Re: [Paddlewise] How does one get into r*c.bo*t. p*ddl*?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Lloyd" <dlloyd_at_telus.net>

> The rec.boat spams by sponsonspoilsport recently intrigued me enough to
> check out Tim's web site. I have not been near it for some time. He has
> used quotes and incidents from a number of my articles for SK Mag, out
> of context,  to promote his rescue device. I caved in and actually
> e-mailed him over his misuse. Constructively, I also attempted to
> communicate with him on an altruistic level, seeing as how he is on a
> apparent-at-first-sight crusade for kayaker safety. For context, I
> wanted some information from Tim regarding an article I'm doing up on
> the kite sailing kayaker who died. Tim responded with more hyperbole,
> and categorically stated my culpability and "strong record of
> stupidity". In the same breath, he stated both I and SK Mag as guilty of
> murderous action toward innocent people. I never really understood the
> meaning of the word spam, being relatively new to e-mail and not ever
> getting much in my inbox. Now I understand what Jackie was talking
> about.
>
> I don't know for the life of me why I expected him to respond with
> meaningful communication. Even animals and aquatic life are capable of
> more meaningful communication and productive intercourse than Tim

There is simply no reasoning with Tim, period.  He cannot be embarrassed
into responsible responses and behavior.  He cannot be cajoled.  He cannot
be _anything_ into changing his ways and behavior.  All you probably have
succeeded in doing, as many of have done before (including me), is to give
him more words to twist for use in his spam.

We learned that lesson in the waning days of Wavelength that led to the
emergence of PaddleWise.  Back then, no amount of appeal to him succeeded in
curbing his vitriolic, outrageous messages that clogged up the arteries of
communication among people who wanted to deal with important issues
revolving around paddling safety.  Looking at his statements from back then
and those currently on the rec.boats. paddle newsgroups, he has only gotten
worse.

Tim is a classic case of someone who feels he has the answer to something
and promulgates his beliefs.  Then, at some point, the road takes a fork.
One fork leads down a path of  enthusiasm and strong advocacy balanced with
some sense of realism and, I hope, good humor; many of us do follow that one
like me with folding kayaks or Matt with the paddle float.  The other fork
goes down a path of zealot aberrant behavior detached from any sense of
reason; I really don't know of any other such case in the kayaking
world...Tim appears unique.

I guess the only thing to be done is something like what you did, and what
Tim Jackson of Canoe & Kayak did recently on behalf of his magazine, was to
ask him to desist from misrepresenting your positions and writings.  It
won't stop him but it does establish a paper trail of protest that some day
might be used in some proceedings if it ever comes to that.  If you don't
object, then he can claim that, in your silence, you agreed with his
interpretation of facts and consequences.

I am surprised that no newspaper or mag has picked up on Tim and his
cyberspace mayhem.  It would make a terrific article.  It has all the
makings of one: a persistent assault over numerous Internet forums for some
4 years as well as an act that has been running longer on the sea kayak
trade stage dating back to a symposium in 1994 or 1995 when he had to be
escorted out of a talk in which he was abusing the speaker.

Boy, am I glad he is one case of craziness that can't be blamed on
Americans.  He is a fellow Canadian, Doug!  :-)

ralph diaz


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