I have lurked on this site for many years, and I signed up for a free account a few years ago. Today, I finally paid for 1 year of a subscribed account.

First, I want to say that I am over 50 years old, and I have been a part of a lot of various online communities, dating all the way back to the original BBS's. Every community has its pros and cons, its good people and its knuckleheads. GLP is no different.

I don't come here for the conspiracy theories, the politics, or the religion. Personally, I don't care what your personal political or religious beliefs are because they are your basic rights as a human being, even if they are diametrically opposite of mine.

I come here because I have seen people offer up their homes to complete strangers in order to provide them with shelter from a major hurricane bearing down on the US, for no other reason than they were a member of this community. I have seen threads dedicated to the sharing of information and checking on friends and family when a disaster strikes somewhere.

I decided I want to be a part of that. And if a few bucks can help keep that sense of community and human decency going, than it's my responsibility to contribute.

To the friends I have already made, I look forward to getting to know you better. To friends I have not yet made, I look forward to meeting you. To everyone else... I'll be polite and civil if you will.

Cheers,
Riff