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I have used the aero vintage site quite a lot as a reference site for B-25's and B-17's but hadnt realised it had a forum, and took the opportunity to have a look around while looking for the offending post that launched this thread.
I was rather surprised to read of a repeating theme of "WIX bashing" against the WIX site generally, and "un-named" WIX forumites so all of us by inference?, certainly not away to win friends and influence people?
If somone doesnt enjoy a forum, or individual posters, why not simply cease visiting, rather than bash away at them from another forum, while the complaints might well have been justified originally, the ongoing WIX bashing, when read out of whatever context created the bad blood, simply leaves the reader with a poor opinion of the basher or author himself.
I assume from the comments above it was same author who produced the now removed & apparantly offensive "big deal" thread?, I obviously have not read that post, and therefore cannot comment on its specific contents.
It is dis-appointing for me to have my introduction to a new warbirds forum by way of this supposed racial commentry & exposure to the anti WIX attitudes, as otherwise it seems an interesting and constructive forum.
But I would not intend to read, contribute or participate at a forum that permitted apparently racist threads to be posted, or condoned through retention, I guess the redeeming situation is that the post has been removed, however I note the anti WIX posts remain?
The rights of Freedom of speech, strongly esposed by some on that site, should be tempered with the old axiom "that its better to keep your mouth shut and let others think you are an idiot, than to open your mouth and prove it to them"
A bit like daveymac I sometimes cringe at the apparant persisting attitude by some against people simply based on their race or skin colour. That situation is particularly surprising to see still existing from some elements within a nation that is so well educated, and so christian in its beliefs? and has openly championed and fought for the freedoms of all people for so long?
In Australia we have had, and continue to have reconciliation and equity issues in the way indigenous Australians are treated, but there are very few with a hatred against an entire race?, and such attitudes are not tolerated by the wider community when esposed. Australia has come along way from its own "white Australia" policys of the 1950's, and perhaps immigration and multiculturalism have helped our attitudes to become more tolerant of differences, while understanding the ability of anyone to be a positive and successful citizen of our communities?
Lack of education, discrimination, poor socio-economic situations can trap people, and particularly minorities, into an underclass, that then is used to re-inforce stereo-types and racial slurs, therefore continuing the discrimination, even to the point that hope within the minorities can be extinguished, leading to crime and lawlessness, not as a proof of a trait of nature or race, but simply evidence of a shared and common lack of opportunity, nurture and fairness.
I personally feel the President-Elect creates a fantastic opportunity for the US to show it has moved beyond that intolerance, wont condone it, and demonstrate that the american dream really is available to anyone, regardless of race or colour of skin?
I hope my comments above are not seen to be political, I am not wishing to buy into the partisian or policy aspects of the recent election, or generate a debate on such.
But basic human rights and decency need to be defended, and offensive attitudes and comment need to be confronted head on, otherwise we might be thought to condone them by our own silence.
regards
Mark Pilkington
_________________
20th Century - The Age of Manned Flight
"from Wrights to Armstrong in 66 years -WOW!"
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