[Backpacker Joe]

Mr. DavenPort has requested that I leave the list! He says, and I quote: "Geez, look at your posts. You sound like a raving lunatic! Try to make it intelligent. "Typical of the socialist left" "Elitist left" Comments like this make ZERO sense and only make YOU look ignorant and brainwashed" So based on his recomendations, I bid you all adue. It has been my pleasure to interact with ALL of you. I appologize for any discomfort that I may have caused. Signing off, BPJ TB

[Sigh O. Nara]

I'll be sorry to see you go, even though I don't think I can ever remember a post of yours that actually talked about hiking in any way. You brought a lively willingness to debate and a viewpoint different from most here, which has a value in its own right. I thought it slightly unfair that marylou/allison would often lampoon you even when you weren't being insufferably egotistical. I also got a few chuckles out of the deleted posts with Miss Normandy.

[Newt]

I'm sorry to hear this Joe. I liked your spunk. NN

[Dean]

BPJ, I'm afraid this place won't be the same without you. You are one of the reasons why I've "enjoyed" this forum, and I do remember many of your postings and contributions which talk of a passionate love for hiking and the out of doors. In fact, your opinions are honest and reflect that you care. This is a sad day

[bagboy]

good riddance BEEEYOTCH

[Ulrich]

Even though I have confined myself strictly to hiking subjects I nevertheless enjoyed some of the discussions about related issues. If BPJ has been accused of being too much on the 'right', well, some of the folks on the 'left' have came across as strident and selfrighteous as well. Let's continue with diversity. I hope the decision about BPJ will be re-considered.

[salish]

[MCaver]

BPJ and I have butted heads more than once, sometimes friendly and sometimes not. I've always enjoyed his hiking knowledge and even some of his quirkier moments, but I can't say I'll miss the gun threads or persistent political pseudo-slandering -- "elitist left", "socialist left", "intolerant left". I've tried on many occasions to encourage BPJ to drop the soundbyte phrases and actually have a discussion instead of a mudslinging argument -- I thought he had some important ideas to share -- but to no avail. Eventually, I gave up. I've met BPJ in person and I found him friendly and articulate, neither of which shows up in his posts very often. And the stuff with Miss Normandy lately crossed the line. If BPJ can be a productive member of the society, as it were, I welcome him with open arms. Otherwise, I bid him farewell. (Note: This post is as a fellow member of the forum, not as an Admin. As are 99.9% of my posts.)

[Slugman]

Salish If you click on the small icon "ISP" in the upper right of a guest post you can see who the guest posters are, more or less. Sigh O. Nara is me, I admit it. I was not intending to hide my identity, I just figured everyone knew about checking who guest posters are, and the name makes me laugh. As far as BPJ, I did indicate that I would miss his fiesty nature and that he didn't quite deserve all the shots he took. His posts WERE 90% plus non-hiking, at least. When Tanja reads the forum over my shoulder, her unbiased comments about BPJ were always along the lines of "What a jerk" or "What an egotistical jerk" or "What an immature jerk". If someone starts a poll on whether they think BPJ has crossed a line so completely that he should be kicked out, I would vote NO, since lively debate is important and being liked by me is not a requirement for good citizenship. I think I will do a poll right now!

[salish]

Thanks, Slugman. I don't check isp's of folks posting, just figure the handle is good enough for me. I'm not sure why someone would use a guest handle instead of their own - to be humorous? Sorry, I'm a little slower than normal this morning Well, if you now say BPJ's posts were about 90% non-hiking related, I guess that's better than saying " I don't think I can ever remember a post of yours that actually talked about hiking in any way". Thanks for the clarification. I thought BPJ could be a jerk, too. But then so can I, and many other people. Well, here I find myself defending him, and I don't mean to do that. Like I said in my earlier message there are two sides to every story, and Tom must have a good reason for this. It's his board and he can do whatever he wants with it. We're lucky to have these forums. Thanks for the note. Salish

[Mal Con]

I do did not have an objection to the political postings or the slanderous statements, I am a professional advocate and can take as well as dish out. The problem is that items that can constitute threats can subject Tom and the forum to legal liability. It is not a defense if they are "jokes". Similarly, the posting of nude pictures of males can subject the site to legal liability or addition of the forum to blocking lists.

[MCaver]

BPJ said in his post above that Tom "recommended" he leave, yet he didn't quote any part of Tom's message where he said such a thing. From my point of view, this sounds like BPJ is leaving himself, not being forced out. Let's not blame Tom for anything until we get the facts straight.

[Allison]

[Mike Collins]

Say it ain't so Backpacker Joe! I have never felt any personal affronts from your posts. Politically we have differed but if we were all tree huggers then this website might get a bit stuffy. I have enjoyed reading your perspective on issues and wish you "Happy Trails."

[salish]