I'm pissed at Andrew

[UnrepentantSinner]

As I was preparing to travel to TAM2 on the morning of Wednesday January 14th I still hadn’t decided on what shirt to wear. I didn’t know if the weather warranted long or short sleeves. Since it appeared balmy enough in Dallas and Vegas I decided that I would “show my JREF colors” so to speak and wear my TAM1 T-shirt. I got comments from a few people on my way to the Tuscany and once there met with a few non-forum attendees because of my choice of apparel. Then Andrew Harter walked into the lobby.

I was sitting with Mark and Electric Monk in the lobby waiting for some folks who were going sight seeing to gather. Electric Monk and were both wearing our TAM1 shirts. Now I did not actually speak to Andrew at TAM1, so the first words he said to me were something insulting and stupid about our shirts. It really put me off him and in some ways has soured me on JREF in general.

I chose to wear my TAM1 shirt out of pride of my association with the James Randi Educational Foundation and that I had attended the inaugural meeting. When I meet and speak to an actual JREF employee for the first time, he insults me for making that decision just because another member did the same. Instead of saying something akin to “hey cool, you have on TAM1 shirts” he chose something inane.

I’m no Penn or Johnny Carson, but I do support the JREF through membership, and through contributions to forum maintenance telethons and our annual TAM skeperson attendance telethon. I’m no Randi, Hal or Phil Plait, but I do try and speak out against non-sense when I get the opportunity. I consider myself as having a lot of real life friends that have come from my association with the JREF Forum.

I am not sure, however, I wish to continue associating with an organization, an employee of which, instead of complimenting the decision to publicly show pride in said association, chooses to insult it.

[Zep]

Sure he wasn't just being flip to be personable, and you misconstrued that? I doubt anyone here decries your support of JREF...

[Monketey Ghost]

You come off as being maybe a bit touchy... but it's understandable that you'd have a bad taste in your mouth from such a greeting. Maybe, you might give him the benefit of the doubt, and chalk it off to a bad moment on his part, which we all have?

I hope it hasn't wrecked your ability to support the Big Show... that would seem like a stretch.

[hal bidlack]

UnrepentantSinner,

You have my sincerest apology for having upset you. I was being flip and
meant no harm in my comments. I was attempting humor and failed. I'd hate
to think you'd take my remarks as representative of the JREF causing you to
withdraw your support for their cause (incidentally, I'm not an employee,
but a volunteer that paid part of my way out there).

As someone who has spent most of their adult life working with the JREF it's
very rewarding to meet other people who feel the cause is as important as I
do. I wear my JREF shirts proudly and often. So do my parents and friends.
When I saw you in your JREF shirt I made the same kind of joke I'd make to a
friend. Up until now virtually everyone I've ever met at these events has
shared a similar sense of humor and sense of camaraderie. The last thing I
wanted was for you or anyone else to feel insulted or alienated.


Respectfully,

Andrew Harter

[kevinsbikes]

I somewhat understand Unrepentant Sinners stance, even though it was obviously a miscommunication/misunderstanding. I have always been part of just about every crowd... no problem ever blending and melding into any crowd/group/click. But, for the first time in my life, I almost felt as though I wasn't part of the group. Luckily, I am a loud mouth that asserts himself even when not wanted as I met some very interesting people and engaged in some nice conversation. I said it when I was there, and I saw it now at home... I loved TAM II!!!

[UnrepentantSinner]

Hal, thanks for passing my beef on to Andrew and Andrew thanks for your response.

"Pissed" was inaccurate as it was merely something that had stuck in my craw for the reasons mentioned in the OP. Disappointed would have been more accurate. And yes, I misspoke when I used the word employee when I meant associate or some other noun of connection.

Being the smart@$$ that I am I could appreciate the shared sense of humor aspect, but your comments happened to come when I was both feeling out of the JREF loop and had learned that I would have to wait 10 hours before I would be able to check into my hotel room. I did sincerely hope that I would have received more support for, as I said, "showing my JREF colors." Just because two of us happened to do the same didn't warrent what I felt were insulting remarks over our wardrobe choices.

That said, let me address something I failed to in the OP. Your work with/for JREF is greatly appreciated by me. Your work at TAM/TAM2 is greatly appreciated by me. Your work with children and in your videos is greatly appreciated by me. Did I mention that I greatly appreciate you?

Three seconds in the grand scheme of things shouldn't have bothered me but the fact that I still remembered it two weeks later did. I'm over it now, thanks for your response, and did I mention how much I appreciate you?

[Electric Monk]

Well, as another party to the incident in question, I'll say that I didn't even recall Andrew making a comment until I read US's post. I still don't remember what he said.

I had met Andrew on the Wed. before TAM1, and we'd had occasions to exchange a few good-natured barbs during the conference, as did he and Hal, Phil Plait, etc. I think that it's just in both of our smark-aleck natures.

--James

"Apology accepted, Captain Needa" - Darth Vader

[kittynh]

USA, if you and Monk wear your skepchick tshirts you will simply be the envy of every man you meet...