Give yourself this Christmas Present ...

[oneoff]

There are some relatively little issues; and some bigger issues and some really important issues that could literally change the ways all things can be done.

Don't ignore the really really big ones.

[LWeber]

You are kind of an asshole Larry. If you disagree with a person ignore it and move on. This petty shit is what I would expect it off a 10 year old not an supposed industry professional. Debate, agree to disagree, put on ignore and leave it at that.

Go back do a search from 2007 to 2012 on Chucks posts on here and see if you feel the same way. Some of us actually fought for marketing freedom rather than try to suppress it.

[oneoff]

You know LarryW; I wasn't anywhere nearly as involved with the CWB battle as were the courageous renegades that precipitated its deserved demise.
Not so much because the CWB was not a concept that had no merits; but what it morphed into was championed and supported by those who used it the least; but benefited the most.

At the end of the day; I was accosted by a certain person and asked in no uncertain terms "if I was now happy that I had caused its death." At that moment I fully realized that day should have come years earlier.
There are also apparent openly hostile feelings amongst the same people which have no logical basis on the surface. Whether its envy or coveting someone else's apparent good fortune; or a lack of respect for whatever their intellect; or whatever is known only to the person harboring those feelings. But upon reflection if they can't remember the instances where substantial days of help was given (without any self interest whatsoever); but solely to help someone out who was in a real bind; then you feel sick at times. Would I give the same help today (would have to be reflected upon a LOT more) as I don't ever remember any real support on any issue being given in return. Almost as though; even though being more than fair; and agreeing to share information agreed to be safeguarded; for some persons it is seen as only some weird form of negotiating and gathering information when everyone had committed from the very beginning to be bound by the group's decision.

All so easily forgotten. So easy to betray. Beliefs and decisions based on supporting self interest agendas? Certainly not seriously entertaining anything which does not confirm what they already firmly believe.

[westernvicki]

We have very few people who fight for farmers who are not producers: go count them, name them if you can, but Larry Weber is one of them.

Agriville should provide a place to share different opinions, respectfully and they will differ as they should, but personal attacks, in any setting is not professional for any reason.

[oneoff]

Respect is lost for a variety of reasons. Some of those reasons valid enough in their own right.

[chuckChuck]

Western Vicki,

Weber has a certain views which I disagreed with. He seems to carry a lot of resentment even though his side won? I guess he needs to work out his own personal issues.

There was lots of disagreement amongst farmers over the CWB.

Why anyone would think that everyone should have the same point view on any subject always amazes me.

When put to a vote the majority of Board of Directors of the CWB was always pro single desk. Farmers elected the Board democratically.

Ritz promised a referendum before changing the CWB, but knew he couldn't win, so avoided having one.

What is interesting is wheat and durum prices are still not very good and complaints about the grain companies are on going. Perhaps even worse.

If getting rid of the CWB was a victory for some farmers, it was a hollow victory.

I think many farmers have a lot of ego and generally think they are smarter or better than the neighbor.

Good neighbors take care of their neighbors and friends even if they don't agree with them all the time or vote for the same political party.

Those who hold long term grudges generally suffer for it.

Learning how to communicate and get over our disagreements with family, friends and neighbors is a skill that some have to work at.

I have met very few people who are not worthy of a few kind words and some understanding.

The true character of people shows itself not in how they treat their friends but how they treat their real or "perceived" foes.

Life is pretty short and having a positive view of the world and people will help to make life easier.

[seabass]

Write a novel. U seem to have time to cut and paste bullshit all day long.

[oneoff]

By the sounds of things its more than just me that could do with some work on their public relations skills.

In the meantime I will observe from a distance any innovation shown by early adopters; and give especially full credit to those who do it with their own dime and not be dependent on tax dollars and subsidies.

Is that not the unsustainable way; and todays growing taxes, catering to demands for lax mind altering substances rules; laws; regulations; oversight, and attempting to look after every aspect of daily lives; just the evidence of nations in decay. Citizens of prosperous nations seem to have had characteristics of hard work, limited excesses and a drive from within themselves. Turning that drive over to government decisions; religous "leaders" and slave masters (of one form or another) tends to foster resentment; poor work ethics and radical overthrows of the status quo.....given a bit of time.

[sumdumguy]

Chuckchuck, just for the record, I voted and advocated for a candidate who was representing a dual market, CWB along with freedom. No sooner he was elected, he turned coat and was suddenly pro single-desk. Just saying, some things I still do remember. There were plenty of people who believed that both systems could run in tandem, benefitting many types of farmers. I still think it was unfortunate that the appetite was not there for duality.

[westernvicki]

We have so few voices who speak for farmers, less and less it seems, we are all busy, farms are larger, producers are less, we are all older, dreaming of warmer climes to boot. I do note that when we battled to CWB there was some sense of furor on both sides. Where on those voices now: carbon tax coming and if it were not for Brad Wall we would here little, and yes I have seen the letter, so it is not that we are doing nothing, but still we do very little, me included.

And so I merely note that anyone who is in the public eye, you are going to disagree with a some point, unless of course they are you, and style is something we all value perceive and differently in a farm advocate. Most of us have had our battles, some have mended fences others choose not to. But at the end of the day there a few people who will put their hand in the fire for anything, much less a farmer, and maybe this column proves why: you do risk getting burnt, for what good reason one would ask, when they do not even farm?

As for the CWB I doubt anyone on either side thought the process of change was well managed, especially in light of the transportation fiasco which resulted. Fast forward to the carbon tax which will directly affect our livelihood for decades, and most of us have likely not taken the time see what can be done to lobby against it.

Policy from government still has an impact on ag, it always will, being popular with government has been the flavor of the day, good for those in the meeting, was it good for those of us on the outside.

Time will tell.