Union??

[phonogfp]

For over 11 years, this Forum has pretty much self-moderated, with the agreed understanding that religion, guns, illegal activities, and POLITICS have no place here.

We go to a movie theater for relaxation and entertainment, and if someone stands up and begins shouting their religious beliefs, their efforts are counterproductive.

I can't help but notice a pattern, in that those who insist on making political posts here seem to come from the same political perspective. If I agree with the message, I'm embarrassed by the inappropriateness of venue. It doesn't belong here.

If I disagree with the message, I'm annoyed that I must be assailed with such proselytizing in a place where I come for relaxation, entertainment, and (in this case) education. It doesn't belong here.

Nobody, but NOBODY will well-served by this lack of self-discipline.

Forums have died in the past because of exactly this sort of thing. I'd hate to see it happen here, but with the lack of active moderation (Andreas cannot delete inappropriate posts), this is a real possibility.

For whatever it's worth, if it continues, I'll be leaving. I won't take such a step lightly, but there's a reason I don't do Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other out-of-control rant-fests. I've always enjoyed the atmosphere here, until lately.

I have friends from both sides of the political aisle, and I ask them all please, PLEASE, let's all exercise self-control here when it comes to politics.

George P.

[phonogfp]

I’m actually surprised that some people - dealers, an existing collectors group or society - haven’t started looking for a new location and venue and tried planning a new central US show by now. The interest must be there, no?

It's being worked on.

George P.

[phonotim]

Regarding a replacement for union. Lynn Bilton had announced a new show to take place in the Cleveland Ohio area the week before Union. Ron Sitko was distributing his advertising flyers for him. Apparently Lynn had the thing booked and ready to go. However, I rather think that the virus situation has put the kibosh on this new venue. Clearly, Lynn intended his show to take over for union. I would expect him to attempt to revive his plans next year. Thank you George for your efforts to keep our hobby fun, at a time when a lot of us are not feeling very fun-like.

[Mlund2020]

For over 11 years, this Forum has pretty much self-moderated, with the agreed understanding that religion, guns, illegal activities, and POLITICS have no place here.

We go to a movie theater for relaxation and entertainment, and if someone stands up and begins shouting their religious beliefs, their efforts are counterproductive.

I can't help but notice a pattern, in that those who insist on making political posts here seem to come from the same political perspective. If I agree with the message, I'm embarrassed by the inappropriateness of venue. It doesn't belong here.

If I disagree with the message, I'm annoyed that I must be assailed with such proselytizing in a place where I come for relaxation, entertainment, and (in this case) education. It doesn't belong here.

Nobody, but NOBODY will well-served by this lack of self-discipline.

Forums have died in the past because of exactly this sort of thing. I'd hate to see it happen here, but with the lack of active moderation (Andreas cannot delete inappropriate posts), this is a real possibility.

For whatever it's worth, if it continues, I'll be leaving. I won't take such a step lightly, but there's a reason I don't do Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other out-of-control rant-fests. I've always enjoyed the atmosphere here, until lately.

I have friends from both sides of the political aisle, and I ask them all please, PLEASE, let's all exercise self-control here when it comes to politics.

George P.

Thank you George and I couldn’t agree more. There are very strong political opinions on both sides with very little middle ground these days. I know that I get quite annoyed by people who spout there political opinions when they oppose my own. It always requires great restraint not to ‘fire back’. That type of back and forth can completely destroy a collector’s forum, a place where political opinion has no place. I have learned over the years to try and leave political views out of all of my social media posting. I am sure that there are many that would completely disagree with my views and don’t want to listen to them. I have had to ‘unfriend’ many people on social media who insist on pushing their political views which differ from my own, and are very tiresome and annoying to see. The TMF should be a happy place where people can escape the worlds turmoils and bond over our shared love of collecting and learning.

[outune]

George- Thank you for your post re: Politics-- Well said.

I, too, am tired of the snarky remarks that only serve to breed dissent and ill-will.. It's the purposeful nature of the remarks, intended to disrespect anyone with a different view, that is most discouraging. It's a misplaced superiority complex.

THIS IS NOT THE FORUM TO AIR YOUR POLITICAL BELIEFS AND CONVICTIONS. Don't turn a hobby platform into a personal "blog".. It's not cute or clever... it's tiresome. Go to youtube and have at it, but leave TMF alone.

Brad Abell

[phonojim]

First, I agree with George-let's keep it civil and on topic. Second, thanks to Phonotim for the info about Lynn Bilton's plans. The Cleveland area is easily doable for me.

Jim

[cenfin]

I am so sad. I just turned 71 and was looking forward to the last show at Union. I have been going there for more than 20 years. After reading todays comments, I am accepting that it will not happen, and if it does, I won't spend 8 hours a day with a mask on. Hopefully APS will sponsor a show in the future. stay safe everybody. Al Menashe in Portland,

[gramophone-georg]

I am so sad. I just turned 71 and was looking forward to the last show at Union. I have been going there for more than 20 years. After reading todays comments, I am accepting that it will not happen, and if it does, I won't spend 8 hours a day with a mask on. Hopefully APS will sponsor a show in the future. stay safe everybody. Al Menashe in Portland,

Don't despair Al, my wife says she likes me better in a mask, so there's that.

[Raphael]

For over 11 years, this Forum has pretty much self-moderated, with the agreed understanding that religion, guns, illegal activities, and POLITICS have no place here.

We go to a movie theater for relaxation and entertainment, and if someone stands up and begins shouting their religious beliefs, their efforts are counterproductive.

I can't help but notice a pattern, in that those who insist on making political posts here seem to come from the same political perspective. If I agree with the message, I'm embarrassed by the inappropriateness of venue. It doesn't belong here.

If I disagree with the message, I'm annoyed that I must be assailed with such proselytizing in a place where I come for relaxation, entertainment, and (in this case) education. It doesn't belong here.

Nobody, but NOBODY will well-served by this lack of self-discipline.

Forums have died in the past because of exactly this sort of thing. I'd hate to see it happen here, but with the lack of active moderation (Andreas cannot delete inappropriate posts), this is a real possibility.

For whatever it's worth, if it continues, I'll be leaving. I won't take such a step lightly, but there's a reason I don't do Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other out-of-control rant-fests. I've always enjoyed the atmosphere here, until lately.

I have friends from both sides of the political aisle, and I ask them all please, PLEASE, let's all exercise self-control here when it comes to politics.

George P.

I may have inadvertently started this "political" sidetrack, for which I apologize. There was nothing political about my post that lead to an immediate accusation of such.

BUT, I will not apologize for stating my reasons for not attending Union. Phonograph collecting does not exist in a total vacuum and must be considered as a part of society as a whole. If some of us place our lives (and those of our loved ones) at risk by traveling and attending a phonograph show, is it not incumbent upon us to send up warning flags to our cherished fellow collectors and colleagues?

I for one have in-laws that are 80 and 90 years old, respectively, and love them dearly. I'd throw my entire collection in the trash before risking their health over the matter of seeing yet another antique phonograph.

I respect you, your knowledge and opinions greatly, sir, but there is a greater world out there that we are all part of. To expand upon your movie theater metaphor, would you not yell "FIRE" in that theater if indeed there was one? Or would you keep quiet as you left, thinking that the others paid for seeing the show, and it's not your responsibility to disrupt their enjoyment?

This is an event the likes of which none of us have experienced in our lifetimes. We need to be considerate of those who seemingly overreact, because maybe next time there won't be a next time.

Raphael

[phonogal]

For over 11 years, this Forum has pretty much self-moderated, with the agreed understanding that religion, guns, illegal activities, and POLITICS have no place here.

We go to a movie theater for relaxation and entertainment, and if someone stands up and begins shouting their religious beliefs, their efforts are counterproductive.

I can't help but notice a pattern, in that those who insist on making political posts here seem to come from the same political perspective. If I agree with the message, I'm embarrassed by the inappropriateness of venue. It doesn't belong here.

If I disagree with the message, I'm annoyed that I must be assailed with such proselytizing in a place where I come for relaxation, entertainment, and (in this case) education. It doesn't belong here.

Nobody, but NOBODY will well-served by this lack of self-discipline.

Forums have died in the past because of exactly this sort of thing. I'd hate to see it happen here, but with the lack of active moderation (Andreas cannot delete inappropriate posts), this is a real possibility.

For whatever it's worth, if it continues, I'll be leaving. I won't take such a step lightly, but there's a reason I don't do Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other out-of-control rant-fests. I've always enjoyed the atmosphere here, until lately.

I have friends from both sides of the political aisle, and I ask them all please, PLEASE, let's all exercise self-control here when it comes to politics.

George P.

I may have inadvertently started this "political" sidetrack, for which I apologize. There was nothing political about my post that lead to an immediate accusation of such.

BUT, I will not apologize for stating my reasons for not attending Union. Phonograph collecting does not exist in a total vacuum and must be considered as a part of society as a whole. If some of us place our lives (and those of our loved ones) at risk by traveling and attending a phonograph show, is it not incumbent upon us to send up warning flags to our cherished fellow collectors and colleagues?

I for one have in-laws that are 80 and 90 years old, respectively, and love them dearly. I'd throw my entire collection in the trash before risking their health over the matter of seeing yet another antique phonograph.

I respect you, your knowledge and opinions greatly, sir, but there is a greater world out there that we are all part of. To expand upon your movie theater metaphor, would you not yell "FIRE" in that theater if indeed there was one? Or would you keep quiet as you left, thinking that the others paid for seeing the show, and it's not your responsibility to disrupt their enjoyment?

This is an event the likes of which none of us have experienced in our lifetimes. We need to be considerate of those who seemingly overreact, because maybe next time there won't be a next time.

Raphael

I agree with George. This is not the place. I come to the forum to talk about phonographs and greatly appreciate everyone that shares their knowledge. I do not want to hear your political views or views about what you think should or should not be done during the pandemic etc. I'm an adult, have my own views and I don't think airing them here would change anybodies mind one way or the other.
I do hope that there will be a show somewhere in the center of the country as there are shows already located on both coasts. At one time there was talk of starting something in the Dallas area but haven't heard anything lately.