TCA Eastern Division Lays Down The Law

[Bob Keller]

Because pretty much everything that could be said, has been said.

My moderator powers began to tingle when the word "whorelike" was injected, as I stated two posts ago. The ship is steering toward the rocks and I don't want to delete the thread.

I can just delete it, if you'd prefer, Frank.

[Frank53]

It's your backyard Bob, I just pass through and play in it once in a while. I must've missed the word you referenced. It just seems like it's still a very civil discussion, which recently branched off into operator or collector.

Despite the whisperings of the underground railway, I'm not the bad guy Bob, and my posts and discussions in this thread and others have, in my opinion, been respectful and courteous. Heck I even paid Allan a compliment in this very thread! [:D]

[Buckeye Riveter]

In his own words:

QUOTE: Originally posted by Frank53

I think the horse is officially dead - but by all means keep beating it if it does something for you.

You gave me some good advice last year, so..............

[Bob Keller]

No Frank, you play pretty nicely over here.

I just have a finite amount of time to devote to policing hot topics and to get my magazine job done ... I'd rather the thread wrap itself up when all sides have been heard and nobody is getting a razor ready to slit tires of their foes at the next York meet.

[Poppa_Zit]

Bob --

I guess I'm the "bad guy" to whom Frank53 refers.

Well, I don't think I'm so bad.[(-D]

I share with you a similar career, and I also understand the tribulations of trying to be ringmaster of a forum like this one. Frankly, though, I was surprised my use of the word "whorelike" was singled out. Let me present my side.

Of course, I know it is a very strong word, and that's exactly why I used it to describe what I consider a vile group of people. In a market as big as Chicago, I've seen these cutthroats operate, and it ain't pretty. They even try to screw each other, which is some sort of well-deserved, weird juxtaposition.

I do not believe it is a patently objectionable word, as it has several uses. While we all know the most common use, my usage in the post is that of No. 3 below, which in today's journalism is not uncommon and is used more as an analogy when combined with the suffix "like":

[From Merriam-Webster's Dictionary on AOL]

Whore
Function: noun
1 : a woman who engages in sexual acts for money : PROSTITUTE ; also : a promiscuous or immoral woman
2 : a male who engages in sexual acts for money
3 : a venal or unscrupulous person

As professional writers, by default we are the guardians of the English language, which truthfully, I find to be very, very scary.[:O]

[RI Jim]

After 12 pages of this debate over on the OGR Forum, and wading through four pages over here, I still feel compelled to point out something that was mentioned previously.
That is, I am fully aware that this issue is the Eastern Division of the TCA's to deal with. Why isn't the Eastern Division subject to direction from the National TCA? I am a TCA member, not Eastern Division, and feel I should have a say in the matter beyond posting my concerns online. It should be the National TCA's issue as it has put a black eye on ALL of us TCA members, not just Eastern Division. Just MHO.

[Frank53]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter

In his own words:

QUOTE: Originally posted by Frank53

I think the horse is officially dead - but by all means keep beating it if it does something for you.

You gave me some good advice last year, so..............

gee Buckeye, I'm honored you would save my old posts for ready reference. You guys still compare notes on this stuff? I certainly don't want to incurr any more wrath than I already have, considering my picture is probably in every post office in Ohio by now.

[nblum]

I think the time for a referendum to the entire Eastern Division membership, and even the entire TCA membership concerning the no photos rule is long overdue (no pun intended). Just voting at the poorly attended bi-annual membership meeting is clearly inadequate for such an issue. My own suggestion would be a referendum saying that photos in trading halls during trading hours are verboten, but that photos outside active trading hours and in non-trading halls and areas are allowed with the permission of those whose table or area is being photographed. What's the problem? The problem is resistance to rational change and an unwillingness to hear the concerns of those who do not regularly attend the business meeting. That can be easily remedied with a referendum on the subject. It was done for the dues increase (which I voted in favor of, by the way), it can be done for this inflammatory issue.

In the mean time, punishing the entire NCT organization for the actions of one or a few individuals represents the height of administrative over-reaction and gives the impression of organizational paranoia. Plus all the attendant bad karma/PR.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the kind comment, Frank!

I'll abide by Bob's wishes and refrain from adding further to this thread. He's correct in asserting that just about every point of view has already been represented here, and there's probably not a whole lot more that could be added without folks getting a bit "personal" about the views expressed by others.

We'll all just have to see how this all shakes out in the coming weeks and months, and then go on from there.