Some great points. With growth there will always be change. I guess as long as it is a public and professionsl forum it will stay under control (or at least I hope it does)

Happy Selling!
Tony Grego - Indiana Mortgage Broker

Jesse & Kathy, As this community grows and along with some of the "less than desirable" or controversial posts that I have seen, some changes will be made because some people just wear their feelings on their shirt sleeves. I hope that this will continue to be an open forum for thoughts and ideas. But in any event, I will still continue to be an "Equal Opportunity Offender". 8-)

Personally speaking, I really feel the pendulum of political correctness has swung too far.  I always tell my buyers and sellers alike that I have a problem, I am outspoken, if a thought comes into my head it comes out of my mouth, and you can always tell what I'm thinking because it's either written all over my face or it's coming out of my mouth.  I blog like it is and like I am, sorry, I'm not for the politically correct or for the faint of heart.  As I once saw on a bumper sticker - "put on  your big girl panties and get over it".

Jesse and Kathy, I have noticed the changes in the Rain too...  some are complaining that we are posting too much "fluff"  (my word) too many blogs about NON business related subjects, I think they have the right to NOT READ those and leave the rest of us alone who like to read a joke, a story about the  kids, the horse, the fishing trip and any other topic another person wishes to read about.  Sometimes our writing is a venting, a re-living of a memory or a moment. I have noticed the absense of several great bloggers.. they just aren't here anymore.. :(    Resisting Change usually is to no avail.. so we need to enjoy what we have as long as we have it.

Jesse and Kathy, You guys are a brerath of fresh air and i agree with you on just about everything. God bless you

Jesse and Kathy, I agree this is a people business. Your clients will share your views other wise they will not work with you. Great Post.

Amen brother Jesse!!! I too do not do political correctness. Folks just need to be real. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Awhile back, I noticed a trend that blogs had to be masterpieces or they were criticized by a few here on AR.  It affected my desire to write and for awhile, I didn't.  There are some here who have incredible talent and others who work very hard to put up a blog.  I respect everyone's endeavors but would never criticize someone for not meeting the bar of excellence that some people expect here.

You are correct in your observation. I believe the "plastic" politically correct world makes people feel safer!

Some people consider observing Fair Housing laws to be political correctness.  I have been criticized for writing about "pc" topics such (anti-Trust laws, Fair Housing, COE) by people who apparently don't wish to be reminded that their license brings obligations along with it.

It is fine to be real and speak your mind, but politeness and sensitivity to others isn't a bad thing.

Jesse...

Many rain moons ago we decided to just be ourselves regardless of whether or not we are politically correct.

Frankly I find it BORING :)

Say what you mean...Mean what you say...And the rest will take care of itself. Or not :)

P.S. Ha! Ha! I bet you thought I was going to pretty post you :) 

TLW...ROAR!

Oh...

By the way if I had any more individuality I would be all alone :(

:)

TLW...ROAR!

Politically correct = another term for censorship.  Usu. touted by those who suffer from inferiority complex simplex and egomanius giganticus wishing to impose their vision of what is acceptable upon the masses.

We may disagree about everything else -- but we agree on this!

One thing I have learned is that I have never had an original idea. It seems as I learn from others, my personality may make adjustments to the words or thoughts I have just read and my mind begins to take on my perspective. That is when I become creative. I see or think a different way than what I just learned. So, there come the words.

That is what most all of us experience, I presume. We can't all be original with out thoughts, but we can be individuals with personal takes on a huge amount of subjects.

There is only so much that can be discussed about any one subject until there are more people discussing it.

We now have a large number of folks here on AR. Some are very talented. Some are young and just getting a hold on how to express themselves. Some are just plain dumb. Some really don't belong here. Some are angry. Some are way too happy and forgiving. Some are just here for the points. Some don't even know the value of points.

That's what makes up a democracy. I am so glad we have all these freedoms.

I have never worried much about who I please or offend when I speak up. It is a pleasure to have that right.

When it comes to real estate and my clients, it is all I focus on, their best interests. I'm not there to make EVERYONE happy, only them.

When it comes to desiring our business to have a higher level of standards, I fiercely defend our Code of Ethics and MLS Rules and Regulations.

When it comes to writing a post, I say what I need to say. I always look forward to the comments and hope that they are more than token words.

Thanks for this well written post.

Is that the boat you told me you had?

Jesse, you omitted "Polar Bear Club" member.

Please don't hold back.  We all want to know where you stand.  LOL

Tony - Let's hope civility doesn't go out the window. 

Michael - Equal Opportunity Offender... I like that.  Sounds good to me.

June- I like the way you think, June.  Oh, and I have been known to use that "put your big girl bloomers on and get over it" phrase a time or two.  :)  The world is waaay too PC if you ask me.

Gail- I can live with change... if I really, really have to. LOL  Like you say, if people don't want to read a blog, then by all means keep moving.  Does't sound all that hard, does it?

Thanks, Hugh.  I appreciate that.  God Bless You as well. Prayers of discernment are still headed your way.

Frank- Who wants to work with someone you can't stand.  I have but try to avoid it at all costs now.  I have a referral form and I'm not afraid to use it.

Brother Bryant - Am I preaching to the choir?  I can do diplomacy but there's already enough PC BS in the world without me adding to it.

Diane- The only person you're really competing with here, at least in my ever so humble (yea right) opinion, is yourself.  I think people should blog about whatever their little hearts desire to.  Consumers will either connect with them or not... and I'm of the opinion that 'real' comes through loud and clear.

Gary - You're probably right... I just see it as hypocrisy run amuck.  Just be yourself is my philosophy.  Let the plastics have the PC stuff.

Eric- Very true.  There are still some very archaic opinions in the world.  I am certainly not advocating the abandonment of civility or equal opportunity by any means... I just believe we should be who we are.

TLW- Man... here I was expecting a nice post - pretty post - lovely post and you go and get all original on me.  Geez.  As for the "I had any more individuality I would be all alone"comment... no worries.. there's a special party room reserved just for us slightly nutty non-pc junkies. :)

Kent - I think that pretty much says it all.  Well done.

Ann- LOL - See, we can all find common ground no matter what. :)  I didn't forget your series, btw.  I just don't want to ruin the book (I ordered it from Amazon)

Don - I wish I could give gold stars for comments because I agree with you on all counts. That's our old boat on a little jaunt off the NC coast a few years ago.  The boss decided that if we were going to plan extended voyages we needed a much bigger boat... and I was only to happy to obliger her.

Sparkler.. Paul- Oh, no my friend.  I've done a lot of things in my life but dropping this wide frame into a hole in the ice is just not gonna happen. Do you have any idea what it would take to haul this giant Popsicle out of the water?

Randy- LOL - I'll try to make my position a little clearer next time.  Can't have anyone leaving confused, can I?

Jesse, thanks for the mention. We nned to convey a sense of individuality, I believe, in every thing we do on this rock. I am right there with you, chewing on my beef jerky and singing Ava Maria in my scuba shoes.

I'm telling you, Lenza.  Your wordsmithing skills are in top form.  I'm in total agreement.

We are who we are... God fearing Christian, family oriented, outdoor enthusiast, man-made-global-warming-disbelieving, carbon footprint stomping, pro-energy independent, drill-in-the-arctic, right wing, conservative, preservationist, Pledge of Allegiance, One Nation Under God, equal opportunity Realtors

Is this the new group on AR I can join ;). The other day I said I wouldn't attend a church like the one that Sen. Obama goes to. I was banned from a military spouse website - really amazing. My statement was based on fact after research and actual conversation with a member. But I was deemed a racists by this group for just saying I wouldn't attend his church.