There is more to responsible firearm ownership than firearms
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I have used this quote often as many know, the origins...
labgrade , now passed, and I were communicating via telephone. We had been exchanging information about various matters, such as TRS, the political situation in respective states in regard to CCW and whatever else.
One of us said those words, we argued as to which one of us said it first - we gave each other credit. Then we wondered if perhaps Rich Lucibella had said them, someone else -anyone? We did searches to find out. We never did find an author, so labgrade and I continued to give each other credit.
I'm suposed to take credit for them since lagrades passing...that is another story as to why.
labgrade is only one of MANY - whom I met thru TFL and later THR. Like many, we do not always talk guns, the S&T, the L&P, we just need to visit with like minded individual.
It may be we need the input from someone in a profession, or we need input from someone in a region of the country in regard to hotels, vacation spots - or meeting up to have a meal, cup of coffee.
Re: Outsiders
I too am uncomfortable with 'outsiders'. My first gut reaction is open forum needing moderating. I'm uncomfortable with this definition personally.
I know many at THR did not approve of The Roundtable, even from its conception - including Staff. I respect this. I can even understand their point of view. I admit I am not the best representative of THR, TFL or APS.
APS members as it is now - we know each other. Akin to the folks working in a downtown area, they may know everyone - still comfortable enough to see them in the Coffee Shop on the corner. We talk about a lot of stuff, and perhaps even matters we would not to "strangers" - but the person that works in that building across the street - we may not actually know his name, what he actually does in that bldg - is still 'one of us'.
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I can vent here, I can get by with language to re-enforce my emotion on a matter, to gain tone and inflection if you will.
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Now about training me on stuff ...'cultured' as it may expressed. I do not watch TV , if I did I'd watch movies maybe, or training tapes....or educational tapes. Now being with like minded folks , in someone's home watching a movie, yeah, I like that. I ususally end up with the family dog being my bestest friend.
I would prefer to see a live Theatre show, instead of most movies. Not some musicals, but some are classic. I mean even I go to the Children's Theatre to see "Annie" with the red headed brat singing. "Annie Get Your Gun" , "Swiss Family Robinson"....and the last dinner Theatre show was "Pajama Tops". My Micro Bio PhD Lab - a young lady whom finished HS at age 14 and I forget how young she got her PhD was in the Play. She was surprised how folks like me liked the Theatre. I was really surprised how well she looked in a Teddy....I mean I was paying attention in class anyway with her wearing jeans, T-shirt and a ball cap...
Oh, cannot fool me - I have had some fine Southern Cooked foods in MN, PA WVA,MI even
Indiana. 8grin* Ohio really needs to get their act together tho"...*smirk*. Trying to explain to a Ohio native that the bun is supposed to be 'backwards' on a Patty Melt double cheeseburger, with double jalapeno cheese and jalapenos is a classic example of futility. Do not ever ask if they ever make Sun Tea...deer in the headlight look all around. Just what the hell is this putting butter on sandwiches anyway? She put on the butter - then- added mustard and mayo to a ham sandwich. We hang folks in the South if they do that...
Nope, this is my quaint coffee shop with my bunch. Sometimes my diner with the juke box in the corner with some CCR or Segar playing. Reminds me of a watering hole I used to go to as well.
I still do communicate with folks off forum, via PM, Email Snail- Mail and landline. I mean I have rec'd some great books from New Zealand, from a freind I met at THR. He wanted to learn some shotgunning stuff, and now we communicate about all sorts of stuff.
I keep up with families, and kids. I get adopted 'online' sometimes. Latest was a person said thier kid was going to adopt me as an Uncle. That way the kid and them could blame me for buying stuff for the parents , under the excuse of the kid. Hey at 9 months the kid is not really into the train set, or the Red Ryder parents bought - but I get the blame so the parents can make sure the stuff works for when the kid gets bigger. Makes sense to me. 
