I respect what Michael says and request that his post not be deleted. I
disagree with some assertions but am glad that this situation was aired.
I for one had my posts deleted by the moderator then put on his 'no
post' list. My last straw was a post about being assaulted by the Paddle
Creek Ponds neighbor warning other birders. I was left crawling through
the briars for 25 minutes hunting for my keys that he ripped out of my
ignition and threw down the fence-line. Wallace did not want anything
negative posted about one of his favorite birding places, even if it
could save someone's life. There were shots fired over my head.
Publicly acknowledging the past might help prevent any repeat of the
situation, though I truly think it was a one-off problem, but we don't
need to beat a dead horse into dust. I could write paragraphs about the
way some of us were treated. I won't. I keep my membership active in
support of the club, even if I don't attend many meetings.
On a positive note the primary impetus for my creation of
mountainempirebirds.net <http://www.mountainempirebirds.net/> was to
unite and facilitate area birders and bird clubs rather than to shut
anyone out. That would not have happened if BBC had been more inclusive.
Another positive note was the creation of Birding Kingsport that may not
have happened if BBC had been more inclusive.
Respectfully submitted
John Whinery
Fall Branch, Tn.
Greene County
