Jerry Bransford is the talk of the town...

[WestCoastDan]

I've always heard & said "you can learn something from everyone".
I've never heard or said, "you can learn everything from someone".

I'm still waiting for my RSM leak to stop just because I put a quart of high-mileage conventional oil on the shelf next to the Jeep in the garage.

 

[Zorba]

I'm always right. One time I thought I made an error, but I was wrong.

More seriously: "I never lose. I either win, or I LEARN."

 

[mrblaine]

It's OK to be wrong sometimes

That better be true or I'm in deep dookey. I consider it a good day when I only get 10 or fewer things wrong or mistakes made. Most days are not that good. But, I don't like it when I'm wrong any more than most do, but you can't make mistakes if you don't do anything.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

Jerry had a lot of good advice, and some that wasn't so good - just like everybody else. He could be a bit pedantic at times, but so can I. I enjoyed his posts, even if I didn't always agree. Pretty much like anybody else. I miss him.

I agree. Overall he was a net good, his advice was right a lot more than it was wrong. He just could have dealt with being wrong with a bit more grace and had a more of a sense of humor over the great Savvy sticker episode.

Meanwhile, this forum now has many more responses from multiple individuals, which leads to a stronger sense of community. And, the unaware sheep can worship and suck off the memory of the Great Influencer. It's truly a win/win.

That's a fair point, though I think what it supports is that what the forum needed might just have been less Jerry, and not zero Jerry.


I hope at least that he's out there enjoying life with all the time he's freed up not being on the internet and maybe he finds himself more relaxed without the drama. Something we could all probably benefit from.

 

[jjvw]

..., but you can't make mistakes if you don't do anything.

This may be more profound than was intended.

 

[Mike_H]

This may be more profound than was intended.

Say what you will about mythbusters, but I always enjoyed the fact that they allowed themselves the freedom to screw up and make mistakes.

“Failure is ALWAYS an option”

 

[MikeE024]

That's a fair point, though I think what it supports is that what the forum needed might just have been less Jerry, and not zero Jerry.

That sounds nice in theory, but it’s likely not realistic. Keep in mind that he chose to run away.

It’s not even about if you like him or don’t like him…the facts are the facts. If he showed the slightest glimpse of wanting to improve on his bs I could respect him. Instead he’s dug in so deep with his unwillingness to improve that he’d rather leave the forum.

And, his childish profile titles on his way out further exposed his petty narcissism. Dude could dish out criticism but proved he can’t take it.

I hope at least that he's out there enjoying life with all the time he's freed up not being on the internet and maybe he finds himself more relaxed without the drama. Something we could all probably benefit from.

Yea, Jerry’s enjoying life sitting in front of the same computer while on other forums and FB groups now.

 

[sab]

I'm going to delve into an area I usually stay away from, so hopefully I don't regret this. The personal attacks I see on here, while way less so than on other sites, are disappointing. As I've grown older, I've appreciated that people are different, and I try to give a wide berth to a person's way of doing things. Even if I think they're being stupid or overbearing. Many times, once I open my mind and turn down my ego (it's big one - just ask my wife), I often times learn something new - either about the subject, about myself, or about the other person. Either way that's a win in my book!

That said, I'm guilty of violating this code, especially when my temper gets the best of me. However, I strive to stay focused on learning - always. It's served me well.

On the subject of Jerry, I'm disappointed that he left. At his core, he seemed to be a guy that really wanted to give back to the TJ community. He wasn't always right, and he was definitely of strong opinion. However, as freedom_in_4low alluded, on balance it was nice having him around. Some of the posts about him, even in this thread, disturb me. We're better than that.

That's pretty much all I have to say about the Jerry situation, so don't expect further replies from me. I just wanted to get that off my chest.

 

[RangerTJ]

I guess I missed the forum drama, but I met Jerry personally a few months ago and he was a heck of a nice guy.

He didn't come across as full of himself at all.

Looking forward to another trail ride.

 

[Mr. Bills]

. . . Jerry’s enjoying life sitting in front of the same computer while on other forums and FB groups now.

Only the forums and groups where he is a moderator and can ban or block everyone who dares disagree with him.

 

[Mr. Bills]

. . . I met Jerry personally a few months ago and he was a heck of a nice guy. He didn't come across as full of himself at all.. . .

It has been said that Jerry is an entirely different guy when he isn't pontificating with a keyboard.

 

[Zorba]

This may be more profound than was intended.

I worked for a scientific research institute, "If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research!"

 

[Zorba]

That said, I'm guilty of violating this code, especially when my temper gets the best of me. However, I strive to stay focused on learning - always. It's served me well.

We're only human. Blaine and I went around like a couple of rabid cats until I figured out that in many ways we're two peas in a pod, albeit he knows a hell of a lot more than I do on our #1 subject! Blaine's good, and so is Jerry - they just need a bit of understanding like anybody else - including me! Enough psychobabble from me! HA!

 

[MikeE024]

I guess I missed the forum drama, but I met Jerry personally a few months ago and he was a heck of a nice guy.

He didn't come across as full of himself at all.

Looking forward to another trail ride.

Makes sense considering you all welcomed him with southern hospitality on a celebrity level, and he arrived knowing none of you have wheeled in the stuff he's been in out west...it's fun being the hot bitch so I'm sure he loved it.

Furthermore, his past dishonesty wouldn't prevent him from being pleasant on that trip, just like that trip doesn't undo his dishonest past.

 

[RangerTJ]

Makes sense considering you all welcomed him with southern hospitality on a celebrity level, and he arrived knowing none of you have wheeled in the stuff he's been in out west...it's fun being the hot bitch so I'm sure he loved it.

Furthermore, his past dishonesty wouldn't prevent him from being pleasant on that trip, just like that trip doesn't undo his dishonest past.

My memory of it is quite different than your assessment.

I don't recall any celebrity worship.

Maybe the others were chanting while I was in the bathroom.

 

[MikeE024]

I don't recall any celebrity worship.

Maybe the others were chanting while I was in the bathroom.

You said "worship", not me. Although, your group photo does give that impression.

Again, his dishonest past and manipulation of unsuspecting forum members are unrelated to your weekend wheeling in the rain.

 

[MikeE024]

I'm going to delve into an area I usually stay away from, so hopefully I don't regret this. The personal attacks I see on here, while way less so than on other sites, are disappointing. As I've grown older, I've appreciated that people are different, and I try to give a wide berth to a person's way of doing things. Even if I think they're being stupid or overbearing. Many times, once I open my mind and turn down my ego (it's big one - just ask my wife), I often times learn something new - either about the subject, about myself, or about the other person. Either way that's a win in my book!

That said, I'm guilty of violating this code, especially when my temper gets the best of me. However, I strive to stay focused on learning - always. It's served me well.

On the subject of Jerry, I'm disappointed that he left. At his core, he seemed to be a guy that really wanted to give back to the TJ community. He wasn't always right, and he was definitely of strong opinion. However, as freedom_in_4low alluded, on balance it was nice having him around. Some of the posts about him, even in this thread, disturb me. We're better than that.

That's pretty much all I have to say about the Jerry situation, so don't expect further replies from me. I just wanted to get that off my chest.

So we'd rather not focus on the facts and truth, and instead, we're gonna focus on being nice.

I'm pretty sure folks in here have been ranting against our government, media, and society for operating in that woke manner for a while now. Seems a bit ironic...don't ya think?

 

[Chris]

At the risk of sounding cliche perhaps, I'll say this:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

~ John 13:34

I understand not everyone is a Christian, but I think that verse is not only timely but fundamental to how we as a society treat others.

Jerry has his flaws just like every single one of us. So often we tend to point the finger at others, insisting that they are the problem. We seldom take the time to look inward and have those introspective moments where we recognize the deep flaws and sin in all of us. We're all imperfect and we all have our own issues. The problem is always ourselves, it's just always easier to point the finger at someone else.

I'm not going to try and beat anyone over the head with the Bible. I'm simply going to remind everyone involved here that Jerry is not here to defend himself and I'm sure if the tables were turned none of us would like knowing there was a thread out there on the internet where others were tearing us down.

Jerry has a lot of good advice as well as a lot of advice that isn't so good. He may have a hard time admitting when he's wrong, but I think a lot of folks do.

Still, he means well and he's a nice guy. I'd love to have him back, I'd just hope and pray that if he ever comes back he does so with a better attitude (and not as a moderator).

It was my mistake for making him a moderator. The only type of person who should ever be a moderator is someone who can have a discussion without getting emotionally involved. Someone who can handle others disagreeing with them and know when to simply leave a conversation as oppose to trying to get the last word. In addition, moderators should never be allowed to have other forum members blocked. I learned quite a bit from this whole debacle, namely that if I ever select another moderator it will be someone with a very specific type of personality.

Jerry also took the whole Savvy sticker thing a bit too seriously when ultimately it was just supposed to be a good joke (which it was). I have empathy for Jerry. If my moved us to Florida (where there is no wheeling at all) I too would probably be very bitter for a very long time. Cut Jerry some slack, we all have our faults.

Ultimately this thread is uncalled for so I'm shutting it down.

@Jerry Bransford, you are always welcome back here should you ever change your mind.