Example: Why politics & religion aren't welcome here

[Ray]

In my mind - and not that I've rigidly stuck to this - avoiding any commentary that involves politics, racism and sexuality is a sign of common decency and class.

Yes, I have opinions on those and many other potentially controversial subjects, but this IS an orchid forum, after all.

I am upset, however, that WaterWitchin has cast aspersions by selecting MY, totally non-controversial comment as the cutting point from that other thread to start this one.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

Would the powers that be kindly consider locking this thread to further comment? It can not lead to a positive outcome to allow it to continue, IMO.
Thank you.

It was considered. It's one of those damned if I do, damned if I don't situations; someone will shoot this messenger either way. This one's gonna roll for awhile to see if folks can turn this into a positive outcome by ceasing the while moderators/admins sort the rest out. Plus leaving it open for now slows down the PMs to my inbox for awhile. Selfish, I know.

As further info, at my advancing age I already know a bit about politics, racism, sexism, McCarthyism, culturalism, misquotes, theories, rhetoric, and sarcasm. I won't be giving any more private message replies to members who feel the need to school me in anything. If I need advice, I'll ask.

Originally Posted by estación seca

I'm so old I remember when cathode ray tubes came in only green or white

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

I watched black and white TV. Is that older than green?

Interesting question. Which color WAS original? This Dusty Ol' Damsel remembers all of the above. I even know how to make a Christmas wreath from keypunch cards and spray paint them gold, green, or red, or combinations thereof. Early recycling at its finest.

---------- Post added at 12:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:28 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Ray

...I am upset, however, that WaterWitchin has cast aspersions by selecting MY, totally non-controversial comment as the cutting point from that other thread to start this one.

I noticed that. You're welcome, Bill.

[Clawhammer]

Originally Posted by Ray

In my mind - and not that I've rigidly stuck to this - avoiding any commentary that involves politics, racism and sexuality is a sign of common decency and class.

Just food for thought: being able to ignore racism is an example of white privilege. Taking a stand against racism is more important than orchids. Ignoring racism is exactly what allows it to thrive and that is the purpose of the McCarthyism-like hysteria being conducted at school board meetings across the country right now.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

This thread got me curious, and I've been trying to find the Rules and Regulations of this forum. No luck, except what WW posted here, and occasionally bumps:

RULES & GUIDELINES

Unfortunately, I see nothing there that prohibits talk of politics, religion or any other hot-button, divisive topics. There must be rules against that somewhere (I hope)?

...

Those Rules & Guidelines you see ARE the Rules and Guidelines of Orchid Board. It was supposedly addressed under the bullet point "Don't Use Abusive or Offensive Language." Stay tuned for a later announcement on About this Board regarding an update, when this moderator gets a chance to complete the announcement.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Clawhammer

Just food for thought: being able to ignore racism is an example of white privilege. Taking a stand against racism is more important than orchids. Ignoring racism is exactly what allows it to thrive and that is the purpose of the McCarthyism-like hysteria being conducted at school board meetings across the country right now.

No argument, but this isn't the place.

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

I noticed that. You're welcome, Bill.

You DO realize that continuing to poke fun at me might drive me to the disrespectful response we're trying to avoid.

[Grautier]

Bye bye then.

With more censorship out there in the world than I've ever seen in my life all my years together - I'm 61 now - being censored here as well, just because some - like in the world out there! - shout for more restrictions, for more prohibitions, for more law and order against those who just have a different opinion, makes this place a place where I'm not welcome.

Freedom is always the freedom of those who think different. (Rosa Luxemburg)

It is not the first time this happens. Those who display harsh signatures below their orchid-comments - do that! don't do so! - are the first to limit every one else.

I've no problems with opinions different to mine, though the subject may be troublesome for me. But I don't obey, I don't comply any more to so called 'rules'.

Being priviledged enough to grow orchids rather than food, I do value my freedom and I won't leave the world to those who don't care.

Bye.


I've tried to delete my account, but it seems to be impossible, so I ask the moderators to do so.

[estación seca]

Black-and-white cathode ray tubes have black screens. The electron beam induces white fluorescence. The older tubes, used in electrical instruments like oscilloscopes, have black screens with green fluorescence. Your parents told you not to sit too close to the TV because the electron beam shooting at the screen could also produce other particles that showered straight out from the screen. Look where that got us.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Grautier

...
I've tried to delete my account, but it seems to be impossible, so I ask the moderators to do so.

Moderators can't delete accounts, but I will forward your request to an administrator. Sometimes it takes awhile.

---------- Post added at 01:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:54 PM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

Black-and-white cathode ray tubes have black screens. The electron beam induces white fluorescence. The older tubes, used in electrical instruments like oscilloscopes, have black screens with green fluorescence. Your parents told you not to sit too close to the TV because the electron beam shooting at the screen could also produce other particles that showered straight out from the screen. Look where that got us.

Is that for real es? The part about parents and not sitting too close? They always told me it was because I was terribly nearsighted and they didn't want me to make it any worse.

---------- Post added at 01:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:56 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Ray

No argument, but this isn't the place.You DO realize that continuing to poke fun at me might drive me to the disrespectful response we're trying to avoid.

I'll see if it's fixable. I really don't know how to go about it, but I'll give it a try. My apologies.

---------- Post added at 02:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:57 PM ----------

Okay, I figured it out.

[estación seca]

Is that for real es? The part about parents and not sitting too close?

Yes. My dad was an electrical engineer who built our TV and stereo from Heathkit kits. Some of the earliest subatomic particle research involved firing high-energy electrons at very thin sheets of metal foil, to see what other particles were dislodged. A cathode ray tube has a high-energy electron emitter at the narrow end. It fires electrons at the screen, directly at the viewers. A circle of electronics at the emitter affects the electrons so they deviate from a straight line and paint the image on the screen. The electrons in a cathode ray tube aren't as high energy as in physics research but subatomic particle emission is a factor of probability, so you never know when you might get hit with a boson.

Modern TVs use different mechanisms, so this is no longer an issue. The reason you shouldn't sit anywhere near them is because they provide nothing but advertising and propaganda, and it's mindlessly stupid.

[Dorchid]