Give Marty 'Oface' a Get-outta-jail Card? (Poll)

[bluesdog]

Somehow I think this isn't a democracy here, but if he wants back in he has my vote.

 

[Bustanut joker]

I don't think Marty got the permanent boot,but I could be wrong.

He's a man of strong principals and convictions who isn't going to back down nor change due to popular opinion.

A lot like one or two others over the years that have never returned.

He'll be back if an' when he wants to. Provided my opening statement isn't a factor.

 

[Top_Speed1]

I don't think Marty got the permanent boot,but I could be wrong.
He's a man of strong principals and convictions who isn't going to back down nor change due to popular opinion.

A lot like one or two others over the years that have never returned.

He'll be back when an' admin wants him to.

I corrected that for ya Barry

Oh he wants back in, I had THIS very conversation with him at SEO last week, hence my plea to free.

 

[Fred W]

Never met Marty or know the back-story but kudos KJ for speaking out on behalf of a friend.

Yeah you did, Mikey. He was at both NERDS 2 and NERDS 3.

And he is pretty hard to miss in the boxer shorts and high riding boots getup.

I like Marty, too, and definitely think he should be allowed back. Perhaps we are not privy to the entire situation, but from what was visible publicly I don't really think that he did anything so offensive as to have been banned in the first place, never mind for life. Yes, he voiced his complaints about the forum slowdown situation, but he also offered to help fix it. There were lots of other complainers at that time that didn't offer any help.

 

[beemerdons]

Never met Marty or know the back-story but kudos KJ for speaking out on behalf of a friend.

Yeah you did, Mikey. He was at both NERDS 2 and NERDS 3.

And he is pretty hard to miss in the boxer shorts and high riding boots getup.

I like Marty, too, and definitely think he should be allowed back. Perhaps we are not privy to the entire situation, but from what was visible publicly I don't really think that he did anything so offensive as to have been banned in the first place, never mind for life. Yes, he voiced his complaints about the forum slowdown situation, but he also offered to help fix it. There were lots of other complainers at that time that didn't offer any help.

+1, Gunny; very well stated Fred, Thank You! JSNS!

 

[Old Guy]

I don't think Marty got the permanent boot,but I could be wrong.
He's a man of strong principals and convictions who isn't going to back down nor change due to popular opinion.

A lot like one or two others over the years that have never returned.

He'll be back when an' admin wants him to.

I corrected that for ya Barry

Oh he wants back in, I had THIS very conversation with him at SEO last week, hence my plea to free.

In that case I voted, and since it's unanimous at this point, I won't even tell you how I voted

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I remember the multiple complaints from multiple folks in the threads concerning forum speed. I remember most of the biggest complainers went way too far. I remember that the admins, Ignacio in particular made it very clear that they were doing everything they knew. Ignacio repeatedly told us all EXACTLY what he needed. None of us were experts in the specific field he needed. I personally offered money as the only support I could.

While I was not happy with the tone of Ignacio's response to my offer, he was at least gracious enough to repeatedly tell us over and over and over EXACTLY what was needed. In spite of that, some folks just kept fussing and then went to name calling. If the forum was so slow that it was useless, it did not stop those folks from posting their displeasure. Those folks were repeatedly warned.

I am not going to vote for or against O-Face. I am going to respectfully request that the admins consider the overwhelming opinion of those members that did vote. I will request that the admins open a dialogue with O-Face, and I will urge the admins to open a dialogue with us.

I will also say that when I have been "cautioned" by Ignacio in the past, he handled it privately and smoothly. While I don't always agree with him, he has at least treated me with a certain level of respect. If he/they made a "Permanent Ban" decision, I am sure it was not a decision made lightly.

What does The Management have to say?

 

[rogdeb]

I don't remember ever meeting Marty, but based on the positive words here ... I vote YES .. so does Deb

 

[BigOgre]

Never met Marty or know the back-story but kudos KJ for speaking out on behalf of a friend.

Yeah you did, Mikey. He was at both NERDS 2 and NERDS 3.

And he is pretty hard to miss in the boxer shorts and high riding boots getup.

Yeah, as soon as I saw KJ's pics and then the NERDS shirt I realized I had. It gets a little fuzzy under the Commodore's overhang you know. (If you're reading this, sorry Marty.)

 

[TripperMike]

I won't say I know what happened between Marty and the Admins behind "closed doors" as I haven't spoken to Marty about it. None of my business really. But I think I can vouch for his character as a person, and yes, also for the way he dresses. I could go on and on about what it's like to get together with him for group rides ad naseum, so I won't. Well maybe a few words: patient with new riders, encouraging of riders who've bit the gravel and trying to get their confidence back, welcoming of all newcomers, and well, just genuinely friendly.

Now that there has been time for the dust to settle, I would hope that the powers-to-be might reconsider this (if it is permanent) ban. Weigh his overall contributions to this forum against that brief span of time that earned him the boot in the backside.

 

[HotRodZilla]

I spoke to Marty about what went on. If he wants to share or you wanna know, you may PM him where he is now.

2 things:

1: A couple of you here need to grow a set..."Whaaaa...I'm gonna ride the fence." If you're gonna post up to tell us you're riding the fence cuz you can't take a stand, then you should just keep it to yourself. Be an adult and make a decision.

2: IF Marty wants to come back and anyone cared what we think, I would back him 100%. He's one of my favorite people. He tells the truth and won't kiss anyone's ass to stroke their ego. If I was behind Marty at a bar and someone came after him, they'd have to go through me; as if Marty needs my help. He's good people and I'd be proud to call him a friend.

 

[Bugnatr]

Zilla, if you were behind Marty at a bar he's the one who should be worried.

However I do agree that he is a good guy!

 

[SacramentoMike]

If I was behind Marty at a bar and someone came after him, they'd have to go through me

That would only work if they were coming after him from behind, but still.

Haven't met the man, but I enjoy the stuff he posts over "there." Every Friday.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

A couple of you here need to grow a set..."Whaaaa...I'm gonna ride the fence." If you're gonna post up to tell us you're riding the fence cuz you can't take a stand, then you should just keep it to yourself. Be an adult and make a decision.
2: IF Marty wants to come back and anyone cared what we think, I would back him 100%. He's one of my favorite people. He tells the truth and won't kiss anyone's ass to stroke their ego. If I was behind Marty at a bar and someone came after him, they'd have to go through me; as if Marty needs my help. He's good people and I'd be proud to call him a friend.

Well then...

I am gonna ride the fence because:

He might be nice in person but he was a jerk on the forum. I don't recall ever reading one of his posts where I did not think he was cowering behind the anonymity of the internet.

This is a forum with an EXCHANGE of ideas. If only those who agree 100% are invited to post in this thread, KJ should have put that in the title.

As you good folks have pointed out, he would not back down. Or, it could be interpreted as, "He would not listen to reason". There is a difference, one requires courage, the other belligerence. Yes, I know. Bravery is usually a combination. The man was warned. He made his choice. Does he regret that choice now? Is he still as "brave" as he was before?

If a "permanent ban" really does not mean "permanent" what good does it do? If the admins cannot reason with a member, what tools do they have to enforce their/our rules? How else does one police the forum? And yes, it does need oversight. We have proven that over and over.

On the other hand, if I were ever banned I would hope that I had made enough difference here that someone would be willing to stand up for me. Of course, I would start with a PM to the admins, not a public plea.

I am riding the fence because of my respect for many of the members who support this person. If not for my friendship and admiration for so many of you, (yes that includes you ZIlla), I would not be riding the fence. The man did this to himself. I would vote against.

How's that for "a set"?

 

[dcarver]

A couple of you here need to grow a set..."Whaaaa...I'm gonna ride the fence." If you're gonna post up to tell us you're riding the fence cuz you can't take a stand, then you should just keep it to yourself. Be an adult and make a decision.
2: IF Marty wants to come back and anyone cared what we think, I would back him 100%. He's one of my favorite people. He tells the truth and won't kiss anyone's ass to stroke their ego. If I was behind Marty at a bar and someone came after him, they'd have to go through me; as if Marty needs my help. He's good people and I'd be proud to call him a friend.

Well then...

I am gonna ride the fence because:

He might be nice in person but he was a jerk on the forum. I don't recall ever reading one of his posts where I did not think he was cowering behind the anonymity of the internet.

This is a forum with an EXCHANGE of ideas. If only those who agree 100% are invited to post in this thread, KJ should have put that in the title.

As you good folks have pointed out, he would not back down. Or, it could be interpreted as, "He would not listen to reason". There is a difference, one requires courage, the other belligerence. Yes, I know. Bravery is usually a combination. The man was warned. He made his choice. Does he regret that choice now? Is he still as "brave" as he was before?

If a "permanent ban" really does not mean "permanent" what good does it do? If the admins cannot reason with a member, what tools do they have to enforce their/our rules? How else does one police the forum? And yes, it does need oversight. We have proven that over and over.

On the other hand, if I were ever banned I would hope that I had made enough difference here that someone would be willing to stand up for me. Of course, I would start with a PM to the admins, not a public plea.

I am riding the fence because of my respect for many of the members who support this person. If not for my friendship and admiration for so many of you, (yes that includes you ZIlla), I would not be riding the fence. The man did this to himself. I would vote against.

How's that for "a set"?

I'd say it was to the point too!

 

[El Toro Joe]

A couple of you here need to grow a set..."Whaaaa...I'm gonna ride the fence." If you're gonna post up to tell us you're riding the fence cuz you can't take a stand, then you should just keep it to yourself. Be an adult and make a decision.
2: IF Marty wants to come back and anyone cared what we think, I would back him 100%. He's one of my favorite people. He tells the truth and won't kiss anyone's ass to stroke their ego. If I was behind Marty at a bar and someone came after him, they'd have to go through me; as if Marty needs my help. He's good people and I'd be proud to call him a friend.

Well then...

I am gonna ride the fence because:

He might be nice in person but he was a jerk on the forum. I don't recall ever reading one of his posts where I did not think he was cowering behind the anonymity of the internet.

This is a forum with an EXCHANGE of ideas. If only those who agree 100% are invited to post in this thread, KJ should have put that in the title.

As you good folks have pointed out, he would not back down. Or, it could be interpreted as, "He would not listen to reason". There is a difference, one requires courage, the other belligerence. Yes, I know. Bravery is usually a combination. The man was warned. He made his choice. Does he regret that choice now? Is he still as "brave" as he was before?

If a "permanent ban" really does not mean "permanent" what good does it do? If the admins cannot reason with a member, what tools do they have to enforce their/our rules? How else does one police the forum? And yes, it does need oversight. We have proven that over and over.

On the other hand, if I were ever banned I would hope that I had made enough difference here that someone would be willing to stand up for me. Of course, I would start with a PM to the admins, not a public plea.

I am riding the fence because of my respect for many of the members who support this person. If not for my friendship and admiration for so many of you, (yes that includes you ZIlla), I would not be riding the fence. The man did this to himself. I would vote against.

How's that for "a set"?

yeah...that's quite a set. I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion...but you know what they say about opinions...

 

[SacramentoMike]

I just enjoyed the juxtaposition of the picture of the toreador and the bull with a post by "El Toro Joe."

p.s. I always cheer for the bull.

 

[beemerdons]

I just enjoyed the juxtaposition of the picture of the toreador and the bull with a post by "El Toro Joe."

Really, SacramentoMiguel? Freaking hippy-dippy rooty-tooty Kalifonikator land of fruits and nuts whole wheat deadbeats! jes' sayin' and nuff said!

 

[0Face]

Ignatio,

I hope you allow this to be posted.

I’m very grateful for all the friends I have made through riding an FJR and participating in this and other forums. To see a thread like this is very nice and I really, really appreciate the effort. For the record, I did not put KJ up to it. He is fully capable of generating buzz on his own. However, I will say, I didn't discourage it either and have really enjoyed it. I would certainly like to be allowed to post without having my posts approved by Ignacio. That being said, without rehashing the past, it is clearly his sandbox to run, not mine.

I would like to address one thing in particular. I have never and will never “cower behind the anonymity of the internet”. I welcome anybody to stop by my house, or meet me, and discuss anything they’d like, anytime. I would never talk smack behind somebody’s back or behind a monitor when a perfectly good opportunity arises to say it their face. I’m not a “nice guy once you get to know me” and I have been far from a Jerk on the forum. I am who I am, all the time.

However, RedfishHunter raises a very good point. People on this forum and elsewhere tend to treat those they don’t know personally with a lack of respect. How many times has the anonymity of your helmet given some safely protected cager the courage to do something on the road they would never do in person. In other places, news sites in particular, they are cracking down on the “comment trolls” by making people provide proof of who they are before allowing commentary. I think that’s a great idea. Perhaps we should write more about ourselves in our profiles. This forum is about way more than just FJR’s, that’s why people come here. It’s why I still occasionally read the posts.

So here I go; My “real name” is Marty Walsh and I live in Evanston, IL. The few of you who have spent more than a couple hours with me know there is more depth than motorcycles, guns, and porn. Not much, but a little. For instance, I’m currently president of a charity that helps alcoholics & addicts regain their lives. Before I became president they were losing money, in the last six years, with the help of many others, we have turned it around to the point where we have to give away more money and services in order to keep our non-profit status. I get paid nothing. I have raised enormous sums of money for charities such as, Susan G. Koman, Ronald McDonald House, Wounded Warrior Foundation, and PAWS Chicago. I foster homeless dogs that would otherwise be euthanized. Out of all the charity work I do, I like the dogs the most, they are so happy. Oh, and I try and get as much swag as possible for CFO. I do all this while running a semi-successful Real Estate Business, served as Chairman of our trade association and a director on the state's board, travel to Washington to lobby on your behalf to keep your mortgage interest deductions and flood insurance, among other things. I’m major donor to our PAC, and constantly am in contact with local politicians to prevent bad legislation, that would adversely affect property values and the economy. Speaking of the economy, in a prior life, I was in finance, twenty plus years as a commodity trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. I’m married to an absolute saint of a woman who lets me do pretty much whatever I want; we have no kids by choice, and a couple of dogs. Why am I writing all this? I’d like to think I’m respected, both professionally and privately, that I’m a doer not a talker. I solve problems both for a living and in my “free” time. So, naturally that will clash with other people who have different agendas. Sometimes they work out, sometimes they don’t. I don’t lose sleep over it and I’m sure they don’t either.

I have never really discussed most of this with any of you, I probably shared more than I should, and I'm sure somebody will find fault with it, but what the hell, right?

There is such an enormous amount of talent and knowledge in the collective experience of this forum, it’s astounding. Each and every one of you is more than a douchebag on the internet (at least I keep telling myself this). No matter what the question, FJR related or not, somebody knows the answer. That’s just cool.

Now, back to the topic at hand.

Have some of my comments been crass, off topic, and harsh? Absolutely, I don’t deny that, however, the contributions I've made far outweigh a couple of sharp-tongued remarks.

Believe it or not, I would like the ability to contribute restored so I can help with NAFO. There’s a lot swag needed and I need to work on it. I really do enjoy it when people get to leave an event with stuff. It’s fun.

Is an apology needed? If so, I apologize to those I offended, but never to Bust. Barry deserves a kick in the nuts.

Thanks again for the friendship and support.

Now can we please close this thread and move on?

 

[Redfish Hunter]

What I would like to know is, has O-Face made any attempt to communicate with the Admins? I would think that would be his best recourse. You guys have gotten yourselves all worked up but what has he done to help himself?

I said this in the beginning, I will say it again: He and he Admins need to open a dialogue.

It does not matter who among us has "a set" if he does not have enough decency to make that step. As I see it, he is hiding behind your bravery.

EDIT: This post was before my personal conversation with Marty and before the Admins (SkooterG) allowed the prior post. I will not delete what I said because that would be more cowardly on my part than having said it to begin with.