For those who don't have a clue what Jim's talking about...Kaz has rallied his friends on Weber Kettle Club to vote for him in this throwdown. Fair enough, I have no problem with that. But in doing so, Kaz used some inflammatory language to describe Jim and members of TVWBB that stirred up some hard feelings that still exist among some WKC members toward TVWBB. And some of those hard feelings have resulted in me being called a dictator and an anarchist. I don't think that Kaz intended for things to blow-up like this, but it is in fact what has happened over at WKC.
As you might suspect, one of the less fun parts of moderating a BBQ discussion forum is the names that people sometimes call you. I've been called a Fascist, a Nazi-loving, freedom-hating pig, and worse. Over the years, I've come to realize that it just comes with the territory. I try my best to establish rules that keep things running smoothly, and I try to apply those rules fairly. I'm not always perfect, and I sometimes make mistakes. Sometimes people feel like TVWBB is too restrictive, and so they find another home on the web that is more to their liking. But I like to think that I get it right more often than not, and the fact that TVWBB has lasted 13 years and is still growing at 600+ members a month tells me that I'm doing something right, no matter what some people may say.
As for me, I won't take part in any name calling. Some of the people that call me names or that make disparaging comments about TVWBB are people that I considered friends in the past. People that I've met personally, people that I bought grills from or traded grills with. So I won't be calling them names. I think they're basically good people at heart, and I hope we can be friends again someday. I just want everyone to get along. Let bygones be bygones. Bury the hatchet. Whatever metaphor you like.
As for the voting in this throwdown...let's all vote for what we think is the best entry. May the best wings win.
Chris