"ExoticRainforest" on plant boards

From: mollyday1 at gmail.com (Molly Day) on 2007.09.01 at 23:29:34(16195) This is a tragic turn of events. Being misrepresented is something we all fear and it keeps many good people mute. +More I hope they lose interest in you after a few weeks, just as children are inclined to do. Martha On 8/31/07, ExoticRainforest wrote: > > In addition to Aroid l, I post on another site (which there is no need to > name) using a different screen name. I also post on one or two plant boards > using the screen name "ExoticRainforest". I did also post (upon occasion) > on one "plant site" using the screen name "ExoticRainforest" but was never > comfortable over there. The name of that site is totally unimportant and I > would not encourage any of you to try to find, or use the site. > > Some weeks ago I noticed the "language" on the last site was far too > strong for my use or interest. Then it became increasingly popular to call > other users by slanderous terms. There was little actual discussion > regarding plants, just the apparent enjoyment of slapping each other > around. They appeared to think it was humorous and fun. I dropped off the > board sometime in early June. > > But then I received a request to come back and answer a few aroid > questions. As many of you can read here, I'm sometimes overly anxious to > provide good information. I have a desire to get to the bottom of > questionalbe statments, especially regarding aroids. While there to answer > the question I noticed one thread I just could not understand. Mardy Darian > had announced he was selling his land and entire collection via a local > newspaper. I've spoken to Mardy several times, I just don't know him. Many > in that group almost stood up and cheered. The name calling was ridiculous > and of no value. I am aware of some of "differences" some have had with Dr. > Darian, but my phone conversations with him have been generally pleasant. I > suspect if that type of slander was sent to this board, it would have never > appeared, and the writer banned. > > I told the site owner I would not be back and explained why. He went, well > shall we say, "ballistic". Made numerous email demands I call him and > explain my actions. He called the posts a "freedom of speech" issue. I did > not respond. > > I'm now told (I haven't tried to log back on) I'm being personally trashed > on that site. One reader also informed me it was suggested that someone > claim the name "ExoticRainforest" and use it in order to try to slander my > name by using the same techniques as many already use on the site. > > I would like for it to be known I would NEVER use foul language on a plant > board. I don't use it period. And I would certainly never slander another > human being in a public forum. Certainly not someone who has proven his > skills as Dr. Darian. Its just not my style. I just enjoy talking plants. > > So if you run across a quote by someone using the name "ExoticRainforest" > somewhere after August 29, 2007 and it does not fit the style on Aroid l, it > was not me! And if you run across one prior to that date, consider it has > likely been edited. I have too much respect for other growers and people as > human beings. > > I trust you understand. And I hope to meet many of you in Miami in two > weeks! > > Steve Lucas > > ************************************** > > _______________________________________________ > Aroid-L mailing list > Aroid-L at www.gizmoworks.com > http://www.gizmoworks.com/mailman/listinfo/aroid-l > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.gizmoworks.com/mailman/private/aroid-l/attachments/20070901/46546466/attachment.htm

From: hermine at endangeredspecies.com (hermine) on 2007.09.02 at 22:00:12(16200) > References: Message-ID: <20070902180044.GA25263@mail11b.verio-web.com> > >I trust you understand. And I hope to meet many of you in Miami in two weeks! > >Steve Lucas > Steve, imitiation is the sincerest form of immitation. Newgroups are FOUL PLACES. and the name "Endangered Species" which I picked before it was a buzz word, is some kind of magnet for the stuff about which you talk. I never judge people from pixels on a screen. I would only HOPE the same would be done for me, I GOT STORIES! they are about plants, and they are also NOT at all about plants. Common denominator is none of the stories are from people who know me in the real world, tho to hear them talk, and claims made that they have BEEN HERE, you would have to scratch your head (or MY HEAD!) and wonder if you had not had a time-travel experience! try not to worry about this. hermine +More -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.gizmoworks.com/mailman/private/aroid-l/attachments/20070902/25d46907/attachment-0001.htm

From: Steve at ExoticRainforest.com (ExoticRainforest) on 2007.09.03 at 00:24:00(16202) Thanks Hermine! I've received quite a few private notes with similar sentiment. I just felt it in bad taste to "dump on" anyone within the plant community, especially with such vile language. Whether a person is well liked, or not, is little justification to say vicious things in an open forum anyone on the net can read. I posted a very brief note on that particular thread which apparently caught the website owner, and others, off guard. I simply said in my personal conversations with Dr. D. I found him to be generally pleasant. I am aware there are others with a differing opinion. The entire thing turned into a "freedom of speech" issue on that board. But the bottom line appears to have been, the only ones with any "freedom" to speak were those who agreed with the site owner who appears not like Dr. Darian. As a result of demands from the site owner I call to explain my actions I simply said I was leaving the forum permanently. That did not sit well. He made the demand at least three times. Never fear! I'm not worrying about this. I simply received three separate emails warning me something might be attempted with the screen name "ExoticRainforest". I did not recognize the name of any of the three. A fourth email almost screamed at me "its a joke". Perhaps. I just couldn't take the chance. Although my website is far from being anything to rave about, I now consistently receive close to 1000 visits daily from around the world. The idea someone might use the name of the site to post nasty notes anywhere was most distasteful. Thanks again. And I do hope to meet a bunch of you in less than two weeks! Steve Lucas +More www.ExoticRainforest.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.gizmoworks.com/mailman/private/aroid-l/attachments/20070902/baa1fb83/attachment.htm

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