RE: [Paddlewise] Nearly Fatal

Hi Ralph and all,

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of ralph diaz
> Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2000 11:31 AM

> Rob,
> The term "gross negligence" does not exist in my vocubulary.  And I did
> not use it in my posts on this subject.
>

Ralph I have to disagree with you here.  You did indeed use that term so it
must be in your vocabulary.  I have pasted in your entire post below so that
you can see that it is not taken out of context.

Begin Ralph's original message:
<<Debs,

It sounded like a very distressing and disheartening experience to run
across such gross negligence on the part of the dealer.  The most
disheartening to me is that it wasn't a K-Mart-type general merchaniser
but rather a kayak shop.  I think we will have to put our heads together
to figure out the most effective way to deal with this with this
particular dealer.  But I don't want to rush into anything without
thinking about it.

Meanwhile I think that we should redouble our efforts at shows such as
Paddlesport to get the safety word out.  I don't remember what the
tabloid newspaper that comes out with the show has in the way of
articles but it would be worthwhile to get them next year to include a
version of any of the good pieces I see in your Atlantic Sea Kayakers
newsletter regarding cold water.  And to ask them to make it a boiler
plate feature each year.  It would take much space.  There is always the
danger that someone would buy a boat at Paddlesport (or at any earlier
winter show like Canoecopia in Madison WI or the Small Boat Shop in
Norwalk CT both on the same week or the one or two up in New England
also in March) and in their euphoria make a similar mistake.

We can't force people to listen but that doesn't mean we should keep
trying.

Anyway I want to think on this one some more.

ralph>>

End ralph's original message.

As I have said before I think that your heart is in the right place but you
jumped to conclusions with very sketchy information.  Nowhere in your post
do you mention poor judgment on the part of the paddler.  I'm not suggesting
that you are about to do anything rash with the dealer.  I am stating that I
find it sad and interesting that the whole focus of this incident has been
on alleged misconduct of the dealer with no proof.  So my point is that
people are very quick to jump to conclusions without many facts and that
personal responsibility is the most important factor.



> And regarding your comment that I said that action may be needed, what I
> wrote was "I think we will have to put our heads together to figure out
> the most effective way to deal with this with this particular dealer.
> But I don't want to rush into anything without thinking about it."  I
> know Debbie since we are in the same general paddling area.  My
> statement clearly says that I want that she and I to put our heads
> together and to take our time about it to do what is most effective not
> what may make us feel good or important.  I am looking for whatever will
> really work.  Perhaps you may have some good suggestions.
>
> ralph

If you were to substitute the word paddler for dealer in the above paragraph
I would be in complete agreement.

Cheers,
--
Rob Cookson

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety"
Benjamin Franklin

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