When a video was posted by one of our members showing BCP T-shirts being erected on bushes, shot to bits with automatic rifles, then followed up with photos of burning said shirts posted by another member, a few things became clear to me:

1) Some individuals dislike me because of my politics.

I apologize to this community for sharing my political opinions in Hot Air, it was inappropriate. I am personally associated with this site, and those posts undermine my impartiality as site owner and administrator. I do my best to remain unbiased regarding moderation action, but I do know what a divisive topic is, and those will be moved to Hot Air, whether started by a conservative or a liberal. Your opinion is your right, and I respect that. I personally will not being posting in Hot Air anymore.

If you have a complaint about a moderation action, please Private Message me.

2) We've become too embroiled in politics for a flying website.

When it reaches the point where a person says they regret ever supporting BCP by buying a T-shirt, we've lost perspective. Sharing good flying stories, tips, techniques, and news around here is the primary objective. Maintaining a positive community that affords members a venue to meet other pilots, build friendships, and exchange knowledge is what this is all about. If the political discussions begin to sour that, then we have to reevaluate their value on this site.

3) Repeated personal attacks will not be tolerated, and will result in deactivation of your account

This has absolutely nothing to do with politics, and everything to do with personal conduct. The only users to be banned in the past had harassed other users via PM, and turned in a fellow pilot to the FAA based on BCP posts.

I'm an easy target, I realize. I can distinguish between a good-natured ribbing and an ill-natured insult. It saddens me to have to moderate this heavily, but I see value in maintaining a positive morale. Not all of us have thick skins and bold personalities that allow us to completely abstract insults on the internet from a real person on the other end. The mob or gang effect of members who frequent other politically oriented and divisive websites is not appreciated either. I remain good friends with several very conservative members of our community who razz me about my politics-- it should not be an issue. We're all aviators.

Go ahead and disagree about the content of the discussion and argue that all you like, but individuals who continue to make repeated personal attacks on me, or other members of the BCP community, will be permanently banned. I don't care if you're conservative or liberal, a 20,000 hour Alaskan bush pilot or 30 hour student, mechanical genius or 4-thumbed simpleton. People are here because they love backcountry flying and its related interests. If you have an agenda beyond that, please take it elsewhere.


4) BackcountryPilot.org people are great

I've put a lot of hours of my life into this project, and I truly enjoy it doing it for free. Many of you have done the same. I value the wealth of knowledge and support submitted by our experienced and learned members. Without that, this site would simply be a blog. I would like to continue to remain motivated and enthusiastic about improving the features and functionality of the website, and my positive and rewarding interactions with you guys provides that.

Zane dont let people or politicks get you down. I have found this site to be a valuable resource and would hate to loose it because of a few hotheads. I tend to stay away from political discussian because it is infuriating and never really changes anything. the way I see it the government was a buch of no good crooks before I was born and they still will be long after Im dead. Just my 2cents.

I back you 100%, Zane. I'll continue to come here for content that pertains to backcountry aviating and good cameraderie. Guess I'll just have to surf over to backcountry_divisive_political_diatribe.org for the other...

I don't get outside much (meaning outside of Alaska), so I asked a friend who just returned how the world seems to be doing. Her response- "Ugly". She sincerely felt that people were just less patient, more guarded, more hurried, and more short-tempered than she remembered. Probably not true everywhere, but between the economy, the recent polarizing election, the normal holiday stress, and the weather tying everyone's air travel in knots, her experience probably has at least a little validity. As pilots we've all go so much to be thankful for, I hope we could spread a little more good will around.

Thanks for all you do Zane,

-denalipilot

Zane, I personally am very glad to see this and support you 100%. On my way to the mailbox soon to see if my BCP shirt has arrived yet, and I won't be shooting it to shreds... that is for sure. Keep up the fantastic moderating. I think you are doing a hell of a job!

Neighbor Pete

I'm happy to see this happen as well. Very few posts on flying the back country. Most seem to be from groups of people stroking each other's egos or else waging war with other groups. I would rather see much less traffic on this board that IS back country related, than just lots of chatter. Take that junk over to the chatter channel (meaning your personal email.)

Atta boy Zane. I come here to read about aviation. If I wanted to have a conversation with an opinionated political zealot, I would call my Dad.

To show my support, I just ordered a t-shirt which I shall wear, not shoot.

K

As a relative BCP rookie, I just wanted to take the time to thank you Zane for all you have done to make the site what it is. I have been living vicariously through everyone's exciting adventures, shared the good times, as well as the bad long before creating an account. My love for the outdoors, and flying have come together through this site, and although I still have yet to even visit a back country strip, ( I'm guessing Daniels Field (OR78) doesn't count.) It feels as if I have experienced so much because of all of the people here.
I will be ordering a T-shirt as well, as soon as funds allow.

If you are ever down my way, I would love to grab a coffee and have a look at your plane, and perhaps show you around the flight school I attend.
( I know, its not a grass field, but its the best I can do right now.)

I agree with this action 100% Zane. BCP users discuss a broad range of topics on this web-site, and everyone's opinions are what make up some of the best of the site's content, but some recent posts have been downright destructive to the community that you have created, and I understand the need to protect it. Kudos to you for being proactive in an effort to keep the community intact, most of us feel that the online community as a resource is far more valuable than videos of a bunch of unjustifiably irate pilots burning and shooting T-shirts.

Hey Zane,

I LIKE your politics! Actually, I have no idea of your politics, nor those of any other pilot on here....well, not specifically anyway. The thing I like most about this site is that every kind of person under the sun is posting on this site, and 99.99% of the time we get along fine because we all love flying and talking about flying.

SO LET'S JUST TALK ABOUT FLYING!!!!!!



Rocky

Zane,
you have my full support and appreciation for this fine site. keep up the good work

s. k.

Zane,

There will ALWAYS be that 10% that are just difficult. They get a kick out of being a verbal bully or basher of others. Its too bad but it is the way of the world. May the new year bring less "big mouth bashers" and more "fun loving flyers". Keep up the good work.

Holy Shift, Batperson......

Let's go flying, and stow the politics. There's some pretty childish stuff around, but no reason to bring flying down with that stuff.

Keep up the good work, Zane,

MTV

Zane,

Right on.

Religion and politics. Both instituted by man and neither of which I want to talk about while drinking or flying -or- when I'm discussing drinking or flying.

As for the a$$holes that bashed you, I say if they can't take a man's opinion for what it's worth then they aren't allowed to spout off their own opinions.

There's only two rules to live by,

1. Don't sweat the small shit.

2. If it ain't fatal it's all small shit.

To hell with them if they can't take a joke, I think you do a fine job and this is the one site I visit every single day, sometimes several times a day.

Shane

I'm onboard with the program, Zane. As a feud survivor from another aviation website, I'd like to see the discussions here remain enjoyable. Like they say: wag more, bark less. Remember, attendance is optional-- if you're not having fun, the door is only a mouse-click away.

Eric

Nice!! This is the only website that I frequent daily, it is awesome! Hooked from the first day I found it.
There is a lot of wisdom here and I have gained immensely from it. I would be broke if I had to pay for the knowledge I have gained here for free. You will be seeing my t shirt order.
Thank You. Keep up the good work, we all appreciate it!

Zane,
It always one person who starts an organization rolling, two or three more that will put a shoulder to the wheel and help. The other 95% will whine, point out all your mistakes, and or try to remake the group into their own vehicle. Human nature! You are to be congratulated on the ability to set up a web site. You are to be congratulated for building a web site that provides pilot's alike, to share and enjoy flying stories. While I haven't been a member long, I have found kindred spirits here, and I would saddened to lose this contact. Do what you feel you must, fight the good fight, have heart, where else would I post these crummy video's?

Zane;
I think you have created the single best site on the web. I have found a number of good ones but this is the one I check first as soon as I boot up and often during the day. It is a really great way to keep in touch with reality when I am working overseas (which is about 50% of the time.) Keep up the good work.

Zane, Keep up the good work as this is a great site. Don't let a few riffraff affect everything. As for politics, there is always the basement for that. I am about as conservative as they come, but can't stomach those that use their beliefs and ideologies to attack another person. There is no excuse for it whatsoever. Don't let a select few mess it all up. Keep on keepin on.

maybe we need more threads about pitstops and venturis.......

bcpstudent wrote:.......I would be broke if I had to pay for the knowledge I have gained here for free. .........

I think you misunderstood the knowledge policy. Please send Zane $1 for each bit of knowledge you obtained here on this site.

Eric
(Zane, don't forget to send me my cut!)