an open letter to Catman
 

an open letter to Catman
(part of a personal email I wrote to Catman today)

...

I know that you are personally heart at some attacks recently on FlyerTalk (unfriendly replies to you personally, and, what honours you even more, also attacks on your FlyerTalk-friends).

I really care about you (and your well being) - and I don't want you to change the way you post on FlyerTalk as Catman or as Cat police. I only hope, that you understand that it is impossible to please ALL - it is impossible to be accepted by ALL - the more you are GENERALLY accepted (and that's what you are for sure on FlyerTalk - since FlyerTalk started you are the heart and soul and made FlyerTalk PERSONAL) the more of some single jealous people will be out there too - attacks of those are (even if they are hard to take some times - for me too) a COMPLIMENT.

YOUR FRIEND Rudi

post scriptum: I am sure, a majority of FlierTalkers know and appreciate, that part of the sharing/caring/gentle-man/-woman way we communicate here, with some rare exceptions, have to do with how '0ldies', like you Catman, started here and tried to 'maintain' that spirit by giving (at least trying to) good examples. Please don't give up (again).

A big, fat, cat-hairy...DITTO!

double DITTO

you are lucky catman .. many people like you and you deserve it.

dont disappear .. please.

Another meowey, four-pawls SoCal DITTO!

Count me in.....I feel personally insulted and assaulted whan I see it happing to you and the beloved "commander".

I hope you still have the UK police whistle that you reveived at the PIP in front of nearly 100 cheering Flyertalkers Mr. Cat-cop.

It's a shame that some small people who haven't been here for long, weren't at the PIP, and should feel like welcome guests here (as us all) just don't get it, choose to be mean, and criticize things that predate them and they don't know about.

I am glad that I share the sentiment with the majority of people that support Catman.

It sure must be lonely to be in the minority of those people who do not.

As a relative newbie, I'm a real fan of the witty and ascerbic Catman.. again, if you don't like him, take a nap!

Thanks Rudi...very well stated. I'm in total agreement.

It is a well known and accepted fact that CATMAN is the MAN !!!

Thanks for this posting Rudi.

Catman- when someone flames you or tells you off in the board, you HAVE TO consider the source. Put more weight on the posts you get from FlyerTalkers who know you well. You've been a valuable contributor to this community and don't you forget it. Just continue being Catman and know that it is impossible to please everyone (which is just A-okay). You can count me in as part of the "Catman-loving" clique.

Rudi just showed me this thread. To copy Rudi: I am sooooooo jealous - but I love you too Catman.

I am sure Catman is a wonderful human being.

But this Catcop inanity has just got to go.

Amen, Mark, and thanks, Rudi. It certainly has been much more civil and pleasant on these boards recently, after your decision to leave and then to return. Amen again.

Agreed. There's nothing wrong with the Cat police, and if someone fails to see the purpose in it, perhaps if they take the time to look back at the over two years of history here, they will get a better understanding of what and who the CATCOP is.

I most certainly like and very much appreciate CATMAN, who espouses a warm and friendly FT, where everyone is respected as an individual and a contributor! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

It's troubling after almost a week away from FT that some of the flame wars had continued. I guess I had hoped, pollyannishly, that all would be sweetness and light again and nasty words would never be seen in these parts again.

The troubling part is that they threaten to permanently push away people like Catman, whom I've never had the opportunity to meet in person, but without whose presence here, the board would be but a shallow, hollow and decidedly less friendly place.

Per Burkey's point, I've only been here for a little less than a year, so I missed the bad period that caused CATCOP to emerge from his cage, but I think the past few weeks are emblematic of exactly why CATCOP is needed here, to provide a good humored, even tempered hand on the shoulder of the collective board.

Greg

Rudi: Well said.
Catman, there are more people out here that support you than you can imagine.
-RKG

It is hard to do, but sometimes you've just got to ignore people's posts and flames.

It feels bad but in a public or semi-public forum there will always be some bad apples and the best thing to do is ignore them and stay above the fray. Easier said than done, I know, but necessary nonetheless.

thank you, rudi, fore yur komints. et es wel said.

arturo hav won peace of guud advise for hes amigo, el gato hombre,

"Always remember that when you are a leader and an innovator, unscrupled people will "shoot" at you. These people only "shoot" when they are jealous and just cannot make it to the top."

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Loving, Caring, Honest, Intelligent, Empathetic, Creative, and Giving.

Catbuddy, let me roar a ditto to Rudi's warm post. Your posts are appreciated much more than those of the few who constantly chirp and whine about Catcop. Illegitimum non carborundum, de gustabus non disputandum est.

Rudi http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Thanks for posting this...I too very much enjoy chatting with Catman and reading his posts. BUT, I am also a little disappointed in the Cat....giving in to the people 'attacking' him. I want the Cat to raise his back and hiss...what 'Cop' gives in??! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

As posted July 17 by me in the Catman Hiatus thread:

"Catman,

I agree with others above that your posts are useful and informing. I could see new users getting thrown off by the Commander Catcop thing...as even I did.

I will notice your absence http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif ...BUT I am disappointed you are giving in to the few people who try and wreck things for others.

Sincerely,

Dorian"

Dorian


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Star Alliance RTW Price Chart: http://www.informationlab.com/rtw.htm
Star Alliance Comparison Chart: http://members.home.net/deercroft/starall.html

___________________________________________
I am sure Catman is a wonderful human being.
But this Catcop inanity has just got to go.
___________________________________________

Frankly, I'd be happier if this FQTV inanity went.

Keep up the good work Commander!

RudiThank you for giving us a central location to offer support to one of FT's Farvourite Sons.




[This message has been edited by QuantumLeap (edited 07-29-2000).]

Mark, I too recognise and appreciate the wonderful human being (in fur?) that you are.
Never allow the jealous wannabes to neuter or de-claw you. Consider the source and just treat these posters with the disdainful attitude felines are known for - ignore them.

Three cheers to you Catman!

Catman

Please don't let a toxic tiny minority of FT posts / posters get ya down.

Four paws up for the Catman -

Catman,

Ignore the few nasty ones and focus on the great ones (like me!).

Hey, you live in NJ, I'm sure you know some friends in the business who could send a little warning to the nasty FlyerTalkers! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

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Addicted to airline miles? Check out: The Airline Mileage Workshop

Mark, take a deep breath and remember not to fear. The cat you are, with morals and consideration, well... Ignore it! Troublemakers want a reaction, and when they get one (especially a frenzied one), they revel in their power to incite and control. Ha! Don't give them that power! Rudi is sooooooooooooooo right, and I like Quantumleap's idea, too.

Your friend, Linda

Catman, I haven't met you yet, but I can tell from your posts and the posts of other FlyerTalkers (well, most of them) that you're a fine human being. I appreciate you most when you're yourself, so please don't let the insults/complaints of others change you.
As for Commander Catcop, I always thought his posts were done in a witty, funny and well-meaning way. I hope he sticks around as well.
If Yaz and Eddie could type, I'm sure they'd have some feline wisdom to post about all this.

If I had four paws, they'd be up right now.

Let me add my very own DITTO to Rudi's comments.

IMHO:

Catman, Rudi and Premex are the heart and soul of the FT Community. These three members go out of their way to make one and all feel welcome within this community.

I have a suggestion to any member out there who does not believe that Commander Catcop has a place here.

Take some time away from this board and try to find a more civil Bulletin Board and/or one that has the vast amounts of knowledge found here.

My guess is that you will not find one. That is due, in no small part, to the efforts of Catman and Commander Catcop.

Mark, if/when you are the subject of a flame, please turn the other whisker. I’m sure that the vast majority of us here would agree that you and Commander Catcop will always be welcome!

Rudi,

Thank you for your open letter to the one and only Catman. If not for the "kind" Cat, this board would be just another board with no discipline or professionalism. And, if I could put four "boots" up for the Cat, I would.

[This message has been edited by JAWS_II (edited 07-29-2000).]

[This message has been edited by JAWS_II (edited 07-29-2000).]

I too must add a BIG DITTO to Rudi remarks.

Catman, it is a pleasure to know you and we (CandianHoneyBun and I) have enjoy your company on every occasion. Thanks and 4 paws up to you.

I can only concur with Rudi and the others.
You can't please everyone, but 99.99999999%is pretty darn good. Focus on the good and ignore the bad. These people will all eventually go away but your friends will always be with you.

THANK YOU AND MEOWY THANKS TOO!!!

I give a big EIGHT PAWS UP To all of you and all my Flyertlalk Friends.

Thank you Dear Rudi, I bought a frame for your e-mail to me. I'm saving it and everytime i get upset I will look at it and taking ling's advice take a deep breath.

One of my new mottos )and the Commander's) will be:

I must ignore flaming threads.

EXCEPT: If it is against someone I care about. Then I will do it gracefully like Yaz jumping on top of the computer.

Arturo: If you were here in baltimore I would hug you an dbuy you a bottle of Jose Cuervo.
I shocked you into learning English! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Thank you all. I am "the richest person in the world" (James Stewart, 'It's a Wonderful LIfe," 1948.)

Catman, you're the best. Had a GREAT time today.

Catman - This is one of those times I regret only being able to check the "top" (@Talk) boards about once a week. Although I seldom do "ditto" posts, I would have been the first to echo Rudi. In sum:

1. Don't take it seriously.

2. Don't take it personally.

3. Don't stop being "you".

Never met the Catman, but I know he is a good man with a good heart. Your input and compassion on this board is appreciated. Hang in there.

Now I have Auld Lang Syne playing in my head.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif

Merry Christmas Catman http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

You know the BlondeBomber's in your corner--who couldn't respect a guy who proudly wears cat hairs on his collar.

Remember, there's always a warm place to come to in Calgary (even in the middle of winter!).

An emphatic HEAR HEAR to this online petition! The FT community is severely diminished by missing one of our "elder statesmen"!

And KEEP THE CATCOP!

The Catcop is not some jack-booted thug looking to censor the board. It is akin to your spouse kicking you under the table when the taste in dinner conversation starts to go awry.

And this is coming from someone who (A) is a libertarian by nature, (B) has the shin bruises to know of what I speak re: spouse kicking you under the table.



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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."

As the only 5 TIME ACTING COMMANDER CATCOP, I have always felt proud when Mark has asked me to take the duty while he was out 'catting' around with other FlyerTalkers! But I am even prouder to say that Mark is a very good friend of mine!

I had the unexpected pleasure of meeting The Catman at SeaTac and we have been friends ever since. It was so much fun watching him drink his first dirty martini in Seattle and who can forgot the PIP?

Mark, hang in there and don't sweat the details. Just enjoy your friends and always know that you pretty much have a friend in each town!