I am going to jump in on this.... not trying to poke the bear...... I think you are all great people and I have made some awesome friends here. Evidenced by all the thoughtful comments in this thread.
I expressed my opinions over on the politics forum in response to an article that was posted as did a few others. My assumption was that it was an open forum and opinions were welcome. I do think there was some good conversation that happened in that thread and excellent points made on both sides of that issue. I am not an actual rising sun member as I have not attended one of the official meetings and do not pay dues, but I really appreciate that the club has a forum open to non members as well. This club has been a fantastic resource for me and I have met some awesome people who really know their stuff when it comes to Toyotas. I did not join this group to talk politics, I joined to talk about trucks. If someone wants to give advice on the best way to swap and axle, or needs a spare part, I could care less what their political leanings are. That being said I personally enjoy sitting across a campfire from someone with a different opinion than I have. It is much more interesting than staying in my own echo chamber. I do not think I have ever heard controversial political issues discussed in person during a group run. Last weekend there was a great group out on the Argentine run. I am sure we had some democrats, republicans, socialists, libertarians, and even solid axle luddites in that group but no one cared. We were all there to have a good time and do some trail work in the process.
@stustic you and I have met in person and you seemed like a good guy when I sold you that bumper. I have no reason to doubt that regardless of your opinions on politics. Everyone I have met through this forum in person has been a pretty genuine and I look forward to continuing those relationships. I would sit down and buy you a beer any day of the week to hear your perspective on a political issue, but I would rather help you work on a truck. For what it is worth my wife and I make significant donations to various charitable organizations, many that benefit the homeless. Countless hours spent working with Metropolitan Ministries (when I lived in FL), Easterseals, and The Ronald McDonald House. When you actually engage with a person instead of shutting them out it usually turns out that their views are much more nuanced than they appear on the surface. My opinions on the issue are based on my personal experiences in that world, and while I stand by them, I will happily apologize if anything I said offended you that deeply. No disrespect was intended to you or anyone else.