the FLAMEOUT of b-mak

Hi Guys,

Just read this thread, and I'm astonished to see the amount of damage that some simple banter has caused.

I consider myself friendly, and am also friendly to all users on FCHAT, at no times have I ever tried to insult, defame, or disrespect any member.

I realize I made some accusational comments to BMAK, but I apologize if those comments were disrespectful as I didn't attempt to harm his reputation at all. I really don't think I crossed any line here, its all just topical conversation regarding Mosport, this is afterall a "car forum", and I would expect to have some discussions (sometimes serious) regarding any aspects of racing, tracking, cars etc. I am entitled to an opinion, as is he... this is an internet forum where opinions can meet and sometimes clash, but I would never expect another user to take the conflict to such a severe level as to have themselves punished.

I am upset to hear of his demise from FCHAT as a result from our harmless, heated posts, and again apologize for any inconvienience this has caused my fellow members and management of FCHAT.

 

I did not see any threats, Rob. I saw hard-headed and I see no need to publicize this.

 

The higher priced the toys,the greater the egos involved.

 

I fully understand the personal attachment, but Rob, have you heard the saying that the problem with mud-wrestling a pig is that the pig actually likes it and there is no way to avoid getting some mud on you?

You all admonished him to let it go and BFD if he slams FChat elsewhere - I am sure lots of folks do the same thing. Easy for me to say, I am sure, but I'd have followed my own advice on letting it go.

For example, we have had occasional issues with participants at Apex who did not like something and we simply grin and bear it. And believe me, some have gone on extensive campaigns to not only tell us what we were doing wrong, but tell us how dangerous we are and how they want to take measures to "fix" us.

Point is that you really can't please all the people all of the time and IMO there is nothing to be gained by publicizing the problem, at least not in this instance.

 

While I agree with you that IF there were threats, your conduct would be fine, I'd like to ask where the threats are?

I only see him saying he's leaving FerrariChat, which is acceptable given that he very clearly didn't agree with the way things are being run, and I didn't see that as a threat in any way, shape, or form.

 

Replace "Potential" with "Guarantee"

 

wow, this sucks, b-mak is one of the good guys

btw Rob I thought posting PMs in forums, particularly non-subscribed forums, was a big no-no on Fchat....

 

I'd rather see people talking about it off a public forum and using any feedback for the betterment of the site vs. what's transpiring.

Brian hasn't only been a contributing member on the forum but extremely helpful and considerate offline as well. I think he should have been given a bit more leeway and attention to use it as a growing experience and learn from it all.

Sometimes it takes a bigger man to sit and take it rather than react to every nuance.

 

In the first message, he said he's leaving, and, based on him wanting to sever ties with FChat, he's clearly stating that all he won't be writing about FChat in his stories anymore. I don't see any threats.

In the second message, I'm assuming that the censored part is the name of another F-car forum. If he's choosing to take his membership over there, I don't see any threat here. All he's saying is that he'll be writing about that other place now as opposed to this one. Sure, the last sentence "I'll relish in..." was a bit over the top, but still no threat.

Brian's issue seems to be with some sort of disparity between the ToU and what transpired here.

I still don't see where he threatened the forum; choosing to terminate all ties (I assume he's refunded you the $30 you spoke of?) and mentioning (albeit brashly) that he'll be promoting a competing forum isn't a threat.

 

I have the utmost respect for Rob (Nuvolari) and I know he put in an honest effort. I just feel that a phone conversation between yourself and Brian would likely be a lot more helpful than posting on FChat and Facebook about it all.

I'd personally extend an olive branch, delete this thread and try to have a conversation.

I'm sure Brian would explain his position better when tone is taken into consideration vs. typed words.

 

+1

 

Lucas -

I'm kind of disappointed that you would say this is a surprise to you. I sent you and b-mak this PM jointly, three weeks ago, specifically advising you that Brian was taking this very seriously and strongly advising you to retract your comment publicly. Maybe next time you'll pay attention to good advice.

I'm not a fan of this public thread, as I have conveyed to Rob. But as long as we're getting all the PMs out there (and I consider my own PMs to be freely publishable by myself at any time), I thought we should get this out there too.

 

That is exactly the same reason why B-mak was upset in the first place. Lucas questioned his integrity. That's pretty personal. Clearly all that was needed was a retraction or apology...too bad, losing a lot of good knowledgeable people around here...Nouvolari won't have anything to moderate...

 

Like it or not your moderators are a reflection of you. When they are seen as unable or unwilling to moderate it causes frustration. Too bad ylshih's advice wasn't followed, this could have been over with weeks ago...

BTW Why do moderators have the power to "tone down" someones post? Doesn't seem right to me...