What Seperates Us From Them

[Deep C]

I saw a couple posts this morn that got me to thinking. Thinking about this great site we call SFC, arguably the best fishing site on the planet. Thinking about all the great stuff that sets it apart from the others.
When I came here it was in its infancy but the cast of personalities and characters was second to none. I saw then so much potential that I felt compelled to call it home.
Past the personalities I noticed a conspicuous absense of bashing. If one single thing that makes us stand out above all others could be pinpointed... it would be that. It would be possible to equate that phenomenon with small town America versus big city. In the small town people pass by and wave. They are friendly. In the big city there are often instances of rude acts of indifference exchanged between people. They are not friendly. It can be explained in the small town their behavior is because they know each other. In the city there is anonimity which in short means they don't know each other and are notlikely to run into each other again.
As our small community grows we become less familiar with who is who. Some enter thinking their act of rudeness will go unnoticed or in a sicker more twisted way think that its some how funny. Well boys and girls... This is SFC and that dog don't hunt. Though growing in leaps and bounds we are still that same small tight knit family and bashing is not tollerated.
I ask others comming in from elsewhere that that practice is commonplace to leave it at the door and don't bring it inside. Thats what keeps this site great. I recently wrote a thread about hunting and how its done here. That turned into a mess because our practices here are different than elsewhere. All legal but different. Thats part of what makes this place great. We have the ability to share how things are done differently in different places. I saw recently someone slamming another for how they write with some "color" in their prose. I then saw yet another that goes in the face of everything SFC os about. Someone slamming a sponsor for promoting stuff?
First, that crap brings nothing positive to the table. Only creates hatred. Not for the one being bashed but for the ignoramus who is doing the bashing. In the marine industry a lot of jobs don't have a steady paycheck. If they don't sell a given product or service the don't get fed. Profit is not a dirty word we all need it to live so give those trying to earn a living a break here! If the poster is bringing a plethera of valuable tips and insight to the table there is no excuse for bashing. As we don't have moderators as such its up to us... ALL OF US... to keep it clean.
Just look at what we have here for a site. Top captains, mates, manufacturers, boat experts, tackle experts all willing to share info it took decades to gather. Why the hell would anyone chose to disrupt that with nothing positive to bring to the table unless they are just miserable and useless people themselves?
This site offers the best tournament coverage anywhere. We have people reporting from all arund the world about techniques and catches. We have links to news and weather. We have our own photo and video hosting. Hell we have a game room with a zillion games and the best collection of smilies anywhwere.
We have a diverse crowd here and nobody is better than the next person. We welcome those who only now want to start fishing and we welcome crusty ol pros who have forgotten more than many us will ever know.
John and Jer kill themselves making a nice place for us. Lets try to respect that folks. Sponsors help make it possible. Lets try and support them too. If you came here to share and be part of the community then we love having you. If you feel compelled to bring the crap you did from other site that is less than positive, then take it back there cause its not welcome here...

[FESS]

UR right on target Deep...and ur a big part of the entertainment (right guard/wd40 post) and the priceless info that caught my attention and curiosity and attracton to this site...let alone the generosity....one day I'll tell y'all the Tim-grady white story...above and beyond the call of duty or regular kindness and it came-back full circle! Imagine that. Life's not about the "me" or the "I"....it's about serving....and y'all walk the walk! Refreshing to say the least.
Hey Deep by the way has the Xxx-hot sauce and the tainted parts(chub 07) even showed any signs of healing? u killed me on that 1...
Fess

[Deep C]

The sauce and wand thing had him goin but good for a while but by the next day it was pretty well over.

This site is about sharing all the good and bad... Not beating others up... I see we have a few reads on this one. Hope the "right" ones read it and keep this well oiled machine running on the right path...

[shoefish]

Nice way to bring things back Deep. I always know that when things get a bit nuts that you'll step in and get things re-centered.