Market Farming

["Rick Williams" <mrfarm AT frontiernet.net>]

Del Williams wrote:
> There is only one way to deal with internet arguments.  Ignore them.
>
> If there is a particular poster who does things that annoy you, simply
> delete any of their posts or replies.
>
> There are other folks on this list who in the past have seemed kind of
> annoying in the way they posted, but they are still here and they
> contribute
> useful information and opinions to the list.  I'm sure I've annoyed a few
> people on occasion.

Truer words have not been spoken.

> I think argumentativeness is a Williams' trait.  Eh Rick?

Well, there seem to be plenty of others on this list who feel strongly about
it as well. I came upon this list as a recommendation from someone else. I
had no idea that many farmers were going to be attacked by list members. I
am not going to sit quietly and accept that. It is when good people do
nothing that evil triumphs. Those of us who do farm and are involved in the
actual farm organizations that are attacked need to speak up and get some
truth in the discussion instead of all the innuendo that keeps coming up.

> There is something to be said for at least reading the opinions of people
> with whom you disagree.  I kinda like reading people who have opposing
> opinions.  It's good practice for dealing with real life people
> who hold the
> same views.

Although people with totally closed minds can rarely be swayed (religious
belief) there are many who are not sure of the facts and would like open and
honest discussion so that they can make up their own minds.

It is true that with today's society, more than ever, we do seem to have a
"sound bite mentality" that is unable to deal with both serious and complex
issues that cannot be discussed in a few lines of text. And as I have
explained before, especially not on this type of forum where it takes longer
for discussions.

But compare that to belonging to a particular group with a particular agenda
who only has a "party line" that you must accept or you can leave. You find
out that these groups are far from grass roots and far from being truly
democratic groups.

Sincerely,

Rick Williams
Misty Ridge Farm
Dairy heifers and dairy beef graziers
Viroqua, WI

www.mistyridgefarm.com