Paging combatants

In reply to 1988RedT2 :

Unfortunately, frenchyd frequently posted more misinformation than fact. When shown the error of his ways, he would double down with even more misinformation over and over and over. It was to the point that constructive threads about EVs and their cost, usage, and viability were turned into useless frenchyd threads where useful information was lost because his noise was drowning out the signal. 

With EVs being a fast-growing segment of the automotive world, not being able to discuss them because of one person constantly E36 M3ting in the pool is a shame. I don't necessarily dislike the guy, but I won't miss his presence in the EV threads.

In reply to 1988RedT2 :

I hear you, and respect the position. 
 

I considered myself a friend of his at one point. We conversed privately, I encouraged his builds, and appreciated his perspective. 
 

Something changed, and he became very difficult to converse with.  He stopped listening, and started ranting. Honestly, I became concerned for his well being.

I liked him, but I did get to the point where I no longer wanted his input here.  I did everything I could to try to help him make corrections, and be an encouragement.  Nothing helped.

So, I will agree with you. I stopped giving him respect. I'm not proud of that, but I definitely was not always that way.

It was a long process over several years.

In reply to 1988RedT2 :

No. Respect is earned. He ignored facts, made up things CONSTANTLY and would double down on those lies. He would litter useful threads with propaganda and made up crap. That's not helpful to anyone, especially when we are trying to get actual information out about an ever expanding segment of cars. 

Add to that this wasn't his first time through the board and it was the same crap. 

1988RedT2 said:

I'd like to offer a different take on the Frenchy Affair, go figure.

Frenchy brought to this group a set of experiences that should be highly regarded.  When he offered an opinion that differed from that of the mob, he was attacked.  Relentlessly. 

I found that I was often in disagreement with Frenchy.  He was too much a Minnesota lefty nutball, and he got all worked up about battery-powered cars, which hold zero interest for me.  Even so, I found his contributions entertaining and thought-provoking.

The man deserved respect, and he didn't get it here. 

Here's the issue. He was here before under a different username. He was banned for the same stuff. He was given a 2nd chance to EARN respect back, and did not take the opportunity. It's 100% on him this time. Respect goes both ways. 
 

Edit. I sat my iPad down in the middle of the reply to get coffee and see others have posted pretty close to the same reply during the delay. That's 3 of us with the same thoughts, so there's gotta be more that feel that way too. 

In reply to Steve_Jones :

I would kindly like you to get out of my head please. 

Funny, I found that Frenchy had an almost childlike enthusiasm for EVs to the point that he seemed to harvest every bit of pseudo-data that he could get his hands on. Sometimes it was almost charming. I remember that 25 years or so ago I was guilty of similar thinking in the political sphere where I couldn't wait to post every tidbit that I could find that remotely backed my position.  I got banned once and called out enough times on the low-quality tech that I was bringing to the table that my eyes ultimately opened to how I was polluting the stream, not  helping it flow.  

In reply to Kreb (Forum Supporter) :

WE've all done it at some time or another. Most learn from it and change their habits. Some doubledown and "try harderer"

well, at least we all learned that modern tires don't age out because in 1962 he raced on tires that were 20 years old.

In reply to OHSCrifle :

You mean we haven't already been getting frenchy's long format feature right here on the forum?

I'm ok with it just so I don't see lightning mis spelled 6 different ways in the same post. 

I've gone at it with many of you chuckleheads, but I'm not here to love you for your politics, I'm here to respect you for your GRM-ness.  I respect you all.  We're all just humans doing human things.

Duke said:

In reply to OHSCrifle :

You mean we haven't already been getting frenchy's long format feature right here on the forum?

Fair point. Based upon his over sharing.. I mostly fear that this place was his only source of joy.  Hopefully a time-out.. even a long one will be transformative.

Of course I won't hold my breath. 

I actually have learned something here from hearing the other side of arguments.

It is a good thing.

Snowdoggie (Forum Supporter) said:

I actually have learned something here from hearing the other side of arguments.

It is a good thing.

Absolutely agreed.

In reply to Duke :

Me too

In reply to Kreb (Forum Supporter) :

I hear you, but that was new too.  There was a time when Frenchy was one of the loudest opponents of EVs. 
 

I hope he gets the EV he's been hoping for. 

M2Pilot said:

I'm not going to propose that Frenchy shouldn't have been banned, and despite the fact that I often didn't read his posts to the end, I'll miss him.  

I may be the oldest rat in the GRM barn now.

Can you beat 71?

Not sure there's a lot of merit in being old but I'm about to turn 76. I don't discuss politics or religion, but ask me about Minis.

I took a sabbatical from GRM for a bit, as I needed to work through some shenanigans, and it was affecting my behavior here. GRM continues to be one of my favorite hangouts on the interwebs, because we are all car nerds. 

P.S.- Wagons are the best cars ever, and if you don't agree you're wrong!

In reply to Recon1342 :

I mean... they are "kinda" cool... but whatever floats your boat man.  

I do wish Frenchy well.   I was considering trying to get him to post some stories about his time in the Navy (I mean, the man was trapping onto pitching carriers in the middle of the South China Sea in the early 60's!!!) because I am sure he has some interesting ones.  Oh well, should have jumped on that (if he would have done it).

In reply to DeadSkunk (Warren) :

I intend to hit 76 later this year.

In reply to aircooled :

I think you're a bit confused about wagons being cool.  You got the wrong wagon.
 

M2Pilot said:

In reply to DeadSkunk (Warren) :

I intend to hit 76 later this year.

Will hit 65 in two months. Not retired. Still working a 40 hour plus week. Still married to a woman 10 years younger. Just got a new project truck to work on.

I don't feel old, but they keep stuffing my mailbox with offers for Medicare Advantage Plans and Reverse Mortgage offers. Sheesh.

In reply to Snowdoggie (Forum Supporter) :

If it makes you feel better I've been getting those since I turned 40. Used to get calls all the time and I would ask if I could apply at 40.... They stopped calling after a short time.