From: DDoyle9570@aol.com
Date: Thu Jul 08 2004 - 22:51:26 PDT
Fellows,
I attended an interesting display over the fourth of July, and thought I would share with you all an experience I had.
A group of MV enthusiasts were invited by a fellow buff to display our vehicles for the public, and have a military vehicle bull-session amongst our selves. Of course, if any of the spectators came by they were invited to join in. In the past we have all learned from each other as well as these passers by. This has become such a tradition that one of the guys brings a GP medium and sets it up in the middle of the area so we all have a common cool area to have our bull session in.
While we had our display set up, one of the guests asked if he could get in my deuce. I told him sure, make himself at home and enjoy it....just don't push the red "start" button. Well, other folks came up while this guy was in the cab, and we were enjoying the conversation when I heard the LDT in my deuce fire up. I stepped up on the running board to shut it off, chastising him for starting the truck, which by now was moving slowly forward toward the tent.
Can you believe that as the truck waded down the tent, (you could hear the tent posts and lawn chairs cracking under the deuces weight) this guy had the nerve to tell me that since I had invited him to get in the truck, he then had the right to do with it as he pleased!?
Well, I got the truck stopped, and hauled the guy from the cab, then he ran off, and their I sat on top of the tent. My buddy who had brought it looked at it, pronounced it ruined, and that night we put it on the bonfire as we all said farewell, perhaps for the last time. Then a bunch of us went over to my house to shoot some fireworks. I told the guys to make them selves at home, their were drinks in the refrigerator, snacks on the table and a toilet down the hall. Just don't smoke in my house. Five minutes later I go in and there's a guy in my easy chair smoking a cigar. He told me I couldn't invite him to my house, and then tell him what to do or not do, it wasn't hospitable.
Was I wrong to tell the guy he could enjoy the truck, just not start it? Was he right to say since he was invited in once in he could do as he wanted? Was it wrong of me to tell my guests not to smoke in my house?
We on this forum are guests of Arthur Kyle. Those that gave money did exactly that--GAVE, didn't purchase in rights. Arthur has some simple rules, which are posted at www.mil-veh.org, and which I have in abbridged form here:
"Discussion can cover repair of vehicles, buying and selling vehicles and spare parts, weapons, paint, markings, technical documentation, and notification of clubs, parades, and conventions for military vehicle owners.
Please do not post test messages to the list, or OFF-TOPIC messages.
In any case, only messages with a direct connection to the private ownership of military vehicles are appropriate."
Nowhere in the owner's rules is there a "but" or an "except".
Its not except for things you feel passionately about, or
except the pros and cons of gun ownership, or
except the pros and cons of any canidate or party,
except for commentary on the U.S. politcal system.
except for whatever bias the media may have.
No, there are no exceptions in his guidelines for using HIS list.
Does everyone here have a right to express their views on these subjects? Of course, just not here. Not because I say so, or Ron says so, or Sonny says so....but because the man that owns the list, pays for the bandwidth and INVITED US HERE AS HIS GUESTS, HE said so.
Now, if truly there is such an overwhelming interest in basic government, gun legislation, erectile disfunction, and immigration policy, I will do my darndest to convince the editor of Military Vehicle Magazine to pull all the articles schedule on vehicle history and maintenance, and instead I will submit articles on the three branches of government and the history of import tariffs. If this is the type of subjects that truly are of interest to most MV enthusiasts, surely readership will sore and no one will be disappointed in the lack of MV content and thus cancel their subscription.
In the meantime, please tell me what I should do about my damaged truck....continue to show it, and take a chance on more goofballs thinking they can do what they wish with MY truck, or just not let anyone else in the cab?
Regards,
David Doyle
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