I've been here long enough to have watched the board evolve. I was around when it was Aliens Archive run by Dan.
I know where Kevin is coming from as it truly has gone from being a prop/film discussion board- to a costuming group as a whole (as far as the majority of post topics). Both the North American and United Kingdom groups grew in leaps and bounds over the last five years. The most in the last two.
For me calling myself a Colonial Marine is a metaphor- it is a symbol of the friendship I share on this board. Talk of "Brotherhood", "Marines have each other's backs", etc... It's all about reinforcing the tight knit group we have created here.
Not everyone dresses as a Marine- I truly appreciate that and have the utmost admiration for those who have put together a Xenomorph. Not everyone here costumes, I appreciate and respect that as well. All are welcome.
And honestly I had no idea this was creating as much friction as it clearly has. Unfortunately it was never discussed as it happened- and basically has been allowed to fester.
When I say hi to a new person with "Welcome aboard Marine"... it never really occured to me that someone might get the feeling they were just drafted so to speak.
However I do agree that the majority of canon topics have been discussed at length already. Just as Spat said- we need another movie. A good one (personally with Marines fightin' Aliens in the future

).