The "L word" (lie) has become taboo in "polite circles" and I find that a shame. The truth is important, and people who are not truthful deserve to be outed. I am glad that Donald Trump hasn't been afraid to use that word, and I make no apologies for using it myself. But people may differ on issues of politics and strategy. There's nothing wrong with that, and we probably won't resolve these differences on this forum (or anywhere else).
But this topic isn't about whether my post was politically wise or not. This topic is about censorship on the Funston forum, and I'd like to draw attention to Steve's quote of the Funston rules:
Steve Rodrigues wrote:"Pilots must fly safely and courteously, clearing all turns and maneuvers and observing International Ridge Soaring Rules. Harassment, intimidation, or any conduct that could reasonably be expected to create conflicts with other pilots, flying related or otherwise, are prohibited at Fort Funston and club events."
We were at a Funston flying event having a conversation about open voting by the USHPA Board. That might be a gray area already, but the Funston club has never prohibited those kinds of political discussions. I'd be surprised if anyone's ever been kicked out for those kinds of discussions (and it may even violate federal freedom of speech protections on public land). Urs Kellenberger had no reply as to why USHPA shouldn't have open voting. So instead of having a rational conversation on the merits of the topic, he resorted to a personal attack saying something to the effect of "You were kicked out of the Torrey Hawks". I said I was not, and he modified it to say that I was kicked off the Torrey Hawks Executive Committee. I again denied it and said that I've never been kicked out of the Torrey Hawks and that I'd been on their board as either President or Secretary since the club was formed. I cited the USHPA club renewal documents, but Urs refused to concede (no surprise if you know Urs).
So that's where it stood. Urs Kellenberger had lied ("told a falsehood" for those who don't like the "L word") at a club event. His statement was clearly intended to make me look bad and to undermine my credibility in the otherwise reasonable discussion about open voting by the USHPA Board. I had no way to bring up the club renewal documents because they weren't handy at the time. If anyone had violated the Club's rules, it was Urs Kellenberger for (a) lying, and (b) using a personal attack in an otherwise academic discussion about open voting. But to the observers, we were at a stand off. They couldn't tell who was lying or who was telling the truth.
So that night I went back to my hotel room and I dug up the actual documents and I posted them on the Funston forum. My title (as duly noted by Scott above) was less than diplomatic "Urs Kellenberger ... Liar or Just Plain Ignorant?".
Steve Rodrigues contacted me, and I appreciated Steve's attempt to resolve the matter and I reflected that in our conversation (see above). But in retrospect, I think Steve was fishing for a justification to expel me from the forum. I sensed that at the time, and that's why I asked Steve (2014/08/19 at 1:29pm) for the "minimal set of changes that would be compliant with your request". I followed that up with another message (2014/08/19 at 1:56pm) including this:
Bob Kuczewski wrote:As I wrote below, if you can tell me what I am allowed to say on your board, I will comply.
But Steve wasn't looking for me to be compliant. He was looking for me to give him an excuse to ban me from the forum and protect his buddy Urs. I didn't give it to him, but he banned me just the same. Even worse, he deleted the entire topic from the Funston forum leaving no trace for anyone who might have wondered who was right. That's the topic here, and it reflects poorly upon Steve Rodrigues to this day.
As for Urs Kellenberger, less than a year later (spring of 2015) his "prediction" came true in USHPA's "kangaroo court" expulsion. It's interesting to reflect on my expulsion from USHPA in light of his earlier threat:
Urs Kellenberger on Aug 16, 2014 wrote:liar
remove this post or there will be trouble and lawyers involved.