Since you opened this thread I will respectfully answer you Christan. Although you may find several people who may fit this profile.
I remember when Christan was a minor and was as annoying as those he complains about today. And Yes you were, BUT we still brought you in a welcomed you, Harley, Mikey, and others never jumped on you as much as I have seen you jump on others.
My story...
I joined CAP when I was 12 years old and by 14 I was fully qualified for Search and Rescue operations. But since I was not 17 I had to work in field communications. Even though I was upset because I could not be "in the field" searching I did find that after a year of communications work I began not only teaching ROP (Radio Operator Permit) course which were FCC approved but after 500 hours on the radios, the State Communications Officer would ask if I would go and help establish mission field communications for repeaters and base transmissions. All before the age to 15.
To this day I refuse to accept that ages 13 - 17 are any more or less mature then those over 18. And when I run into those who are so adamit about dealing with minors, I find that the old saying is often true... "That we hate in others what we dislike in ourselves..."
There was a time when 12 was concidered mature but technology has modified our society into altering this belief. I believe that our maturity relies more on the way we are raised, and the challenges we face then the age of our hearts.
Christan, I ask you to think back to those days when you were throwing green gas into fires and other immature things and know that you lost some of my respect for your level of maturity on that day. However, we always meet each day with the ability to gain or lose respect. Regardless of age we all share this ability.
As frustrating as it may be and as much as I might agree to what you say there is always a silent few who are mature enough to stand with anyone. I erge you as a moderator of this forum to treat all of the people on this forum and on the field with more respect than you might receive from them. This is true success of maturity. And when it is neccessary to comment on behavor of those on the forum please do so as a pm rather than a post.
I always try to repect others with level more than they have earned because evenually they will rise to that level and at the end of the day it is my self-respect that I go to sleep with.
I know you well enough to know that you have a good heart and have strong passion, and I believe that someday that your maturity will reach a level that will reach out to those who are younger, less skilled, and who will recognize your ability to lead them. This will be the day you have 4 stripes or 2 bars on your uniform. Regardless you'll have my salute.
