I’m not here to crash the party…

[maillotpois]

That's a great story - except the PM part.

My question is how the heck did you get a bike to IRAQ??? That's truly impressive! Ride safely and be careful over there.

[Duck on Wheels]

Let me state up front that I oppose this war, but not the soldiers fighting it. I feel we were lied into this war. I feel it's not making us safer. But none of that is the soldiers' fault. They're just doing the best they can, serving their country bravely and loyally, even if that courage and loyalty isn't always being shown them in return. Given that assessment of the situation, I hope the bike helps you stay safe and sane over there. I hope you make it safely home, leaving the bike for the next person. Given my views, I hope that next person doesn't have to be a soldier. If only this war can be brought to an end soon, maybe you could leave the bike for an Iraqi kid. But I'll shut up on that issue now. We try to stear clear of politics here. What we share is an interest in biking; on political issues we're a random bunch who don't agree on much.

Meanwhile, I add myself to the list of those who welcome you to post here. Whoever took it upon herself to play "forum police" and tell you off ... well, shame on her. That PM was inappropriate; your post was not.

[Zen]

I don't see what purpose his post has served except as a springboard for (and I detest this word) cattiness, backbiting and insults.

He got his bike, he thanked the parties involved, that should have sufficed. To post the content of a private message is very inappropriate.

From the turn this thread has taken, it would appear that he has indeed crashed the party. That's a shame.

[Mr. Bloom]

Zen, I think the world of you (even though we disagree on cell phone usage )

The issue to me in this is that a PM attack on anyone...particularly where it seems to presume a consensus of the entire group that doesn't exist...is inappropriate.

If a member has an issue with another person's membership, let's base it on what they do and what they say...and not their gender. If there's a problem, this is a well moderated group...and the moderators will intervene...and PM vigilante-ism is not needed.

Frankly, I hope that the PM in question simply confirmed that this wasn't a dating forum and that Bruce merely understood the meaning differently than intended...but I also know from experience that this may be wishful thinking...

[Veronica]

...this wasn't a dating forum ...

It's not?!? But I tell people that I met SK, Jobob and aka_kim through an online dating service - TE!

V.

[Trek420]

It's not?!? But I tell people that I met SK, Jobob and aka_kim through an online dating service - TE!

V.

Well you have been out to drinks and or dinner with many of us And I slept with Bike Goddess for a week Calm down everyone, she was my tentmate on ALC

Ahem... I don't like beer. Does this mean I have to leave TE?

V.

Only if you don't like chocolate. You like chocolate, right? Whew. thought I was going to have to report you.

Yes, Trek, I do have a life and don't have time to read every post.
V.

And you train, oh man you train. If I trained instead of posting .... oh heck, we all know I still couldn't do the CA Triple crown.

This is one of the things I've loved about this board. There are people here who think I ride pretty well or know stuff and we've gotten to ride together and there are people here I'm just in awe of. If I'm out on a ride and see a Triple Crown jersey or Terrible Two I'm "oh, they are in a whole 'nother cycling world from me" But I've never found a more varied yet supportive board.

[latelatebloomer]

Gotta say that I have thought it a sign of a very healthy community to have some male te posters who liked the positive, support tone of this board and whose participation was welcomed. And some issues have come up in which thoughtful male points of view have been really helpful. In my opinion, the PM that went to a thankful soldier should have gone to an administrator. In my other opinion, the only solution to unwanted free speech is MORE free speech. That's something I love about my country. Now I'm out of opinions (hah!)

Ride safe & sound, Bruce. Thanks for your service to our country. It was good of you to get in touch with us, and please stay in touch!

[Mr. Bloom]

Only if you don't like chocolate. You like chocolate, right? Whew. thought I was going to have to report you.

I bought a Godiva Milk Chocolate at Macy's (along with 5 Waterford Crystal ornaments) while Silver was getting her hair naturalized...I'm sure this qualifies me for membership

He has just as much right to post the content of a private message as does he the right to post on any online forum, including this one.

I agree on this. If someone doesn't want to "see it in writing", then they shouldn't "put it in writing"....

Rest assured, if someone sends me a highly offensive PM, I have no problem with the possibility of posting it out in the 'light of day'

...but then, as a married man on a women's forum, I make it a point of avoiding the use of PMs

[Trek420]

To post the content of a private message is very inappropriate.

Well, granted I have never quoted a PM here or on any board. Nor would I quote an e-mail without permission from the writer (I think I quoted an e-mail once with someone's ok)

But this is not dealing with the fact that if someone here feels that his post was not appropriate we do not "flame" here.

This is a "discussion forum" not a "flame board" or at least has been till now.

There are admins who are highly paid...or maybe not paid but anyway there are admins here. If one feels something is wrong flag the thread or post or person. Don't get a response? Well maybe the Admins feel there is nothin' wrong or maybe they are out on a ride. Meanwhile one is free to ignore the author, the post or even the whole thread.

But I hope it remains the norm here that we are a diverse and global community. We don't agree on much 'cept we loooooove cycling....and beer...and really good chocolate....

And I hope that remains our strength and the character of this board.

Here we find communality with people who in "real life" we would probably never meet whether separated by geography, race, class, politics, religion or simple riding ability and I could go on but here we find we are somehow the same.

As one who's faced discriminaton IRL I'm aware when we start tossing people out "my kind" are often the first to go.

Long live TE!!!

[Veronica]

But I hope it remains the norm here that we are a diverse and global community. We don't agree on much 'cept we loooooove cycling....and beer...and really good chocolate....

Ahem... I don't like beer. Does this mean I have to leave TE?

V.

[crazycanuck]

V..we like you...

i don't drink beer...

Oh and Zen..go and tape your mouth shut..
C

[Veronica]

I don't really like wine either. BUT I do like chocolate. And I do like riding my bike. Two outta three ain't bad...

V.

I want you, I need you, but there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love you...

[Trek420]

i don't drink beer...

You don't drink beer? Is that legal where you are? If the Quantas commercials and Priscilla Queen of the Desert are to be believed I thought it was required.

I like a good beer as much as the next gal but can't drink much. Which could also make me popular at conferences because I'll accept the drink, have a sip, that's about it.

[LBTC]

Bruce, I'm glad there were TE girls involved in your bike delivery. Thank you for letting us know. Makes me proud. Please know that the PM you received was the voice of one, and she does not speak for us all.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[Duck on Wheels]

I'm sure there are others who will gladly consume your share of the beer. I learned years ago that I was always welcome at conference dinner tables in Norway as long as I accepted all drinks offered -- especially when I didn't drink them myself but left them for my tablemates.