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Posted for Dan Leavens ~ Squarebird administrator, due to system problems Dan was experiencing...
In the VTCI Scoop issue July / August there was an article starting on page 52 " Steering Column and Shift Linkage Tips". Here are some statements that were in that article.
"on a popular 58-60 thunderbird forums in the web that shift linkage play is caused by a defective and / or worn out detent plate. This is absolutely not the case."
"don't be fooled by bozos who are just trying to sell you something you don't need. Detent plates almost never go bad."
We the administrators / moderators took exception to not only the inaccurate statements of Alexander's detent plate but also the inappropriate use of the word " bozo" which was directed towards him. I was asked to contact the VTCI which I did, to let them know that we didn't take this lightly and wanted a retraction in an upcoming Scoop. The clear issue was that the detent plates do wear and that's why they were manufactured and sold on our site to this day.. The other issue was to protect Alexander Sosiak, as he was very astute, intelligent and a well respected member of our Thunderbird community. In closing, I have sent an e-mail to the VTCI / directors thanking them for printing the retraction and admitting their editorial mistake in the Scoop. As a member of the VTCI I will continue to support them with my membership moving forward.
… a retraction
Published articles and automobiles are a lot alike. Cars consist of parts engineered for propulsion and safety, and they require fuel to operate; articles consist of words, linked to form coherent thoughts, and they in turn, are fueled by opinions. The complexity of both is best handled by a driver with sure hands, a keen feel for the media and a sense of direction – both of where you’ve been and where you’re going.
The Thunderbird Scoop is a combination of words and pictures, thoughts and ideas, opinions and debate – and will remain a forum for the discussion of all things Thunderbird. However, in a recent article copied from a third-party website, regarding the merits of using detents in 1958-60 T-Birds, I let my eyes wander off the road a bit. I allowed an impolite phrase – bozo – to be used in a derogatory manner; for this I apologize. As editor of the Thunderbird Scoop, I often place these types of articles for the benefit of members, without exercising editorial prerogative, as I value the opinions of all members, and rely on their own knowledge and experience to make informed choices about parts and service options. In this case, that respect allowed an unfortunate phrase to be published. In the future, I shall be more mindful of these instances and make the necessary editorial adjustments – without sacrificing or commenting on the author’s original intent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~
On a personal note, I want to say that we administrators talked about this subject considerably and with key VTCI personnel, who were appalled that such an error had been made in their publication. They have taken action to see that this retraction posted above will be in the November/December issue of the Scoop. Key Squarebirds administrators have been working to clear this up, behind the scenes, for many weeks. I want to thank Dan Leavens for taking the point in working to get this retraction made. As a member of VTCI, I will also continue to support the organization.
In the VTCI Scoop issue July / August there was an article starting on page 52 " Steering Column and Shift Linkage Tips". Here are some statements that were in that article.
"on a popular 58-60 thunderbird forums in the web that shift linkage play is caused by a defective and / or worn out detent plate. This is absolutely not the case."
"don't be fooled by bozos who are just trying to sell you something you don't need. Detent plates almost never go bad."
We the administrators / moderators took exception to not only the inaccurate statements of Alexander's detent plate but also the inappropriate use of the word " bozo" which was directed towards him. I was asked to contact the VTCI which I did, to let them know that we didn't take this lightly and wanted a retraction in an upcoming Scoop. The clear issue was that the detent plates do wear and that's why they were manufactured and sold on our site to this day.. The other issue was to protect Alexander Sosiak, as he was very astute, intelligent and a well respected member of our Thunderbird community. In closing, I have sent an e-mail to the VTCI / directors thanking them for printing the retraction and admitting their editorial mistake in the Scoop. As a member of the VTCI I will continue to support them with my membership moving forward.
… a retraction
Published articles and automobiles are a lot alike. Cars consist of parts engineered for propulsion and safety, and they require fuel to operate; articles consist of words, linked to form coherent thoughts, and they in turn, are fueled by opinions. The complexity of both is best handled by a driver with sure hands, a keen feel for the media and a sense of direction – both of where you’ve been and where you’re going.
The Thunderbird Scoop is a combination of words and pictures, thoughts and ideas, opinions and debate – and will remain a forum for the discussion of all things Thunderbird. However, in a recent article copied from a third-party website, regarding the merits of using detents in 1958-60 T-Birds, I let my eyes wander off the road a bit. I allowed an impolite phrase – bozo – to be used in a derogatory manner; for this I apologize. As editor of the Thunderbird Scoop, I often place these types of articles for the benefit of members, without exercising editorial prerogative, as I value the opinions of all members, and rely on their own knowledge and experience to make informed choices about parts and service options. In this case, that respect allowed an unfortunate phrase to be published. In the future, I shall be more mindful of these instances and make the necessary editorial adjustments – without sacrificing or commenting on the author’s original intent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~
On a personal note, I want to say that we administrators talked about this subject considerably and with key VTCI personnel, who were appalled that such an error had been made in their publication. They have taken action to see that this retraction posted above will be in the November/December issue of the Scoop. Key Squarebirds administrators have been working to clear this up, behind the scenes, for many weeks. I want to thank Dan Leavens for taking the point in working to get this retraction made. As a member of VTCI, I will also continue to support the organization.
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