A mood swing, with silly consequences.

[Asphodel]

Sometimes mood-swings can lead to a bit of foolishness........and this isn't a good thing, to be sure.......but, mood-swings happen, what can I say?

A bit of explanation for this particular mood-swing couldn't hurt, I suppose.......I had opened up our local range for a bit of private practice time for a friend, so she could get in some practice without the usual distractions of a range event, (this is someone who is rather new to shooting, but has some of the best 'rifle instinct' I've ever seen).......and, while she was shooting, I did the usual 'look around' for range maintenence items.

I found that someone had shot 'just right' to break one of our irreplaceable fifty-year-old target carriers.....a nasty bit of negligent shooting, that. Its repairable, but it will take some time/care to mend it, and that put me in a really angry foul mood about the people who shoot wildly or carelessly at the range and probably just don't give a damn about the range crew....all volunteers......who will have to repair the damage they do.

We've all read mz's warnings here about the OT section on the calguns site, of course, but, a couple of days ago, after noticing yet another distasteful bit of the OT 'tradition' , and with the influence of that bit of mood-swing, I put in a little 'rant' of my own.

The subject was actually a serious one.......but the collection of responses from the men of the calguns OT world were just so exactly, perfectly, as mz has been warning everyone here about...........I had to admit that I was impressed.... : )

Yes, mz 'called it'.........and, y'know, it really is a shame.

cheers

Carla

[movie zombie]

yep, and I got called sexist in that thread........

if nothing else that thread proved to me that I've made the right decision in not recommending calguns to my friends [men or women for that matter].

Chickshooter is holding her own in another thread that turned quite nasty as well. it seems that it is ok to have an opinion and state it graphically if you are male but not if you're female and participating in OT.

my warning to new female posters stands: do NOT venture into OT until you've lurked a while and gotten the lay of the land.

disclaimer: there are some really good guys on calguns; OT does seem to bring out the worst in many.

[jeremiah12]

Carla I do feel for you. As a person who has thought differently all my life, I am used to being on the "wrong" side of most debates. When I worked as a university biology researcher and attended science conferences regularly, I saw heated battles between strong personalities because neither side would give in when shown to be wrong. In science, it usually ends up both sides are wrong and it is a 3rd alternative that wins out.

Spyguy will just keep changing the topic and nitpick whatever you say.

I do have strongly held belief systems that others do clash with what others hold. I do not discuss them often because I have lost a few friends who decided that they could not have a friend that had a different belief system than they did. I prefer to let people to get to know me and make their own decision.

OT is what it is. There are some good threads, though they are few.

I teach HS biology now. I believe the problem is due to the Y chromosome being only about 15% the size of the X chromosome. So males are missing a significant amount of genetic material. If they get a bad copy of a gene on the X chromosome for which they do not have a compliment on the Y chromosome because it is missing, they are out of luck. That is why male pattern baldness is a sex-linked trait, it is inherited through the mother's father. It is on the X chromosome.

I tell my biology students this. So when the boys do something stupid, which happens a lot since I teach sophomores, I tell the young ladies it is a result of the XY genetic disorder. This is why you do not trust or date boys at least until you are out of high school. A few of the young ladies tell me their fathers say the same about boys. I tell them some of us boys are able to grow up and overcome the XY genetic defect and we mellow out or we remember what we were like as teenagers.

I hope you have a better day. If I was closer to you, I would volunteer to go out to your range to fix the damage. I love putzing around and doing things like that. My wife hates it when I am home when she is cooking. And, I am probably one of the few people on CG that knows what Asphodel means. My wife's degree is in Botany though now she teaches high school chemistry and physics. We used to take botanical hunting trips with our cameras. That was pre-children.

Do not let them get to you about your writing style. It is obviously the Queen's English. My mother married a Canadian. I read articles from all over the world and so it is not a problem. When I worked in science, I even had to write in that style for some publications. It is much better than the poor grammar and spelling one often sees in OT as well as all the crude references.

Have a Merry Christmas.

[Manolito]

So people disagree with you or your thoughts and therefor Cal-Guns is no good and never recommend them to your friends. Yet you come on here with more posts. I guess I don't understand.

Many other forums out there and this is the internet you may not have been elected to speak for others.

Respectfully,
Bill

[Gryff]

Calguns rules for women:

- if you move away from the herd in any way, you will get eaten. Sadly, it is most likely the herd that will eat you.

- if you are a women, you are absolutely everyone's equal...unless you are female. If you are female, please refer to the point above.

I like Calguns because there are some great repositories of firearm information in many of the members, but the capacity for misogyny here is pretty astounding.

On the other hand, there are some rays of light as shown by this post:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showpost.php?p=13036223&postcount=65

[Asphodel]

(message redacted to save band-width)

Have a Merry Christmas.

Thank you for the nice compliment, Jeremiah12.

I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, too,
and may the coming New Year be the best ever for you and yours ......... : )

cheers

Carla

[Off the Roster]

Chickshooter is holding her own in another thread that turned quite nasty as well. it seems that it is ok to have an opinion and state it graphically if you are male but not if you're female and participating in OT.

The double standard is a rough one but i look at it like the $6 million man opening - it will make me better, stronger, faster for future threads! Man, they tried to insult me every which way on that one LoL. the frustrating part was a tiny bit of progress was occurring and boom! thread lock!

This site is FAR from what i anticipated and if i tell anyone about it i am very careful to let them know that it is complete gamer mentality, by adults - with guns. If i werent from NYC or had a different career, OT would definitely have more of an intimidation factor.

i have met some very nice, generous people but these folks' usernames rarely occur in OT. I also respect Mr K - he and i have totally opposite views on some moral issues and we have had some words over it, but he has not let it affect the business of a public site (aka ban me for it).

OT is like driving in Los Angeles, it is a bloodsport

[Asphodel]

The double standard is a rough one but i look at it like the $6 million man opening - it will make me better, stronger, faster for future threads! Man, they tried to insult me every which way on that one LoL. the frustrating part was a tiny bit of progress was occurring and boom! thread lock!

This site is FAR from what i anticipated and if i tell anyone about it i am very careful to let them know that it is complete gamer mentality, by adults. If i werent from NYC or had a different career, OT would definitely have more of an intimidation factor.

i have met some very nice, generous people but these folks' usernames rarely occur in OT. I also respect Mr K - he and i have totally opposite views on some moral issues and we have had some words over it, but he has not let it affect the business of a public site (aka ban me for it).

OT is like driving in Los Angeles, it is a bloodsport

Yes, OT is 'interesting'........just for amusement, check out the last posting I put on the 'rant' thread......I'd bet it will be deleted 'poof' when Mr K or one of the mods wakes up and reads it.......just like the one in which I 'dissected' the propaganda scam one of the men was running..........yes, I know, its a silly pastime. 'pressing their buttons'........... : )

edited....hmmm.....this might not be such a good idea.......I'd feel rather foolish if I woke up and found a burning cross in my front yard.... : )

cheers

Carla

[Off the Roster]

carla, you do realize if this GLAAD issue keeps getting pushed that it is going to end up in the monthly homosexual newsletter and there's gonna be a ruckus! (lol this just evolved in my brain to your needing a complete set of gay advocate acronym flashcards for studying. better get 4 x 6 cards to fit all those letters!)

[Asphodel]

carla, you do realize if this GLAAD issue keeps getting pushed that it is going to end up in the monthly homosexual newsletter and there's gonna be a ruckus! (lol this just evolved in my brain to your needing a complete set of gay advocate acronym flashcards for studying. better get 4 x 6 cards to fit all those letters!)

well, in all fairness.........I could/should have thought of doing an internet search on GLAAD before I said anything in that thread........but, yeah, flash-cards might be better.....hmmmm.......how many gay advocate group acronyms are there likely to be, these days?

C

[movie zombie]

that a hetero male has known about GLAAD for 2 years, well, I suspect that that person is greatly concerned about organizations that oppose his view point. those that support gay marriage do not necessarily feel the need to seek out all the supporting organizations. we are secure within ourselves enough to know what we "feel" is right and/or grounded in what we Believe w/o having to seek out every organization in an attempt to support our Belief. and therein lies part of the problem: most males complain that women "feel". it is a complaint often mentioned. we're not grounded in logic. however, logic does not always lead to good conclusions, especially when a member states she didn't know and another calls her a liar because of her political position because after all with that position she must know all and every organization that takes the same position.

Manolito/Bill, it doesn't have to make sense to you. and if we try to explain it, well, I'm betting it still wouldn't make sense or seem logical to you. suffice it to say I found calguns when I was researching to make a purchase some years ago. I've bought guns from two calgunners since then as well. I glean a lot of good info from here. but most people I know don't have the thick skin, time, and/or energy to be a part of the community. worst case scenario is that they'd think I'm crazy for doing it and it would destroy my credibility as one of the "good" gun owners. and I will also state that Carla's thread is just another example of why I will not recommend this website to anyone else. most people I know would not take well to being called a liar when they make a statement.

jeremiah, that is absolutely fascinating re the Y chromosome! perhaps this goes a long way in explaining the need for males to compensate by being bullies.

and in closing, MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS and may each of you and yours enjoy this season of 'peace on earth' and 'goodwill towards men'.

[Off the Roster]

.but, yeah, flash-cards might be better.....hmmmm.......how many gay advocate group acronyms are there likely to be, these days?
C

wow, that would be interesting to know as they certainly seem to multiply like bunnies. in the interest of ecofriendliness just the US ones should suffice, but i still bet you would need a dolly (no action figure!) to transport them. remember to lift with your legs and not your back!

in other news...ive just discovered why men dont ask for directions - this is classic! http://www.buzzfeed.com/robinedds/it...el-the-us-stat

[HighLander51]

remember to life with your legs and not your back!

Lift? with your legs...

[jeremiah12]

that a hetero male has known about GLAAD for 2 years, well, I suspect that that person is greatly concerned about organizations that oppose his view point. those that support gay marriage do not necessarily feel the need to seek out all the supporting organizations. we are secure within ourselves enough to know what we "feel" is right and/or grounded in what we Believe w/o having to seek out every organization in an attempt to support our Belief. and therein lies part of the problem: most males complain that women "feel". it is a complaint often mentioned. we're not grounded in logic. however, logic does not always lead to good conclusions, especially when a member states she didn't know and another calls her a liar because of her political position because after all with that position she must know all and every organization that takes the same position.

Manolito/Bill, it doesn't have to make sense to you. and if we try to explain it, well, I'm betting it still wouldn't make sense or seem logical to you. suffice it to say I found calguns when I was researching to make a purchase some years ago. I've bought guns from two calgunners since then as well. I glean a lot of good info from here. but most people I know don't have the thick skin, time, and/or energy to be a part of the community. worst case scenario is that they'd think I'm crazy for doing it and it would destroy my credibility as one of the "good" gun owners. and I will also state that Carla's thread is just another example of why I will not recommend this website to anyone else. most people I know would not take well to being called a liar when they make a statement.

jeremiah, that is absolutely fascinating re the Y chromosome! perhaps this goes a long way in explaining the need for males to compensate by being bullies.

and in closing, MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS and may each of you and yours enjoy this season of 'peace on earth' and 'goodwill towards men'.

I have been thinking about Carla's original thread in the OT for a few days. First off, I am an overeducated biologist because I could never decide which field of biology I wanted to specialize in so I spent 20 years in college collecting graduate degrees. I can explain why, on average, their are difference between the behavior and thinking of men and women. I am also a highly self-reflective person and try to learn and improve as a person.

Movie Zombie has put words to some of my thoughts. Humans are emotional creatures. We also have a logical component. Yes, on average women tend to rely on their emotions more while men tend to rely on logic more, but both sexes use both components.

I finally figured out what bothered me about that thread. I did post one response in that thread and I wished now I would have followed a rule I try to follow of waiting a few hours before posting to allow my brain to engage first rather than let the first emotional response flow out. Many times what men think is logic is just their emotional response that they are going to stick to and defend at all costs because admitting one is wrong or changing an opinion is seen as a sign of weakness. To excuse this behavior, one just has to say the other person needs to just have a think skin and just take it.

Their are times when this strategy works and can allow one to survive.

The problem is, if Calguns is to be a place to attract more people, it really does need to be family friendly, even in the OT. I looked at many threads and realized many contained comments or were about things that when I was growing up were only talked about in the male locker room, the barber shop, or the bar. They were never talked about in polite company. No wonder many women do not feel comfortable in the OT.

I am a baby boomer and grew up in a different world. I do engage in male banter with my friends. My wife has girl's night out with her friends. When we are all together, and especially with kids around, we are more restrained out of mutual respect for everybody. We definitely have a wide range of political views but care about each other as humans. That is what is missing from Calguns.

Just say the wrong thing, ask the wrong question, have the wrong political position, and the dog pile is on.

Just because someone leaves themselves open to attack, does not mean it is okay to attack them. Really, we are already under attack by the anti's, we do not need further division among us.

That is my 2 cents for what it is worth.

For those who think I am just thinned skin, I have done my share of science debates defending my research and withstood personal attacks. It goes with the job. Now that I am a teacher, it is even worse with all the garbage I get from parents and administrators because little Johnny failed in spite of my best efforts. I have learned over the years that people are more important than things. Sometimes one needs to withhold an opinion to prevent hurting a friend. The problem is knowing when to do that and when you have to speak up. Personally, in my private life, I find it not worth losing a friend over a political dispute. Manolito/Bill, I believe that is what Movie zombie is trying to explain. In my life, I have come across way too many men though that would rather alienate everybody to prove they are right than to drop it and accept that someone has a different opinion and this does not make that person a second class citizen or a person worthy of scorn.

[Off the Roster]

Really, we are already under attack by the anti's, we do not need further division among us.

Unfortunately many things that i have encountered on this site have given credence to the position of the "antis" (an adversarial term and not my favorite), and on several occasions the thought of "god, the fact that that person has a gun scares me" has crossed my mind. internet bravado and gun ownership do not make good bedfellows.

Even when people disagree there needs to be a "live and let live" atmosphere otherwise the person/group with no flexibility will loose a voice altogether once some time has passed. When offering "broken record" responses with no appreciable open mindedness, the need to consult this group regarding anything that affects them ceases to exist.

I am new to the world of shooting but have made great progress in a short period of time. if i didnt have perseverance, the ability to not take things personally, and the ability to function in a belligerent atmosphere, i would have left calguns after 3 weeks with the belief that gun owners had brought gun control upon themselves.