Like Angus, I really thought he was a great/fair Mod.
As a fairly new member of both of these groups I find the intrigue almost too much to bear.
I managed to vape for almost two years and not be a member of either of these two groups,
or reddit or that other ecig review forum.
I learned by trial and error and watching lots of youtube flicks.
The need for a united front against the FDA and others who would take and/or tax our freedom
to vape OR smoke tobacco is evident to me.
But it's also evident that "some" of our groups are more interested in the profit to be made from vapers
rather than in actually fighting for our rights, and seem engaged in a ridiculous battle with each other
for which will have the most members with which to impress their advertisers and approved vendors.
As a member of both ECF and VU, at least for now; I am impressed with the freedom we have at VU.
Here, we are treated as adults but free to behave as children without being punished or threatened with
banishment. This is the way it should be. We don't need nannies.
We need forums which will lead by example and set an example
for the new vapers and each other, as well as to the powers that oppose us.
But instead we have bickering between us. We have people who condemn tobacco as if big tobacco wasn't a victim of
the many rules, regulations and taxes that threaten us as vapers.
We have vapers who want to vape in hospitals and schools and the non smoking/vaping public be damned.
We have unnecessary intrigue as if we were writing soap operas rather than engaging in fellowship
with each other and organizing toward a movement to maintain our individual freedom.
We should be making friends, both with each other and the public.
But instead we make enemies.
In some of the groups we even have moderators that don't even vape telling us what we can or can't say
because in their allegedly expert opinion it will hurt the "cause". I find this attitude laughable.
What hurts our cause is the infighting, the ridicule of our peers, the spying and one-up-man-ship
that makes the whole thing seem a waste of time.
What do you think the FDA, State and Federal Governments see?
I'll tell you. They see a house divided, easy to conquer.
They see self entitled brats, young or old with money to spend on shiny things
who can't seem to agree with each other about anything
and in turn they see cash in their coffers.
Please, don't misunderstand my words here. I'm not railing against any particular group.
I'm pointing out how silly and immature we all seem with all this intrigue, an easy prey.
And I'm pointing the finger at the greed that has replaced what once seemed an honorable cause,
as well as reminding you, everybody, that we don't really need you
in order to vape or smoke, or have a good time.
I'm saying that perhaps you're doing more harm than good with all your silly games.
Those games are dangerous to your pocketbook and your freedom.
One day you'll wake up and find that somebody lifted your wallet and stole your freedom
while you were busy fighting and enforcing stupid rules and you will have yourselves to blame.
When that day comes, remember. An old fart named HazyShades told you so.
Rant over. Regards,
Hazy
