This topic started as a reaction to the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut and is now deviating into debate about guns and gun control.
Whilst both are emotive subjects, and are evoking a broad range of responses, they are not what one would normally expect to encounter on a family-oriented modelling site.
Now, before anyone thinks this is a 'Non-boat related Chit-Chat' argument, don't worry, just bear with me for a little longer as I've had a thought which I'd like to share.
Following Pres. Obama's speech including a presentation of the necessity for change at the Memorial Service, and as more information is released through the media, this topic is inevitably going to become a political subject (if it's not already). Therefore, I wonder if maybe 'we' could also use this awful event to makes some changes too.
I've noticed that some of the non-boat related topics are started due to the seriousness of the subject-matter. These subjects also seem to generate reasonably similar opinions as 'commonsense' generally dictates the overall response.
However, as these subjects are often only relevant at the time they are occurring, and frequently become the source of a secondary 'debate' about the prevalence of non-boat related issues, could we not use them to do something positive as a model-boating community?
Quite simply, once a topic (such as this one) has been started, and if, after a short period of time the depth of feeling is obviously leaning a certain way, maybe an email (or similar) could be sent from the Mayhem Forum to advise the 'subject(s)' of that topic of our thoughts at that time.
Whilst not suggesting that the Forum takes any formal stance and, using this topic as a prime example, could we forward a 'group' correspondence to the community of Newtown advising them that at this time, a number of members of Model Boat Mayhem Forum would like to them to know that our thoughts are with them?.
We could also send a message to an 'official body', stating that this subject was raised on our Forum, and that a group of like-minded contributors do feel moved to announce that we hope steps are put in place to reduce the possibility of something similar happening again.
As I said, this is just a initial idea and I'll possibly regret writing it when I think about it for longer. However, whilst not wanting to become revolutionary, reactionary or political, it does seem a shame that we are all moved to add a reply to various subjects as and when they are raised in the Chit-chat section of a site where we share a common interest, but do wonder whether many of us put the same effort into making a comment where it might make a slight difference.
Andy