In one of few rare discussions in rec.scuba.locations, about
SCUBA, I made my second post, recalling some of the details 
I had forgotten, in a rec.scuba.location thread about Great 
Barrier Reef Liveaboards.

The MUST READ part for you Scuba-SE folks, especially the
few bitching and whining lot NOW:  Michael Levy, Chuck Hopf,
Christian Gerzner, Shep Griswold, and John Hauer ... AND

For those with short attention span, see what I said in r.s.l.

                http://tinyurl.com/mp3mw 

RF>  That was the archives of the entire MONTH of Scuba-SE 
RF>  in Nov 2002. If you folks want to see what a REAL and 
RF>  healthy Scuba Discussion was like, that month (and many 
RF>  of the adjacent months) are good examples.   I was 
RF>  amazed at the number of threads (and their diversity 
RF>  of SCUBA topics) and the number of POSTS (from DIFFERENT 
RF>  divers in that group). 

The excerpt below was taken from thread #59 (FIFTY NINE)
in that one month of November 2002.

 

====== Begin excerpt from rec.scuba.locations (March 8, 2006)

>From the Scuba-SE archives: 

Not that there weren't good moments in the Coral Sea and the Great 
Barrier Reef, but let me get this out of the way before further 
ado.  :-))) 

5.  My room wasn't what was pictured on the Taka II webpage. 
    (Giovanni was right <G>) 

4.  The diving wasn't done as described on the Taka II webpage.  
    The capital punishment for "reverse profile" doesn't even 
    make this Top 5 list! ;-) 

3.  The Ultimate Cattleboat.  The galley did not have enough 
    standing room for 27 divers! 

2.  The Exquisite Cuisine.  By about the 3rd meal, catsup became 
    the universal sauce (because it's the only available sause) 
    requested by passengers for all dishes.  All veggie dishes 
    (the same ones everyday) are boiled and served in unseasoned 
    water. 

1.  The sight and sound and feel of the Taka II boat somehow 
    reminded me of the African Queen boat used in the Bogart-
    Hepburn classic!  :-) 

That's all I have the time for now.   :-))) 

The above was taken from            http://tinyurl.com/mp3mw 

That was the archives of the entire MONTH of Scuba-SE in Nov 2002. 
If you folks want to see what a REAL and healthy Scuba Discussion 
was like, that month (and many of the adjacent months) are good 
examples.   I was amazed at the number of threads (and their diversity 
of SCUBA topics) and the number of POSTS (from DIFFERENT 
divers in that group). 

=========== end excerpt from rec.scuba.locations (March 8, 2006)


To ALL Scuba-SE survivors:

Ask yourself what YOU have contributed, to the RISE and Fall
of Scuba-SE, from May 24, 2000 to March 2006, and what makes
it a THRIVING group for discussion, before you strain your
finger pointing at anyone.

Note ESPECIALLY to David Strike.

I regret that I have to DECLINE your polite request (once
more) for NOT quoting you, outside of Scuba-SE.

To the best of my knowledge, WITHOUT a SINGLE EXCERPTION,
anything I've said or quoted about Strike that is OUTSIDE
of Scuba-SE or Scuba-L  was EVIDENCE and COMPLIMENTARY
examples of both Strike, and the Scuba-SE LIST.

I couldn't even COUNT the number of posts by Strike 
(of course appearing in their entirety, and in the context
of the threads in Nov 2002) in

             http://tinyurl.com/mp3mw 

OR even COUNT the number of discussant from Scuba-SE who
were genuinely interested in SCUBA and SCUBA-RELATED
discussions.

In my NOT SO HUMBLE OPINION, and also it is MY CONTENTION
and INTENTION, that my exhibit of Scuba-SE archives of
the posts in Nov 2002 (that was directly related to a
thread I participated THERE) was SOLELY for the purpose
of saying something 

                  COMPLIMENTARY

about Scuba-SE;  as I was (in the post Strike called me
a "fucking know nothing") being complimentary to Strike
(in something he SHOULD BE proud), and at the same time 
a reflection of the QUALITY of the posters in Scuba-SE.


It was, as I had analyzed the entire episode quite
thoroughly now, a case of "KNEE JERK" reaction, OUT OF
CONTEXT, as even Saints and Gods are capable of doing.

I will hold Strike in no less regard after his RARE
"outburst".   As far as I am concerned (not having seen
any further rebuttal from him) the case is OVER, and
LIFE GOES ON.

This Feeesh will be the SAME Feeesh, ever outspoken,
and never pull any punches.  In 1990 (over ignorant
Instructors on the subject of BUOYANCY), 1994 (NEDS),
2000 (the Scuba-L Massacre), in 2002 (the Happy Days),
and 2006 (the Sad Days).


Of course I'll be happy to read anything Strike has
to say about me quoting him AND quoting ALL his 
posts in an entire month to a newsgroup in which he
does NOT participate, except for a couple of rare
appearances in the year 2000, over my "DRINKING".

-- Bob.