The State of the Forum

[Gibo]

This is simply my observation of late, and I cant pretend to understand how those so far affected by the new laws are feeling, as I am not yet impacted financially.

It seems to me that the majority of new threads in this place are expressions of anger, distaste, angst, frustration, hate (the list goes on) towards the government, the PM, most if not all MPs, police, the public and pretty much everyone to be fair.

The bulk of them are a copy and paste of links to questionable media outfits reporting on questionable stories that spark some excessive comments (mine included), and some outright disgusting comments that I doubt would be said in person.

While at a time like this politics of some form needs to be put on the table, my personal view is this place is getting very toxic and I wonder if it is due to the amount of politics (some very extreme views on display) some are ranting on about, half the time not related to the firearm law changes at all.

Is there a way to get back on track or is this place doomed to become a political dumping ground?

[northdude]

its john keys fault i know what your talking about its becoming a bit repetitive

[ebf]

Agreed, it seems to be a small number of mostly newer members who are constantly posting this type of stuff.

They don't seem to be involved in any of the usual banter, firearms or hunting related discussion, but stick pretty much to law changes and venting at the government,

[Max Headroom]

I imagine if this forum had been in existence after aramoana and the changes that occurred then, the comments would've been much the same.

Like it or not, Brenton Tarrant struck NZ society a severe blow. We as Firearms owners have been tarred with the same brush.

It will take time and effort to get past the consequences of what has happened. That is reflected in the feeling on the forum.

[Bol Tackshin]

Politics.

Poly - Greek root word for many, multiple.
Tics - from plural of tick. Bloodsucking, economically onerous, disease carrying arachnids belonging to the order Parasitiformes.

This can't be a coincidence...

[Cordite]

As you say, you are not affected, yet.

I am not affected either, yet.

The politicians acted as a herd and count on resentment to burn out sufficiently by election time to let them get away with it.

Us feeling uncomfortable whingeing about nastiness, the nice forum being spoiled etc etc is part of that prediction. But that said, it is wise to realise it's unhealthy to let your anger burn on full for too long. Stomach ulcers, arguments, depression, etc.

The answer is not to exclude politics but to be constructive in our discussion of politics. It is VITAL that we keep the debate / issue going however, or we will not see results come election. We will certainly not have mainstream media blowing into our sails.

As for nasty comments, when we see them we should just post a reply that we disagree with them and why -- and not be babies and call the moderators to our corner of the sand box. We can all moderate and help each other.

[Woody]

Amongst all the posts there is some very good insights and information. Pity there are outbursts of garbage strewn about but I think that is "life". At the end of the day genuine hunters snd shooters in NZ are using their forum to express their concerns and feelings. This is legitimate. Pity about the trolls, spooks, monitors, shit stirrers and phishers but they sre also a fact of life today, unfortunately. Overall @Gibo, I think this forum still provides us a good service.

[erniec]

For the rest of us I reckon carry on posting and commenting on rifles, tents, sleeping bags,hunt reports etc.(all the good stuff)
Keep liking them as that encourages the original poster.
The political,gun law ones will abate when the dust settles.

[Bol Tackshin]

And yes, I agree wholeheartedly that this forum was once a great place to relax, read hunting tales and get great advice. It still is, although there is a cloud, that I am guilty of feeding to some extent.

The events in Christchurch were traumatic, but the backlash by our elected leaders against us as law abiding, best practice firearms owners and enthusiasts has been a tremendous blow. It feels, and indeed is, unwarranted. Like someone that has been accused, found guilty and punished wrongly, we are indignant. This is compounded by the feeling of helplessness, because we have no recourse to appeal against this blatantly unfair treatment that has been meted out against us. Those tasked with representing us are, indeed, the one's that have wronged us.

We have only got one another to turn to, and to let out our feelings - to vent. In isolation, suffering is multiplied. In unity (or at least in community) we have strength.

Our task is now to build, rather than to fester and sulk. Positive outcomes are needed, but in uncertain times, this can be difficult to achieve. Still, as a community it may be time to start focusing on the good out there, and solutions to the challenges we are facing. The best way to do this is get out there and enjoy the incredible country we live in.

[Tahr]

@Gibo Exactly

I suggest that if people want to talk nasty personalised politics they find somewhere else to do it.
The hallmark of this forum has been no politics, and now its reading like the NRA for dummies.

There are members now who only ever talk political bullshit - never about hunting or shooting. Its ruining the place for me.

Ive had a guts full of it.

[keneff]

I originally joined this space because I love the bush and love to be out in it and hear about others' experiences in it. I am an old man now and have seen many changes in our little but amazing country. For the first time in my life I am scared by what is happening here. I grew up in a family of communists and trade unionists and recall sitting on the dinner table while my communist grandfather expounded Marxism with his cronies. I was born in the "Freemans Bay" and remember it being torn apart and our families being moved into "Transit Camps" to break down the working class resistance to Government dominance. This country has always been a socialist experiment, and that continues today. If you cunts want to be rats in a maze - go for it. I'm gonna head for the bush and live or die how I want. I don't even expect to live a lot longer, but it will not be how Saint Jacinda wants, or how Cahill wants, or how the ferkn Islamists want or how Tarrant wants - it will be how I fukn want. So you can bend over and get fukt by all of the above - that's your choice. Fukya. seeya.

[Dorkus]

Perhaps we could create a section where everyone who wants to rant, vent, piss, whinge or feed the trolls can post their crap?

I've really enjoyed being part of this community over the last few years, met some good buggers, received more than my fair share of advice and help (and even given some where I can) but tbh I'm very close to over it with the current state of things. My involvement is going to whither out to only the buy/sell section if the current downward spiral continues.

[Mathias]

Perhaps we could create a section where everyone who wants to rant, vent, piss, whinge or feed the trolls can post their crap?

Mate...this section would have to not appear in the "whats new" or else it will be no different to the shit we see now.

I agree with @Gibo and @Tahr this negativity has really pulled the forum down to low levels. I don't even read half the shit that's posted on here anymore, esp a link to Stuff and MSN shit. If you really want to read this crap, just go to their website and read it, don't drag it to our forum as a link ffs. Bugger your politics too, it's 24/7 everywhere.

Lets have more positive shit, like good hunting stuff, pix of guns, dogs, dead animals and the likes Woohoo, I'm finally going for a hunt on Friday for 3 days, long time between drinks

[Tahr]

Perhaps we could create a section where everyone who wants to rant, vent, piss, whinge or feed the trolls can post their crap?

I've really enjoyed being part of this community over the last few years, met some good buggers, received more than my fair share of advice and help (and even given some where I can) but tbh I'm very close to over it with the current state of things. My involvement is going to whither out to only the buy/sell section if the current downward spiral continues.

I expect more the "buy" than the "sell".

[Tahr]

I originally joined this space because I love the bush and love to be out in it and hear about others' experiences in it. I am an old man now and have seen many changes in our little but amazing country. For the first time in my life I am scared by what is happening here. I grew up in a family of communists and trade unionists and recall sitting on the dinner table while my communist grandfather expounded Marxism with his cronies. I was born in the "Freemans Bay" and remember it being torn apart and our families being moved into "Transit Camps" to break down the working class resistance to Government dominance. This country has always been a socialist experiment, and that continues today. If you cunts want to be rats in a maze - go for it. I'm gonna head for the bush and live or die how I want. I don't even expect to live a lot longer, but it will not be how Saint Jacinda wants, or how Cahill wants, or how the ferkn Islamists want or how Tarrant wants - it will be how I fukn want. So you can bend over and get fukt by all of the above - that's your choice. Fukya. seeya.

There are plenty of other platforms for negative politics, nastiness and behaving like a victim. On and off the internet. But please, not here where people come to share a passion, not negativity.