Folks, as one of the senior Sprite owners, and the original owner of my
1959/60 Frogeye, let me tell you a story.
Until the birth of the Internet, being a Sprite owner could be a lonely
life. Even in Sunny Southern California there were not all that many of
the loveable little cars. The Internet saw the birth of several sites
where Austin-Healey, Sprite, and Midget owners could gather thanks to
efforts of people like Mark Bradakis. In the beginning, it was a lot of
fun for everyone.
Then, something began to happen. People began making snide and
uncalled-for remarks aimed at others; some of them were just plain
arrogantly insulting and snotty. When I put up some posts seeking some
peaceful unity for the good of these peculiar little cars and the people
who loved them, I began getting telephone calls at night, all irate for
my efforts, some obscene, some threatening. Well, I have better things
to do with my life than listen to such juvenile prattle, so I quietly
dropped off all of the lists to which I had subscribed. All of that was
six, seven, or eight years ago; I just don't remember.
A few months ago, I began to resubscribe to the lists. Wonder of
wonders, the "usual suspects" from those tiresome days of the past were
gone. None have I seen post to any of the lists. The lists had once
again become what they should be, fun and informative.
I happened to start corresponding with Greg Hahs long before he started
the Yahoo group. Because he is also in Southern California, I drove up
to his house to take a look at his project. Now, I am not a purist,
just someone trying to rebuild my Frogeye to the golden days of my youth
when that silly little car filled my life with fun and gave me such
wonderful memories. So, many of the modifications that Greg is making I
find fascinating, but not what I would do to my Sprite.
When he undertook to begin the Yahoo group, I certainly signed up.
There can never be too many Sprite sites. When he excluded non-Sprite
discussions and forbid backbiting, I could not help but agree. (I have
to admit that I have participated in some of the non-Sprite fun and games.)
I guess the bottom line is that I would hope that folks on the lists
would take a deep breath, count to 10, and refrain from taking cheap
potshots at others on the list. In the immortal words of a wise old
philosopher, "Can't we get along here? Can't we all just get along?"
(Rodney King, 1992).
So, let the fun continue!
Buster Evans
Anaheim, California
(714) 595-6399
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