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24 replies

The Final Curtain

cameracameraMember
To those members old and new of the AS forum, we are gathered here to say goodbye to Rick.

13495 posts - an achievement! One man's contribution to the knowledge base of AS.

He started well, by acquired an encyclopeadic knowledge of the inner workings of how AS functioned and many a "newbie" has been grateful for his help.

Unfortunately, as they say, power corrupts and being naturally a loner (with seemingly no family or friends - save his dog) for support, he has gradually lost his grip on reality and what acceptable behaviour is.

As he operates without any "checks and balances" his manner got so overbearing that there were many people who simply gave up the ghost. Decent sorts, quiet types, all who slipped away from this forum.

I have always felt, as I read through his missives, that he was a person trying to prove something to the world. He obviously disliked some types immensely. Not just women, though he probably is a misogynist, but the gentler types who came here.

I have observed from this all from afar at first - I never have liked bullies - they always assume that no one will dare challenge them. Bullying is never done directly, as in this case, so it is`difficult to stamp out, because it is so covert.

Young Rick would not probably physically bully people, he simply tried to pester them, insult their values, chide them about their opinions, make them feel inferior. In my opinion, this is simply another form of bullying.

I was asked to help by a few members of this forum and wrote a strong message to the CEO of AS, Mr Schlicht on the 10th June.

In the letter I gave a variety of examples of how his behaviour was "unacceptable". I'll let a few of the quotes speak for me.

quote:
It does not seem rational, or reasonable, that one person should cause the demise of a pleasant/invigorating place for us all to spend a few idle moments in.


quote:
It is a tragic shame that someone's mind could be so twisted and so disrespectful


quote:
Most of what I have seen is veiled doublespeak, and could be interpreted in a variety of ways.


quote:
DO NOT LET SOME DEMENTED FOOL RUN YOU OFF! DO NOT FEED THE MONSTER!


quote:
but recent activities have rather overstepped the line of decent behaviour in my opinion.


quote:
Like xxx I have ignored him totally for several months


quote:
agree with you all about ignoring him. For a while I ignored him too, then I made the mistake of talking to him a little bit because he seemed to be behaving better. That turned out to be a mistake


quote:
I feel he should not be allowed to participate in this forum


quote:
He still has the capability of hurting people and since he seems to enjoy it


quote:
Rick is a bully, plain and simple. Companioned with internet access however, he can gain a lot of information about his 'victims' that isn't evident from their postings in this forum


quote:
As to ignoring him, It's been my experience that it just doesn't work. Bullies usually don't stop until they meet up with a bigger bully


quote:
A disruptive influence that we're stuck with


I think you get the flavour. AS being indecisive doesn't know what to do. On the one hand, he is a valuable free asset saving them support staff, on the other these interchanges are picked up and spread through the internet by Google. We have to provide evidence - probably in triplicate.

I now simply think enough is enough - when one member of this board sets out to drive others away as a matter of deliberate policy, for his own amusement, then he has overstepped the bounds of decency.

Rick has just called private messages a "sewer" I thought it would do him good to see the contents of one such thread.

So Rick, there comes a time and a place when we have to leave. My time will doubtless come. This is your time - the majority of members of this board (and I hope some will append their names below) feel it is your turn to do the decent thing - for once.

Goodbye.
Not all those who wander are lost. Tolkien
Original Post

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rickrickMember
I gather a few of the members are pissed at me (see London thread).

quote:
Originally posted by Camera Collector:
(with seemingly no family or friends - save his dog)
I don’t have a dog – honest! I’m more of a cat person.


quote:
Originally posted by Camera Collector:
As he operates without any "checks and balances" his manner got so overbearing that there were many people who simply gave up the ghost
People come and go. I can’t control that. This is Mory’s last post:
https://community.auctionsniper.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/98.../927108839#927108839
Am I to assume that Mory left because Mike kidded him about “honery”?


quote:
Originally posted by Camera Collector:
Not just women, though he probably is a misogynist
Boy, the hits keep on coming. Is this how you normally deal with someone that you don’t approve of?


quote:
Originally posted by Camera Collector:
I was asked to help by a few members of this forum and wrote a strong message to the CEO of AS, Mr Schlicht on the 10th June.
Gosh, sure glad you didn’t overreact. You actually emailed the CEO?

You know Camera, if you spent half the time helping new members learn how to snipe as you do bashing, this “might” just be a nicer place – don’t you think?


quote:
Originally posted by Camera Collector:
AS being indecisive doesn't know what to do. On the one hand, he is a valuable free asset saving them support staff
I hope that would be AS’ policy with everyone, even for the one time poster, as long as they follow the Terms of Service - even for someone that complains about AS. I would also think it wise that they wouldn’t cave in to public sentiments, but would approach it on an objective, and equal bases. After all, if someone else shows up that some don’t like, will this be the S.O.P. for dealing with them instead of a calm, rational and mature discussion?


quote:
Originally posted by Camera Collector:
on the other these interchanges are picked up and spread through the internet by Google. We have to provide evidence - probably in triplicate.
Sounds like someone has been using Google to harass “someone”. You aren’t referring to threads like this and the “London” thread where several of the regulars have a thoroughly entertaining time bashing one of the forum members, are you? Some of the responses from the regulars on the “London” thread would make for some great nighttime reading for prospective users. See, my comment about “spiders” (referred to in the “London” thread) searching forums came in handy.


quote:
Originally posted by Camera Collector:
when one member of this board sets out to drive others away as a matter of deliberate policy, for his own amusement
Pure nonsense. I don’t want anyone to leave, but it appears a few want me to, and are doing everything they can to accomplish it.


quote:
Originally posted by Camera Collector:
This is your time - the majority of members of this board (and I hope some will append their names below) feel it is your turn to do the decent thing - for once.
Is this a popularity contest, a soap opera, entertainment for a handful of regulars, or a sniping support forum?

Tell me Camera – do you expect AS’ CEO to boot me off this forum because some of you don’t “like” me? Because I don’t let others get under my skin? Because I point out hypocrisies when I see them? Because I won’t be intimated by others? Because I’m outspoken and irreverent? Because I don’t fit your and some of the other members’ mold of what a member should be? DO YOU REALLY EXPECT THAT?

Let me quote some text from this forum’s Terms of Service:
You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this software service to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise violative of any law.
The highlighted words could easily apply to you and a few of the other forum members. The sending-me-a-virus bit in the “London” thread was a little silly, don’t you think, and in some circles might be considered “threatening”?


Anyway, remember when you said this:
quote:
Originally posted by Camera Collector:
No, I won't wash my mouth out with soap & water - its been a slow day and these topics need a bit of livening up!
Well, you must admit – things have definitely livened up.


quote:
Originally posted by Camera Collector:
Goodbye.
Did you know that the origin of “goodbye” is “god be with ye”?

Anyone up for a witch-hunt? If I leave, who will you have left to blame?
cameracameraMember
Oi you two - this is a farewell party not a *!@* dating agency!

All "assignations" have to be arranged through the "ASDating Agency inc"

Remember to meet in a safe place, notify your Mother that you are arranging a date with a strange man and don't drink so much that you don't know who and where you are.

Finally try and get his Social security number and a hair off his head early in the proceedings so that when you claim for maintenance, it will shortcut the whole process because you already have the DNA & financial evidence.
T tappitMember
quote:
Originally posted by Camera Collector:
(with seemingly no family or friends - save his dog)

I don’t have a dog – honest! I’m more of a cat person.

Well, what do we have here!!
NO DOG!!!
(You can see the increased agitation by the ever multiplying number of exclamation marks !!!!!)
So who is drinking all the booze and what are you doing with the little barrel and collar?
Now how did Camera Collector get the idea that you have a dog if he aint reading your posts.
I think that all of this "toys out of the pram" nonsense is getting out of hand.
You can't play in my forum because I don’t like you.
It's my forum and I'm taking it home with me. So ner ner ner !!!!!!!!
(Off go the exclamation marks again)
My children, both teenage girls full to the brim with hormones don’t behave in this way. So get a grip and grow up guys.

Dammit I almost slipped into a rant then.

Now what was I doing before reading the thread header, Ah I remember, sniping on a pair of matched book ends maid out of elephants feet.

Later dudes
cameracameraMember
quote:
You can't play in my forum because I don’t like you


Well, Mr Tappit, if you don't understand what this is all about, then please don't put on a public display of your ignorance. Obviously, you have a problem with both plain English & ethics and I don't intend to run a crash correspondence course in either!


I thought what has been said, not just by me, but by many members of this forum was crystal clear.

A forum is exactly that, where people can express their views frankly and fearlessly.
However, when anyone oversteps the bounds of common decency, a stand must be taken. Obviously you don't think so. I happen to think that racial & religious hatred should be barred and so should bullying and harassment.

The evidence has been laid before you - if you have a problem with that, then that is of your making. In any civilised society there are certain standards of behaviour that are expected and if they are broken, people get hurt.

quote:
So get a grip and grow up guys


I respectfully suggest that it`is you that needs "maturity time" rather than your "hormonal" kids! In any playground situation would they tolerate bullying? Of course not, and neither do I.

Frankly you can continue to express your opinions till the cows come home - that's what this forum is about - freedom of speech.

So Mr Tappit, time you understood the real world. If I want to act as "enforcer" of civilised standards, then that is my business.
Will it work? Haven't a clue - that depends on the bravery of other members to stand up and be counted.

However when your "freedom of speech" causes others distress, remember, you will hear from me, whether you want to receive my opinions or not. As you will have read in another post, I actually enjoy the role of Thermoman!

I really do suggest that you expand your education by reading:
John Stuart Mill On liberty

I think you may learn something of value.
T tappitMember
A forum is exactly that, where people can express their views frankly and fearlessly.

And look what happens when i express mine. You insult my ethics and my English. Just because it doesn't agree with you it's wrong. I should you would fit right in with the Spanish inquisition "helping" non believers come around to your point of view with hot irons and pliers. I may not be as well educated as you but I aint a BIGOT.

So Mr Tappit, time you understood the real world. If I want to act as "enforcer" of civilised standards, then that is my business.


ENFORCER……

Now I have pictures in my mind of Clint Eastwood stalking the halls of the sniper forum deciding who can and can't express there view. What next, burning books that you don’t agree with??

I think you need to come and live in the real world where tolerance is more than a word to be bandied about by the likes of you.

And another thing I fully expect you to abuse your power in this forum and edit or delete my post but that is not something that would worry me.

(Trying a bit of reverse psychology here)

Why can't you put up with free speech? Dose it really frighten that much?
rickrickMember
quote:
And another thing I fully expect you to abuse your power in this forum and edit or delete my post but that is not something that would worry me.

Steve,

We're all users here except for Sniper Bill and Sniper Sara B. The two of them have "Auctionsniper" in their titles, and are the only ones that have monitoring authority. Each user can only edit/delete his/her own posts.
T tappitMember
Feeling better now after actually falling off my soapbox and landing in a heap on the floor.

Thanks for putting me right over the editing and deleting of posts

And also an apology to Mr Collector I have just read my post without the red mist in front of my eyes and it seems I have been a little harsh.

Still live and let live is still a good motto
cameracameraMember
Thanks for that Mr Tappit.

Life for us "enforcers" is always harsh ....
As we walk the mean streets, rocks & stones are often thrown!

I'll tell you why I took a "theatrical stand" I had hoped all those lost souls would peer out from the rocks where they were hiding and return. Nary a one.

In fact "bashing" the perpetrator of all this has, in my opinion, worsened the situation. On reflection, not my best tactic, but it was an honest attempt to even things up.

Newcomers entering a civil war zone (and I must say you are the exception and for that I am grateful) have generally taken one glance and left.

The old ones who contributed daily to a bright cheerful forum with harmless "chit chat" have by and large vanished never to return.

If you think I miss a "lost land" you are right.
Go back a year and see how many used to participate and how lively it was. As they say "all of life was there"

For reasons known only to Rick, what started off as good humoured banter took on a "mind games" aspect. He was amused by it, but a lot of the meeker ones were not. It then became a battle for "control" between him and Mrs M (as Serenity was then known) and you know the rest.

Obviously Rick was not going to back down from his "amusements" and I then embarked on my "sledgehammer to crack a nut" campaign.

Viewing the battlefield and the casualties, I frankly don't think it was worth it. Deep down I think Rick probably agrees.

In my honest opinion, I don't think any of those who are now lost will return. I heard tonight that Garden Gnome has also resigned, joining an ever lengthening queue.

There is no point now in trying to eject Rick, for those I was trying to encourage to remain or rejoin are now gone.

Shortly I will be off too (currently enjoying the serious and not so serious banter on the Amateur Photographer forums which I can recommend for those interested in photography) - and leave the victor to his spoils. Hopefully, he will not be as aggressive with all of you. Only time will tell.

Paul - in peaceful (& very sunny West Wales) surrounded by evidence of acute ebay addiction.
D daveMember
quote:
surrounded by evidence of acute ebay addiction.



Unfortunately, I share the same addiction! Big Grin Although I think that one can put a lot more cameras in the same cubic volume as one traffic light. Roll Eyes

CC, I recently picked up (at a flea market) a Yashica FX-2 for $5.00US; my first film camera in years. I wanted to see if I still remembered how to take pictures. Oh, the FX-2 works very well; I just have to get used to the settings.
I idratherbeshoppingMember
I for one am sick and tired of this nonsense.
Rick has a right to his opinion as does everyone else. If I remember it was Serenity that kind of started stepping on people. Rick just stood up for the underdog.
As I said before, politics and religion are two topics that have no business on this forum. It just keeps getting worse. If you want to argue, just go to another site.
I may not always agree with everyone, but I'll defend their right to their opinion.
Just keep all of this off of this site. Frown
M mikefromwestyorkshireMember
quote:
Originally posted by I'd rather be shopping:
I for one am sick and tired of this nonsense.
Rick has a right to his opinion as does everyone else. If I remember it was Serenity that kind of started stepping on people. Rick just stood up for the underdog.
As I said before, politics and religion are two topics that have no business on this forum. It just keeps getting worse. If you want to argue, just go to another site.
I may not always agree with everyone, but I'll defend their right to their opinion.
Just keep all of this off of this site. Frown

Hear, hear!

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