I hadn't really read this thread until Emmitt alerted me to it this afternoon on the phone. I am very far removed(several states), but that may give me more perspective. First off to the current Talons. I wish I knew yall. I only get back to TX about once a year these days, and last year I wasn't able to swing by the Talons meeting(and the previous was for Emmitt's wedding). I was looking forward to meeting the current membership and seeing what makes yall tick. I've heard alot of bad stories, but also some good things. But I tend to throw all of that out and make up my own mind. I do know that EJ tends to exaggerate at times. Should yall do more? I have no doubt. And I say that because I know that during my time in Talons we didn't do half the stuff I dreamed of. Emmitt and I used to talk long into the night about things we could do with Talons. Some were accomplished, but a great many were not. If I could go backand redo my Talons years I would undoubtedly try harder to get my pet projects off the ground(like my Tradition markers, which I'm sure maybe 2 people other than myself even remember). I would urge you to listen to the alumni, because we aren't just a bunch of blowhards. Yeah, some of the stories of things we did might be embellished a bit, but with expereince comes wisom. There are a great many of us that would love to help you. Will we be critical? Yes. But you have to realize that some of the alumni were damn critical of us in our years. I remember one Bonfire in particular where EJ and I almost came to blows with some of the "Old Guard" from then. It happens. Those that have been there before are always going to think they can do a better job, because they know the pitfalls, etc. that can be avoided. There were semesters where apathy was prevalent in Talons during my years too...especially in the Spring. If we complain too much at times it's not just because we think we're "better than you", it might also be because we don't want yall to make some of the mistakes that we did. ***That still doesn't excuse you taking away Alumni voting rights. I couldn't believe that when EJ told me a year or so ago.