Critique is fine, Ryan. What Joe (I interpret) is suggesting is that being a "squeaky wheel," or, a constant, harping annoyance like Duaine, does no good. Make the critiques, which I think most of us in the organization accept, but after the point has been made, I don't think it's realistic for non-members to be constantly prodding the various leadership individuals of our organization to satisfy their "needs" as non-members. Someone mentioned before the idea that non-members are not entitled to "rights." I agree. Does that mean we don't value their input? Of course not. Suggesting that would be rather thoughtless. Do we want non-members as part of our community? OF COURSE! Their membership status has nothing to do with the validity of their knowledge and insights.<div> <br></div><div>As I said, I have always felt that criticisms are taken seriously, no matter their origin. But someone like Duaine is simply a nuisance with no capability for intelligent dialogue (there, I said it). Just look at his recent interpretation of Joe's email that we are responding to. How DOES one make that kind of interpretation and seriously think there's any merit in it? It's pretty obtuse, pretty well mired in his own agenda.<div> <br></div><div>Again, I believe (and I bet Joe does too) that serious, thoughtful criticisms and suggestions are taken seriously no matter their origin.</div><div><br></div><div>William R. Monroe</div><div><br></div><div> <br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Jan 6, 2012 at 10:40 AM, Ryan Sowers <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:tunerryan@gmail.com">tunerryan@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"> Joe, I understand your perspective and have tended to agree with it in the past. <br><br>These days I see one of the problems of PTG is that it is too self-absorbed as an organization. Just because someone is not a member it doesn't follow that they can't contribute and have something to say. There are some brilliant technicians who are not members - Bill Spurlock and Joel Rappaport come to mind. PTG doesn't have a monopoly on the truth and we should be open to critique no matter where it comes from. That's one way we move forward. <br> <br>Ryan<div class="HOEnZb"><div class="h5"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Jan 6, 2012 at 7:21 AM, Joseph Garrett <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:joegarrett@earthlink.net" target="_blank">joegarrett@earthlink.net</a>></span> wrote:<br> <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"> The Heckler said: "Or YEAP! The squeakiest wheel gets the attention and<br> grease."<br> <br> Duaine,<br> In order to get the grease, you need to be an integral part of the<br> machine!! Otherwise, you get sent to the scrap heap!<G><br> Just my take on it.<br> Joe<br> <br> <br> Joe Garrett, R.P.T.<br> Captain of the Tool Police<br> Squares R I<br> <br> </blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br></div></div></blockquote></div> </div></div>