Hey everyone-

Agreed...

To each their own. It's pretty clear this is a sponsorship driven site, and that c3 et al will edit, allow or disallow posts or threads according to the rules they have laid out.

I can see where Bieg is coming from... but at the same time, Greg has NEVER stated he wasn't biased- and that everyone has some degree of bias. In another Honda "technical" BBS I had objected to a non-paying VENDOR who was also a MODERATOR promoting his line of products- even though that forum pretended to not be a sponsorship driven site. Talk about a serious conflict of interest...

I actually have a big problem with those that use, but not sponsor, this site to promote their own products. We're not talking huge dollars here folks... But the thing is, I can't "force" them to help out c3, so it does me no good to continuously hound them. To those that don't like the commercial aspect of this forum- I'm sure c3 would be interested in your proposals for making this a non-sponsorship driven site, but if you don't have a solution, stop whining about it. You're already getting this BBS for free- someone has to pay for it, because nothing is free in this world. We aren't on a government handout here...

The bottom line is, people don't value modifications in the same vein, and some people come here without the best of intentions. Some like it, some don't, and some get very offended at the very mention of them. This reminds me of how the street racing forum was started...

Perhaps c3 could resegment the "Car Talk" forum to include a new one titled "Stocker Stooks." Would that satisfy everyone here? It's not like this site already has too many forums and is already lacking focus... In that place people can talk about the stock radios, stock suspension, stock headers, exhausts, body panels and tires to their heart's content...

I think I've proposed two separate solutions here... and a couple of others have presented some too. c3, Bieg, the ball's in your court. Please stop this bickering.

 

Ok. I take three impressions away from this thread:

1. Beig is unrelenting in his views, which IMO, is not something to fault him for. He may be rude, but are you all such dandies that you can't take a good honest hit? Since when were we required to be nice? Remember how happy Chris Elliot was when he became a fancy lad? You all are starting to sound a bit like the Cabin Boy.

2. Greg posting reviews about MG products is equivalent to Mike B posting reviews about Comptech products. As long as you know that, you can exercise your consumer prerogative.

3. Some of you all are taking this very personally, which is childish and sad. To invoke the mighty Chris Elliot again: Get a life. You are spending too much time on the Internet. Go drive your car, get a beer, spend some time in the Wash & Wax section. Whatever cools you off.

 

Greg,

Here's my take:

-You are sponsored by and fluff up MG's products (which IMHO are almost always over priced)
-Bieg is bitter in every sense of the word bitter.
-You egg Bieg on and border on childish at times.
-Nobody is offended, some are merely annoyed.
-As the president of S2KCA take a PR lesson and deal with these issues off-line.

 

All, for the most part, valid criticisms, even the ones I don't agree with...thanks for your input on this. I think there needs to be some level of proportionality here. It's an Internet message forum. We need to remember that. C3 will agree with me that it's not a holy grail, it's a great message forum about a car.

Plain and simple...yes, a car.

I have let my emotions sometimes get the best of me at times in some of my responses to some posts. I do feel like I have been singled out and relentlessly pursued by a couple of people here, while others are ignored by these same people...which is fine. No big deal. I'm not complaining, I just think it's interesting...

My case has been stated a million times over, I won't be discussing it any longer. If someone has a question about it, please feel free to email me at greg@s2ki.com and ask me any question you like. I'm taking this offline from now on. Lots of valid points have been made, by those who so vehemently and vociferiously oppose me and the relationships that have been forged among myself and vendors and sponsors of this site, my car, S2KDays, S2Ki, and the S2KCA.

I am taking the high road...no more bickering, no more flame baiting (though it can be fun... ...) for me, I'm done with it. Anyone who wants to pursue me with such vigor has the right to do so, but I will take it offline and respond via email. I am just not going to take the bait any longer. It's not been a healthy road these last days here. I'm doing what I can to repair whatever damage has been caused by myself and the people who attack me at every given opportunity...

Over and out...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Lips2000
[B]I'm sorry Greg...have you been posting lately. This is the first I've heard of it...

 

My only issue, Greg, is that you are wearing two hats which should be incompatible:
1) President of S2KCA
2) You are a shill for MG (I don't mean "shill" in a negative way, I just can't think of a better word).

In one case, you are representing the owners. In the other case, you are representing the people who want money from the owners. I feel that these roles should NEVER be held by the same person; it is a simple matter of trust.

Examples:
1) Should the head of the AKC be an employee of Iams dog food? What would Alpo think of this arrangement? What would dog owners think of AKC's dog food recommendations?
2) Should the head of the Sierra Club be the owner of a consumer solar cell company? Would it damage the credibility of Sierra Club's policy of using solar energy sources instead of pollution-free hyrdoelectric power?
3) If you chose to have the yearly convention near MG's offices, and MG coincidentally decided to offer discounts during the convention, would you be surprised if members questioned your loyalty to them?

 

<pokes into this thread and reads bits and peices>
I think we need a Hug here...

I don't think any more or less of anyone or and posts on this forum, I use these posts to a degree to base decisions on. All the sponsors have great products, not a one turns out a "crappy" product, so I think it's all good.

Please, let's go forward with discussions on the board...that's all I ask for

 

BINGO!

 

Dear God, make this thread stop!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gregstevens
[B]
I am taking the high road...no more bickering, no more flame baiting (though it can be fun...