Mike W:
"FTE: You can check out but you can never leave."

that's funny, and true.
I read posts and browsed the site gallerys on and off for months, then posted in tech forums for about six months finally to join GC and PP last summer. I never understood what happened when we reset everyones password last year.
I've gone overboard I think a couple times, and was warned once by email for a joke I posted, but it never was about bad language.
The FTE community is great and this site is awesome. If pig pen goes away forever I'll still come around.

 

I think that if the pig pen were closed it wouldnt affect me all that much. Now if the GC were closed I dont think I would visit as often for this is where I spend most of my time. I do check the tech forums about twice a day to see if i can help out and if it werent fot the GC then I probably wouldnt be here but 10 mins a day.

Yes things have been getting out of hand a little in the PP. i dont usually post there but i enjoy reading peoples opionions and getting a better knowledge of everyday occurances, ie: Iraq
But its the GC that I really have learned alot. Learning from what people have dont in certian situations and getting cool ideas on truck mods and so forth. I cant tell you how much knowledge Ive aquired here from just reading. Its gotten to where i dont watch much TV anymore and Im just here online checking things out and chatting with people about everyday things that most of us have in common. I feel like we here are almost like a family. I feel like this is where i can come if I have problems I dont want to talk to my parents about and actually have people take it serioulsy and really do help me, and it has helped me. Im also hang around the other forums but I dont get the same good vibe I get here. If you take away the GC alot of that vibe would be gone cause of the threads in the tech forums are just that, technical, not personal.

Just my .02

Dylan

"FTE: You can check out but you can never leave."
Couldnt say it any better than that

 

Jsku, I couldn't agree more.

 

I can't help but feel personally responsible for this, and to everyone out there that enjoyed the PP, you have my sincere apology.

To those that have posted negatively about the PP, I have noticed one underlying theme - you never posted there.

You should not judge a book by its cover or be so quick to pass judgement on a subject you don't have all the facts on. Remember, forum participation is always voluntary.

You'll notice that most people who posted to the PP have stood up for it. The PP was a community, you may have had to buy a round or two to "earn your spurs" but once you were in and you got to know the regulars, you came to realize that the PP was pretty close knit bunch.

Debate is not so much about changing the other person's mind as educating each side on the other's viewpoint. The God is an Impossibility thread, all 80 some pages of it, was a great learning experience for me and anyone willing to slog through it. IMHO, there's a tremendous amount of insight and knowledge in that thread if you sift through it. I can personally say that while I'm not a converted Christian, I have a much better understanding of those that are. Is that not a valuable enterprise?

That opportunity is not limited to that thread either. Any subject out there can and has been touched on, often with input from people very knowledgeable on the subject. Beyond that, the PP forced people to think critically and logically, write directly, and be able to support an idea, all skills that are invaluable regardless of age or occupation. Though I admit, maybe Ken shouldn't have to pay for debate lessons.

However, like any worthwhile endeavour, you have to be prepared to take the bad with the good, especially when dealing with emotional or personal issues. IMHO, the good FAR outweighs the bad, and the PP does have a way of policing itself on the majority of the problems that arise.

Anyhoo, I could go on and on, but I've made my thoughts clear to Ken (I hope), I'm willing to abide by whatever decision he and his fellow moderators come to.

I hope it includes a PP.

Waxy

Again, my apologies.

 

Youre right Waxy.
I know that I can say that I never sayed any negative comments about the Pig Pen because I never got flamed on and what not. I mostly just hung out and read what peoples opionions were and i REALLY enjoyed it, its a great source for learning about anything from political news to rednecks. Although like i earlier stated it wouldnt affect me much if it were closed, although, I think it should stay open, I noticed that people were a close knit "family" in there and Im sure we'd feel the same way they do if Ken took away the GC. I like the idea of having a certian amount of posts in order to gain access to keep people out that are just there to cause trouble. Thats not what it is for, its for discussion and debate, which alot of people thoroughly enjoy.
Dylan

 

Very nicely put Waxy...
I too enjoyed the Pig pen although I didnt have the post count there as most of you, but I certainly read most of it...
I hope it comes back as I know it's missed by many.

 

Waxy,

I doubt you singlehandedly brought this about.
Hopefully an equitable solution will be found so that the P.P. might reopen. If not I think the site poorer for its loss. JMO

 

diddo

 

Waxy, I have to predicate this by saying, "In my opinion" I don't think you are responsible in any way for the closing. I was a frequent poster in the "Pen" and frankly always enjoyed reading all the opinions as long as posters were respectfull. If you re-read some of the closed threads on Sunday I think you'll better understand the "who's and why's". By the way, there's a couple of threads running in "User announcements and feedback" right now that are discussing the same subjects, check them out!!

 

The GC forum has been much more pleasant to browse since the PP was opened.

I deal with religious issues daily so I rarely even lurk at the PP. FTE is a way to relax and escape stress for me.

Guess I hope we keep the PP with additional filters just to give guys a place to 'work' thru tough issues.

Lets play nice and remember who we are....... members of the best site on the net. Maybe keep in mind personal integrity?? Just ignore the 'flamers' and they'll go away?

 

I feel as if threads like “God is an Impossibility” is important, not to try and change peoples’ minds, but to get the feel of things. I know it “seems” like an endless sea of debate, but it is actually a self-supporting thread. It carries beliefs and ideas to a whole new level. That’s my opinion, and it’s also my opinion that that one thread should not take the brunt of the bad that the Pig Pen had to offer.
As a matter of fact, the Pig Pen was an area that “deep thinkers” of all kinds could spread their thoughts out for all to view and/or comment on. It gave a sense of seriousness to a subject that could be otherwise an afterthought. It takes all kinds of people with various thoughts to comprise a site like this, a site that I would say is the greatest on the WWW.
I think closing down the Pig Pen would be detrimental.
I would like to see only those who have at least 200 posts allowed to participate. At least that would give them time to get a feel of the atmosphere. Then I think they would see who we are.

 

This is exactly what the PP exemplifies,,, people from all the different views and beliefs coming together to discuss and enlighten. I know where many of you stand on the myriad of topics we have discussed there,,,, and everyone stands behind the necessity or want of such a forum, no matter their actual stance on the issues. Invaluable, In My Opinion

You are speaking my mind, Ladies and Gentlemen. Let us hope this can be resolved in a fashion that helps everyone.

 

If the Pen were to reopen, how would it be different? Having a post minimum only tells if that person has been around long enough to be recognized by the Pen, but is a poor measurement as to what they represent, or their character. ‘For it’s not what goes into a man’s mouth that defiles him, but what comes out.’

I think the big question for FTE (outside of the cost to run it) may be in preserving the values of the FTE site, while offering a community discussion that is deeper and a bit more challenging. Calling it the Pig Pen has a way of living up to that name. Marketing 101 would suggest a name change that may be more in line with the values they prescribe. Maybe they will hold a contest and turn a negative into a positive…or maybe not!

 

How about "Fringe Topics" or "Oddball Stuff".

 

Unfortunately, there is no morality or character test to qualify members of this or any other forum. Closing the Pig Pen isn't going to make a bad member a good member.