The Kilt Kops

[Chirs]

Xmarks is a great online community but it is also the cyber-property of Steve Ashton. He fired this shot over the bows and anyone who doesn't like his main point -- that this an inclusive place for all kilt-wearers -- should go grind their axe elsewhere.

I chose the quote above to highlight the fact that no-one is being called names. Steve is very clear that there are no "Kilt Kops" on Xmarks... the warning was made to remind people to steer clear of a certain type of behaviour that is not acceptable.

In my humble opinion, saying that there are not to be any Kilt Kops is a way of improving discussion. It means that people must explain and justify their opinions if they wish to be persuasive. There is no recourse to discussion ending statements that read like inviolable laws.

I think that, CMcG, has brought things into focus for me. As is my wont, I've been trying to read the underlying assumptions in this thread and I think you have hit it. "To those who think they have the authority to command: knock it off; you don't. To those who feel put upon by others: relax; you're not."

If you were in the street and a police officer told you to do something, you need to do it. That person has the authority to command and has no need to explain. No matter how wrong that person may be, you need to do as you're told without question. Such a person does not exist on this board.

There are people on this board who express authority when it comes to kilts. Some have this authority through years of study, while others have come by it through lived experience. The two who come immediately to mind tend to offer clear opinions when it comes to the kilt but, in my experience, they do not command but rather, they offer with an explanation - clearly not Kilt Kops.

There are also those who offer (although, sometimes, what they do is more forceful than the word 'offer' would suggest) opinions without the benefit of explanation. These people might want to re-read posts before submitting them.

There are people on this board who express dismay at postings that seem to be telling them that they are not welcome (and perhaps many more who feel this way but do not express it). These people may wish to take to heart that, here, there is only one authority and he has clearly stated to one and all that he grants no authority to command to any one else. He, alone, has commanded that all are equal. So, if you are feeling the urge to command, re-think you position. And if you are feeling commanded, re-think your position. "There are no Kilt Kops on this board."

I may be completely off-base but that seems to be the message, so far as I am understanding it today.