Another option

[Nohandle]

The yuku working horse board is available to anyone else who finds the tone here unworkable. Either google “working horse” or try this link http://workinghorse.yuku.com/directory

It’s also an option for additional information that some may find helpful. While this board may suit many people and certainly provides a good resource, some of us find it impossible to speak here or at the Rural Heritage site. No offense intended to the staff or owners, some things just aren’t for some people and I offer this only as an option. I would hope this post would be allowed to stay as it will be my only post.

[Patrick]

I am sure that I don’t know what you’re referring to. The tone at RH, yes, but here I’ve found the tone to be very agreeable. I don’t look at the equine threads, so maybe it’s different there, but most else is perfectly fine as far as I’m concerned. Enjoy the other site.

[Carl Russell]

Nohandle;10683 wrote:

…… While this board may suit many people and certainly provides a good resource, some of us find it impossible to speak here …….

This site is not moderated. Everyone can say whatever they want here. If what you have to say is respectful of other points of view, then it, and you may stay. If not, then yeah, it can be difficult.

Good luck, and thanx for the info on an alternate site, Carl

[jen judkins]

I find it interesting…no…amusing, that you have been a member here for nearly 24 hours and yet feel you can accurately sense the flavor of the community here. I’d definately like to hear more about you and your draft horse experience…there’s gotta be a good story there!

[jen judkins]

Oh, where are my manners…how are you, Bret?

[near horse]

I’ve been looking at the “working horse” site for more than a year now and while it does have some good stuff in the archives, most of the recent activity and almost all the new posts are “bitch and whines” from Bret about censorship by other sites. Since that is the crux of its activity, it’s still dead.

[Carl Russell]

near horse;10696 wrote:

I’ve been looking at the “working horse” site for more than a year now and while it does have some good stuff in the archives, most of the recent activity and almost all the new posts are “bitch and whines” from Bret about censorship by other sites. Since that is the crux of its activity, it’s still dead.

That’s too bad! Unfortunately I just don’t get around to other sites. I feel blessed that there are so many great contributors here. Thanks All, Carl

[Tom S]

I am only a casual member of the group, and I don’t post very often, but I do read the threads about every day and I enjoy the discussions very much. I am older than some, but I learn new and differant methods of making things work everyday. I appreciate the diverse group of open minds and differances of opinions. Keep up the great threads that have been provided through this forum. 🙂

[Karl Louis]

Looking back through the the archives at the other site it seems it was once a busy place. Quite a bit of information. The guy seems to just want another venue. If some of what he says is true in his view, I’d want another option too.

I posted, or I should say I tried posting at RH, but none of my posts were accepted. Too controversial I guess. I never should have mentioned having a “partner”, set off all the homophobic alarm bells. So even though I’m certain I come from a different place than nohandle/Bret, I’m also familiar with what he’s talking about at RH at least. Fair is fair and I hope they make a go of it. Different strokes for different folks.

[Carl Russell]

Karl Louis;10725 wrote:

Looking back through the the archives at the other site it seems it was once a busy place. Quite a bit of information. The guy seems to just want another venue. If some of what he says is true in his view, I’d want another option too.

I posted, or I should say I tried posting at RH, but none of my posts were accepted. Too controversial I guess. I never should have mentioned having a “partner”, set off all the homophobic alarm bells. So even though I’m certain I come from a different place than nohandle/Bret, I’m also familiar with what he’s talking about at RH at least. Fair is fair and I hope they make a go of it. Different strokes for different folks.

The only people (3) to be banned from this site were ones who could not see it in their heart to stop ridiculing, maligning, or being rude to others.

I will personally put all my weight behind the defense of anyone who has constructive and honest contributions, even if their personal, political, religious, or social choices offend others, or me for that matter.

DAP members have gone a long way to showing how we can have disagreements and still converse on a civil level.

I agree that we need alternative sites. I have no need for loyalty here. I do not live my life in competition. I believe that we all play important roles, even folks like the ones I have had to ban. I have given them all several chances, but ultimately had to pull the trigger.

I hope to see more posts from you Karl, and others who are obviously lurking in the inky shadows.

Thanks, Carl

[Uncle Joe]

@Karl Louis 10725 wrote:

Looking back through the the archives at the other site it seems it was once a busy place. Quite a bit of information. The guy seems to just want another venue. If some of what he says is true in his view, I’d want another option too.

I posted, or I should say I tried posting at RH, but none of my posts were accepted. Too controversial I guess. I never should have mentioned having a “partner”, set off all the homophobic alarm bells. So even though I’m certain I come from a different place than nohandle/Bret, I’m also familiar with what he’s talking about at RH at least. Fair is fair and I hope they make a go of it. Different strokes for different folks.

Karl: I don’t recall ever rejecting any posts at RH from you or anyone else because of partner-orientation. I can only guess it was before my wife and I bought the magazine and site in December 2007. Charges of homophobia are invalid with the current management, I assure you.

As far as censorship goes, all anyone has to do is go through the posts and they can see for themselves what is allowed.

In fact, we get a lot of complaints from people that too many posts stray from the primary focus of draft animal power and self-sufficient living, but a lot of other folk argue (I think successfully) that politics and culture are an important part of their rural lifestyle.

With the exception of contributions made by one particular poster who was unable to make his point without using inappropriate language or descending into personal attacks, there have probably been fewer than a half dozen posts that have been rejected.

I’m not really interested in responding to the charges made by this one person as it may lend credibility to those claims. Again, all I would do is ask people to visit the forum for themselves and see what is being discussed.

Joe Mischka
Rural Heritage Magazine

[Gabe Ayers]

Having known the Mischka’s – both Bob and Joe for decades now, my experience has been that they are as fair and straight up as it gets. They are as good as their word in every way.

Joe and his family have survived through hard work and persistence with this magazine and it’s accompanying cyber effort on the RH front porch despite a historically failing current economic reality and a recent Iowa flood that filled his home and office over the dining room table. He bought a magazine that to some had seemed to be peaked or beyond and is now continuing to grow as a world class publication.

They have brought modern animal power to the modern media through the Rural Heritage show on RFD-TV and have a successful business of selling magazines, books, DVD’s and videos.

Their contribution to the culture of draft animal power probably has immeasurable benefits to this cultural community of interest through an apprenticeship program free to subscribers and cyber members and who knows the value that has held and nurtured in the lives of many untold stories throughout the countryside of this planet.

There is nothing narrow minded about the Mischka’s in my experience but a great deal that is big hearted.

So not to worry Karl, they are doing fine and for the sake of this community of interest I hope they will continue to do so for years to come.

I would also bet that anyone that has something relative to farming and logging with horses, mules or oxen ~ that it will be posted on the original Front Porch on the internet.

The only thing I would say we don’t agree on is our favorite color of big horses, they like the black ones…..have for many years now…

[Karl Louis]

Well, what to say. Karl died on August 27 of a heart attack. He was only 54. I was told about this post by our friend but din’t have a chance or the will to address it till now. We didnt have a computer anyway so I might never have known.

I don;t recall exactly what the problem was at rural hertage but Karl was the politcal one anyway. It was during the last election and he made a coupel attempts to say something and I remember he was pissed thaty it didnt go. He was a Log Cabin Republican and hated Obama. That was his thing,. I could care less, all politicians are worthless., Knowing Karl he ripped into Obama and the liberals, “the lyin libertards” he called them He ahted taxes But KArl was as honest as could be and I don;t take to well to people saying he wasn;t.

Good by-Lou

[Carl Russell]

Geez! Just a week after he posted here last. We never got much of a sense of what Karl was up to, or thinking.

Sorry for your loss.

Carl

[TBigLug]

I can’t say that I’ve ever had any cencorship problems here even though my opinions don’t always match everyone’s (or anyone’s at times for that matter lol) opinion but I am truly grateful to Carl for having a great site where us “draft horse relics” (as my friends refer to me) can come and share our knowledge, stories and thoughts with our fellow teamsters. I think with sites like this, Rural Heritiage and even the other site (which I have not visited yet) it is a huge step towards helping out beginning teamsters and helping others who may never own a draft understand why we do what we do.

Thanks to everyone!

[Author]

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