Rob,

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your views about Eric Turner, TBS Cigars, StogieChat, and specific members of that board. Clearly the only view I have is based upon some very minor readings in the distant past, and what has happened recently.

Based upon my take of the whole situation, Eric has brought himself into the limelight recently. He came to this site (amongst others) initially as an unpaid advertiser. Some have heard of Eric and TBS cigars before - to be honest - I had not. But - based upon his postings here and other boards, I'd be hard pressed to ever do business with an individual who puts himself in the light as a short tempered, unbalanced businessman. No low priced premium cigar is going to change my impressions in that regard.

As far as defending your child. I am the parent of several teenaged children. I love those little critters dearly. The rambunctious little hooligans manage to drive their old man nuts with their shenanigans from time to time. That doesn't mean I don't love them less - I just love them in a different way. When you say they are my "babies", and I would defend them - you're damn right!!! However, would I defend them to the point that I would deny they are rambunctious little hooligans hell bent on their shenanigans? Not even!!!

You've got Eric doing some interesting things to drum up business. Certainly expanding your market into other cigar boards as an unpaid advertiser opens you up a tad. Questions are going to be asked. And if Eric is the "parent" of his "baby", he should honestly and openly answer any questions put to him. Or - better yet - let the company speak for itself. If he's of the mind to "vigorously" defend his business (as he has done here an other places - with rude, nasty, trolling behavior), I think he can fully expect the type of treatment he's received. If Eric's business is as good as you say it is - he shouldn't have to defend it, Rob. It should speak for itself.

As far as the members of StogieChat - there is no doubt some great people over there. But there are also those that talk out of one side of their mouth on this board, and then do exactly what they preach against on StogieChat. That is just plain wrong. If you have a problem, and you go to another board because you want to rid yourself of that problem - EXCELLENT - not every board was made to accomodate everyone's personal likes and dislikes. You gotta make some choices about what you will and will not tolerate. StogieChat is not the right fit for some - while it's near perfect for others. Same with CigarSmokers.

But, in my view, it is not right to rid yourself of your problem, and then move to the next board and make the problem the topic of conversation. Sorry - to me that's just absolute hypocrisy (FALSENESS) at its very core. You don't need to defend who I'm talking about - his very own words speak well for him!!! You don't want stress - yet your blood boils when you see someone posting and it's not in your new digs??? How would you possibly know if you don't pay attention??? Sorry - I don't buy the argument that you are highly offended and distraught by seeing mangled dead bodies at an accident site when you slow down and gawk - that just doesn't make any sense to me....

Bottom line - you don't want to be criticized - don't place yourself in a critical light... Eric and others don't seem to understand that concept and the chase goes on. I believe you can clearly see CC doesn't mind being in the critical light, even though he is being highly criticized... It will never end if Eric and others choose to continue this nonsense.