Not to mention there's this little thing
called a filter available on most email programs today. You don't like
what Howard posts? Just filter his posts to the delete box before they
ever get to your inbox, then you'll never be bothered.
Ok, this burned me out of list silence. I have been a member of this list
now for nearly two years, and yes Howard banters on, sometimes needlessly, and
yes, he seems to have a real way with people. You know what really pisses me
off though? The fact that AGAIN somebody had to bring up the fact that he made
some mistakes in the early stages of his endurance riding career. This is
uncalled for. I'll probably get flamed for this, but what the hell. Some of
you people seem to fly off the handle so readily anyway, what's the
difference. And no, Howard didn't put me up to this. No I don't correspond
with him on a regular basis, and yes, I've disagreed with him openly on this
list before so it's not like we're all chummy and in cahoots. The fact is as
goofy as Howard is, and though I disagree with him on some topics, I still
respect him as a person and I feel as though I can successfully share my
opinions, as opposite to his as they may be, without cutting him down or
trampling over his character or record.
I really think it's pushing the limit to constantly
dredge up someone's past like this. Howard will attest that he was not very in
tune with his horses' needs. WE ALL AGREE ON THIS. EVEN HOWARD. It seems to me
that the man has tried to rectify his mistakes in his push for better
attentiveness to horse welfare. Granted sometimes his thoughts and
commentaries seem slightly off the wall, but at least his heart and/or
mind is in the right place. How many times are you people going
to summon up the skeletons in his closet and hold it over his
head? How many times have any of you made mistakes you were ashamed
about? Especially if they were accidents? How do you feel when others won't
let you forget these mistakes? I find it very ironic that these are the same
people who strive to make endurance better for the horses. Look at it
this way. You are the same body of folks trying to encourage people to come
forward more openly if they believe their horses are in trouble during a ride
to PREVENT equine deaths, but you also seem overly ready and willing
to shun someone who has done so. How many times are you going to crucify
Howard for this? Maybe people are afraid of being outcasted. With such a
judgmental bunch, I would be too. The fact that so many people quickly stood
up to badmouth Howard and uphold his ban is stunning to me. If Howard's
life revolves around RC, who cares! What does it bother any of you? If he
wants to write about his thoughts, who cares! Here's a little hint. DELETE
BUTTON. Time doesn't permit much Internet usage these days with my
classes and new job. So I use the delete button pretty readily. Why can't you
do the same? Does it really pain you that much to just trash what he says
and resist the temptation to counter his posts? You think I've never been
offended by things people have posted? You think I don't disagree with some of
it? As bad as some of you say he is, you're willing to sink to equal lows
just to get in the last word?
I just feel really disappointed that as a
newbie, I look up to people on this list but I find it disturbing that
many of you come across as condescending and unapproachable
through your posts. It's a real shame because there is a tremendous wealth of
knowledge on this forum and I have enjoyed being a part of it.
Now that I've vented my frustrations, I'll leave
everyone to go about their lives.
