CN FORUMS ARCHIVE Telescope Reviews: Another Little PDF

You guys have ALL been so kind. I appreciate the thanks. But, save your strength for each other. It is thanks like I have received here that makes all my battles and beatings worthwhile. BUT, in the end, it will mean nothing if those who have learned to see a little farther and understand a little deeper do not pick up the gauntlet and make a firm decision to keep learning and SHARE that learning with others.

This really has nothing to do with binoculars and everything to do with expanding your own understanding and standing firm to protect your brethren from false doctrine. So much of what the consumer is fed about optics is just wrong! [Please note that I was kind enough not to say fraudulent . . oops!] Just remember advertising does not have to be accurate—only believed. And we are all learning how easily it is for some people to start beating the drum for a non-existent army.

Back in the day when I was fighting the battle against the wave of 15x70 SkyMasters fans, do you think some CN members would have been better off following this logic:

1) Bill sells 150 models of binoculars.
2) He even sells SkyMasters.
3) But he will not allow the 15x70 SkyMasters on his sales floor.
4) Since Bill in business to make money, and since
5) The name practically sells itself, and since
6) It is being talked up like crazy on the internet
7) it would appear that Bill is walking away from a gold mine.
8) Why would he do that?!

And what did it take to turn the corner? Person after person reporting having to return the product over and over. That was a costly road for some, especially those who returned them as many as four times before moving along to another purchase.

Imagine, what a great service you could be to each other if you took a little stronger interest in the hobby and were prepared to stand shoulder to shoulder to be sure that your neighbor knew about BOTH sides of the coin before making a decision.

I am not, as some have intimated, an elitist. I know poverty. I know the beauty of enjoying bird watching or the night sky with low-end products. But, let us all understand that the proverbial sow’s ear does not become the proverbial silk purse simply because a sow’s ear is all we can afford. Stand tall and teach others. Sometimes, it will not be the POPULAR thing to do. But, it will always be the right thing to do.

As some of you may KNOW, President Wilson promised to keep America out of the First World War. It was one of the things that got him into the White House. Yet, when he asked congress for a declaration of war (April 2, 1917), he said that there are times when “right” is more import than “peace.” Far be it from me to use Wilson as a role model, but his sentiment is why I have been willing to stand firm when it was not the popular thing to do.

Can you imagine what an important resource CN could be if all, or most, of you developed an interest in the newly arrived “instant experts” on so many subjects. You folks have the power to make CN the most powerful resource (for bino enthusiasts) on the net.

I have asked the moderators to ask some members to state their credentials if they are going to spout things that go against truth and logic, just to be heard making a noise. They are not in a safe position to do this. BUT, do you really believe that these folks should be allowed to stand behind positions that defy truth and logic just for the purpose of being “nice”? Nice to whom? Certainly not to those who have been made by silver tongues to believe things that are patently false.

I love the Chinese saying that states: “It is the empty vessel that makes the greatest noise.” And by—NICELY—asking this person or that where they came across the information they are extolling, the bulk of this group could more easily recognize the empty vessels.

I’ve had my day in the sun. It is time for younger and smarter men and women to take an interest . . . a protective interest in the hobby.

But then, that’s just me.

Cheers,

Bill