The Chiefs training camp has opened, and the 2010 season is unofficially underway.  It is a moment the membership of Arrowhead Pride has been eagerly anticipating for months.  The long off season is finally over.

During that off season, we had much to talk about.  There was talk about the addition of new coaches, talk about the draft and the projected success (or failure depending on you opinion) there, and free agency.  Most Arrowhead Pride posters are extremely passionate about the Chiefs and spend a lot of time on the blog-----reading, talking, and cheering on their beloved Chiefs.

Whether you loved what the Chiefs have done lately or whether you hated it, or somewhere in between, the banter back and forth on the website has been lively and entertaining.  Interestingly, during slow times much talk has been centered around whether or not individuals are a "newbie" or part of the "old guard" (whatever that is) or something in between.  Frankly, I don't know what I "am" in terms of old guard, newbie or whatever, but I do know this; I am a hardcore dyed in the wool Chiefs fan.  And I also know this; that no matter who I butt heads with and disagree with on the site, even my most profound opposite is also a hardcore dyed in the wool Chiefs fan.

When people are passionate about something such as fandom (derived from the word fanatic), there are going to be emotions involved as well as feelings, anger, etc.  I come to this site because I love to talk Chiefs, and I am passionate about the team.  When you have strong feelings about something, it is entirely possible for someone else to have a totally different view of things and there may be a conflict between "your view of things" and "mine".  This is where anger, emotions, feelings, name calling, rejection, and acceptance come into play.

Anytime strong allegiances are involved, there may be conflict with others who do not see things exactly the same way as we do.  That happens quite frequently on this site, and that is the point of this whole FanPost.  When we come on this website, we do so to cuss and discuss the Chiefs.  There is always going to be a certain amount of conflict between differing opinions concerning the same subject.  When these differing opinions conflict on Arrowhead Pride, sometimes the fur flies.  Some become offended by the liveliness of some of the exchanges.  I think if you "can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen".  But don't abandon the website just because of a little conflict.  It is normal, natural, and it is going to happen. 

Personally, I like that.  I like to have a little jousting match going on with someone of differing opinions.  I LIKE to come away from some discussions with a bit of a bloody nose sometimes.  This can open one's eyes and mind to other facts and ways of thinking.  It is this verbal give and take that makes Arrowhead Pride so doggone interesting and fun.  But (and it is a butt as big a J-Lo's), some people are getting there feelings hurt or feathers ruffled in the verbal jousting match which occurs almost daily.  That is unfortunate, but I think it is part of the "nature of the beast".  If you are going to "blog" with the best, occasionally you are going to get beaten up somewhat, often with profound and true facts.  It is this sharing of information which makes us all better fans.

So, "newbie" or "old guard", we should all remember this.  We are brothers (or sisters) on this site.  We are Chiefs fans and we are the best.  When we don the garments which used to make up the "sea of red" at Arrowhead, we become (collectively) that 12th man on the field.  That is we become that 12th man if we are good enough.  I think we are.  Geaux, Chiefs!