Any Interest in Forming a New Houston Aquarium Society?

[LordBarron7692]

Well here is what I don't understand how can anyone say that is racist when first off you don't what his/her race is because Lee could be anything under the sun and I was just thinking I'm saying Mr.Lee when in reality it might very well be Ms. or Mrs. Lee

[mnemenoi]

Hmmm, so he does not like Amano style nature aquariums? Perhaps Eheims and Angelfish only? He has a huge issue with Southeast Asian themed tanks? Yeah, I'm certain that is exactly what he meant. Mien Tank, Mein Kampf, Mein Aquarium society

[LordBarron7692]

I don't see it not in a racial way

[40GallonsOfDoom]

I would like to think this is just a case of butthurt people smelling blood in the water and attacking anything they see. Thats why I am reserving judgement. But you cant really expect to throw out a charged statement like that with no explanation and expect it to be dismissed.

[LordBarron7692]

saying asain influence makes some racist? oh or maybe it was the bit about european influence. Thats rich man you guys are funny

[LordBarron7692]

At the end of the day what it all boils down to is that he voice his opinion about the clubs here in Houston.Some people like the clubs the way they are and some don't. Now it is still my opinion that "and I could be wrong" nothing malice or malicious was said other than he didn't want to hear anything negative, but this is all a mute point because we WE SHOULD ALL BE ADULT ENOUGH NOT LET OPINIONS HURT ONES FEELINGS

[40GallonsOfDoom]

I think Lee should just clarify what he meant about the different influences so we can clear up this whole thing and either dismiss him as a racist old man or just a guy who may not be as politically correct and eloquent as some of us.

[ScorpiosWife]

I tried reading with perspective, an open mind & without emotion. I didn't call him any names or accuse him of anything. I'm not one to tear into someone unless it's personal. I posted for 2 reasons.

1. He felt the need to point out what he sees as flaws in other clubs & expected the club's members to remain silent. He asked that no one reply that didn't agree with him, yet he stirred the pot. Of course that's going to ruffle some feathers, which is obvious.

2. It's not clear what he wants other than a more rigid, hard nosed, serious club.

Him pointing out what he sees as unstructured, etc. wasn't needed. If he wishes to start a new club in town all he had to do was say so, outline what benefit the new club would be to the fish community & be done with it. All that other stuff wasn't necessary.

We discuss things. It's what we should do as a community to grow & to learn. When I post, I appreciate everyone's input; good, bad or indifferent but this is his thread. GHAC nor HAS are his cup of tea, nor do I think he has evil or malicious intentions, on that we agree but it's not necessary to make negative assumptions or remarks about the existing clubs nor their members to get his point across either.

[LordBarron7692]

Wow this is the most interesting thread that has come up in sometime. Let's see we have childish name calling crazy accusations. The funny thing is Mr. Lee never really came out and "bashed" anything although I do understand the need to defend one's club at what point do we step back and actually read without any emotional connects because in realty its the emotional ego that was brusied by Mr. Lee's words and when your on the outside looking in it doesn't appear that he has in malice or evil intentions. It just seems as though GHAC is just not his cup of tea. And by no means am I condonning what he has said I'm simply saying from the outside looking in it doesn't seem that bad.

[ScorpiosWife]

All other comments aside, I would like an outline of what you are looking for as a new club. What you don't seem to like in the existing ones are our behaviors & geographical backgrounds.

As a member of GHAC I have met some awesome people, whom you have insulted without basis or merit & you've whittled your potential member base down by quite a bit by doing so. That's your right, but I don't understand why you felt the need to word that the way you did when what you're looking for is members to join your club.

It seems to me that what you're looking for is very rigid. I know you said you weren't interested in hearing any comments that weren't in your favor & rest assured I'm not going to judge you, even though by making a broad statement about GHAC, you judged me. That said, this is the South & I am a native. We are not rigid by nature, we treat friends as family & take immediate offense when someone balks at our Southern hospitality.

Yes, GHAC has meetings at members houses. Yes, most of the time we have unstructured fun. Yes, we help each other (fish related or not). Yes, we form long lasting bonds & friendships. Yes, we wander around each others houses looking at each other's set ups, sit on each other's couches, etc. Yes, we have a meeting while doing all of the above. Opening your home to people is just customary in the South.

Above all else, we're a community & we care about the HUMAN factor as well as our fish. As with any community we are going to have our faults but we work through them AS A COMMUNITY. I, personally, don't see this as a bad thing. I have helped & given freely to many & many have done the same for me. Like JustDoIt said, we pay it forward. I wholeheartedly agree that one day you're going to need help & regardless of what you've said here, we're going to extend a hand & help you because that's who we are.

How is that bad?

I'm not a member of HAS so I cannot speak on their behalf, but I am a member of this forum & GHAC.

Perhaps you should clarify what you're looking for in a new club without bashing another. Maybe draw up a rigid outline with expected behaviors. No laughing, no forming friendships, no going to each other's houses, no helping one another, keep it strictly on topic & about fish? Please clarify. I have no interest but maybe it will help someone else.

[Fancyfish]

For those of you accusing this guy of racism; I respectfully suggest you are wrong. What he said ” I think, also, the European influence up Norht is a big factor too. Here in Houston Texas the Asian influence is becoming a factor” is not a racist statement. It is a statement of what he perceives as a fact.

I am not racist. I am not bigoted. I don’t care if you are black, Asian, space alien, werewolf, or whatever. I don’t care what religion you practice, I don’t care what sex partners you prefer. That said, I agree there is an Asian influence in the fish hobby in Houston. This is not a negative statement!!!! I noticed when I went to fish stores 20 years ago that many were owned by Asian people. That seems true today though I can no longer go to fish stores as I would like. Getting old is a pain. J An ethnic group can influence something AND SAYING THAT THEY DID IS NOT A NEGATIVE STATEMENT NOR IS IT RACIST.

I raise fancy guppies (among other things). I am amazed at what some of the Asian/Oriental breeders have produced. They are just awesome and I envy them their skill. Other ethnic cultures have done amazing work as well.

Those of you who are quick to say that his two sentences are racist, bigoted and hateful, step back. Read them again. And consider, if statements like that are considered racist and bigoted, then we can never have a real conversation, nor acknowledge the many things the different races of our world have done.

And for those criticizing his spelling; the man is 70 years old. He did not grow up using a computer. And the posting section does not have spell check.

[BeefyG]

Any Interest in Forming a New Houston Aquarium Society?

This might be a good time to thank Tim and Charles for all they have done for the fish hobby in Houston... So thanks guys! Probably doesn't get said near often enough.

[Fancyfish]

I just want to point out that the below is from the President of HAS.

We have evolved to what we are because of lack of interest. I have tried repeatedly over the last few years to get interest in regular meetings. Everytime I schedule an awesome speaker or event the same half dozen or so people show up. Its embarassing. At some point I'll try to push it again. We actually had a conversation about that today with some long time members and we are all pretty frustrated at the lack of interest. But I travel around this area to auctions and know many of the people primarily running the clubs in this state and beyond. It is always the same, to more or less extent. You have a core group of a few people who attend all the events and a much larger group that goes to auctions. We're going to bring in speakers for FOTAS that should fill any hotel ballroom that we want to rent...and most of the seats will be empty. But come Sunday the auction will be PACKED. Every now and then over the years I've tried to force the issue and do regular meetings with cool speakers...and each time I've gotten the feeling I'm beating my head against the wall. If you'd like to help I can and will welcome it. If you'd like to attend I can and will welcome that too. Its hard to be an all areas encompassing club because those people that are interested in tropical fish as a whole rather that little specific areas of expertise at a time are fewer and fewer. It saddens me a bit but I also realize the hobby is changing. Its probably alot based on the economy but also equal parts of lots more stuff competing for your time, entertainment or otherwise, as well. I will readily admit that I've grown a bit complacent about things. Its kind of hard not to sometimes. When I still have the same general interest in fish that I've always had and I see that sort of thing waning about me its pretty easy to get a little discouraged or complacent. That having been said, we decided today to make another push for the sort of thing you're asking for. I dont have real great hopes for it but I'm dedicated to trying anyway. If you'd like to be a part of it you would be welcome. I'm familiar with the way clubs are run in other parts of the country. I'm familiar with the interest level they have on a continual basis. I have been to HAS events in Houston for over 30 years in one capacity or another. It has never been, at least in that time, like the north or northeast. I'm guessing it never will be perhaps if for no other reason than geography and drive time. It has, consistently, always been a club and area that enjoys auctions and has a high level of attendance for them. I'd be happy to talk some of the history of it with you. I guess I'm bouncing around a little with this, but its late. Hopefully some of this will make sense and I'd be happy to discuss it with you.

[danielp]

Houston is a very wide and diverse community. While I'm not a member of either club I do pay close attention to the post of substance and I reach out to members that I have common fish keeping interest with.

Yes there is a lot I disagree with and I have let it be known when the bs factor has gotten out of hand IMO.

While forming a club is a given right attacking others for their beliefs in the groups they choose to be members in is unacceptable.

I actually liked your idea for the 1st sentence or two. I'm a 50 something guy and I thought for a brief moment that this might be a group I could relate to based on the age group I saw it attracting.

I'm a member of several forums and while the bs factor isnt allowed on other forms like it is here the true substance of the hobby that is shared is better than any other forum I participate in.

Chill out and look at it for what you want to concentrate on and you will find what's being offered to be very rewarding.

[sunkenmetal]

You are in the South... People in the south are laid back. So clubs are going to be laid back. This is a hobby not a business so any organized meeting should be fun duh.