I have no plans of taking the site down, but do think I will convert it a bit into an alumni-based version of what it currently is.  At that point, I might look into securing the guestbook further so that spambots can't ruin it.

Until then...

I apologize for it taking so long to respond and hope you didn't think I deleted your entry.  I'd happily be responding via e-mail, but you've provided no address to use.  So...

I'm not one to follow the advice of complete strangers, so I apologize that I've come across as not listening to you.  I pour over your entries with complete confusion.  I don't understand your motives at all, how you know me, and why you think I'm "a leader trapped in a followers body," let alone how that relates to our conversation.  Nonetheless, that's where I'll begin.

I was put in a leadership position in the Drumline in high school, but I've really not been in one since then, other than as a father, of course.  I'm OK with that.  I see lots of things that I perceive as being wrong with this country and have given a fleeting thought to running for some sort of office, but don't think that's where I want to be at this point in my life; maybe later.  I'm happy with what I've accomplished in my short 24 years on this planet and look to the future with optimism.

Coming back down to earth and focusing back on the Lincoln Drumline, there's really no reason for this site to remain in operation.  I don't get any information to update it and the Lincoln High School Band has created their own site, which appears to be properly maintained and supported by the students, parents, faculty and school, something that this site has never enjoyed.  However, I'm not willing to put in the time and effort to tear this site down, so it remains here, a rather pathetic shell of its former self.  As I've discussed in the past, I believe this site can only live on as some sort of an alumni site.  I'd even like to do that with Lincoln's support so that we're working together and not competing, perhaps even running ads on their behalf, which would obviously be helping them out, for a change.

Liberal, eh?  That entry was pre-election, wasn't it?  I disagree with our president and disagreed with the 109th Congress enough that I suppose I could easily be labeled a liberal.  As I get older, I find I'm much-more centered than these divided times allow.  Feel free to read through my blog as it frequently touches on politics.

This is fun.  We should do this more often.

1-Well then there we have it don't we. You say its a "lincoln Drumline Website," you really don't care to hear from other  schools, then you do. Quit riding the line and make a decision to what you want and expect. Make up your mind. You sound like a liberal.

2-You are making this website available (to a selected few as in it should be about Lincoln or don't bother) by your own free will therefore no school is going to subsidise your efforts financially or otherwise. You don't want them to. They then would want to control the content.

3-Well then if thats true, then you shouldn't ask everyone if you should shut down the site should you? Again, make up your mind. Don't cry "wolf" if theres none around.

4-Good God man. Wake up! What do you mean by you haven't discouraged good comments? Read your 1st paragraph.

5-There you go again. If you are not from Lincoln your message is stay away. Again, make up your mind. If "others" are not wanted then you are at the mercy of "Lincolns Drumline" for ALL your expectations which evidently aren't being met or you wouldn't be asking "others" if you should shut this site down!

6-Congratulations! Sounds like you feel  that everything is fine. Then whats the problem? Lets sit around the campfire, hold hands and sing "Kum-By Ah" shall we?

7-I am not trying to put you on the defensive. I am trying to figure you out. Granted, I have a life too, I know of you in-directly, and I find you very intelligent. But for some reason, I can't reach you. Unlike you, I don't give up easily, don't bite the hand thats trying to understand me, and am trying to instill some self-confidence in you. Right now you come across as a follower. While there is nothing wrong with being a follower, I sense leadership qualities in you. Thats part of your problem, and my money says its been that way for a long time. Thats whats eating you up. You ARE a leader trapped in a followers body. You currently are not comfortable in your own skin. Thats good actually because you know that and deep inside you would like to make a difference, THUS this website for it furfills part of that need. Good for you.

8-  If you don't think you could be a instructor then you are probably right. But there a number of other things you could do that would help others in the Drum world and give you satisfaction at the same time. You just have to clear your head first and decide what and where to put your talents.

9- I couldn't tech a line as any drumming talent I had left me many years ago. I do however have lots of experience with self-motivation and leadership. Problem is most people don't want to hear it. Its the old addage, "Do you want me to hurt your feelings or do you want me to tell you the truth?" Everyone responds that they want the truth. So I tell them the truth and I end up hurting their feelings.

10-  Glad to hear about your family. I would expect nothing less. I understand the balancing act we as parents have to juggle between work, recreation,and family.The best policy however is try to find a way to "fit" the schedual around the kids, and visa versa. Exposure to the ARTS is never a bad thing, especially music. Who knows, you may have a future "Boston Pops"  artist on your hands.

11- Again, I feel you are misconstruing my intent. I have never complained about you personally or this site. Hell, if I didn't like you and your intentions not only would I NOT visit from time to time, I sure as heck wouldn't spend time responding to your post. You are a interesting fellow. You just need to focus on what you really want for this site, stop with the "Its for Lincoln" followers only, and if thats really true, stop asking for suggestions on how to improve this site. Davey Crockett many years ago ran as a congressman for the state of Tennessee. His campaign slogan was "Decide whats right, then do it." He won the election. I would submit to you that perhaps you should follow his advise.

(If this was to personal for you, Don't respond, or e-mail me privately.)

• The site is entitled, "The Lincoln Drumline Website."  I don't expect to read about the Packers when I visit ChicagoBears.com or about the Blue Devils when I go to Cavaliers.org.  Mentioning other schools is by no means taboo, but common sense would indicate that this site would be much more about Lincoln than other schools.

• With regard to this site, I have never received any significant assistance from Lincoln High School, the Des Moines Public Schools, or the Lincoln Band program.  One could argue that it perhaps I should, but I'd disagree.  After all, what do they get from it?

• Site traffic isn't something that keeps me awake at night.  I don't have specific numbers since traffic from all of BrentButler.com, including this site, are lumped together.  Nonetheless, it's surprisingly healthy with a stale look and no current calendar information since December.

• I do not recall any instance where I discouraged any good comments on this site and, in fact, can point to several instances where I've invited feedback.  The home page currently requests such feedback on whether or not this site should stay alive.

• I also did not create this site as an overall message board on drumming; there are already plenty of sites out there for that.  I frankly created it for me and others that have or are currently in Lincoln's Drumline.  I get the impression that Alumni get much more out of it than do current Drumline personnel.

• The "short story" on the Lincoln Drumline now includes 1,747 Guestbook entries and comprise of some 71,272 words, not counting this entry, spanning some 1,786 days.  None of it is Pulitzer-worthy stuff, but that's still quite a lot of information.

I have little desire to become an instructor primarily because I don't believe I'm cut out for it.  Perhaps that's something you could do; doing so will further "your love of the game," or so I'm told.

I have two children under the age of 5 that I love dearly; that is love.  My interest in marching percussion is more of a hobby than a love or a passion.  Having my priorities set in that order, I unfortunately will be unable to attend the State competition in Waukee this upcoming Saturday for an incredibly selfish reason: my son's 3rd birthday party.  I regret that I won't be able to attend; I sincerely enjoy seeing Lincoln and other local schools perform and wish them well.

On a side note, this is a guestbook on an unofficial site for a high school drumline.  I'm surprised that someone took the time to post a complaint about it; however, it is refreshing to see that someone cares about this little corner of the web.  I'd like to read some suggestions that you might have on how I could improve it.

I enjoy listening to marching bands, drum corps and drumlines, but I haven't really picked up a pair of sticks since I graduated.  I have my doubts how much help I could really be to any line.

That said, I am familiar with the fundamentals and could at least point out and explain how to fix mistakes.  However, I genuinely don't have the extra time I think would be necessary to properly teach/help a line.

My sincere hope is to make it to State in Waukee.  We'll see...

Brent, since you love it so much, why don't you get on as a tech somewhere?

My years in the Lincoln Drumline might very well be the most fun I'll ever have, so this site has always been my way of saying "thank you" to the organization that gave me those great memories.  Unfortunately, I have no way to keep it up-to-date since I don't know anyone on the line anymore or anyone on the band program, hence my thoughts on focusing it more on the past than the present.

We'll see.  For right now at least, I'll let it just kinda sit here.

Jeff, would you be able to take a look at the Rosters and possibly fill in some blanks from your time on the line?  I found that I was able to dig out old photos and remember a lot of names.

For Dave (and any other current/former Lincoln Drumliners)--
The address to update your profile is http://www.brentbutler.com/dl/.  You can e-mail me for your User ID and Password if you do not know/remember them, or if your name does not currently appear on the Rosters.