishing related and family oriented..for all families.
If enough of you want to debate this stuff...then get together and pay Peter to host your own website that is politically oriented etc....that way you could go at it all you want with no holds barred and the folks that come to Fishin.com to discuss or share fishing information can do so without being offended by some of the things that get posted on the "Off Topics" board.
