CFDG policy

I just wonder how some people care about this so much. I have opinions on a lot of different groups and people, but I don't feel the need to express them on here. For that, there are more appropriate venues, such as my personal blog or website. I don't feel the need to go around and start commenting on groups like Storm2K.org, easteruswx, or other group. Each group is different, for better or for worse. Likewise, why does it matter what some person thinks? How does "person X's" opinion on some matters affect me? People have all sorts of different opinions with which I disagree, but, 99% of the time, I just shrug my shoulders and move on. Someone doesn't like "newb" chasers? Who cares? Interestinly, some folks say they don't care, but they then act offended and get vocal about the issue. If nobody truly cared, this thread wouldn't be 3 pages long, and the other threads wouldn't have been a big deal.

To each his own, I say. If you want all chasers to go away, then fine. If you want every mom and pop to grab their lawn chair to drive around and "chase", then so be it. I'll continue to do what I do, and you continue to do what you do. Isn't that easy?

We all bring something different to the table. Some people are very knowledgeable in certain areas of meteorology, while others are very much beginners when it comes to the science of severe storms and tornadoes. Likewise, some folks choose to get the "extreme" shots by trying to get as close to a tornado as possilble, while others go for structure shots and stay 10+ miles from the tornado. Alienating a fellow storm chaser (or group of chasers) for his or her opinion doesn't seem to be in the best interest of the storm chasing community, IMO, and it certainly isn't in the best interest of Stormtrack. We have a lot of members who contribute heavily to the forum, and nobody should have to feel like they are being alienated and discouraged from posting. Unfortunately, belligerence doesn't exactly say "come, stay here, and contribute to our goal of making Stormtrack a better place".
 
It's just a freaking topic, ain't it? SO WHAT if people do want to talk about it. Lordy. Other lists are so damn fragile, we should just not discuss them at all, for their sake and the sake of the rest of the fragiles that "don't feel the need to talk about them" just a need to talk about talking about them(makes even more sense imo).

So many opinions on not having an opinion.

It was dying fairly well till those on the "drop your thoughts" side started posting.
 
I think Chuck has earned the right to say whatever he pleases. In fact, isn't that a basic right? But, if you don't like what he has to say, you should tell him about it. The two of you may continue to disagree, but there is a better chance of mutual respect if you communicate with him directly. To suggest that anyone else who is a member of CFDG shares his views is an unfair generalization, though I know some hard feelings will probably never be rooted out among some individuals. Some old habits die hard, and some legends never die regardless of their factual nature. There are a number of damn good people in that group, and their reasons for being there may have little to do with wanting to separate themselves from the ST crowd. Sure, it would be nice if more of the CFDG members would come over here to enlighten the masses (some do), but maybe some of them just are too busy to deal with the monstrosity that is ST. I for one don't hold that against them. Back to Tim choosing to resign from their board, I think it is rather sad to hear as yet another bridge between the communities would fall.
 
I think Chuck has earned the right to say whatever he pleases
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Nobody on this planet has, can, or ever will earn the right to wish harm on anyone in any way, in public or on paper, joking or otherwise - period. to say that accomplishments earn someone the "right" to say things intended for harm - joking or not - is inexcusable. It boggles my mind how people can be excused for their actions due to their status or accomplishments. Just as a point - the legal system does not work that way in almost any situation - it does not show favoritism based on accomplishments (or should not anyway), and neither does common sense when it comes to things said on a lectern in a public setting..
 
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Our decision is that suppressing discussion about the group is a departure from our editorial policy and is against the best interests of Stormtrack.
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Stormtrack currently has an open policy on discussion about CFDG ... so to his each own. If people want to talk about it, let them. Maybe there are some who need to come to some sort of conclusion as to why the situation exists in the first place.

It's not going away anytime soon. Seems like some more balance would be nice to see on both sides of the issue.

From my perspective, the problem here is pretty simple. Sorry ... but if one board has members who consistently choose to look down their noses on the community using whatever public venue is available to them, I would guess that the 'community' will consistently choose to do the same. And dead horse or not, this issue will keep coming up over and over again.

This is a bed that was made years and years ago if you ask me. Hopefully everyone is comfy lying in whichever one they chose.
 
No Patrick, I didn't mean to imply that somebody that reacts to something shouldn't be held accountable for their actions. They most certainly should, but what the root cause of that reaction was (right or wrong) also should be taken into consideration.
I'm not trying to apply Doswell's feelings or comments to the whole CFDG crowd. I like several guys on there and have the utmost respect for them. Others I don't. I have seen several other CFDG members make very similiar comments to Doswell's though and I got the impression that the mentality was shared by many in certain groups. That's not a generalization or stereotype IMO.
Like I said before, I have tons of respect for Doswell on an intellectual level. My top three favorite meteorology books were all written by him, but I strongly disagree with what he said and the mentality that his comment represents. Nobody should get a free pass because of who they are and what they've done.
Another thing that bothers me a little bit is the default respect that some of those guys get. Being an expert in any field of atmospheric science doesn't translate to being a good chaser and I think a lot of people make that leap. Some of the best forecasters of tornadoes for storm chasing purposes aren't even meteorologists. Some of the biggest names in research and academics relative to meteorology aren't so good at chasing. It works both ways. I see CFDG as a group of extended friends more than a group of elite chasers.
The whole look down upon other chaser attitude from only a couple of the CFDG guys is the only thing that bothers me. That's not unique to CFDG either. It's not my intention to make blanket statements about CFDG and if I came across as saying that I didn't mean to.
I think it's ironic that the same people that are advocating letting everybody do as they please and chase how they want are also the same ones that are saying don't talk about this or don't talk about that. It kind of goes against the premise of your argument and implies a bit of a contradiction IMO. I'm not trying to call anybody out or start an argument by saying that. I'm just trying get other people to see both sides of this a little more clearly.
If somebody wants a private forum, go for it. I don't really care. The only thing I care about are some of the comments that were made and the mentality of some of the people in that forum. I expressed my opinions on that just like they did. I don't intend to do any more than that. I may not agree with how CFDG functions, but it's not like I can do anything about it.
The whole deal over somebody leaving ST because they didn't get their way is laughable IMO. I don't care if somebody leaves because they don't like something. Nobody on here is that important. The alternative is bowing to every single persons desire when they get upset. That's ridiculous. You can't please everybody so stick to what you think is right and move along.
This whole deal is becoming a big argument about nothing and I really don't want to piss people off any more over something this insignificant. I don't even really know why I'm still involved in this discussion.
 
Oh my gosh, folks.

What we are redigesting here is human nature - clear and simple. I think this whole topic has just about reached it's expiration date and it's starting to taste like the stale Allsup's burrito that it really is. There have been great points made by many people on and from EVERY angle. I think it is wise to remember that everybody is entitled to their own opinion. Would it not be more worthwhile to let those who want to say something say it - and then let it simmer and die down? All the time and posting effort that has gone into this thread - a lot of it apparently motivated by frustration, nitpicking or disagreement rather than the core issue/s - would be far better served putting it into one of the meteorology/chasing-related threads that ST is really here to provide.

It's Thanksgiving, it's the off-season, and there have been TORs in southeast MO today (bet hardly anybody noticed! ;) ). Be thankful that ST is here, be thankful that there are STILL many knowledgeable chasers here who post FCSTs and insights, and be happy. Like I said before - with the sheer size of chasing these days, there will ALWAYS be someone out there you don't agree with and there'll ALWAYS be someone out there who drives you crazy. Do your therapist a favor and steer clear of them!

KL
 
Thanks, Mikey, for the clarification. I see your point of view better now and can understand where you are coming from.

I just want to clarify one thing about the individual who left. This person did not leave as a result of not getting their way. The person I'm thinking of left as a result of some shady stuff that happened in addition to the discussion on the forum. It's the shady stuff that caused the problem.
 
Hey what did I miss here? CFDG thread? Chuck on ST? When did all this happen - which thread?

Last time I was in a thread with Chuck was briefly when I first started as a fairly new chaser on Wx-Chase.

For background info (for those that don't know) as I understand CFDG was primarily started to give Sci type chasers a more formal meeting place to discuss serious issues related to meteorology and chasing. This came about because particularly wx-chase was a massive flame bath in those days.

I can definitely see the reasons for it's existence. I was always sad I missed out on the experience of those when they left wx-chase. I'll have to check up on this thread but sounds to me based on the controversy like people have too much time on their hands.
 
Out of interest, I tried to google the website for CFDG to see what all of the hubbub was about.

I never thought there would be such a lengthy discussion about the Charity Finance Director's Group (CFDG): http://www.cfdg.org.uk/cfdg/cfdg.asp


Seriously, where can one find the CFDG website? I am curious as to what everyone is talking about.
 
HAltschule said:
Out of interest, I tried to google the website for CFDG to see what all of the hubbub was about.

I never thought there would be such a lengthy discussion about the Charity Finance Director's Group (CFDG): http://www.cfdg.org.uk/cfdg/cfdg.asp


Seriously, where can one find the CFDG website? I am curious as to what everyone is talking about.
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You likely won't be able to Google it as they prevent Googlebot spiders from searching it I believe.
 
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