BCW List

BCW = BeCause Why???

I used to belong to this list, as did a lot of others. In Feb 2004, I was banned. But I was in good company as Jim Watson ki6gu, Trish k4ze (at that time a SWL), and a number of others were summarily dismissed without any explanation. And if their reason had been because they were making the list for HAMS only, I would have accepted and understood. But that was NOT the reason as several HAMS were also banned. They just got rid of the people they didn’t personally like!

Their loss, my gain, as that’s about when I started my OWN list; HamFanz http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HamFanz a list where ANYONE with an interest in Amateur Radio, Art Bell, c2c topics, or ‘the group’, could join and converse without being ‘moderated’ or banned (there have been 3 people banned in 3 yrs.).

BCW = Big Cult Worshipers???

Perhaps that’s what it means. Though Art Bell doesn’t (or at least didn't) subscribe to the BCW list (he doesn’t believe in them, or forums he claims), he seems to run the BCW list from behind the scenes through his main flunky Ben Gardner kd7bcw. He sends Ben messages to pass on to the ‘group’, and Ben does.

BCW = Ben’s Conservative Wimps???

OR, perhaps Ben just does this stuff in the hopes of culling favor from the ‘big guy’. Perhaps artie doesn’t ask him to do this stuff at all. Ben claims that the group wasn’t even his doing, that Bonnie kq6xa, set it up and runs it. And that Bonnie was the person that did the mass ‘banning’. Which just weeks later, Ben admitted on air, was a lie. That HE had decided who to ban from the list, and had done the banning.

BCW = Bonnie’s Ceremonial Whacko’s???

So why was I surprised to find that some of the banned, had REJOINED BCW list??? How could they invest their time and energy to an endeavor when at any minute, at the uttering of a ‘wrong’ sentiment, or at arties ‘ousting’ of a HAM on air, they could be kicked off the BCW list AGAIN, and have to go through all that separation anxiety and embarrassment all over?

I guess the need for acceptance (inclusion?) from your peers can be a strong pull, even when it runs counter to your common sense!

And so it went! Steve kg6txh, was banned from BCW because he’s Steve. And Bill wb6bnq, then Billie n6ayj. And last month, Jim Watson, ki6gu was banned, because artie decided he didn’t like him any longer. Jim MAY actually be some kind of record holder – having now been banned from the list twice! (Some folks don’t learn easily – you only have to stab ME once!)

BCW = Big Capricious Whiners???

Well, all these ‘banned’ folk are welcome at HamFanz! And many have already joined and HamFanz has no problem with these people, most are participating, productive members.

But sadly, and I do hope I’m wrong, I have a hunch they’d literally wet their pants if ever invited back to BCW, racing to be embraced with open arms and a 'we forgive you for being you'!

The question is: why don’t they USE the HAMFANZ list as they did the BCW list, inviting their HAM pals to join them there? And/or, if they really can’t tolerate ‘mixing’ with c2c listeners, and SWL’s, then start a HAMS ONLY list of their own??? It could be named BCWjr.