One of the things I've always loved about this site is the maturity and friendship expressed by just about everyone on this site.
People are mannerly and genuinely seem to care about one another....and I think that's part of what makes Camaro (and Firebird) ownership so special.
Unfortunately, there's been a little war going on...and perhaps I got into the middle of it....and a few of you have come to my defense. I appreciate that, but I think we need to keep in mind that we're friends. If someone isn't being friendly, then hey, ignore them. (I know, I need to do that myself)
I truly want to see the Camaro Enthusiast Community stay together...because great things ARE coming...(just can't talk about them right now)
I posted something on another board tonight because there's some "strategzing" going on to wind a few of us up.......so I share it with you and hope you agree.........
Here goes.....
The word “Camaro” means “friend, pal or comrade” -- the name was approved by Pete Estes who was at the time, General Manager of Chevrolet Motor Division.
One of the things I’ve always felt was great about Camaro was the ownership experience....particularly the enthusiast community. It has been great to talk and hang out with people that have a common love for these cars. I’ve met some truly wonderful Camaro/Firebird people from all over the world in the past 10 years....
With some of the foolishness I’ve seen on this site lately, I think Pete Estes is probably spinning in his grave.
I believe it is important to keep the Fcar community together...there WILL be a new car.....and being that this site is called “XXXXXXXXXX” I have to believe that most of you love these cars. If you don’t love them, then I guess I’d ask you why you’re here in the first place............
Now...I don’t expect ANYONE to Cow-tow to me. I want to hear what’s on peoples’ minds and I’ve gone out of my way to answer emails, travel to clubs, monitor sites, etc. Do I deserve an award? NO. As a product guy, it was in my best interests to do so. Furthermore, as a fellow enthusiast, I felt it was the right thing to do. Moreover, I try to give everyone out there a perspective from ‘inside’ as a “fellow enthusiast.” I try to ‘educate’ if you will by giving a unique perspective. And if you have something to say, I want to hear it.....however, I would ask you to use decorum and to keep an open mind. I do not expect anyone to treat me any differently than they would treat any other fellow enthusiast.
There seems to be a sense of decorum on some sites....good manners, if you will. On other sites, it seems, “anything goes” and the more outrageous, the better to a few. It is true that we have free speech in this country, however, the bad part is that you don’t have to know what the heck you’re talking about in order to exercise that right.
I don’t believe that name calling is necessary, and I think that people should keep an open mind at all times. Furthermore, I believe people should think before they post.
[ 07. January 2004, 12:38 AM: Message edited by: Fbodfather ]
Posted by TimeLord (Member # 1389) on :
Thought,,,what a novel idea for the internet !!!!!
[ 07. January 2004, 12:43 AM: Message edited by: TimeLord ]
Posted by SSHEETS (Member # 1989) on :
Scott, as always you have a way with words and a way to make those words help us understand what our love of our cars is about. I know some of us don't agree on just about everything except our fbodys. It's pretty amazing when you consider the number of members there isn't more bickering, but the amount of bickering that goes on is still too much. I am on that "other board" and most of the poeple there are great car poeple and upstanding members of this board too. As I said on the other board, every car I own is a Chevrolet, that makes me part of Chevrolet, so I will commit to being more careful with my wording and trying to get the point out with as much diplomacy as possible. We all appreciate the fact that you are willing to listen to us and perhaps take our ideas to a level we could not do on our own.
[ 07. January 2004, 01:01 AM: Message edited by: TimeLord ]
Posted by ss_rs_z (Member # 1888) on :
Scott you are a man above men and your words are and should be well taken by all. Thank you for putting things into perspective.
Thank you again and look forward to meeting you sometime soon. Posted by Hawkeye (Member # 88) on :
Don't know which sites you are referring to, but you will note that a few of us really only "hang" around here. It's for the very reason you spoke about. So far, the SSOA board has managed to avoid a lot of the petty bickering of other boards. That alone speaks volumes about the type of members we have here.
I hope it continues for many years and more F bodies to come!
[ 07. January 2004, 11:27 AM: Message edited by: Hawkeye ]
Posted by Blu SS 98 (Member # 1812) on :
Yeah, what Hawkeye said. If it weren't for this board, I wouldn't have met such great Camaro's.(friends) Posted by 35TH ED/ed (Member # 1709) on :
quote:Originally posted by Blu SS 98: Yeah, what Hawkeye said. If it weren't for this board, I wouldn't have met such great Camaro's.(friends)
I also agree..........One comment though ,When the SLP board went down a lot of people came over here and it got "Intense" for awhile.With the caliber of friends that we have over here it didnt turn out like SLP did......A bashing zone where an honest post was 4 pages down in less than a day.
I am greatful for all the "Friends " that I have & will meet in the future .
Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on :
Thanks Scott for bringing this up. This board and just a couple of others are the only ones I will frequent because most of the time people seem to act their age. Finger pointing and name calling do get old. This particular board is like the public library where you can come in,sit down and relax.Let's all try to keep it that way. Posted by vargod (Member # 1116) on :
Scott, I believe you're right. There should be a level of decorum on this site or any other. However, this being said, I have found that this site provides that decorum fo rthe most part. Many of us have had disagreements, differences of opinions, with one another at some point in time, but because everyone on this board are part of this community things get work out like adults.. Now, that is not the case on many of the other community boards, anything goes. This "anything goes" mentality causes me not to spend much time at those sites. If it was not for this board or SLP's board I would not have met as many great people. We, the members of this board, have to remember that we control what goes on here. The "Janitors" can only clean up the mess and take reactive measures to ensure compliance with the rules. Just my 2 cents Posted by 99 HOSS (Member # 109) on :
Morning Scott, Fbodfather. Hope your holidays were well. As you may notice, I'm not on a lot of boards, posting, as my time is too little and must be spent on other prioritys. I do usually coast thru three or four each day to see what's going on, but very little catches my eye, or interest. Usually it's someone in need of technical info, and if I can help, I do. This board is as much like a family as it gets these daze. Albiet slightly disfunctional, at times. With everything going on in the world and places like message boards, where you can express an opinion or two, it's bound to get outta hand in a hurry if not (self) policed.
This is one place where you'll find an honest answer, tossed into a mixer of opinions, insights, first hand knowledge and , but you usually come away with what you're looking for. Whether it's a WTGG or a T-shirt update or something new being released and it's a heads up or 'WHOA, DID YOU SEE THAT?'.
just my $.03 worth this cold and windy morning.
Posted by DanA_F99_1977 (Member # 118) on :
Good morning all. Thanks Fbodfather for the reminder. Obviously I am part of the occassional spat we have. Howwever, I think they are far less frequent here and certainly have not escalated out of control. We do value everyone's opinion and sometimes we could do better at how we express it. This is one of the few boards I visit, mostly because of the atmosphere that Greg describes. The friends that I truly call friends were mostly met throught this board.
Lets move on!
Posted by poSSum (Member # 119) on :
Group Hug! Posted by RagSS (Member # 1127) on :
First of all, Kudos to you Scott, you always have the right words, and in this case your timing couldn't be better. I've been 'offline' for a while and only a few days ago started 'catching up'. I saw a number of posts and threads that pretty much turned into "pissing contests", ...not what I expected here on Chirpthird. I'm one to normally be low key, keep my opinions to myself, but what I saw prompted me to send a note to 'someone' in their defense, ...I was also very tempted to send a note to who was initiating the name calling, etc. but didn't. Like Scott said, we need to choose our words wisely, and NOT get into the childish name calling etc. Opinions are and should be welcome on this board, ...good AND bad, ...those we agree with AND those we don't. Just because someone has a different opinion than us, it doesn't make them wrong. Will we always agree?, ...absolutely not. Should we ALWAYS be respectful in our behavior, ...a definite yes. That was not what I saw in those threads. Worse yet, it appeared to me that the person with the differing opinion was getting 'their wrist slapped', while the person initiating the name calling issue' was never addressed, ...one of the implication being, that if your opinion is different, ...don't voice it. I don't believe that's the message we want to send. We're on this board because of a common interest, ...Camaros and Firebirds, ...and the commradery of friends that it brings. It's inevitable that discussions will develop where opinions differ, ...that's just the way it is, ...we're all different. It really comes down to the basics of one word, ...respect. We all must be accountable for what we do and more importantly be respectful of others in the process. There are a great bunch of people on this board, many whom I've met, ...and moreso many who are good friends. I've been a Camaro and Chevrolet fan for a long time, ...and will be for a long time to come. Is that to say that all GM products appeal to me?, ...(Aztec, ...enough said). Am I hopeful that Chevrolet will produce some cars people are really passionate about? ...most definitely. But as we discuss all these topics (and others), picture it as if you were on your own 'back porch', face to face, ...think about what you say and how it may come across. One of the things I like best about Chirpthird, is that it's normally an environment among friends, ...let's keep it that way.
...sorry for rambling...
Kevin
Posted by Sizzle (Member # 503) on :
Very good post Fbodfather. This does tend to be a very nice site, good atmosphere. I post on a lot of computer related boards and man, some of the folks there can be quite extreme to say the least. This truely is the Back Porch. Everyone here is very nice and very helpful. The few people that I have met were even nicer in person. I'm hoping this summer to catch up with some of them again.
Posted by JohnS (Member # 1073) on :
Many of us on this board have been fortunate to meet each other in person, and in some cases become good friends, and I think this is what has kept this board at the strong 'quality' level it is. Like many good friendships, we help one another, joke with each other, share our thoughts and family adventures, and in some cases disagree with each other's opinion. But in the end we're still friends.
The Camaro, and in some cases the Firebird (we won't mention any names ), has brought us all together, and hopefully will be the tie that binds us together for many years to come. Posted by Kevin V 2002 SS (Member # 1025) on :
Got to agree with everybody, this is one of my favorite boards to come to. I'm a mod on our club board and have been dealing with some "issues" with some peoples posts and it is getting old.
Being in the big family of the F-Bod enthusiasts is a great thing and alot of fun.
Posted by Bello SS (Member # 1304) on :
Scott for president. Posted by RagSS (Member # 1127) on :
quote: Scott for president.
WTGG Posted by FireChicken (Member # 2067) on :
Great speech, Fbodfather, lots of truth in it, unfortunately, I have absolutely no idea whats going on. Can someone fill me in, the readers digest version?
Posted by TimeLord (Member # 1389) on :
NO !!! Now go away or I shall taunt you some more !!!!! Posted by 02ZL1_97SS (Member # 2100) on :
Thank you Scott (FBodfather) for your input. It was very timely.
I think I would have to go also with what Kevin Kolvenbash (RagSS) said but I'll summarize what I think he was trying to say (and what my mom taught me when I was a child), and that is "IF YA CAN'T SAY SOMETHING NICE ABOUT SOMEONE, DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL!"
This is a great board and I have learned things from alot of the members posts. Hopefully we can all find a way to "get along" and the board will do nothing but grow and prosper.
Posted by Jim Mac (Member # 113) on :
Good words Scott!
Quite often we all seem to lose track of what brings us together, our common interest in our cars.
Posted by mhayman (Member # 146) on :
Great post. I enjoy the usual relaxed atmosphere of this board. Hopefully things will settle back to normal, whatever that is. Posted by SteelHorse (Member # 1725) on :
Well needed words.
Thank You Scott for posting them.
Posted by DanPazich (Member # 1352) on :
Great words Scott. Though nobody can repeat that, this is how I view those situations (as I've stated before):
Sure, we all have our own opinions, and although this is an 'f-body community' message board, we all have our own views, unfortunately, some take it too far in the sense it gets out of hand. The concensus here is that the f-body brings us all together, not keeps us apart. It's what we soley have in common, one way or another. I think we all welcome everyone's opinions, but taking it to the next level of 'bashing' is not necessary.
Nonetheless, this place here, the SSOA/Chirpthird is my 'hangout spot' and will continue to be. You guys are a great group! even if I havne't met most of you....yet! Posted by CaminoLS6 (Member # 2041) on :
I don't know what events/posts prompted this topic but I'm dealing with the same thing on another board I care about and it was nice to see Scott's sane and logical take on the problem. I may not post here much,but this board has one fine atmosphere with little of the all too common nastiness found elsewhere on the net. Even a "second-class citizen" Firehawk owner like me feels comfortable here.
[ 07. January 2004, 01:01 PM: Message edited by: CaminoLS6 ]
Posted by JohnS (Member # 1073) on :
quote:Originally posted by CaminoLS6: Even a "second-class citizen" Firehawk owner like me feels comfortable here.
There are no "second-class citizens" here. Some are just a little different than the others. Posted by TimeLord (Member # 1389) on :
Even a "second-class citizen" Firehawk owner like me feels comfortable here. [/QB][/QUOTE]
Again Scott is right! This is a nice place to chat about our cars! Slp board banned people from using that site due to problems! Lets keep this site problem free Teri puts in lots of her own time to keep it up and running!
Posted by Billiumss (Member # 413) on :
Scott,
Good post, good points.
Now when are you allow to spill you guts on what you know about the future of GM, (5th Gen Fbody?)
Bill
Posted by westell (Member # 2034) on :
i concur.
i thought Camaro was a saharan wind kind of like the santa annas ???
Posted by TimeLord (Member # 1389) on :
That would be Scirocco or Mistral !!!!!! Posted by Mike2001SS (Member # 2088) on :
Thanks Scott for interest in the boards as well as the people on them. I have something I would like to add to that I am a member of maybe 25 web sites car related but you will find me on about 4 of them Worldwide Camaro Club which I am a mod on, this site where about at least 50 of its members or more I have met and my local clubs web site which I run myself. I am older than all but a few here and have been around cars, racing and shows since 1959 when I got my first new chevy and was taking it to the drags. In all those years I have not found a better group of people or friends than in the Camaro group and is on this board. I have better friends here than I have neighbors on my street. There is so many on this board I have only met on line but feel I have known them all my life and really hope I live long enough to meet them sometime. Friends on this board like Fbodfather,Greg,Tim,Chuck,Ralph,and many more I only get to see maybe 2 or 3 times a year at shows but on this board we don't have to drive 500 to 700 miles to say hi. Sorry for going on so but I think f-bod people are the best Posted by KenC (Member # 189) on :
very well put post, Scott.
Wev'e been friends a long time, and I have always valued your friendship, but most of all, valued and felt very fortunate for your support of this car and its enthusiasts.
You have done alot to support my efforts in the f body world that started in early 97...and continued until recently, when my wife and i made up our minds it was time to live our dream, and do the animal rescue operations we so desire to do. As you know, both my cars are for sale, but i will say...its my desire to keep at least the Comp TA..and im going to do my best to do so. As you know, two Envoys are now in the driveway in the rain and weather, both costing more than either the CompTA or Firehawk.....(not after the mods of course LOL)......anyway .....one of the things that discouraged us was this "new trend" we see on the internet. it didnt used to be like this, heck.....i was a principal player in the organizing of gathering 1.....which went on to become political and lost many attendees from the first two. in the old day..only the slp board and f body com (where i was moderator) existed... this stuff never happend....... and true loyal f body folks wouldnt dream ....or even think...like some of these folks do today. why is that? we know
this f body world is split now. im sorry to see that. dozens of forums, dozens of attitudes.....dozens of flames.....
bottom line is....and ive always preached this....its really about the f body owners....the cars brought us together..... but its THIS car.....that spawns the type of people who make up such a strong group.... a good (most of them) group..... who all share the same passion.
the f body is the greatest car ever made. i will take that to my grave.
and readers of this post, many of you newbies dont know me.....but i have not always been "wolfman" on these forums.....i kept that quiet...except for Nikona..my first one ..being friends with so many folks here...
im an fbody person. i bought my first new one by myself.....in 1967....
The ledgend shall continue im sure, especially with Scott in the Corp. and especially with the majority of the good f body folks on this forum, and some of the few true f body forums out there.
on wit da show (i just had to say that...now didnt i )
Mr. Settlemire. I admire you sir. but you know that ..
Ken Collings Foundr: Skyline Drive F body Cruise Founder: Mid Atlantic F Body Assoc. Co Founder: Comp TA Owners Association Former Member: Firehawk Assoc. of America Pres.: Scott Settlemire Fan Club
[ 07. January 2004, 07:03 PM: Message edited by: KenC ]
Posted by sscamaro (Member # 1330) on :
This board is the best. I have made many friends on here and meet some of them in person. It is a place where we share ideas and problems with great people. Maybe we don't like all the ideas or answers to our problems,but it is our choice to do what we want without bashing the other people. I visit 6 or 7 boards a day and this is the friendlist board there is.My .02
[ 07. January 2004, 07:01 PM: Message edited by: sscamaro ]
Posted by Big A (Member # 1761) on :
This is the best and only F-body board I post on and that's a very rare occurrence. I check in a couple of times daily to see what's happening. There's a good bunch of people here. Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
Happy to say that I have no idea what prompted this but I certainly agree with Scott, Kevin, Brian, and the rest of you. As I have said before - The SSOA is about the people first, and the cars second (firebirds third ).
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With everything going on in the world and places like message boards, where you can express an opinion or two, it's bound to get outta hand in a hurry if not (self) policed. ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
, but you usually come away with what you're looking for. Whether it's a WTGG or a T-shirt update or something new being released and it's a heads up or 'WHOA, DID YOU SEE THAT?'.![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
