Even given its predictably unrelenting, cloying egotism, I must say that Evan's Manifesto ("Why We Are Renewing Our Membership") is not without merit. I just sent in my dues. Please hold your applause. I did it because I love the breed, and I'm hoping for better days for the GSDCA which is the primary representative of our breed in the U.S. Simple as that, no more no less. If someone chooses to not join, so be it. No need to make a self-righteous ego-trip out of it. There has been nothing more mind-numbingly boring lately than the nattering nabbobs of negativity (Google THAT one for some fun time-travel) who are constanly threatening to "not join this year". Okay, so don't join. Turn the page. I hope y'all have a cold one, enjoy your family, dogs, and the bowl games. Happy New Year to the Fancy, One and All ! tom elkins www.firethorntemple.com ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2010. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================