Rick wrote:As to the topic of this thread. The reason behind some not posting here now is largely because of the negativity that's been hefted at the band and especially Arnel.
It's been way overboard and has left me kind of put off also.
I understand people have differing opinions, and that's what message boards are all about, and I love that. But it wasn't too long ago that Arnel had this board eating out of his hands, at least by a lot of posters. Not sure what happened. The Superbowl performance shouldn't be the defining moment of his time with Journey. He's done so much better, although I didn't think he stunk it up like many say he did.
Whitewash.
I can't speak for everyone but I am personally too busy with work to post at the moment and frankly the longer I spend away from here the less I want to come back. My decision has nothing to do with the subject matter or information found at MR but more to do with the lies, secrecy, negativity and general nastiness of a few bad apples. In fact I have only come back on now to address this topic with what are thought to be the actual facts rather then speculation.
Rick knows full well that there has been a falling out behind the scenes between several prominent forum members and whilst I personally don't know the full story it is now commonly known amongst many other MR members that a secret forum (or VIP forum as it was dubbed by some) was active behind the scenes at MR. This information was divulged to many MR members by one of the 'VIPs' upon their recent departure from the board and was believed to have contained a handful of preferred members personally invited to discuss subject matters and information that were not made available in other areas. Discussions such as behind the scenes happenings in the Journey and Steve Perry camps as well as information about MR members especially those deemed suspicious in their motives. For whatever reason the 'VIP' area was recently closed and consequently some of the members left the board, others simply decided to have a break and one or two returned to posting on the main board after a lengthy absence.
Before anyone asks I don't know why this board was created and won't be answering any questions on the subject. Maybe it was felt necessary to contain a few personalities out of public view or maybe it was simply an outlet for those 'in the know'. Judging by some of the members I would say it was the former but frankly I don't really care. What does upset me somewhat is that so many people know of it's existence and the general goings on but everyone seems to afraid to touch on it. So here it is, out in the open and not in it's own topic but simply as a valid response to a thread entitled 'What's Going On Around Here?'.
That's just what's going on at surface level, I will leave everyone else to speculate about the rumours of other nefarious actions, ticket scams and generally underhanded and frankly unwelcome behaviour. Due to work I will not be around to 'defend' these claims nor do I wish to. Anyone calling me out on this either openly or behind the scenes is simply wasting their time. The truth is out there for those wishing to find out more and although I don't encourage muck raking I will say that myself and many others do not feel comfortable being a part of a community that continues to let this happen. They say knowledge is power and the balance of knowledge has now shifted leaving the 'power' in the hands of the majority rather than just a few.
Thank you to everyone for all your messages and emails in my absence, I am doing very well but simply too busy working 18 hour days to find time for much else at the moment. I promise I will respond to you all very soon but if anyone wants more info about any of the above I am simply repeating what I have heard from many people and there are many others more qualified and more willing to fill in the blanks. What I will say in closing is that now this is out in the open this could well be a 'new dawn' of sorts for MR without the Private Message rumour mill and nastiness toward certain members and with a much more open and inviting atmosphere. I sincerely hope it lasts. Enjoy it!