Well, this thread has gone away from what it was originally started about and part of me hates to bring the focus back to it, but I said I would address the issue and I wouldn't feel right about myself if I didn't. I take this incident very seriously and have alot of strong feelings about what happened. I'll do my best to get them across here, but sometimes it's hard to when you're just typing something so bear with me.
First off, I just want to re-iterate that this was not an InsanityFab.Com group. One jeep had a sticker on it, but the only two people on the run that are signed up there are myself and Hair (Keith, the guy driving the buggy that I was in.) Normally I would equate it to someone running a NW Wheelers sticker and doing something stupid but it's a little different though since I am an admin over there. Partsbreaker and others have worked hard on that site and don't need me getting caught up in something like this and presenting a negative image of them for something that they weren't involved in.
As for what happened saturday, it was disgusting. Hair and I both feel that way. It was not the normal group that I run with, but I know these guys and never imagined this in a million years. Basically there was two guys in our group that verbally attacked Pooh's group for no reason. I won't bother going into what was said, Pooh was pretty much right on the money with it in his first post. I will say that Hair, myself, and most of the rest of the group were pissed about it and that is why we chose to turn around. In hindsight, maybe I should have done more. At the time I just didn't want the situation to esculate and wanted to get the hell out of there. I learned later that one of the guys actually ran up to Poohs rig and proceeded to yell at him in front of his wife and children. Inexcusable.
I didn't post any of this sooner because after what happened, I felt Pooh, his family and everyone else in the group deserved much more than an internet apology. Getting ahold of them on the phone was my number one priority. So far I have been able to talk with Pooh, W.Rhino, and Jokenring. I hope you guys believe me when I say that I am more than sorry that this happened. Hair and I are both embarrassed and disgusted to have been associated with this. This is not who we are. We are big kids though and realize that while we are not directly at fault, a person can still be guilty by association. Regardless of the reasons though, your group did nothing wrong and deserved better. You guys handled the situation like adults and I respect you for that. Hopefully I'll be able to wheel with you guys in the future and have a chance to convince you that is not how I operate.
I would also like to make it known, again, that the rest of the group felt the same way, including "Confederate Flag Guy." He knew you guys were pokin' fun at it (his family is from the south. For him its about heritage, not hate) and he still didn't agree with how you guys were treated. It's probably irrelevent to the situation, but he's a friend of mine with a heart of gold so I just feel the need to put that in here.
As far as the damage to the Lake, IT WASN'T US. After speaking with Pooh, I appreciate the fact that he pointed it out on here. I just wanted to drive the point home though. I understand how it looked and at that point we didn't deserve the benefit of the doubt. I hope that the people on here will take me at my word. Those of you that know Hair and I, know that we have always opposed that kind of behavior and understand how it affects our hobby.
As for the garbage and the axle that was left...obviously the axle was us. We were up on the hill working on the broken jeep (broken upper/lower ball joint and axle) and never went down to the corner where most of the people were hanging out for the hour or so it took to fix it. Therfore I never saw any of the garbage. I am not disputing the fact though, I believe what WR and Pooh said. I don't want to become known for littering a trail, but I am willing to shoulder the responsibility for this. After fixing the jeep, I walked up the hill and rewound the cable on the jeep at the top. I should have walked back down and made sure things were picked up. I know better. At the time I was too focused on getting out of there. I hope you guys can at least understand where I am coming from. Once again, you will have to take me at my word when I say that littering up the trails is not in my (nor Hair's) normal bag of tricks.
Pooh and Co: I hope you guys believe when I spoke to guys and when I say that Hair and I are sorry for what happened.
To the rest of you: Thanks for letting me get this out. I don't expect you to go light on this, but it is what it is and I've tried to handle this the best that I know how and hopefully some good can come out of this.
Thanks -Shane
