Posted by Peter H on November 12, 2003 at 11:41:14 from 81.135.75.32 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: Re: Politics-profuse apologies posted by Mike Dennis on November 12, 2003 at 07:39:05:
I think that fact that I am expected to apologise to Prue E shows how far away from reality this discussion has got. The newer Tarboarders may not know this but Prue has got a long track record of disparaging TARS on this Board. I do not know what it is that TARS has done to her to cause this. But Prue, like everyone else, has to 'own' her postings. It is not good enough to say 'you need not read it' when she has posted a gratuitous and off-topic remark about TARS which has caused offence. I know it has caused offence because I have spoken to a few senior Tars in the last 24 hours and they confirm this. Yes, Prue is free to express her views, but in this case she can hardly be surprised if she gets a robust answer. What's sauce for the goose . . . .
So there will be no apology, at least not until Prue apologises for making a remark which is hurtful and about a topic which she cannot know anything about. TARS wishes no harm to anyone, and only wants to get on quietly with its activities. I do not understand why the Society gets so much stick on this site. My role, like that of most Tars at the moment, is purely defensive. TARS is under attack, but we will fight on to keep the Society we love going. Could I propose that TARS be not mentioned any more on this Board? I am sure Ian would welcome this. In the seven years that I have been reading Tarboard, any mention of TARS, even if favourable, prompts a hail of abuse. I am certainly prepared never to mention TARS again here if everyone else is. Dislike TARS by all means if you wish, but please leave us alone. That's all we ask. (If you are a TARS member and have a genuine complaint, email me - link above)
Finally, could people stop saying that they were on the point of joining TARS but have changed their mind because of my comments. Come off it! If you'd wanted to join, you would have joined by now. If you don't want to join, then don't. Why tell us?
Finally finally - Mike Dennis 'wonders why there is a TARS'. This is also a hurtful statement. Hurtful statements make me angry. So in an angry mood I reply - As you are not a member, Mike, it is none of your business. Where does all this get us?