At 18:54 16 August 2005, John Sinclair wrote:
You know what, Chris? I think your right. I too will
post no more on ras. Both sides have beat this Finish
Gate vs. Finish Cylinder to death and nobody's going
to change their mind on anything. I for one will not
enter a contest that employs the Finish Gate, but that's
my personal decision. The Rules Committee, Ex-Com and
Directors have the facts and our opinions. I leave
this in their capable hands.

To the Brits, let me say; I apologize for using their
tragic accident to further my personal belief that
low altitude finishes are dangerous.

JJ Sinclair



Hells, Bells and Buckets of Blood JJ !

Nil carborundum.

There has been a very large measure of the famous r.a.s.
'hysteresis' with regard to this issue - and a lot
of, occasionally poorly-considered, knee-jerked and
downright offensive, rubbish - to put it mildly !

You are, as far as most impartial people are concerned,
perfectly entitled to express any opinion, for whatever
reason - so long as this is done politely, rationally
- and without the use of foul language - or personal
insults.

By the same token - people are perfectly entitled to
put forward the opposite viewpoint - so long as it
is equally polite and rational.

This is, commonly, referred to as a frank exchange
of ideas - so invaluable to the whole, complex, business
of furthering the frontiers of culture, knowledge and
experience.

Offensive postings - for whatever reason - are never
justified and bring the whole of this movement into
disrepute, immediately lose the argument and are wholly
unacceptable.

There is the very rare correspondent who, having put
his (or, less frequently, her) foot in it, has the
dignity and good grace to appologise - but this seems
to be about as common as the proverbial hens' teeth.

Sadly - there is far too much of this sort of muckology
prevalent at club level - mostly from less-than-competent
'worthies', who seem have grossly overinflated opinions
of their own standing and abilities.
This, presumably, on the basis of the 'Empty Vessel'
principle.

By way of a very small example - public and pointed
comments about having one's hands in one's pockets
- on a bitterly cold day - go down like a Uranium balloon
- particularly when uttered by a much younger person!

Small wonder that we find it difficult to retain members
in the movement - least of all of the female persuasion.

The younger generation, some of whom are women, quite
rightly will not stand for this quasi-military, quasi-disciplinary
and totally degrading nonsense - and clear off to
take up sailing or Tiddlywinks - and the very best
of luck to them.

If you wish to express an opinion, and especially if
you hold strong views on the subject, take the urtmost
care to apply some basic brain power and good manners
to the issue - and then reapply both of these again
- and again - before you press the 'OK' button.

And if you are going to give good old A.N. Other a
comprehensive, public, roasting - do take the (considerable)
trouble to be totally correct in your criticism(s),
thoroughly intelligible, and do, please, garnish your
'best' efforts with absolutely flawless spelling and
syntax - whoever and wherever you may be !

Otherwhise you severely detract from the impact of
your statement(s) - and immediately weaken your argument
- be it on this forum, or from the back seat of a training
glider.

There you have it - I have had my rant - and knickers
to fireproof underwear !

s(a)ta13nski.