An Open Letter to the Forum - Re: Bruce Dorskin (suspended)

[Rob D.]

I post the following with absolutely no intent of sarcasm (hard to believe, I know).

I think the first step in trying to understand many of Bruce's posts is to understand where he's coming from. I get the feeling that to him, collecting is a very fierce competition -- and he might very well assume that others have the same mind-set.

I've lost track of how many times he has e-mailed or PM'd me with the message, and I'm paraphrasing: "You'll never be an important collector ... " or "Your pathetic attempts to become an important collector ... " or "Our contacts in the hobby dwarf yours ... " The thing is, I have no aspirations to be an "important" collector -- whatever that is -- and have never claimed to be one. Yet Bruce automatically assumes that's the goal of many, and because that's obviously his goal, most everyone else is a competitor.

I think many on this board look at the hobby in a way that's 180 degrees away from how Bruce views it. Hence, when he feels the need to virtually mark his territory, such an act is a foreign one to many within this group.

[Leon]

The other moderators and I took a vote last night about what to do with Bruce. At some point I/we have to make a decision on what is best for the board. It was 3-1 to suspend him. He will be able to come back in 30 days if he wants to. He had an infraction for insults on the board, only 2 mos. ago. That, coupled with thew new rhetoric, was all it took. While I do feel he retaliates, and that retaliation is sometimes warranted, it is just too over the top. There is no reason in the world why anyone would wish anyone's demise on the board. We don't have super heinous crimes committed against individuals. Even if someone scams or steals I don't think death threats are really warranted (though jail time would be). I hope we can get back to talking about cards now. best regards

[batsballsbases]

Leon,
I believe this is a very good thing. Bruce is one of the most self centered ,egotistical (peoples)that I have ever seen. He tends to try and prey on people when they are down offering "the most competitive prices on items" lots of capital blah,blah,blah. I believe he starts these posts as a way to try and feel out what people might have so he can contact them and try and make a deal. I remember when I sold off my cameo pepsins a few years ago Bruce was the first person to email me asking what else I had for sale. I do have many other items in my collection ,I try and share many of my items with pictures on the board but there is a private part of my collection that I just would like to keep that way (private). Im sure it is that way with may others here. Bruces sad attempt at trying to portray himself as one of the "bigboys" in the hobby is just a sad attempt to hide behind what he really is . A fool with a museum quality collection. If you let him back have a short leash because as we know you cant teach an old dog new tricks

[Exhibitman]

I agree; as the person against whom the Bruces issued their fatwa, I'd take it to the next level if he comes back and boot his sorry butt if he continues to act like a moonbat.

[ramram]

30 days in the slammer? That's an opposite field single. Leon, you need to go for the homerun with this/these Bruce guy(s).

Don't let him/them back until he/they collect(s) a complete near mint 1989 Topps set. That will be so hard on his ego that he/they would never be back.

Rob M.

[botn]

Originally Posted by Leon

It was 3-1 to suspend him. He will be able to come back in 30 days if he wants to.

How humiliating for Bruce, really.

Originally Posted by Leon

There is no reason in the world why anyone would wish anyone's demise on the board.

Maybe I missed a post or two but where did he make death threats this time around? Being the recipient of the most death threats I would think I would have a vote and my vote would not be to suspend him for that. Frankly I am more offended by his ego and the lack of respect he shows virtually everyone on the board than his idle low class threats of bodily harm. But we cannot suspend someone for a lack of class. He is a nothing more than a goof ball desperate for someone to notice him and while wishing someone die is not pleasant, he is merely showing who he really is behind the facade of wealth, aristocracy and education.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by botn

How humiliating for Bruce, really.



Maybe I missed a post or two but where did he make death threats this time around? Being the recipient of the most death threats I would think I would have a vote and my vote would not be to suspend him for that. Frankly I am more offended by his ego and the lack of respect he shows virtually everyone on the board than his idle low class threats of bodily harm. But we cannot suspend someone for a lack of class. He is a nothing more than a goof ball desperate for someone to notice him and while wishing someone die is not pleasant, he is merely showing who he really is behind the facade of wealth, aristocracy and education.

I probably misspoke. It was wishing for someone's demise and not technically a death threat that I was speaking of. Regardless, the rhetoric, in it's totality, was over the top. No member will be allowed to get this out of line, have a warning 2 mos prior, and continue to play.

[botn]

Originally Posted by Leon

I probably misspoke. It was wishing for someone's demise and not technically a death threat that I was speaking of.

I knew what you meant Leon. I just do not recall seeing any of that this time around. Again, maybe I missed it or the sentiments were privately emailed to members. Give him a time out for inciting disruption or being disruptive but I did not see the other infraction. Your board and as offensive as Bruce is I do not agree with suspension over something which is not happening now. That's all I'm sayin'.

[T206Collector]

A. We fully support the suspension.

B. Competition

Originally Posted by Rob D.

I get the feeling that to him, collecting is a very fierce competition -- and he might very well assume that others have the same mind-set.

I totally agree with this. Collecting baseball cards is not a competition -- even if the pursuit of certain cards is competitive. Obviously, you can make anything a "competition." And Set Registries were a brilliant marketing strategy designed to foster that competition.

The feeling I get is that Bruce is still fighting an imaginary battle against the neighborhood kids that had more Pete Rose rookies in the 1970s. "Oh, yeah? Well look at me now!" And if the cards he has give him a sense of pride, then more power to him.

But when that sense of pride makes him think he is a better collector than someone else -- or makes him boast that has a better collection than someone else -- he crosses the line for most people.

What he seems to never comprehend is that because of his behavior he will never have true admiration from his baseball card peers -- even if he could convince us all that he has a better collection than the rest of us.

[tbob]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

I think many on this board look at the hobby in a way that's 180 degrees away from how Bruce views it. Hence, when he feels the need to virtually mark his territory, such an act is a foreign one to many within this group.

Exactly. Call me naive but this is still a hobby. When the investment only guys are long gone, the guy with the E93 Pastorius in vg condition willl still treasure his card and more power to him. Most of us here wouldn't swap a great family and friends for all the T206 Wagners in existence.

[wonkaticket]

Originally Posted by tbob

Most of us here wouldn't swap a great family and friends for all the T206 Wagners in existence.

I would do it for (1) Wagner I don't even like my family that much...catch me at the right time and you can have them for G-VG t206 common.

[barrysloate]

Paul made an excellent point that Bruce is fighting an imaginary war. What he doesn't seem to grasp is that other people are not at war with him. The idea doesn't even cross their mind. To me the whole thing is silly.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Paul made an excellent point that Bruce is fighting an imaginary war. What he doesn't seem to grasp is that other people are not at war with him. The idea doesn't even cross their mind. To me the whole thing is silly.

I think it's "silly" that even you, have begun to refer to Bruce in the plural ("their mind".)


Edited to add: Who else is shocked that there were several "Bruce threads" going on at once yesterday and I didn't play?

[autograf]

me........

Bruce is tilting at windmills........

[Cat]

I think it is simple: Bruce wants the attention.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Cat

I think it is simple: Bruce wants the attention.

Bingo on this call. To me, there is no doubt in my mind, it's low self esteem and the need for attention. End of story.

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by Jim VB

Who else is shocked that there were several "Bruce threads" going on at once yesterday and I didn't play?

I didn't play, either!

[barrysloate]

Jim- "their mind" referred back to "other people" in the sentence, not to Bruce. I still refer to him in the singular.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Jim- "their mind" referred back to "other people" in the sentence, not to Bruce. I still refer to him in the singular.

OK. I accept your explanation. It can be read the other way however!

[big-six]

Originally Posted by wonkaticket

I would do it for (1) Wagner I don't even like my family that much...catch me at the right time and you can have them for G-VG t206 common.

Sorry tbob I'm with John on this one- I'd take a Wagner in poor condition and you could have my family minus my favorite son.

Bob

[uffda51]

When will "Archive" be suspended?