Dodge Durango Forum II

Steven G. Whittler, MD
sporster23@netzero.net

After reading the post below by Tigger, regarding that other forum, I thought it a good time to reflect upon this club and the good people here.

As you all know, I am the current Vice-President and have been involved with this group of people since June of 1998 when I purchased my Dodge Durango. There are awesome people here---dedicated, unselfish, caring----dare I say, we are 'family'. Herman Ascher, our President and myself have not been as involved as we have been in the past out of time constraints due to our jobs, and personal lives. Herman is a newlywed with 2 daughters. I am married with one daughter, but my wife and child are still in Chicago helping to care for a terminally ill mother-in-law. Time is tight. But, speaking for both of us, I know we love this club and miss the interactions that we have had in the past. This site is still a respite and haven for me.

So, realize the specialness of this club. The 'other' club and their language, their founder, and their tactics are not what this club will ever be about. This club IS about caring, it is about us as people first, about the Durango somewhere in there, but not that that is all there is in life to aspire to own. I personally am very much passionate about the ownership experience of my Durango, but at some point down the road I may have to get rid of my two-toned Baby and buy something else. At that time, I hope to continue being a part of this club and this fine group of people, no matter what I buy.

As for the referenced 'other' club-----recall, we had a set of problems last January (around this time, ironically) dealing with censorship, free speech, colorful language, color wars arguments, swear words, and respect. I think we all learned something from another then---that having a varied, disparate, demographically diverse, and RESPECTFUL owner's club was the best for all of us as we continued to get to know one another and to learn more about our vehicles. It is very true, to me, and I know the Board and Officer group feels this way.

I would hope, sincerely hope, that the tone which sadly exists within the nasty antics of others be left there and not brought here. I would hope that the antics of copying from another forum directly and editing another's post is never brought here. I know we are as a group classier, more mature, and more respectful than to get into that.

I am Black. No kidding. I have African, Caucasian, Seminole Indian and perhaps other blood in the melting pot of my family's geneology and history, and I am more proud to be just an individual than to be Black, White or other. I respect ALL people for their diversity, for their respect towards others, and for their specialness in being human. I therefore shy away from racial slurs, or racist commentary. This is not to say that I cannot tell a joke, or that I cannot laugh at a joke intended for me. But, a public forum is not the place for race, gender, or sex jokes. This club has been devoid of that type of behavior, and I am very proud of it for that.

The internet can be both good and bad. It has its upside and downside. Pornography, racism, hatred, sex sites, general nastiness. What we do here and how we do it here says a lot about each and every one of us.

Thanks, then, to each of you, who have made this site an Owner's Club with respect, care, and understanding.

S23