Quittintime: TAVERN OUTCASTS CHECK IN:

Hi all.... long time, no chat with most of you. After JHole's email last night I've sorta got myself up to speed on what happened. As usual... I have a few thoughts on the matter... worth just about what you paid for them.

1. I'd be willing to bet that you (we) are all currently lieing in the bed we made for ourselves. Like it or not.

2. I'm not seeing a whole lot of remorse, regret, etc. for blatantly violating BT's terms of service. Look, I've been there... I'm no saint and have indulged in more than my fair share of name calling and personal attacks... albeit not in political threads. BUT... the rules are the rules. Can't forget that we're guests there. I see whole lot of blame being passed onto the mods.... and very little being swallowed by 'our side' as a whole. It always takes two to tango kitty cats.

3. Suppose "the Tavern" was a real tavern for a minute. And you've been occupying that bar stool down the end every night for the past ten years. The place has become a community to you. Your friends are there. Your confidants are there. Your life (to some extent) revolves around that community. Do you really think that if you started becoming a total nuisance to other patrons and blatantly violated the rules that you wouldn't (sooner or later) get tossed on your ear?

I see a whole lot of "entitlement" in this thread and very little "accountability" for what has happened. My best guess.... most got exactly what they deserved and probably more second chances then they're even aware of. Like it or not, it's Taunton's forum and they make the rules. You don't get special privileges for "time in grade" over there. You can accept that you're just another bozo on the bus and basically shut the F up and get in line..... or you can throw stones, act indignant, and ultimately watch from the window.

As far as a boycott.... I'll support you all and play along. But I think it's a total waste of time. They don't give a S, plain and simple. Have you read the magazine lately? Pick up a recent copy.....it should answer most of your questions about whether or not the opinion of most of us matters to them. The Wild West days of the internet are over.... roll with it.... or get rolled over.

Listen to Mike Smith. He's right an awful lot of the time. Cooler heads prevail. Let it cool down a bit, swallow your pride, admit your part in the debacle, and ask for permission to have the PRIVILEGE of posting on BT reinstated. Or don't. That's your choice... ain't America grand?

Sorry about the atrocious spelling. I think I even spelled atrocious wrong. Twice now. Oh well... y'all get the point. Hope I don't sound like too much of a dick.... just calling it like I see it. Probably making myself about as popular as ever.

I know it's easy to start to think you're special just cause you've been there a long time or post a whole lot. But the truth is, you aren't. And neither am I. We're all just bozos on the bus. We need to get over ourselves, realize our part in the situation, and move on. If they let you back on eventually, learn from it, and mind your matters and respect others in the future. If they don't let you back on.... learn from it... and realize what your temper, ego, and/or sharp tongue has cost you. And always be smart enough to not make the same mistake twice.

You wanna be right? Or you wanna be (fill in the blank)? Married, paid, employed, included, accepted, loved, etc.

Best,
diesel