Some members tend to openly "attack" others (when they should just keep it in PM's to a member or moderater) but will let it slide with different members.
Eric, this is the part of your point that I think needs to be revisited. You'll note,
that people tend to openly attack others who they either a) have a history of
having such exchanges with or b) feel have yet to prove themselves as being
even keeled or having valid input. And when those people let the comments
slide from other members, it usually because those other members have a
history of providing useful comments, insight, etc. and as such, given a little
more leeway. If one establishes a history of well reasoned responses, then
the "public" will be a little more forgiving of "transgressions". This is true
anywhere. And, the the opposite is true, if one establishes a history of
being problematic, then the tolerance level drops.
Meat was not useless, he had plenty to contribute based on his long time
experience in the kit car community. Unfortunately, his tone and tact left
the more lasting impression.
Oliver also had some solid contributions as well. Again, his approach became
his stigma. At one point, after he was banned, he had some ZFs for sale on
eBay. A member queried here whether or not he should conduct business
with Olliver, and the gist of the responses (mine included) were that, regardless
of his personality and tone here, nobody would argue that he was less than
honest when it came to business dealings (one could say he was too honest
at times). He also, even after being booted, still made good on his Weber
tuning DVD, something he did not have to do considering the circumstances.
Unfortunately, this community has shown intolerance to some of the "good
old boys", and in two major cases, I think wrongly. Andre40 was made to feel
unwelcome more than once (he was unfortunately involved with both the
original CAV which went under and was reformed, as well as Roaring Forties
just prior to the shit hitting the fan). And then there's Hersh, whom I sorely
miss here. He also got bullied out of posting here as a result of his being the
US rep for RF as it went under and he was left hung out to dry. I do hope
he comes back into the fold some day. And I know Andre occasionally drops
in and provides us with another historic gem here and there.
I still think this forum is one of the best out there. Even to the point that it
is no longer exclusively GT40s - we have info on various Porsches, Lolas,
Ferraris, and I suspect more and more about the XJ13. But one thing this
forum is not short on, some good friendly people who know a lot of shit and
are willing to share it.
-Ian