To have a certain amount of preconceived notion is human.  It is what you do with those notions or you act on those notions that really matters. We can have fun poking at ourselves, but need to be mindful when we poke at others.I currently work with or have gotten to know a wide collection of local diverse groups looking to improve themselves, their neighborhoods, and their business districts or simply just to better Bremerton.  When a group of people decide to come together for a common goal, an open atmosphere that is inclusive and tolerant needs to be maintained at all times. Real grownups know how to politely agree to disagree, can avoid the social and political land mines spread all around and still find common ground to build upon. Individual intolerance, moral judgment, stereotypes and bigotry needs to be fully checked at the door if the group is to function efficiently and productively.Unfortunately, there are always handfuls of individuals that just can’t respect other participants who may have legal occupations or less than mainstream lifestyles that differ from than their own or somehow go against their clouded personal beliefs. Despite anyone else’s personal feelings or situation, these individuals feel that it is their obligation to publicaly force their positions to be known and to hand down their personal moral judgments on others in an attempt to force the entire group in a single direction that is best for them personally. These individuals deliberately perpetuate stereotypes, engage in behind the scenes smear campaigns and only choose to participate with certain handpicked members of the group whom they deem socially, religiously or politically worthy.I have witnessed a handful of intolerant I-am-taking-my toys-and-going-home individuals who have destroyed more groups than they have helped.Typically, the group then attempts to limp on and is afraid to call the intolerants out because doing so only damages the group’s name and reputation further. Over time, these intolerants either correct themselves and apologize or in most cases go on to eventually cross a line that is just too big to hide or recover from and they are exposed to the  community for what they really are.It is even worse when these intolerant individuals hold leadership positions within the group or within what is a very diverse and eclectic community. In no way am I saying they should eliminate or change their own moral compass or belief system that guides their personal day to day way of living or individual personal decisions.  What I am saying is that some people need to learn how to check their belief systems when it starts affecting their leadership and decision making regarding the diverse groups they are guiding or the governing community leadership positions that they hold and steward.