He Hate Me, Part 291

We haven't received many like this one of late, but we take comfort in knowing that we still piss some people off. Good Times.

He: I just checked out your site for the first time and was absolutely appalled at the content in your forum section. You do a disservice to the sport of sailing by allowing this discrimination to be viewed by the public in general. I've been a sailor for 40 yrs. and own my own sailing school and can't believe the lack of manners and the language that is allowed on your site. If a lifelong racing sailor is immediately disgusted by this what will the public think of sailors/sailing in general??? You should be ashamed of these ignorant,testosterone-fueled losers. I, for one, will never visit your site again. It's sad that people don't have better things to do with their free time. What is the world coming to?? I think you should police your forums more effectively or risk alienating new sailors away from our fabulous sport.

Me: I've been racing for nearly 40 years myself and I think its just fine - so apparently does most everybody else - we are the most visited sailing site in the world. You see, a lot of us are big boys and girls who like to express ourselves without fear of some artificial censorship. You take care now.

He: No, I don't see. Big boys and girls shouldn't need to discriminate against homosexuals and women. Guess you are just as ignorant.

Me: Sadly, what people should or shouldn't need to do is not dictated by you. Ignorant? Do you think it is necessary to name call? I'm very disappointed that you have a need to discriminate against me because of your inability to understand Sailing Anarchy.

He: Whatever....I was just trying to enlighten you that some people may be offended by a small percentage of your site. There's a ton of valuable info there, too!

Me: Being called ignorant is now part of becoming enlightened? I am not concerned with who is or isn't offended by any of the content. If I was, I never would have started it in the first place. We're a big tent here. Come on in whenever you wish.

That was the end of that exchange. Not earth shattering, but at least mildly entertaining.

01/27/06