Dear fellow Retrobikers, an apology.

[KeepItSteel]

In light of just witnessing recent threads being pulled I thought I would share what are hopefully my final thoughts on the matter (cue sarcastic reply).

The fun and games escalated last night due essentially to a difference of opinion, followed by whole hearted insults being thrown at me personally.

Since joining I have found Retrobike to be in the most part a very friendly forum and a great source of info/parts etc.
It has recently started to become clear that clique's are forming, and people who's faces dont fit are being edged out.
To be honest im surprised this hasnt happened sooner as it tends to be the way of the world/office/web etc.
Perhaps I have been acting stubbornly, but this has been a build up over months whereby I have noticed changes, behaviour patterns, and other incidents with the usual suspects.
At first I figured I wasnt 'well known' enough to say anything. But then I realised that this is just as much my forum as anyones elses (in the context of open membership of course).

I think in general the moderators have done a very good job in the past keeping this place clear of innapropriate behaviour.
However, im not going to sit by and allow genuine insults be thrown at me (and others) , and I am going to do my best to have my voice heard.

I apologize for dragging this out, but I feel it is very important that we are allowed to share differences of opinion without fear of incrimination and most importantly, bullying.
Its been very interesting watching 'you know who' wiggling his way out of this situation since it took off, and rallying his troops with more sarcasm..but I digress.
The fact that since last night I have received numerous offerings of support, not only tells me that there are many very decent members out there, but I feel also strengthens my argument and again highlights underlying feelings of disapproval from other members of RB and not just myself.
I would certainly rather be a popular member, I think most of you would rather be regarded as one the the RB legends...and im certainly burning my bridges right now. But i'd rather be true to myself.

Personally I think the attitude of certain members leaves a lot to be desired, but at the end of the day, what do I know? I've only got 1500 posts.
And im not 'funny'.

I encourage the moderators to allow an open discussion here, and to please contact me personally for more information/opinion and to perhaps clear the air.

 

[cyfa2809]

do you really think there are groups forming?
people on here will clash, agreed
but groups? :cry:
if thats the case then i certainly fall into a group :?

 

[john]

If you want to PM me on this matter feel free.

To be honest from what I read you were both giving as good as you got. Feel free to send one another as much abuse as you want via email, letter or phone. I'd just prefer it not be voiced on here and others be dragged into this.

I'm quite tempted to lock the General and Off TOpic Forum for the time being. So be warned!

 

[mikeekim89]

Tbh, reading what your saying, it makes sense, there are light groups coming up on here :? it sort of reminds me of high school, and it sucks, it is an open forum, and banter is all part of the discussion, but if people are openly bullying, it is wrong, and laying into someone, for whatever reason should be stopped, and warnings and bans be placed on those who repeatedly offend. i'm really sorry too hear you've had abuse thrown at you mate, i hope it gets better, keep your chin up, best way

 

[Agency_Scum]

How about a nice cup of tea everyone? I'll get the kettle on.

 

[IDB1]

I see no groups. . . people will naturally gravitate to certain other people but I'm not feeling the cliquey thing here..

Apart from the bit about locking this part of the forum ( :shock: ), and for what it's worth, I agree with John..

a) Because he's the boss and
2) Because I happen to think he's correct-a-mundo.

 

[kaiser]

I see no groups. . . people will naturally gravitate to certain other people but I'm not feeling the cliquey thing here..

Apart from the bit about locking this part of the forum ( :shock: ), and for what it's worth, I agree with John..

a) Because he's the boss and
2) Because I happen to think he's correct-a-mundo.

You and John and Al formin a group then



ps MacRetro roolz yah plamphs!

 

[al]

I'll chuck my two penneth in then!

I feel there are groups that form on here as in any walk of life. We all tend to gravitate to others that share our views, humor, politics or whetever. There are going to be disagreements from time to time,but I feel we all have a responsibility to all other members to keep our comments proportional.

I also feel fowl,racist or abbusive language should be punished. This after all is an open forum, and as such we all have a duty not only to the mod's, but to the wider viewing public!!

I don't think John should close the general topic forum down. What the hell would I do with my time? :shock:

Respect all by respecting yourselves!

al.

 

[jonnyboy666]

personally i do think there are a couple of cliques, but not via online friends, the cliques form once we meet in the real world. we get a sense of someones sense of humour when we meet them then it can naturally extend to the forum, as a result those who do not turn up at rides don't always "get" some of the comments here and there which then get repeated on the forum.

i personally hate bullying and i hope not to see it on here.

i seem to remember recently a newbie was on here a while ago asking for info on a bike he got cheap then tried to flog it for a high price which upset alot of people, i understand why but this person should have been educated in the way of the forum not bullied off here never to return again and have a bad opinion of all of us. it left a bad taste in my mouth to see those comments.

i hope last nights situation that i was not aware of till now (i have managed to piece together most) is not a thing of the future

for the record i think these things on here are very rare.

 

[Easy_Rider]

personally i do think there are a couple of cliques, but not via online friends, the cliques form once we meet in the real world. we get a sense of someones sense of humour when we meet them then it can naturally extend to the forum, as a result those who do not turn up at rides don't always "get" some of the comments here and there which then get repeated on the forum.

i personally hate bullying and i hope not to see it on here.

i seem to remember recently a newbie was on here a while ago asking for info on a bike he got cheap then tried to flog it for a high price which upset alot of people, i understand why but this person should have been educated in the way of the forum not bullied off here never to return again and have a bad opinion of all of us. it left a bad taste in my mouth to see those comments.

i hope last nights situation that i was not aware of till now (i have managed to piece together most) is not a thing of the future

for the record i think these things on here are very rare.

I agree with all that. Saved me typing out a long post, cheers.