john said:
I expect you to retract your accusation about EE's willfully violating the rules and spirit of Rover Rendezvous. It's a patently false accusation on your part and I expect you to retract it. If you think I'm joking here, I'm not. I'm quite serious about this. We take such accusations very seriously. If you want to drag EE into a war, be prepared for the consequences.
Retract your accusation about EE.
John, thank you for your response.
I do not claim, nor have I ever claimed to own the RR event. In fact, I clearly delineated in this thread the scope of my duties, which frankly, exceeded what I was willing or wanting to do before it all started. It was a unwanton burden I do not care to repeat.
EE's long time support is valued and appreciated, not just by the clubs hosting the event, but by the individual participants, myself included. I was totally hoping to win that PowerTank! That was an awesome donation!
As you may also recall, I processed yours and Ho's registrations, and called you to thank you. You needn't worry about my not recognizing your proper and well handled entry. In fact, both of your entries were of the very few entries that didn't need revisions along the way, and so for that fact alone, I thank you! Because this has become a very public debate, I should correct you on your comment ?
Ho and I both registered and paid?? as it is not completely accurate. As sponsors, you were both comp?d. Again, your sponsorship is valued and welcomed. Comp?ing your entry is one of small ways that we have of showing our appreciation.
As for hating Jack, no. Those are your words, not mine (well, yours and Ho's). What I said was, "
I have always been impressed with Jack?s apparent skill and abilities, as well as his visible embodiment of the ideals EE holds dear: Namely, embracing premium equipment being used properly, with purity and a passion for doing things to the highest standard of care. The person in the photos is inspiring. The self reliance, competence, preparedness, and passion for the best is inspiring. I have a great respect for that." I don't hear too much hatred in a statement like that. It is a candid and honest statement.
As for my opinion on Jack's unsuitability for membership in SCLR, Yes. I hold that point of view. There is overwhelming evidence on this forum of his intolerance of others. Membership in a small group requires tolerance, the extension of respect, and a desire to get along. These are qualities that in my opinion, based on the evidence in these public forums, and certainly in my own personal online experience, that Jack is lacking. Quite frankly, I don't see it as a problem, because Jack himself has stated that he has no intention or desire to join the club, so this conversation is rather academic and unnecessary. But I will tell you, that as part of the leadership of SCLR, there is a duty of stewardship imparted upon us that requires us to make decisions of this nature. As a businessman, I think you understand this responsibility. It is no surprise that EE is extremely selective on what they will sell. Your products reflect your company, just as our members reflect on our club.
As for your demand for a retraction. I am unable to satisfy your demand. I made a statement in private to your business associate. It was his choice, not mine, to make it public. I am entitled to direct any comment to you I may wish, in private. It is not defamation, libel or slander when done in that fashion. Your business associate, as this forums moderator, may edit the content of his post, but I cannot.
If we are unable or unwilling to edit the posting of my private message, then I will expand on my comment and clarify it, and perhaps that will help. Before I do that though, your demand for a retraction seems to solidify the relationship that JSQ represents Expedition Exchange, does it not? I don't know. I am unclear on that issue, but it's worth thinking about. Perhaps you can explain that better to me, or all of us, now that this discussion is in the public domain.
You stated that I have made
?baseless accusations against Ho and me about how we violate the rules and spirit of Rover Rendezvous.?
I don?t think that is accurate, and it certainly was not my intent to imply that. What I said was,
?I am still trying to reconcile how a group of competent people such as the EE clique, that exposes such high value and esteem premium lifestyle and quality, can accomodate behavior that willfully violates the written rules, policies, spirit and intent of an event.
How is that scofflaw behaviour in keeping with being a step above the rest? What example is that setting? How is that inspiring me to be better at what I do??
By EE clique, I am referring to the usual group of people regularly portrayed in your online galleries, participants of the coveted Iron Chef events, etc? Jack, by your own admission, is an undeniable member of that clique. As I stated in my private message, these people showcased on your site, are demonstratably competent, respectable individuals that project what I perceive as Expedition Exchanges core values. In fact, those core values (how EE was created) was described to me some time ago by Ho, so it?s more than a perception, it?s a statement.
My question to Ho was, how does Jack?s publicly admitted behavior in keeping with those core values? It was a caution to Ho, and now to you, that I relate JSQ to EE and vice versa. Your comments above seem to solidify that relationship. If his actions are proudly stated in this forum as knowingly in conflict with the stated policies of Rover Rendezvous, what does that imply about EE, which seems to be condoning his behavior by allowing him to join your group on the trail runs?
So no, I am not making an accusation that EE per se is violating any rules. But I am drawing a connection between EE condoning illegitimate actions of one of your associates. If you were to post here about how you told Jack to join a club, pay the registration, and then chastised him publicly for crashing the event, we would not be having this discussion. Instead, you have the temerity to demand an retraction from me!
John, I appreciate both you and Ho, personally and professionally. I have been encouraged, counseled, and inspired by your values, experience and wisdom. But I do not understand your position on supporting JSQ and his spiteful, rude, childish antics on this forum.
Perhaps is it incorrect to consider JSQ as an associate of yours, but I have seen no evidence to the contrary, thus I have no reason to change my viewpoint.
Feel free to call me directly to discuss this further if you wish. You have my phone number, I am a satisfied customer of yours.
