Y'know... I'm dumbfounded as to why the "witch hunt" goes on. In the end, you will find, like our forefathers, that the "witch" doesn't exist. Having been the "host", those in the trenches you will all see the imperfections 100X over. Most of the "issues" were transparent to the majority of the attendees. I enjoyed myself as did countless others that I spoke with. STATISTICS HAPPEN. Something this large is bound to have a speedbump or two. IT WAS A SUCCESS....
*sigh* I, like many of you, joined BRS for a handful of reasons; to learn more about my hobby, promote what it is that we all need to do to keep the hobby/industry thriving, and finally..for friendships. The unfortunate circumstances of late, if left to fester, could bring an end to a good thing. If BRS continues toward the path of self destruction, I would not only lose an incredible resource, but lots of friends. We all stand to lose. Hell, I know my tank would suffer without the combined knowledge of BRS. I also know my liver would miss ya's too
I had such an incredible weekend with ALL of you at MACNA. Now, after returning from an unplanned business trip (was forced to give up attendance for Sunday and lose my fish and macros etc), I read all of the reef forums with a tear in my eye. It's got to stop. I can tell you this honestly, there is not one person that I've met through BRS that I do not like. Sure, there are some of you that I'd not take home to my momma

but each of you brings something to the table. You make BRS what it is. It kills me to see guys and gals, who are documented in images and internet threads, holding, hugging, laughing over the years and are now at each others throats. Heck... stuff happens and dynamics change, friendships change too. It just hurts to see it all out in the open. I'm not telling you all to like everyone. I'm just asking that for the good of BRS, we keep it courteous, keep it down or keep it "off-line". We are losing face in the hobby... faster and faster every minute. It's got to stop.
If I learned just one thing durning MACNA weekend, it is that BRS is, and can continue to be a role model for other organizations. That surely not going to be the case if we keep creating our own "bad press". For those of you involved in the business end of MACNA, you did a good job. We can always have a "lessons learned" session because nothing EVER goes perfect. But, for the most part, it was a huge success. Continue to do what it is you have to do to clean up the mess and fix the current officer/BOD issues. We, the masses, will continue to attend meetings. We will vote and work hard to ensure that things stay on track.
For those of you who are not in the middle of the "business", please think twice and if at all possible, refrain from jumping into the muck and mire. We are all passionate about our hobby. We all look up to certain people within our hobby, but if you are not part of the problem, become part of the solution. Take this opportunity to be a ambassador for BRS, for the hobby. I don't mean to go out and post puffery about how wonderful we are .. this and that. I mean.. just refrain. Don't keep the threads going. Don't revive posts that could cause hurt or harm. Leave the business to the BOD and O's. Do your part and have your say during the elections and at meetings. Support BRS throughout the year at these meetings etc., but leave the business to the responsible persons.
With that said, I saw the most awesome event last night. Over many beers, and great Brazilian barbeque, I watched Gustavo's clowns lay. It was amazing. Thanks brother....
Reef on...
David