Hi Tweets,

Eric Greenwood writes, privately, to which I respond publicly for a reason
which become apparent:

>I seem to remember several posts to Tweeters regarding the quality of the
>information available from the Vancouver Bird Alert and the fact that it is
>one of the few updated daily. A number of people volunteer their time to
>maintain the standard that YOU SET!
>
>So, frankly Michael, I'm sick and tired of your whining! And of your
>"flamming" of volunteers that work hard to service the BC birding community
>that you seem to avoid.
>
>Given your sentiments, why don't you go and live in the USA. Obviously you
>don't like what Vancouver has to offer.
>
>By the way, don't bother responding; I have set a filter that deletes your
>messages. Thats one of the benefits of the recent change to Tweeters.
>
>
>Eric Greenwood egreenw at IntraNet.bc.ca
>IntraNet Resource Group
>Vancouver, British Columbia


Eric, I will wonder forever more why, if I set such a high standard of
competence and service and was willing to continue doing so--far from, as
you state, avoiding the local community which, except for a small faction of
hardcore listeners and the organisation's leadership itself, seemed quite
satisfied with the job I was doing and for which I had gained a good
reputation outside the VNHS leadership--I was removed so disgracefully,
without consultation, and without warning by that leadership of which you
are a part. After such undeserved treatment of a hard-working, committed
volunteer, Eric, is it any wonder that a person might not want not to belong
to your organisation any longer? Under those squalid circumstances, who in
his or her right mind would? And to what would I have to agree beforehand to
be allowed back in? Somehow the VNHS's shallow self-justifying
rationalisations have so far had an unconvincing ring. If you are willing to
provide an honest ex officio answer publicly or privately, Eric, I promise I
will not filter your messages out.

Normally, I would consider it a terrible breach of netiquette to reproduce
without permission another's private email; however, under the
circumstances, I will break this guideline to demonstrate not only the
too-typical blustery, petty, ad hominen reaction to criticism from the local
organisation and its leadership, but also, given this reflexive 'shoot the
messenger' reaction, to show how difficult it to change things here and why,
and how above criticism that group feels it is. Since the group posts
publicly, it is open to public discussion. It is above neither public
scrutiny, suggestion nor criticism--though this may come as unpleasant news,
and it is certainly not used to it.

As for the USA, Eric, I don't need to move there to admire some qualities
present in greater abundance there that are in absence or such small part
here. Please consider also, there *are* objective standards of comparison: I
can read people's posts and Alert transcripts posted to Tweeters and
BIRDWEST Alerts as can anyone, and note and compare differences among them,
and try to think why there seem to be and are generic differences: that's
what a mind in working order is for. But thank you for the suggestion.

And credit where credit is due: that you have retained the concept and
practice of daily updates is admirable.

Michael Price A brave world, Sir,
Vancouver BC Canada full of religion, knavery and change;
mprice at mindlink.net we shall shortly see better days.
Aphra Behn (1640-1689)