[bglover]

Thank you all so much for your kind words.

Honestly, the hardest part for Ece and myself was leaving all our wonderful friends. I guess we had a lot more than even we realized. The sentiments you have all expressed has touched our hearts deeply.

We leave BBO but that does not mean we will forget you all. Nothing in the world could ever make me forget all the nice things you all have said here and I have often been in tears. They were good tears I promise.

Please remember, bridge is a game of people. It's not software. It's not clubs. It's what you make of it for yourself as a person and as a friend to others. I know I tried very hard to be a good friend to many here. I answered many questions from complete strangers who people sent my way. I helped direct. I worked with many students (my true passion in bridge). I worked hard to make BBO a better place.

I don't know. I tried to just do "good" here. I think many people recognized it because they supported TopFlight so well and so many of you joined us to watch or play; it was truly heartwarming. We grew from struggling to have team matches to having 9 table events while keeping our standards the absolute highest we could. High quality was our only goal.

I am very happy to share with you all that, despite Ece's and mine leaving, TopFlight will continue under the stewardship of my great friend Famus. Please continue to support our dream. You were all a big part of it. If you care to continue to show your support to Ece and me, the very best way is to keep our shared dream alive.

I will miss so many of you. I spent so many hours saying goodbyes and splashed so many tears. But, please believe me, this was the right thing for us to do. We wish things had worked out better but ultimately it came down to principles. Principles is what made TopFlight succeed and, sadly, what made us leave.

I stated once in a different thread, principles are a hard thing to live with, but I am glad I have mine. I still feel that way. So, understand this decision was fully considered and not made in haste. It was the right one for us.

We wish our many friends good luck. Maybe we will meet again soon. If not on BBO, somewhere else. Because bridge isn't about software. It's about your friends. It's about people. And there are lots of good people here and we thank you all.

Steve

[badderzboy]

I hope that Ece & Steve do not leave not for poliitcal reasons / for a clash of personalities or even for a matter of honour. I don't know the reasons or issues but
as we have a common love/addiction for this great game so please accept we won't all get on.

The passions around this topic show how much everyone cares about all the players in BBO and how hurt we are two 'senior' players are leaving.

The only "winners" are whomever caused the uproar and the losers are those of us not involved both for the clear help ECE & Steve have given others but also for the potential loss of other senior players who may feel that they would leave or play elsewhere as well.

This would be tragic as BBO is the best place to play this challenging game online by a country mile and also a great place to learn to play by both watching the masters at work or by being taught and mentored here.

BBO has grown by leaps and bounds and deserves to continue to do so and is a credit to Fred, Uday et al.

I hope ECE & Steve reconsider even if they change their names and use an alias! so at least friends and colleagues can continue to help the rest of us.

Steve

[EricN]

Just back home from travelling, and having been told of Ece's and Steve's decision to leave BBO, I stumbled upon this forum.
Of course, this was the logical thread to start with.

Without claiming any knowledge of the circumstances and the background - I take it I'll find all that later on, in previous threads - I think some facts are obvious.
It may be true that no one is expendable, but for lots of BBO members - and possibly, for BBO management as well - both Ece and Steve must come pretty close. When people like these decide to leave it's time to have a very good look at what made them take this decision, if only to prevent this happening again with other BBO 'heavies'

I'd gladly add my support to a 'Make Ece And Steve Stay' campaign, but I'm afraid it won't do much good.
No doubt their decision to leave was not taken on the spur of the moment, and it will take a real change in circumstances to make them change their minds. If I can be of any help in accomplishing that, just let me know.

Regards,
EricN

[luke warm]

luke warm, on Apr 1 2004, 02:00 PM, said:

(Large section DELETED BY INQUIRY)

anyway, i consider steve and ece to be friends (SNIP), and i add my voice to those who have urged them to stay with bbo... continue what you started

(Inquiry again: Jimmy stepped over the line, which is why I stepped in, and if post like this continues, I will be forced to step in and close and delete this thread.. You want to join in and ask Steve and Ece to come back fine, please do, but incrimindations, and discussing the "why" and trying to assess blame or anything close to that WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. And I can say this despite I can assure everyone involved no one can be more upset that Steve and Ece are gone than me. .

if you say so, ben... but i know without a doubt that i did not offer incriminations or discuss why... i *especially* take issue with any hint that i assessed blame... first of all, i have absolutely no idea *who* to blame, and secondly it isn't in my nature to blame anyone (in public) anyway

the only thing i can see that even comes close to me stepping "over the line" was naming those who i consider to be friends, and i purposely added steve's and ece's name

i don't want anyone thinking that my post assigned blame, incriminated anyone, or discussed the reasons for this fight... all of those things go against my nature... i do not hurt anyone's feelings if i can possibly help it

[inquiry]

[quote name='luke warm' date='Apr 1 2004, 08:27 PM'] [quote name='luke warm' date='Apr 1 2004, 02:00 PM']if you say so, ben... but i know without a doubt that i did not offer incriminations or discuss why... i *especially* take issue with any hint that i assessed blame... first of all, i have absolutely no idea *who* to blame, and secondly it isn't in my nature to blame anyone (in public) anyway

the only thing i can see that even comes close to me stepping "over the line" was naming those who i consider to be friends, and i purposely added steve's and ece's name

i don't want anyone thinking that my post assigned blame, incriminated anyone, or discussed the reasons for this fight... all of those things go against my nature... i do not hurt anyone's feelings if i can possibly help it [/quote]
Hi,

No you didn't insult anyone, you didn't humilate anyone, but you made the "sin" of mentioning all the parties involved. I can't allow even that information here.

Ben

[remin]

I usually don't participate in any forums. However, I feel compelled this time to add my voice. I am a strong believer that one should follow its own principles, despite if others think its the wrong thing to do.

That being said;

Is it possible that Steve and Ece (both of them addmiting they have left BBO of their own accord) are right in their principles and everybody else is wrong?

Apparently their decision to leave is irrevocable, which I find hard to accept.

In my opinion nothing is irrevocable, expect death and taxes, and I strongly urge both of them to reconsider.

I am sure both had their reasons to make such drastic decision. But whatever those reasons were, there are umteen reasons to reconsider.

Remi

[pclayton]

I'll add my 2 cents.

I've known Steve on here since BBO had LESS than 10 tables. We have been good friends and together have been through career changes, health changes and life changes over the past 3 or 4 years.

Steve has a heart of gold and will be missed. You always knew were you stood with him, and I always believed that he had the best interests of the site at heart. I have been on the front lines of his struggle and I am very bitter over the causes of his departure. It simply isn't right. Ben would snip it anyway, but most of those who read this know the reasons why he left, so I won't get into it. I'm just so angry!

I hope Steve comes back, even if its under a new alias to reestablish a new identity; although I'd recognize his style in a nano-second.

Phil Clayton

Pclayton

[HedyG]

hi all.
i am not a forum writer,but feel the need to publically express my anger and disappointment at BBO letting people like Ece and Steve leave.
if you let the best you have go what are you left with?

Ece dear and Steve,please reconsider! your friends miss you and BBO is definitely not the same without you.

so many love and appreciate you here and what you have done!

[pclayton]

ECE:

I was never angry at you or Steve. I'm angry at the reasons why you are leaving, which are caused by other individuals.

Phil

[dogsbreath]

Hi,
Steve,Ece .. I been away most of last 2 weeks so have no knowledge of issues involved. But it will be a loss to BBO community .. please reconsider
Regards, Dog

[Rhutobello]

I will give my 2 cent worth too.

I always think it is sad that someone will leave a "community" because they are in confict with other members.

In my opinion in dooing so, you let your "enemy" win.

What do you gain? You don't have to "see" your "enemy" other than that, not much.

(but what if they also move to another site and meet you there...then..run..a...)

What do you loose?
Well from this thread i think several 100's friends.
One of the best(THE BEST) bridgesite in the world.
Your "babies" Top flight.
and so on...

In another thread i say that "pride" is one of mankinds worst abillitys.
When I see what you both loose, and what you might gain over your enemy, i will say it is true.

So my last word will be:
Be proud but don't let your pride destroy you!

Have a nice day all!
Edvin

[farfie]

hello dear friends Steve and Ece
young Arthurking want i write here for him:
he says he loves you 2 even if you dont speak french and he hopes you will come back soon for bbo is not the same without you.I hope i have found all he wanted to say to you and i join him to say: pleaaaaaaaaase come back we miss you
Farfie for Arthurking

[inquiry]

I am closing down this Thread and locking it. No more replies here will be accepted.

To Ron, Klaus and all the other people worried about censorship, is this the last final straw? Did I finally go over the edge?

Well, ...........no...

I close it because it is no longer needed. Steve and Ece have returned to the BBO, so there is no longer a need for a thread asking them not leave... or to come back. They are home. Welcome back.

Ben

[slothy]

Dont think you locked it properly Ben hee hee

Which technically means that i can write what i want as it is a locked thread... but i will not abuse this slight administrational faux pas by our Eminent Moderator (peace be upon him)


PS I bet 3,000,000 Euros Marc and Claus respond to this post.... my telepathy is sooooooooo strong on this Sunday morning....

[spwdo]

i agree with alex on this one:)

[csdenmark]

Please be nice to our recovering Ben.

[spwdo]

slothy, on Apr 4 2004, 08:59 PM, said:

PS I bet 3,000,000 Euros Marc and Claus respond to this post....

EDITED


but good one again alex:)