AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MEMBERSHIP

gard
Reg. Aug 2007

Posted 2008-02-22 8:31 PM (#77661)
Subject: AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MEMBERSHIP

Expert

Posts: 5870
5000

Location: western PA

Well "Old Gard" hasn't gone anywhere yet, but in the few hours I was off line, many things were said about me that were petty and without facts. I find it sad that two people can try to use the membership of this forum, in an effort to advance ill will, show ridicule, and spread discontent.

Obviously I feel badly about this situation. I have long been a fan of this forum's method of sharing information, and have often highly praised everyone involved in the advancement of this goal. It is disheartening to learn that certain members will stoop to petty tactics to promote their own agenda. To be the target of this folly is equally disturbing. To have my intentions distorted and my communications deliberately exaggerated is a very subduing experience.

Perhaps a review of what precipitated these actions is required:

Last year I wrote a thread about a coating I had installed in my trailers to prevent corrosion. I wrote that it worked well and I was pleased with the results. Several people were interested, so I followed up with a more detailed description. One of the interested people was TX.

Recently the same issue reappeared and I answered again of what I had done in the past. Also in that thread I included the phrase " make sure the manufacturer's recommendations are closely followed".

Tx, who apparently had the product installed as I had described, wrote in with " it will not bond for long" and "he had tried it, against the advise of experts, and they were right". I replied that it worked for me and reiterated the necessary steps in the coating preparation of aluminum.

TX asked if I were man enough to admit when I've made a mistake. My reply was that I've made many and asked if he were referring to one in particular. He replied that he wasn't starting anything, but wanted to warn everyone about my opinion. He went on to explain that the coating in the trailer debonded where the floor flexed. I again stated that preparation is most important and gave him the commercial name of a primer, used by aircraft workers in the painting of aluminum.

TX then said that the process was improperly presented by the "Internet wizard". Upset with being disrespected and called a juvenile name, I asked if I were the whole reason for his problem.

Now out of the blue, up pops Hwbar. With no dog in this scrap, he chastises me for calling TX an idiot and implies that I've said TX was lying about what happened to his trailer. None of this is true as you can read in my threads. Condescendingly, he adds that TX is a cowboy, MEANING?

I PM'd Hwbar and in one short sentence, reminded him that "Ole Gard" had not called TX an idiot and wished him a good day.

Now it's readily apparent that Hwbar's gift for exaggeration and confrontation is formidable, and his recollection is weak. What I find interesting, is his campaign to malign me, when there is nothing to gain for his actions.

TX who said he was done complaining, is now questioning my manhood and beating his breast professing Christianity.

All this nonsense is for what purpose? I told the story of what I had done. For that I'm vilified and made the subject of juvenile pranks?

Is this the direction our forum is headed? Will we too be subject to the road rage and immaturity that is slowly pervading our society? Will the phrase "its not my fault, I have to blame someone for my problem" prevail here as well?

This truly, is a sad state of affairs. I most humbly apologize to you, the membership,who got caught up in this petty senselessness.

Best of luck, Gard

Edited by gard 2008-02-22 9:29 PM