XMTS Motto

**Monkey@Arms** · 21st August 07, 04:26 PM

I really don't have a dog in this fight, but I think some people are missing the original point. The "choice" here isn't the choice to wear a kilt. Its the choice to participate in this forum, which some have likened to a "virtual clan." I am equally happy with the current proposal and the F-H.A.C.G.'s suggestion "In Kilts Fellowship."

Best regards,

Jake

**DTrain** · 21st August 07, 04:51 PM

The "choice" here isn't the choice to wear a kilt. Its the choice to participate in this forum, which some have likened to a "virtual clan."

Everyone here is a member of XMarks, but we are in no way connected by blood relations. I vote for "By Choice, Not Blood" to show that this is a voluntary association rather than family ties.

**starbkjrus** · 21st August 07, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by Colin

The basis of "By Choice, not Blood" was not in regards to those of us with Celtic heritage, it was in regards to the fact that we are all part of the Xmarks "Clan" by choice and not by blood relation to each other. I don't see how it takes away from my heritage.

Now, if it was in reference to the choicing of wearing a kilt, than yes I can see that point. We all choose to wear a kilt, but some of us do to honour our family heritage where as other do it because they look freakin' cool.

Colin is right...even I look freakin' cool in a kilt!

I'm of mixed feelings on this one. I like the motto proposed at the beginning of this thread but I'll have to think about the other proposals.

**ccga3359** · 21st August 07, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by starbkjrus

Colin is right...even I look freakin' cool in a kilt!

I'm of mixed feelings on this one. I like the motto proposed at the beginning of this thread but I'll have to think about the other proposals.

Way to climb down off of that fence Dee. And I'm sure Colin wasn't even think of you when he put thoughts to keyboard!

**Ozman1944** · 21st August 07, 05:22 PM

The 'Blood" things gets a bit over dramatic, don't you think?

How about; "Because we can!"

or "Because we want to"

But I'll go with the multitude; Kilts are cool

**Nick** · 21st August 07, 05:33 PM

Some of the mottos of Scottish clans are a bit dramatic, so it fits.

**ChattanCat** · 21st August 07, 06:05 PM

I, being scottish by heritage, feels like "not blood" doesn't fit us all.

**BEEDEE** · 21st August 07, 06:13 PM

An on-line dictionary defines clan as:

clan (kln)
n.
1. A traditional social unit in the Scottish Highlands, consisting of a number of families claiming a common ancestor and following the same hereditary chieftain.
2. A division of a tribe tracing descent from a common ancestor.
3. A large group of relatives, friends, or associates.

We obviously fall under the third definition, so the motto is appropriate. Regardless of our blood relationship to a Scottish clan we are all members of XMTS by choice, so I don't see the motto as excluding those who have a blood claim to another clan.

Brian

**Luckey** · 21st August 07, 06:13 PM

This isn't a clan, group, association, or whatever which has ANY blood ties whatsoever. I agree with DTrain, since we share no common blood, "By Choice, Not Blood" explains it perfectly...at least to my simple mind.

**MacWage** · 21st August 07, 06:32 PM

On "Choice:"
The PHRASE WILL be: Per Electum . . .
(I look it ALSO through the idea of "by election . . ." which has a WHOLE different set of connotations, ESP. in religious circumstances.
The LATIN means BOTH. It means that we ELECT (Choose) to be here.

By "blood" refers to EACH OTHER (not really our connection to Scotland, which may or may not be by blood).

The Overall meaning is that we are a "clan" united by our DECISION to be here, not by our BLOODTIES to ONE ANOTHER. In other words, we are an ENTIRELY volunteer "clan."

So, the FULL LATIN slogan is fine.
The shortened version: "Per Electum" (By Choice) would ALSO work for me.