Topics
 

Let's all agree to keep the topics at this website away from those that incite fierce and sometimes hurtful personal judgements when someone disagrees with another person.

We all know this has happened before (it's the nature of the human beast I suppose) and I don't believe Florian started this site for the in-depth discourse of topics about religion, politics etc. or for the members to get into free-for alls.
It says GORDON LIGHTFOOT at the top of the page.

While we may touch on these subjects when discussing song lyrics etc. it is best to find another website/discussion board to fully engage those who are at THOSE sites for those topics and where you can express yourself and your beliefs knowing that it is expected and welcome regardless of which side of the debate you are on.

thanks,

Char

Re: Topics
 

Char - I could not agree more, and only relatively speaking, to a lesser extent as I have previously understood it in small-talk. And there, only in so far as it permitted engaging in subjects not necessarily linked directly to Lightfoot. However the overall intent that I've understood to be the case is that all subjects and discourse should be in good taste, non-confrontational, in general pursuit of sharing our common interest in Lightfoot's music, and avoiding deliberately controversial subjects of the well-understood short-list that we've all been taught in polite households as "best to not bring up at social gatherings, family re-unions, and other argument-prone venues. The other precept I heard that I liked, that made it simple for me in principle, is that of: If Gordon were to read this, or any part of any post or thread name or content, what would he think ? Moreover, if we were in Florian's living room, as polite company invited into HIS home, what would be of good taste to bring up, and what would not.

My further understanding is that these precepts, in the spirit of productive conversation of subjective matters, will always lead to differing points-of-view, and as long as we handle those differences with kindness, politeness, generally accepted norms of good manners, and certainly avoid ANY form of prejudice or creed pejorative statements of any walk of life, name-calling, or deliberate goading or inciting-to-riot so to speak maner of provocation, we should be able to bring up matters of inevitable controversy if the precepts only partly stated above are followed, the golden rule seeming to cover what detail does not for me, as I understand the rules in "Florian's House".

I would add that for example - the thread "Spritiual Essense of Lightfoot Songs" - while in part spiritual or religuous, focused tastefully on his music; not on spirituality or religion per se. Are we viewing that as a safe example of a 'difficult challenge' for the application fo those precepts ? I thought it went well, response quantity notwithstanding. And, perhaps the most "religuous statement I have ever made in corfid, was in context, in a thoughtful thread that a posting of apparently two different portions of, or two different articles pertaining to, an article discussing a cover of 'All the Lovely Ladies' by an artist that wished NOT to do religuous or even spiritual songs, so much as songs where the artist, secular in nature and repute, to have occassional references in their songs that were *undeniably* [sic] spiritual or religuous, eg occassional "calls to prayer, or call to blessings" that did not define the artists, but rather viewed as an interesting facet of the artist. By no means an argumentative thread. Was that ( my response) OK? - Within these parameters ?

I would also appreciate any helpful hints or specific admonishments of where perhaps I did not follow these principles well, or strayed from the generally accepted norms. I've seen the sudden rash of a few very agrumentative threads, mostly old ones bumped back up, but Char can you PM me, or even openly tell me, either way, of anything I am doing that does not meet these good-taste norms ? We all make mistakes, or have threads go a way we do not wish them to go, but that seems different than deliberately starting a provocative-of-argument thread to begin with, containing deliberate pejorative statements, and personal attacks sometimes thinly veiled under : lol j/k... or at times brutally and mean-spritiedly open. Common sense and good taste seems to me to be the rule of thumb. Perhaps they are not as common or as norm-al as they were in the past ?

I guess what I am saying is I have no wish to pontificate whatsoever - the defining of norms is your and Florian's pervue. I simply would like to know if I am doing OK in this area, because I am more given to opening threads than ever before, which frankly have been enjoyable and fun, if somewhat heavily-laden with wordiness and lack of brevity ! Bottom line - in private PM, or in this venue - either is OK.... Am I doing OK and in keeping with what you and Florian ask ? This family is too important to me right now for reasons I am sure you can imagine, and the last thing I want to do is make myself unwelcome in any way, or operate out of acceptable norms. Nuff said. Seems like common sense, and good taste, good manners, and the golden rule to me. Am I missing anyhting to bring to my attention ?

Thanks for the mid-course corrections. Did you want to raise specifics ? Otherwise, it leaves self-correcting worrisome people like me wondering if I did something offensive, hurtful, or annoying to someone. Can you go there ? Or os this a general admonishment only ? If so, I understand. Roger that, Houston ! :biggrin:

Re: Topics
 

I'm pretty sure the answer to your last question is, yes

Re: Topics
 

Thanks jj, that helps, but I think what I need though by great preponderance is some input from Char, functionally, on the better part of my questions above. The better part is common sense, but like your Q's in lyrics, the help and temporary confusion we can help each other with is in the details. like my last response to your specific Q's in that thread - no problem. I'm kinda there in that light, here, like you were-there, ya know ?
Thanks jj,

Re: Topics
 

Some subjects don't lend themselves to polite discourse for the most part on forums such as this - we've been down this long and winding road many a time.

It's not that they can't be discussed or debated but in my experience there always seems to be a point where ugly, personal remarks make their way into posts and that is not what this message board (all forums) is here for.

Neither those subjects or the personal slagging is appropriate here when there are so many other places on the internet to engage people in discussion/slagging!
lol
I'm sure a quick GOOGLE search will offer up scads of them.

So - I am not going to start a line by line critique of any posts by anyone..the general lack of respect is what I find objectionable as do many others from what I have read in P.M.'s and e-mails.

I think it is safe to say that altho we all come here in good faith as fans of Lightfoot it is also safe to say that we really don't know all there is to know about each other in regards to those more private matters. For most of us we already have our minds made up about those topics and are for the most part not comfortable having them raised in a forum such as this, regardless of whether we agree with a post or not..

And as has been stated - this is Florian's site, his place..Lightfoot's place.. I try to comport myself as if I've been invited to their homes or out for dinner with them to enjoy their company and I've come away from that wonderful event feeling joyful and satisfied in body and spirit.

Gordon Lightfoot and all that he has brought to my life has been joyous and I love the ambience that for the most part exists here..it's a tough old world and this message board offers a refuge from it for many of us..it doesn't mean those other subjects are ignored or discounted as not being important..they are..in our personal lives amongst family and real-time close friends..just not here.

that's my take on it..

Here's another:
Our love for each other may not be explained
We live in a world where tears must fall like rain
Most of us don't wish to cause each other pain

Re: Topics
 

Man I love this place... did I miss something ?

Peace,

Bill :)

Re: Topics
 

nope.
:kiss:

;)

peace..

Re: Topics
 

Cool - I hate missing the good stuff.

Bill :)

Re: Topics
 

Re: Topics
 

My sentiments exactly Char, I come here for a healthy diversion from lifes struggles and challenges, not further angst, grief and such.

switching gears here.....

Well, Sir John, I'm glad you made it home safe and sound. Sorry I missed you on your visit to Chicago... it would have been virtually impossible for me to get away at all this past week or so, as family responsibilities kept me worn out. Chicago is notorious for taxes and such. (Not casting any aspersions mind you!! oops, I stepped in it didn't I??? ha ha, gotta keep it light!)