Seems like something Ward Kimball might have done.

Rusty

The cover.

Many folks say I am a sick SOB, I saw it and immediately LMAO! Proud member of the TCA! 

I thought it was pretty **** funny!! On the flip side, for the past 4 months, I have had so much fun with my trains.. I have rebuilt a couple of engines. Replaced brushes in 6 motors, cleaned a put new lube in all loco's. And have had 3 orders from Jeff Kane..Im loving it!

ALan Arnold is correct in his statement.  And I agree.  However, I don't think this is political.  But what I'm reminded of when I see this cover, is 100,000 plus folks that are no longer with us. Just something I don't need to keep being reminded of... 

Politics, in hobby trains, thats funny, you have your choice, the Trump or Biden Locos on sale now from your favorite retailer'... Now that's politics'...😁

Did anyone who is complaining about this actually read "Cover Story" on the inside of the cover?  It says: 

"Larry Poland created this photograph on his layout.  It is presented here not to be humorous, but as a reminder to future readers about the horrific season CO-VID-19 we are now enduring.  Be well, and shelter-in-place."

Larry is a member of our TCA division and I have had the pleasure of speaking with him numerous times.  If you have not had the opportunity to meet him you will not find a better and more congenial gentlemen.  I am sure that what was stated about the cover is entirely true how Larry wanted it to be presented. 

You may not like but I am sure no malice was intended.

Mike

I agree that Larry's intent was not malice. My point was exactly as Alan indicated in his post.

"Part of the reason for this place is it is supposed to be an escape from what is going on with respect to politics and the COVID-19 situation.  There are plenty of other ways to discuss issues like COVID and politics on other forums or between one another privately."

In my opinion the TCA quarterly was not place I want another reminder of the pandemic. My hobby is my what gives me relive from real life pressures.

"You can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time."  A. Lincoln (Adaptation)

I agree 100% with Joe. Its the same reason why I won't be watching pro football or basketball when it returns. I don't want to be reminded about about their politics. Same reason as Alan not allowing it here. John

@Keith k posted:

I am disappointed in the cover and feel that it is in poor taste. I have chosen not to open the magazine and instead placed it in the recycle bin. ………………………………………………………….

That'll teach 'em Keith!

@Keith k posted:

I am disappointed in the cover and feel that it is in poor taste. I have chosen not to open the magazine and instead placed it in the recycle bin. I am fully aware of how the virus has affected all of us and don’t need to be reminded. 

So I guess you missed that bit where your name was mentioned on page....

Geez, you guys still complaining about that cover. Come on guys it was only a picture. GET A LIFE.

DAVE

I don't know.  With all the other trials and tribulations in life we have to worry about, this issue doesn't even get on the radar.

I'm more concerned with the health and wellbeing of my elderly Mother and Mother-In-Law.

I'm more concerned with the threat of wildfires destroying everything, including my trains.

I'm more concerned with a North Korean missile landing in my pool.

But a magazine cover?  I wish I had the time to even look at it sideways.  I'm so far behind in my train magazine reading that I may not read it for another six months!!

On the bright side, I'm starting my temporary 17' X 14' layout this week.  I'll have trains running again for the first time in three years since we moved!!  (I would have started sooner, but it's been hot here and I can't stay away from the pool!!)

  If the cover is a problem you could always take the current issue, find an earlier issue with a cover you like, find the center staple part of the older issue and wrap the old issue around the current and read away...I remember kids doing this sort of thing with Sports Illustrated and Time magazine when I was in school (reading a news magazine was acceptable during study hall, reading Sports Illustrated wasn't). 

@Robert S. Butler posted:

  If the cover is a problem you could always take the current issue, find an earlier issue with a cover you like, find the center staple part of the older issue and wrap the old issue around the current and read away...I remember kids doing this sort of thing with Sports Illustrated and Time magazine when I was in school (reading a news magazine was acceptable during study hall, reading Sports Illustrated wasn't). 

Oo-La-La !?!? 

(Back to the Future II reference of same idea)

RFLMAO...."lighten up Francis".."that'll teach them, Keith".....says it all!  Having a mask on a engine infuriates some people?  Its a sign of these times...this, too shall pass! FWIW...I think the magazine cover idea was quite ingenious! Kudos to Larry!

If anyone has ever wondered about the expression "tempest in a teapot",  this topic is the definition.