In article ,
wrote:

I'm a lurker -- a Canadian somewhat interested in woodworking. Been
following the wreck for a year or so --- started out getting some
useful information ... but I'm getting tired watching all the
political ideologues take over the wreck for the past few months.

I'm a Canadian as well. I find that I get a more complete picture of
some of the Wreck's members when they volunteer their views on a variety
of topics. Sometimes a simple statement by somebody leads me to follow
up on my own, and I have discovered some really cool stuff that way.
(Thanks for the lead on the topic of tea, Ed.)

[snipped for brevity]

But I do have a
problem with the overhwhelming number of posts with U.S. political
and religious orientation.

It makes this Wreck what it is. Diverse. I couldn't handle only reading
about water stones vs oil stones. I also like to hear about kidney
stones and Rolling Stones.

[snip]

Perhaps you Americans could give the rest of us a break. If you want
to argue politics, do it somewhere more appropriate.

My problem, Ken, is that most of my friends and relatives are Americans.
I live, literally, 5 minutes from an American White Castle. American
politics have always intrigued me. I'm therefore informed on the current
state of the union.... and I don't get my news from a painfully biased
outlet like Fox. I will stay up on election night if it is a US
election. I cannot stay up and watch a canadian ballot count...it puts
me to sleep.

I'm interested in what Tom Watson, for example, thin ks about
woodworking; he has demonstratable expertise. I really don't care
what he thinks about politics or the state of the universe -- as far
as I can see, he has no credentials that would suggest any particular
insight..

Ken, when somebody like Tom Watson opens his well-worn Thesaurus up for
us, I read what he has to say. I had NO idea he was a liberal. ( I think
I'll give him a nick-name: Thesaurus Rex) It surprised me. He likes the
same music as Swingman... another thing that caught me by surprise.
The list of surprises is endless. But I like to think that I have a
pretty good idea who's what around here. Other than that, I couldn't
give a rat's ass about what anybody thinks about me or anybody else....
well... other than Larry Jaques. What Larry thinks of me is
important..in a sick sort of way. G