This was the subject of a thread that I happened to come across over on another forum ... but I thought one of the posters did an excellent job of summing it up ...

He gets the credit ... but I'm not going to post his username out of respect for his privacy, and he may (or may not) frequent these forums.

Those of you who surf the different forums will know who wrote this:

"BOTL is a term of respect between Brothers. You cannot say you are one. Your fellow Brothers decide that. It is a element of respect. You will remember the very first time someone honors you with that phrase. Then you must work to maintain that high opinion. It is not about how many cigars you posses, or how many you gift, or the expense of those smokes. It is your attitude and standard of practice that you maintain. Do as you say, and treat each Brother with respect, as you would wish to be treated in kind. That is all. This place is special among it's kind, because of the people that are here, and their kindness and generousity and brotherhood. Embrace it, and them, and never look back."

The resaon I posted this here ... is because lately I've been seeing the acronym BTOL being used in greater frequency, I just wanted all to understand what I feel is the true meaning ...

Great post Slim... and Very True!!!!!

this is a thread that needs to stay current!!!!

Hog

Sounds like a good definition to me. X

Yup, I agree, Slim.

BTW, in an old archive, I found an obscure definition for AHOTL: "An AHOTL is someone who seldom has anything to say about cigars but who frequently hurls epithets on the MISC forum."

There were also references to the SOBOTL, the FHOTL, and a few others, about which I may have more to say later . . . ;o)

You should add to that 'as long as they are politically conservative.' Folks here have zero respect for those with alternative political views.

Xibbumbero is not a conservative. I am more of a libertarian. Someone even suggested I am unpatriotic based on a gag picture post featuring Republicans, even though I spent two Christmases in Vietnam before he was born. You could just disagree, or you can choose to also be disagreeable. It's a choice you make. One supposes that, like Camus' Stranger, the howls of execration somehow make you happy.

No John, Just Yours... You Denounced these United States... there is nothing more to consider you a BOTL to myself!!!! you have enjoyed Stiring **** with the Many here and when you feel you've been attacked.. your the first to cry about it... as I stated in the other thread.. show me your decency and DD214 then you will have an equivelency to discuse how the Soldiers really feel... reading an artical in a bias media does not give you a right to tell others how the Military is doing their Job!!!!

Hog

If I'm not mistaken, RICKAMAVEN is not a conservative yet "the old communist" seems to be held in the highest regard by most of the folks here. Many disagree with his politics, but most do so "respectfully." How is this possible?

Also, it's been said many times, here and elsewhere, "No politics or religion at the dinner table." I would venture to guess that most "families" will escalate a conversation to argument when this rule is broken. They're still brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers, though.

Food for thought.

Only because they are 'blood', sketcha ...

... it doesn't mean that it's a given right, when it comes to the definition that I posted above.

Just because someone smokes cigars, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are BTOL (or SOTL) ...

... oops ...

That should have read, 'BOTL' ... 😉

Understood, Slim. I was attempting to make a different point using the "blood family" metaphorically.

Slim

You are so right. I know where this post came from. It seems that respect over there is held much higher than it is here, sometimes. Can't we agree to disagree without disrespecting each other? If you don't think that you can disagree with someone civilly, then scroll back up top to "return to the forum without posting."

Doug

many of the guys i disagree with and who disagree with me most vehmently, are some of the people i like and respect for their personal commitment to their cause.

they know the door to my house is always open to them and their families. if i mention names, you guys will start calling them soft on liberalism.

years ago, a chap, so far to my right, i could barely agree with him on the spelling of gore, dropped by to do a little trading and we both agreed that neither one of us were sobs.

Wow! Not one capital letter in the post. Is that a record, Rick? = )

It's why they make Chocalate and Vanillia Ice Cream! However I have a problem with someone who lives in the USA and then denounces it, in a big way I do. I do not know who has doenthis here but Everyone should ready "Flags of Our Fathers" It's why we can do what we do here....just my .02 worth Rob

sketcha,

Rick's point IS excellent capital.

(;-)

Excellent post Slim and I too know where it was from and agree that the acronym is tossed around a little too much. Just MHO.

I agree, Gene. It sounded to me like a bit of a follow up on my first post. Glad someone got it.

I think each and every person deserves the repsect of another no matter how they feel about anything. We have a right to disagree and a right to be wrong. That is a freedom that we have and should be thankful for.

Slim:

This post just came to my attention today...absolutely agree in every detail.

Thank you for this reminder.

Ed