The board has definitely matured. That's what drove me away 4 or 5 years ago. Feeling like I was trapped in a kindergarten study hall, I bailed. The board was intolerant, juvenile and there was very little presented that had intelligent, enlightening or academic value. Guys beefing with people they created themselves in order to induce more male attention. How goddamned "odd" can a man be? The board is more serious, ... at least much of the time. In that regard I kinda miss my favorite nemesis, Nzinga. He personified some true "assaholean" tendencies, but you had better have been on top of your facts and figures if you chose to engage him in debate. I'm without doubt one of the more polarizing members on the board and much of what I say will offend some, depending on their perspective and persuasion, but for the most part, I'm tolerated and/or ignored now. I'm 70 years in the making. I'm who and what I am, and there is no time or desire for a change. Everyone has the choice to ignore those they wish not to hear from. Only one, so far, has attacked the memory of my mother because he resented my opinions or my right to hold and voice them. Freedom of religion includes, by nature and design, freedom FROM religion! Not everyone knows or respects that. I hope the board survives and continues to become more educational and enlightening. As MLK said, "I may not get there with you" but as a race we need that. We need to elevate. We were denied over 300 years of societal and educational progress that the rest of the world enjoyed without us, and we are ANYTHING BUT in lockstep with the rest of the world. We are trailing and generally deficient and uncompetitive in so many regards. We need the debates and openness to welcome an array of differing opinions because that, in essence, mimics a microcosm of the world itself. You'll have to be inclusive of all kinds in your everyday affairs, now more than ever, and in your professions, so you may as well get used to those circumstances and occurrences here. My 2 cent.
