Post #184100 by Riptide on Sat, Sep 3, 2005 11:13 AM

On 2005-09-02 23:36, Riptide wrote:
Originally posted in the topic "UPDATE: Beyond and Bilge Talkback Topic" in the Main Discussion Forum

Thanks Hanford for bringing Beyond and Bilge back for all to enjoy.

Now, how about bringing the 3rd "B" in the trilogy back? I miss "Bong's" sarcasm's, incite, humor, and tiki knowledge. I know that he ruffled a few feathers (Hell, my first introduction to him was when he called out my "newbie status" in wanting to "help out" with an OC Tiki Crawl), but in the end I truly feel that this site is lessened by his absence. He is a founding part of this ohana, and we need to accept him "warts and all". Besides, as many sarcastic remarks he may have made towards other people, he has more than received back at him, and I don't see any other members being banished for their posts towards him.

In the end, since that first sarcastic post directed at me, Tiki Bong has become a good friend. I am truly saddened to see someone permanently barred from this site that has so much to offer to our tiki ohana on Tiki Central. It seems ironic that as this discussion of "trying to bring the focus of Tiki Central back to that of TIKI" that one of the "tiki'est" people I know can't make posts on the site that he was a founding member on. Yeah, he may have been a little "high and mighty" to some new members first posts, or a little sarcastic to people whose first posts were about their auctions, businesses, or things they wanted to sell, but I honestly feel he was just trying to keep this site as genuine to the style/art/concept of Tiki that it seems that many are trying to recapture.

I recall a thread from a few months back "Was Bilge Designed for Bong?" (or something like that) I hope you reconsider your decision on permanently banning Tiki Bong from Tiki Central, but if nothing else, how about letting him at least post in Bilge. I mean the description says, " Bilge, For drunken, waaaay off-topic, time killer or non-informative posts." How can anything posted there be held against him? He is often drunk!

On 2005-09-03 00:57, hanford_lemoore wrote:
Riptide, you asked me to let Bong back in the wrong topic so I'll answer you here:

Sorry, my decision stands. His schtick of broken promises and disappointments had long ago gotten old, tired, and predictable; and he crossed the line so egregiously this time that the decision came easily and was supported by many other longtime TCers.

~Hanford

Sorry, about that Hanford. I kind of realized that after I finished the post. My original intention was to just say thanks for bringing back Beyond & Bilge, but then I just kept typing. As inventor/creator/operator of this site, I respect your authority & right to do whatever you want with TC and allow whoever you want to be a part of it. However, Bong is a friend and I will always support and "have the backs" of my friends and family. Although I don't personally agree with your decision, I support your right to make it and keep it. I will continue to hope that you keep an open mind and maybe reconsider after a period of time. I am sure that even you will agree that he has a lot of tiki knowledge to offer and is a major part of the tiki community here in Southern California.