My ideas on Stangpede

[GT400SC]

I'm glad this is a private thread for the Board Members only and I will use it to voice my opinions BEFORE they become public. I suspect some of you will take this the wrong way and I will try to explain it profusely so you don't take it the wrong way.

It seems to me, and maybe because I'm older, that this is all being handled in a less than appropriate manner. Monday, at the Q, Emilio went to talk to Ernie about being civil and patching things up. If that's not what he went to do, and if I misunderstand that, I apologize. But that's what I have been lead to believe.

I think that was a mistake, for two reasons.

First, and this is where some of you MIGHT misunderstand, I don't believe this should have ever happened. Not without discussing it first. I am NOT saying Emilio has to clear it with anyone or get anyone's approval. If you think that's what I mean, please don't. Emilio is the President and he can pretty much do as he pleases. Obama is doing the same thing and ruffling feathers. But it seems to me, this should have been discussed at a board meeting BEFORE it happened and he should have gotten feedback from people BEFORE waltzing down there and pushing an agenda down our throats.

Once again, I said "feedback", not approval or blessings. Make no mistake about what I am implying. He doesn't need our approval, but I have to wonder if he would have even approached Ernie if the board had strongly recommended that he NOT do it.

Unfortunately, it is too late and it was done with little to no forethought and a few of us are quite peeved about it. And I mean PEEVED!

Secondly, there is is NO GOOD that can come from this. Once you associate with a group like this, you demean yourselves, you lessen yourselves and it shows poor judgement. What would it have hurt to talk about this BEFORE it was done? All in the interest of patching up relations? Who said we needed to patch up relations? We were fine BEFORE all this started and now look at us! We are being told to play nice with people our parents told us as children to stay away from!

Had any of us know where Emilio was going when he walked off into the camp of the other club, we would have jumped out of our chairs and said "WHOA"!!! What has WS to gain from this? Why did it NEED to be done?

I don't wanna hear any crap about "Well, we have common interests and it would be nice to get along with them and blah blah blah". Oh please, we didn't need them on Sunday, what makes Emilio think we need them on Monday? This only causes resentment amongst the members who are aware of Stnagpede's history and reputation. Those of us who have had personal dealings with them know all too well that zebras never change their stripes and they will fake it so they can fit in.

Let me please make this as clear as I possibly can. Emillio can do what he wants as President and there's not a damned thing we can do about it. But a leader with the best interest of the club in mind would not compel it's members to play nice with people like this. It goes against our nature. It has nothing to do with lambo doors, flashy paint or wannabe Saleens. It has to do with the midset, thug-like lifestyle and overal lack of class this group proudly presents when we're in the same place together.

Motives

What's to be gained by this sudden desire to "warm up" to them? Nothing. It doesn't make this club any stronger, larger or better. It makes us look like fools. If you had ever seen the way they act at the La Mesa Thursday Night Car SHows during the summer months, you'd say "Damn, I'm glad our club isn't like that". And then you begin to worry that all the other participants lump ALL Mustang owners in with them and "profile" us to be like them just because we have Mustangs too.

The only people that will gain in this is Stangpede. Now they can brag that they hang out with the largest, fastest growing and coolest Mustang Club on the planet. And what did we get in the deal?

NOTHING!

This really should have been kicked around BEFORE Monday.

But it's too late now.

 

[sdsubzero4]

I spoke to Emilio about this already and have told him of our concerns. We are NOT going to be hanging out with them and we are NOT going to start being the best of buddies with that. Because that is not where I come from either. The meeting on Monday was initiated by Ernie, not Emilio. Ernie asked to speak to Emilio in private after speaking to Lomas from SD Stang. That is when Emilio went to talk to him. Emilio did not initiate the conversation.

Tim, you're right about associating with the Thug like and you should know, especially me, do not associate with thugs, do put us being associated or put in the same category by other people. I also expressed that concern to Emilio, I believe today. This whole thing does not change that we will continue to do our thing and we will not make it a special attempt to invite Stangpede to a special get together. That is not what's going to happen. The only thing this is trying to accomplish is when we do happen to be at the same car show and function that we are cordial to each other and that doesn't mean we have to talk or kiss or hug each other.

I told Emilio that I (not going to speak for anyone else) that if I see anything starting to go bad with this "association" I will let him know. I have already expressed to him my concern with the direction and attitude of the club since last night, that was one of the reason why he posted that thread.

 

[GT400SC]

Thanks for the clarification, Dan. Now I know WHO initiated the meeting.

And knowing it was Ernie just makes my point for me. It actually enhances what I said.

WHY?

What's in it for Stangpede? What's in it for us?

Why would Ernie be so concerned, all of a sudden?

OK, so he overheard some comments from members of our club about their club. That's gonna happen no matter WHO the clubs are. I'll wager it happens in Corvette clubs, Miata clubs and even in the women's sewing circles and bridge clubs. So what?

It is apparent to me that he wants to make friendly with a club that is blowing his doors off, both in class and membership. And what do we get for this unholy alliance? NOTHING!

As a small boy, my dad told me "If you want to stay out of trouble, go twenty miles around it." In other words, don't even get close to it and you won't get sucked in.

Trust me, we do NOT want to be anywhere near these people the next time one of them goes off. And trust me, like the zebra that never changes it's stripes, they will!

 

[sdsubzero4]

We don't plan on going to events or doing anything with them. That is not going to happen. Don't plan on organizing any functions with them, because I will not do it. Don't care what Emilio say. This is the furthest I'll go with this. No alliance, no merger, nothing. Its just going to be an acquaintance type relationship. I won't be doing any business with them and I will not be referring any business to them. I already expressed why he (Ernie) wants to pursue a mending the fences and that is to push his business. That has already been expressed in the other thread and to Emilio. That is the only reason I see for this offering of olive branches. So, I'm not doing this blindly but I have both my eyes open to make sure this don't get too far or carried away.

All this has already been told to Emilio. I have spoken to him about all this and he reassured me that this is the farthest it will go and we will not pursue any further or deeper relationship.

 

[GT400SC]

And so you have to ask yourself...

Why didn't Emilio just go to Ernie and "Hear him out" and then say "Let me talk to my Board Members and get their feedback"?

Don't get me wrong, he doesn't HAVE TO get our feed back, but in this democracy, it would have been nice.

You can pretty damned well guessed what would have happened if the board members were all sitting around a table when Emilio drops this little tidbit in our laps! It would have been entirely different than all this @ss-kissing "I support you Emilio, 100% crap" you see posted in the PUBLIC threads!.

Spare me. If half those people who said they support this had ANY idea who these thugs are, they would have said NO WAY!

Usually your gut instinct guides you in the right direction.

But you have to listen to it first!!!!!

This is a mistake and I for one want nothing to do with it.

 

[sdsubzero4]

One thing I do see that will be good for us is. The general membership don't have to go to event feeling any tension, this will put them at ease whenever they see Stangpedes. They don't have to know, just that they will act cordially. Because without this, no matter what we say, they will act with disdained towards them. This is not what we want, we want to be above them and by our members acting cordially, then we are better then they are. How they act will be up to them, don't really matter to me. But I will care about how our members act. Example is Monday at the award ceremony. Hoosierstang wanted to start chanting "Wickedstangs" when you went up for your trophy. I told him we are not Stangpede and we do not do that type of thing. We act humbly and applaud our members in a manner which is acceptable and not annoying to others.

We will continue educating our members the way we act in public. We will not be doing donuts or speeding around parking lots like idiots. We will distinguish ourselves from them. We have our banner and people will know who we are. They have theirs and people will know who they are.

 

[GT400SC]

Don't you think that this whole mess has members asking "What the hell happened that now we are being asked to be cordial?"

Now EVERYBODY knows!

The mere fact that someone says "Nothing is wrong, everything is ok, go about your business, move along" makes people wonder...Why did they just say that? It makes them suspicious.

This whole mess has piqued people's curiosity and now they want to know.

By trying to patch things up, so to speak, we have inadverdantly told them there was a need to patch SOMETHING up and now they want to know what it was. People aren't stupid.

 

[sdsubzero4]

We have to be bigger then this. We have to lead the way and make sure it stays on the right direction. We are not going to agree with everything and that what makes this good. But we also cannot quit and head another direction when it is not to our liking.

If we all just say F it, where will this end up. It will surely head in the direction where we are all fearing. But we need to be the leader and make sure that it doesn't.

 

[Mustangcwo]

I couldn't disagree more. I know of the reputation of their club and what they are capable of at times. I also know that Stangpede has release several members during the last year, attempting to clean up their reputation. The purpose of this cordial relationship is to remove tensions while we are at joint functions. I dont want my car keyed, nor do I want to sit in one spot watching it. We can just smile, wave and think what we want. There is no need for tension or aggression towards any other club. They will have their space and we will have ours.

I left High School a long time ago and I'm not playing kids games.

 

[sdsubzero4]

We have told people what had happened. Those who wanted to know have asked and we, at least I, have already told them. So, to many, they already know the history and why there were such animosity. Hell, they can see for themselves.

 

[GT400SC]

If you think we can "LEAD" these people, then fine. I'm willing to go along with it.

But what brought on this "tension" you speak of? And WHO brought it on?
Did WS members bring it on themselves or did it come from an outside source?

If I read between the lines correctly, then, we are doing this to protect ourselves.
Make nice with the people that cause tension and MAYBE they won't do it anymore. Right?

Do I understand it right?

 

[sdsubzero4]

We will have to. And they will follow what we tell them. Our members are the reputable type and they will do the right thing. So yes, we can lead them.

We, as the board, must show unity. Otherwise, there will be chaos and that is when the membership will go "WTF is going on." So, we need to get on the same page and get this thing going back in the right direction because there is rift forming and we need to make sure it don't expand. And I think the rift will be shrinking once they see we are on the same page.

 

[GT400SC]

So, the best thing to do is to APPEAR united even if your personal views are otherwise?

I am reminded of a person I saw on TV soon after 9-11. She said..."I think we need to go and talk to the people who did this to us and try to understand what we did to make them so mad they would kill so many of our people".

There are some people you just can't reason with. I am not equating Stangpede with Al Queda, just saying I see a similarity here.

Some things are better left alone. The rift never would have occurred had the meeting never taken place. People were united, now they're not.

Score one for the other side!

 

[wickedstangs]

:nononononononononononononononononono:

Damit Guys why are you guys being stubborn....

Absolutely nothing about our club culture has changed, and we are NOT asking any WS club member to do anything differently. Prior to Monday, if a Stangpede member waived hello or Ernie said hello, everyone in Wicked Stangs I know would have waived back or said hello back ~ in short, act cordial. Nothing is different now. The intent of accepting Ernie's "peace offering/let-by-gones be by-gones" is being misinterpreted. We are NOT, I repeat NOT, going to go out of OUR way to be "welcoming" of Stangpede as respected members of the mustang community or directly associate ourselves with Stangpede at any events. They are on their own and will have to rebuild their reputation, but I do expect our members not to contribute to any "hear say" rumors.

However, if you have had a bad personal/business experience that you want to share to warn others, you should tell your experience. The truth should be told, and if the truth is negative, Ernie should hear it, so he can try to change it. Will Stangpede ever be able to change? Who knows, and it really doesn't matter because it does not involve and has no signifcance to WS what-so-ever.

We have always been on our own, and we will always continue to be our own club. It would be nice if the entire Mustang community could come together, because it is a lot of fun when a bunch of us can get to gether and enjoy our cars. But, I want to make it VERY CLEAR that nothing about who we are as a club has changed. We are not "selling out", and we are not doing anything differently other than being asked to not spread false info. Voice your opions and facts.

Just the idea of a merge is ridiculous and never discussed or implied....

:nononononononononononononononononono:

 

[sdsubzero4]

You know what I'm done trying to explain anything to you. I've tried all I can. But you have your opinions, fine. Go with it.

 

[GT400SC]

10-4 Dan. I appreciate your opinion, but I'm still not satisfied. I understand you don't care if I still have concerns and I can accept that.

On this website in the last 3-4 hours, we have been told we don't want members here who act like Stangpede.

I really need the person who said that to explain what he meant by that. Just HOW do Stangpede people act? What is it they do that you don't want US to do or act like?

Why do members here consider them "Thugs"?

Emilio said "They are on their own and will have to rebuild their reputation".

What's wrong with their reputation that needs to be rebuilt?

Emilio also said "The truth should be told, and if the truth is negative, Ernie should hear it, so he can try to change it."

What do you do if ERNIE is the problem? What do you do if it was Ernie who mislead you? What do you do when their PRESIDENT appears to be less than honest in business dealings? What do you do then? Hmmmmmmmmm???

Reputation repairs indeed! Starting at the top!

Now comes the BS. Ernie actually had the balls to say he'd give me a driveshaft of my choice. Why? But he also had the gall to say it was my fault because I didn't ASK if the driveshaft needed to be modified to work as he had advertised. When you run an ad and tell people you have aluminum driveshafts that will fit any 05+GT Mustang, then people think it bolts in. You don't sell them an item and NOT tell them it need serious modifications to work. Hell, I could sell F350 radiators and tell people it will fit in your Fox body. True, you have to butcher the car to get it in but hey, you didn't ask! So, I'm off the hook.

So you offer me a driveshaft as a goodwill gesture. No dude, you offer me one because I caught you at your dishonest practice. Just like the hood that gives me 12 more HP. Notice how he never denied anything I said? Caught red-handed, exposed and all he can do is offer a "pay off" to try to make good. Does that mean he changed his sorry business practices? Not at all.

You people need to REALLY think about what you're doing.

And the fact that you all think you have to explain over and over that we are'nt dating Stangpede or getting all chummy with them but just being cordial to them if we end up in the same show means you really didn't think this out too well! The fact that you are running around trying to put out fires means you didn't consider the consequences BEFORE this crap hit the fan.

And funny, I don't hear ANYONE saying that what I put in the first post is inaccurate. The BEST thing Emilio could have done when Ernie approached him was to politely listen and then tell him he'd get back to him.

Then ask the members what they think before committing anything.

Doesn't that make sense?

 

[Mustangcwo]

I'm with Danny, I'm done talking about the subject. I'm not explaining myself, not required. If you would like to talk drag racing or building cars, that I'm up to. But I probably wont explain myself there either.

I'll probably go have a few beers with Ernie on Saturday and work on the merger. Then go find a bald headed midget on chemo to get a massage.

Good Night.

 

[GT400SC]

Sounds good.

Just wondered why we need to be nice to people that you all seem to say nothing but things bad about.

I guess we know who the YES MEN are!

 

[wickedstangs]

What exactly do you think we are we committing to? Why would I need to get back to anyone to say that we agree to be respectful of eachother when we happen to run into eachother at events? Why would that constitute further dicussion? Truly, don't understand why this topic is being blown out of porportion and context. You said it yourself, you've said hello to Ernie at previous car shows. What's the difference now? Not expecting you to go out of your way to say hello, just if they say hello you return the greeting. What is so offensive about that request? Again, what is it you think we are committing to? Let me set the record straight; we are not committing to anything, only continuing to be who we always have been.

 

[GT400SC]

You said it yourself, you've said hello to Ernie at previous car shows. What's the difference now?

CUZ he was parked right behind me and I was afraid he and his klan would key my car if I didn't say hi or walked away from the car.