A Question for the Port Trade

[Alan C.]

Could I have some clarification here.

Has the question been decided? Is it the 'Closing Down' point.
If it is, who forwarded it and how is it worded?
And lastly, why have we bothered to debate what questions we think may be suitable, if you then pick one that hasn't been aired on this thread.

It doesn't exactly encourage/inspire me to contribute a suggestion next month.

Alan

[Andy Velebil]

Alan,

I could be mistaken, but didn't that question also come up in a recent thread???

Remember, as far as I can recall from my on-line searching over the past few years, this is the first time I've ever seen semi-regular direct input from producers on a web-site. Like police work, the Port trade is steeped in tradition and change comes quite slowly at times. I think it is best to keep the answers a little less politically sensitive at this point, at least until the producers get a little more involved. I would hate for Roy to put them on the spot and then they in turn not reply.

It's like the old story about the old and young bulls....why run down the hill, when you can walk down the hill.

Also, having met some heads of Port companies on Roy's trip, I assure you they read some of the threads on this forum. That was evident when one mentioned a specific thread that was discussed here.

(Disclaimer: The thoughs above are strictly mine. I have no idea how a question is chosen, but I understand most things in life, even the Port world, has politics and unwritten rules. I'm sure, in due time, more "sensitive" type questions should be posed.)

[Roy Hersh]

Has the question been decided? Is it the 'Closing Down' point.
If it is, who forwarded it and how is it worded?

Dear Alan,

It must be the pitchfork.

There were not a whole bunch of suggestions in this thread. It was mostly but not exclusively, one long one. As is mentioned on the website section AQFTPT, the choice is made by choosing the BEST question from either the hundreds of emails that come in per month or from the Forum. I am sorry if you think the one I chose as "best" does not fit with your view of that.

I have taken suggestions from the Forum to heart in the past and made many a decision based on what I view to be the most educational for the majority of readers. So in consideration of the thousands of people who read the newsletter outside of the US/UK, I felt this would be a topic rarely discussed in detail. When you see the newsletter, I can guarantee you'll learn something too. I know I did.

As they say, "you can't please all the people all of the time." I do try though and can't think of any other public wine Forums that are more open to democratic ideas, (even reversing decisions) and incorporating suggestions from their users, than FTLOP.


As to Andy's point: I was questioned by a prominent Port Shipper on the very first month's question as being a bit too controversial. I was honest and said that although I chose the question, I was not the author of it. 8) If you guys had any clue what it takes (the number of emails I have to send personally) in order to get a handful of responses back, maybe I'd catch a little less 2nd guessing.

I am done whining now.

[Alan C.]

Roy,

thanks for your response. As we both, know its not a major issue in life, and I dont mind at all that your the Arbitor of the question. You can judge its relevance, political nuiances, and edit it to your hearts content.
The point I make, and having re-read my post, maybe too harshly, is why have a Thread asking for suggestions, watch a few thoughts emerge, evolve and gain popularity, only to ignore them all and go for an 'un-aired' question from a different source?
You never know, had you posted the question you were considering, someone may have enhanced its form in a way that appealled to you.

I have been fulsome in my praise of the idea of asking a Monthly question and enjoyed their interesting responses. But I would suggest you either think of the question yourself, or engage in critiquing/explaining the responses you envoked. and finally

Andy,

I accept your comments and their sagacity. But in the search for balance, do you and Roy ever find areas of dispute, you were definately both carved from the same tree! (I'll leave it to you guys to say it was from the tree of wisdom) :)

Alan

[Andy Velebil]

LOL, no we disagreed once I think . seriously though...trust me, I have no problem being honest and up front with Roy if I don't agree/like something. Normally, I send it to him via a PM. (nothing against you doing it here, just my personal preference.)

Actually, I was vocal about some issues too for a time. However, during the harvest trip I learned a heck of a lot about how the port trade works and that tradition is HUGE, to say the least. It was quite the learning experience which changed my views about some issues.

[Alan C.]

Fair Comment.

[Todd Pettinger]

Actually, I was vocal about some issues too for a time. However, during the harvest trip I learned a heck of a lot about how the port trade works and that tradition is HUGE, to say the least. It was quite the learning experience which changed my views about some issues.

Now you're just helping Roy sell more trips here! :)
(That being said, I wish I could go on the harvest tour this year - oh my how I wish I could go. Perhaps next year! After reading about it in the newsletter, and seeing the pictures... wow. What an experience! The trips seem to sell themselves.)

Todd

[Al B.]

I've got to say that the answers from the port trade to May's question were very interesting. It was quite educational to read the views of those who were able to reply.

It was also very interesting to contrast the thoughts of others against my own experience.

Roy - thanks for posing the question and my thanks also to those who read this forum and were able to pass a reply through to Roy.

Alex