somewhat OT delete if not interested [TheForge] banning samurai swords (in england)

[Grover.Richardson at gtri.gatech.edu]

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~>-----Original Message-----
~>From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
~>[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ben Barrett
~>Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 2:59 PM
~>To: Sponsored by ABANA
~>Subject: Re: [TheForge] banning samurai swords (in england)
~>
~>I appreciate your sentiments, Grover, but this is an ABANA 
~>list, right?
~>I know I'm new to the national-level polyticks of ABANA.  But 
~>this sounds a lot like a FUD (fear, uncertainty, & doubt) 
~>campaign if I ever heard one.

No, we are not a national organization, we are an international
organization.  Or at least that is what I have been told, and have seen
posts from other countries.  In such a situation as a multinational
organization, it is mandatory to include all that are a part (we invited
them didn't we?  Don't we solicit foreigners to this organization?  If
so, then we should try to make them feel at home.), and to make
allowances as necessary for all to participate.  Now, I do understand
that there are local variations (conferences in the South will take on a
flavor different from the North for example; but those have limited
attendance and can do/say different things appropriate to the local) but
in an open forum there is more to consider.  If you have ever worked
with/for a multinational company you will have a better
understanding<G>.

~>Let's all do the hokey pokey.  Sound childish?  If you just 
~>do it, you might realize the power we have together.  I'm not 
~>kidding, it is a dangerous freedom, all that turning yourself 
~>around.  Remember the movie Footloose?

A.  It's a movie, not real life. 
B.  Dancing may revitalize people and bring them together, but without
additional work it does nothing other than burn calories.
C.  Do it enough, you get dizzy and throw up.  Not a good way to attract
the other sex.

~>A brit friend of mine who's not on this list mentioned how 
~>removing sharp objects from our society is a rather crappy 
~>half-measure.  

In a Roman society there is an infinite number of rules to cover all
possible instances.  The rules do not make you safer usually, but they
do allow the authorities to have better control, assuming that they do
enforce the laws on the books, but that's another topic<G>.


~>I expect anyone from a foreign regime that is 
~>in fact more oppressive than our own would enjoy hearing our 
~>discussion.  Also, that if it put them at risk they'd already 
~>know it.  Your consideration sounds nice but methinks it goes 
~>too far.  I'm sure you are able to get in contact with 
~>people, via amateur radio, who are unwilling to discuss 
~>certain topics, but this is an open-forum discussion list.  

A.  One's rights go only so far as their nose.  And though the folks
that live in oppression would certainly like to hear and see more of
this, they would not like their family tortured for things that others
say that they have no control over.

B.  Oppression only needs excuses to do what they wish.  Whether the
excuse makes sense or not does not matter.

~>Anyone who feels at risk has already left the room, methinks! 

That's a problem, we don't know.  We can think all we wish, but we don't
have to pay the bill if we are wrong.

~> Grover, your consideration is very polite to un-named 
~>parties, but don't you think it goes a bit too far?  I guess 
~>someone had to say it, so I'm glad you did.... and that I did, this ;)

In general terms, yes I agree with you as well.  Still, we must consider
things before we do them.  Before I suck a beer I know that it will make
me sick (diabetic, insulin shock is pure hell).  There are consequences
to most anything, unless you are a rich kid and your dad buys your way
out of jail all the time.  But some day dad won't be there, and reality
will start to suck, big time.

~>Anywhoo, I've been getting it hot and hitting it hard for 
~>only about 2 years now, and just had my first dream of being 
~>in my own blacksmith shop.  Maybe the topic of dreams is too 
~>foo-foo for this list, but I found it fascinating and I'm 
~>sure I'll be revisiting my "dream forge".

What is your dream forge?  I've been hitting it off and on for much
longer than that, but still have much to learn.  Hammering hot metal is
fun.

The topic of dreams is not too foo foo as best I can tell, so long as it
is blacksmith related.  If you suck too much helium and start to float
off someone might let go the line though.  Gotta watch out.

~> Crazy stuff, the fridge and stairs both had fire underneath 
~>them, as though that somehow gave them power.  Funny stuff.  
~>And I think a bunch of you old-timers were there, giving me a 
~>hard time!!  I'm paying attention, both awake and asleep.  
~>Keep teaching me.  Keep challenging me!  Thank you all.
~>
~>ben
 
And thanks to you for adding new faces, new energy, and new points of
view (where they are valid and worthwhile!! Let the flame wars begin<G>)
to this "old habit."

By the way, thanks for the thoughtful response instead of cheap shots.

All the Best
Have a most excellent holiday season, and Merry Christmas.  That isn't
illegal, except in certain countries.  I'm glad I didn't name a teddy
bear anything<G>.