[Thor]

I would personally like to see some support for Bob D on this thread too.
I know Lynn has a lot of fans, and I know why, but has anyone noticed that he ran a bunch of folks off with his sour remarks? How about noticing the deleted posts over on the Art vs. Craft thread? Where is the support for those folks? Susan Irish for one.
I have nothing against Lynn except for how he has been disrespectful to folks regarding their opinions. . Starting a comment with "Oh, come on!" is certainly not polite. Sometimes, all you have to do is publicly apologize, and that makes everything alright. Sometimes, folks just won't do that.

Please, see that this thread is looking like hate mail to the very people we owe our forum too. The hard job is keeping it welcoming and supportive.
I'm perfectly willing to have my name dragged through the mud along with the bill of rights so that our forum manager doens't have to bare the brunt all by himself.

It's not like I'm speaking ill of the dead. Lynn is well, and doing fine. He just had a difference of opinion that he chose not to compromise on. I wish him well.

Thor, Christina

ps. go ahead and string me up now

[AlArchie]

Christina, I'm sure that there is plenty of "support" for Bob and the staff here. A lot of this supposed dissention is due to the fact that we do not know what all went down, and it's most likely best that we don't.

I do know that things got more than a bit contemptios on that series of posts, and that all parties involved were contacted about it. Apparently Lynn thought matters of personal pride were of more importace than remaining on the board. I too, hope he reconsiders,as his presence was generally a real plus here, and I learned a lot from his posts and blog.

As to the question of free speech and censorship, which has been mentioned once or twice. That is a right protected by or constitution (FROM GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION). This site is provided as a PUBLIC forum by a PRIVATE entity (Fox Publishing), and they have the right and responsibility to limit and control the discussions taking place on their property so to speak. No government intervention, here......just the same amount of control you would assume in YOUR home regarding language and courtesy. You are courteous to my family and other guests in my home, or you will be asked to or can choose to leave!

There are very few "rules" here on the board, and I don't think it denegrates our independant thought to follow them. Their bill of rights lays down a few guidlines and consequences for not following them. As this is Fox Chapell's site provided for our use, it seems quite reasonable that there can be, and should be some degree of oversight.

There are times when I have had to bite my tongue, so to speak, when someone made some comments that I didn't agree with or that I felt were wrong in content. A few times, I've even typed a retort, then waited a few minutes and deleted the comments, knowing they would cause some problems. Sometimes discression IS the better part of valor.

There is also the problem of lack of "INFLECTION" when typing responses on this medium. When we speak to each other face to face, the tone and inflection of our voices and even our facial expressions can be an indicator of humor, but those same words placed in black and white may sound cruel or insulting. We all have to be careful about what we put down in text and also use a bit of common sense when we read these words, understanding that there may be some intended facitiousness in the words...not necessarily meant to be insulting or hurtful.

my 2 cents worth.

Al

[groozier]

I've sent BobD a PM apologizing for my remarks. I got involved in something that I should have stayed out of. I'm sorry if I said anything that would cause hurt feelings or harm the forum.I'm not on here enough to be causing any problems.I never knew Lynn except through the forum and,as I stated earlier, thought he was an excellent woodcarver who stirred the pot sometimes.
Sincerely,
Lance Brooks aka groozier

[Joy]

Christina, I'm sorry you feel that appreciating Lynn's input to this forum is the same as hate mail for Bob D. Lynn was one of the few to offer constructive criticism and advice. Did he love to "stir the pot"? Yes! Did he stir it too vigorously at times....absolutely! Would the forum be more harmonious without opinionated people? Yes! But I believe the loss might be more than the gain. Just my two cents....and I probably should have kept my mouth shut.

Thankfully, I don't have to make those kinds of decisions. I leave that in the very capable hands of the administration.

[bbeery]

Enough already! Lets get back to reality. We have a wonderful forum with a lot of great and diverse people. Isn't America beautiful, you can say about what you want and no one locks you up. You can stand on a corner and preach against the principles that give us freedom. That's why we are so strong. Thanks Fox for giving us this opprotunity to search for answers and exchange view points.
As for Lynn, I've enjoyed your wit and cutting remarks. If I don't like them, I don't read them. Have a good life Lynn, eat some humble pie once in a while and enjoy your carving. You are one of the greats. As most of us have already stated, you'll be missed.

[susieq]

This whole situation is very sad..... I am sad that Bob was put in the position that he was put in and sad that Lynn left. There are certain threads that can go nowhere but down hill. Art or Craft, Power carving vs hand carving, is power carving, really carving at all...everyone has an opinion and is entitled to it, but these threads always turn into arguments. Nobody wins and some folks get hurt feelings, which is why I will not allow myself to be drawn into these types of discussions.

There are a bunch of really nice people on this forum and we need to stick to promoting carving, helping each other find answers to carving problems or questions about tools, techniques and even share somethings in our personal lives in the "off topic" section. We need to quit trying to stir up controversy amoung ourselves. We come here to learn or to help others by sharing what we know. If we decend into bickering with each other, the forum will be doomed. I have seen other forums self destruct and it would be a real shame for that to happen here....but it can. It can happen to any forum if you are not dedicated to keep it from happening. I hope this forum is around for a long time.
susieq

[arnie]

Great Scott, I went to the mountains for a week and now I don't have a clue as to what transpired. Sorry to see you go Lynn, I have learned a lot from you and appreciate your help in answering my questions I will continue to pester you on your blog. happy trails,Arnie

[Eddy Smiles]

I'm with you Arnie and I posted way earlier. Seems that there's things taking place herein that are either above my understanding or way above my pay-grade. I can only suggest what I've suggested before and that is for everyone to attempt to be as politcally correct on the forum as possible and if there is a beef to be air, to air it in private... same basic principal that's taught in any basic business course.... public praise, private criticism!

With that said, once again... thanks Lynn for all your helpful tips and techniques....and thank you BobD or all your help and ooperation.

[Coffeeman]

Lynn,

Thanks for helping me grow as a carver over the past year-n-a-half, I have learned from many people on this board, but you have been a great influence.

I'll be checking your blog as I also do, and I'm looking forward to staying in touch with you.

Thanks again and one more thing, I'm going to miss you on this board. Bill

[chpster90bu]

SusieQ....I agree with you 100 percent. Thanks for putting into words what I was struggling with myself for a 2nd post. Bonnie