I posted this in June 2008, when Chat was a source for 10 new topics a day...now I wonder how many will even read it....sad really?

I have been somewhat surprised at the animosity shown towards those of us who care to discuss non Belizean subjects, so I'll try to offer a perspective, which while unique to me will I'm sure be relevant to some other board members in some way.

I visited San Pedro 6 times in the last 12 months: I have a business there, a home under construction and would estimate that I would be extremely unlikely to walk around San Pedro for more than 10 minutes without seeing someone I knew, a very different situation from where I now live, having moved to Plano (north Dallas, 6,500,000 people) to be close, travel wise, to La Ilsa Bonita: for 4 years prior, I was in Moab, Utah a town of 5000, and before that in a little ski town called Red Lodge, Montana, population 2179, for 6 years.

Over the past year, I have formed many and varying relationships via this board: my trips down have been influenced by who would also be there, and my love for the island and the future of Ambergris Caye is an integral part of my life and also both my financial and emotional well being. My partner there is Belizean of Indian decent, and I'm happy to have friends of many ethnic backgrounds on the island. I try to evaluate people based on substance, not appearance

If I chose to debate an issue with fellow board members, I am at a loss to understand how this in any way detracts from the enjoyment of another viewer? Is there a finite limit on the number of characters that can be displayed? Is there a compulsion by some to read every post? There are many areas of the board that I rarely visit, but for some who may enjoy those areas, I feel no animus: perhaps a “Non Belizean” section in the chat forum would be an idea?

Both Mini Chat and Big are utilized far more by those of us outside the country as a means of keeping in touch with each other and as a way of feeling involved until such time as we are able to return, and discussing any and all subjects, including the election of the leader of the free world seems to be reasonable?

When I do return to San Pedro, I'll look forward to rehashing the same discussions with Reaper, although we agree on almost nothing (except perhaps that he does have a hot wife) to reconfirming that Otter is one of the good guys, and that there is some intelligent life along the banks of the Missouri, if you are prepared to look really hard while simultaneously drinking a lot. There may even still be an attorney in California who likes me, although it seems to be down to just one, and thats 'cause her neighbor has a Pug!

Perhaps when I'm down there for more extended periods, I will find other subjects to debate: the price of tortillas thanks to ethanol, the quality and bias of local media or the monopoly of Bowen and Bowen...the thing is, if I annoy you now, I'll probably still annoy you then, just on a different subject: until such time, lets keep debate civil, and remember we always have the option not to read, be it a post or an on line paper....only Tacogirls Blog is mandatory!

I miss you Pug! Red lodge huh? I'm not that far from there. I too have a place in A/C,. almost done. I would put my wife (in the hot catagory) against Reapers anytime.

Hey Pug, you're still on my list of "reliable" people.

Pugster - Well put. I am sure most computers have the same options mine has and that is, don't click it if you don't like it. Oh well - I can read it on other boards it I choose.

We need to have a beer next time I am in the "plex". Maybe some more of that great Indian food Ms. Pug fixes. I'll bring the Shiners. (and flowers for the misses of course!)

Just bring the Shiners....she doesn't expect much, and I'm living up to her expectations....I'd hate to have to adjust at this stage of my life

I'm not checking in here as often - primarily because the people I enjoy most aren't either. Miss your perspective, Pug!

Isn't Pug a Pedroean?

It's easy to see why people got so frustrated with USA Chat. Too many personal attacks were allowed to stand. It's pretty sad that a lot of the rock throwers ran to Marty when their views were seen as wrong by others. Too many people were too busy trying to convert way too many others to their way of thinking. Opposite views weren't discussed rationaly. When I expressed my dissapointment with the forum I was told to "stop crying". I was far from crying. Debate became too heated. I remember discussing gay marriage with Bobber once. He stated his side, I stated my side. We agreed to disagree. I totally respect his opinions. He totally respected mine. That didn't happen much in here over the past few years. Only a certain number of folks were capable of calm, rational debate. A lot of "regulars" went over to Facebook to chat and keep up with each other. Mostly because of the overall rudeness of a certain few board members. The other day a guy asked a very good question here. "How do I ship some things to Belize?" A poster replied "have mommy and daddy pay for it!". Maybe the poster thought that was funny. It was in very poor taste. Things like that should be deleted ASAP. I suggested to Marty about a year ago that there should be a USA Chat that you have to sign up for, sort of like the Businesss Forum. Then people just looking for Belize info wouldn't be subjected to our banter and we could have a free for all!

I am hoping that this board will recover and get back to what it was always designed to be, a place for folks that are interested in Ambergris Caye to ask and answer question - now we have to state "in a polite and courteous manner."

Et tu Reaper?!!?

I don't understand why a message board about Ambergris Caye (and by extension Belize) should have to have a USA Chat at all.

Back in the day, this board didn't even have a chat session, but some of the frequent boarders got so involved with each other, that they were filling up the About Ambergris sub-forum with all their chitter-chat. Marty thought it would be a good idea to creat the sub-forum Chat. Seemed like a great idea to me at the time. I was relieved to see the chatty stuff moved off of the info sub-forum. Eventually, I got caught up in the Chat too, and it became fun . . .but even that wasn't enough . . .so Marty gave us a BIG CHAT area, that we could go to and be as mean or as silly or as chatty as we chose, without it impacting the AC board. But even that wasn't good enough for us, so he went so far as to give us mini-chat, that you see on the righthand side of this page. And even that wasn't good enough for some of you. So Marty gave you USA Chat, but even that got abused, so it was taken off the board . . .and I'll weigh in and say rightly so.

Though I had no problem with it, because I didn't need to go in there and expose myself to it in any way, if I didn't want to. Regardless, why should it be a requirement? Why should a message board that is supposed to be supporting AC and Belize, have a sub-forum like that?? If people want to discuss, exchange ideas and argue their fool heads off about USA politics and the like, why shouldn't they create their own Facebook place to do it? Why does it have to be on this board? Why do you feel so entitled? Sheesh.

Hey, I love Roatan too. Hey Marty, my friend, please start a Roatan sub-forum. I think that the boarders would like that and it would be good for this board, you know, comparison purposes, healthy competition, boarders having the right to say whatever . . .(and for those among you that are impaired in certain ways, this paragraph is total sarcasm . . . except for my love of Roatan.) :^)

Some people need to "grow some balls" or get some thicker skin. If a heated political debate bothers someone that bad on a message board, how do they handle something that really matters in real life? They are just opinions - everybody has one and most people have different ones. Of course, I do a lot of arguing for a living, so I am used to blasts - take em' with a grain of salt and move on. I could live with the USA chat and I could live without it.

Hey Pug, my neighbor and I were talking about his Pug the other day and.....

Dang Girl, say whats on your mind !

"Convince a man against his will and he'll be of the same opinion still".

My grandma taught me that, but she was quoting someone. :^)

That's what I'm saying SS!

E, I did and want to ask: does it all really matter at the end of the day? Nope.

both you gals need to get a hobby. E loves everyone. pug is great but one of your best bud's would not agree.

The only thing that counts at the end of the day is, loose shoes and a warm place to sleep.

Luvin, I have hobbies - but right now, mebbee I am a bit excited because I am going to Belize next week! No reply necessary, whatever you have ever said to me is never nice anyway. Don't give it a second thought since you don't even know me.

Luvinlife, looks like your hobby is dogging us.

Nor do I care to know either of you Lm, SS. You both have been nothing but rude to me. Ha ha hobbies...... I doggin dogs SS.

Pug, it's been pretty quiet without your posts. I haven't spent that much time on this site lately, it just isn't the same as it used to be. With so much content on this board these days (remember when we only had a few subforums?), there isn't time to read everything, so I pick the topics that interest me.

SS, I love your grandma's quote - words to remember in all life situations .

Ernie, yep - the simple things seem more important these days.

luvinlife - I really don't understand why you make such comments to SS and LM. I know them both pretty well and they are very busy living and lovin life! Are you?

Thanks Gela! LM and I are loving our lives. How could there be any doubt! Everyone that knows us, knows how it is.

Neither do I know why luvinlife makes such comments. Perhaps it is merely projection on her part.

And I think I'll say no more for fear the hot doggin' could turn into a cat fight. ;^)