An Open Letter to Jock Scot

**SlackerDrummer** · 2nd February 12, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by highland mafia

When it was first posted I only read the first post. And stopped after that. I feel now as then that the topic was attacking right from the start. Of course he got offended!

Then you entirely misunderstood the question. No offense was meant on my part and I don't believe any was taken on Jock's part. I asked a question because I was sincerely trying to understand a perspective Jock has repeatedly expressed and which seemed to be held by others, based on his survey results. How else can I understand it if I don't ask? The thread devolved into a conversation that had nothing to do with the original question and feelings were hurt on more than one side.

**auld argonian** · 2nd February 12, 12:43 PM

I've been doing more lurking than posting the past few weeks and Jock's absence has been notable. The fella has always been a sort of grounding influence and very much a reality check for some of us who get carried away with the whole thing. Before I do or say anything kilt or Scots related these days, I really do find myself thinking "What Would Jock Scot Do?".

Those couple of threads really did get a bit out of hand and I can't blame the guy for feeling like he was catching a lot of flak for the surveys that he did purely out of, I think, academic curiosity. This has been a graphic demonstration of the adage, "No good deed goes unpunished.". I know that I made a couple of comments that might have been a bit off sides but there certainly was no malice intended, just some Devil's Advocacy for the sake of spirited conversation.

I do hope that Jock posts again or that he is, at least, looking in from time to time. This must be what they mean by "a palpable absence".

Best

AA

**creagdhubh** · 2nd February 12, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by ThistleDown

Enough, Alan H and Highland Mafia. Enough! The OP did not have in mind you laying your personal issues, attitudes and interpretations to bare; that was done in the thread that caused this one to be started in the first place and a repetition will not be tolerated by members.

Hear, hear!

**Alan H** · 2nd February 12, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by ThistleDown

Enough, Alan H and Highland Mafia. Enough! The OP did not have in mind you laying your personal issues, attitudes and interpretations to bare; that was done in the thread that caused this one to be started in the first place and a repetition will not be tolerated by members.

AGREE'D! 'nuff of that foolishness.

**Woodsheal** · 2nd February 12, 01:25 PM

The point of this thread has now been repeatedly made (we all miss Jock!). Let's not AGAIN flog a dead horse and have things devolve into nonsense....

**creagdhubh** · 2nd February 12, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

The point of this thread has now been repeatedly made (we all miss Jock!). Let's not AGAIN flog a dead horse and have things devolve into nonsense....

Agreed!

**auld argonian** · 2nd February 12, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

The point of this thread has now been repeatedly made (we all miss Jock!). Let's not AGAIN flog a dead horse and have things devolve into nonsense....

Maybe it's just therapy for those of us who participated in those threads....sort of going through the five stages of grief....let us work it out.

Best

AA

**Ayrshire** · 2nd February 12, 02:35 PM

I, personally, have learned more than I can keep track of from Jock Scot. I have been lurking here for many years and have always taken keen interest in what he posts.

Jock makes constructive and informative posts that are clear and to the point. His opinions have always carried a great deal of weight for me. If not for Jock Scot, I would not have tried Talisker. Had I not tried Talisker, I would not have discovered I like peaty scotches. Every drink of Ardbeg, Talisker, Lagavulin, Laphroig, etc. etc. I have ever tried is because of that man. Can one person make a stronger impact on someone whom you do not even know? ;)

I truly hope he returns. I think, as is evidenced by this thread, that the lack of his presence is a loss for us all.

As Auld Argonian has put it, WWJSD? I think we need some t-shirts made with that on it.

**robthehiker** · 2nd February 12, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Bob C.

My wife has been grieving the cancellation of her favorite soap opera. I'm going to suggest that she start reading XMarks.

This.

**Steve Barclay** · 4th February 12, 07:41 PM

I think it would be a dreadful shame if Jock chooses not to return to this forum all because of a few clashing words- different strokes for different folks and all that, as I pointed out recently the cultural differences between the UK/Ireland and the "New World" go a long way in shaping peoples' different opinions, and I don't honestly think that the twain will ever completely meet, but I'd like to think that we can all work around our differences- after all, whatever is posted by an individual is nothing more than one person's opinion (those who claim to be speaking for more then one must insist that those other people join the group and make their own posts as far as I'm concerned, otherwise I won't recognise their opinions).