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Post by John Lennon on Feb 20, 2014 22:04:05 GMT
As seen on the official site today (link below) Oxford fans, the Yellow Army, have come up with some new initiatives. We are all a part of this, so if you would like to be involved, please get in touch. With the team in a good position, this is a great time for us to unite as fans, and really get behind the club. I remember the promotion in 96, and the one in 2010, and both were incredible. We could have that again, so as the Yellow Army, we can play our part. www.oufc.co.uk/news/article/00200214-yellow-army-1372115.aspx
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Post by yellowshert on Feb 20, 2014 23:06:24 GMT
Mr Lennon,
Would you mind answering a few questions regarding this development which sounds promising and I hope it is as successful as your determination deserves.
How will this affect the 12th man fund raising in the bar?
Has this development been discussed between the club, 12th man and the yellow army?
Can you clarify the links between Yellow army, 12th man, Oxvox and the club?
I like the vast majority appreciate your hard work but find it frustrating that the clubs professional commercial department seem so eager/willing to allow these activities to be run by someone other than themselves.
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Post by bicesteryellow on Feb 21, 2014 9:00:43 GMT
John Lennon, did you p*ss in the Yellow Voice's cornflakes?
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Post by mcf86 on Feb 21, 2014 10:47:01 GMT
The new bar name- Ewe's are us? Serving, only bitter?!!
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Post by stevegilbert on Feb 21, 2014 11:19:50 GMT
I think the bar should be named after a former player. I am going to suggest The Dave Langan Bar.
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Post by sihath on Feb 21, 2014 11:25:22 GMT
The Johnny Lager Bar?
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Post by langansshinpads on Feb 21, 2014 12:00:58 GMT
Bang on Steve! Naming the bar after a player that we all love is the way forward, I think.
I've heard a few ideas bandied around:
Langan's Moody's Beano's Brigg's Bar Ron's Bar
Must be more ideas we can throw in the mix before it goes to a vote.....
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Post by loveandpride on Feb 21, 2014 12:05:10 GMT
Atkinson's or Big Ron's Smith's (or Jimmy's) Aldo's Joey's Shotton's
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Post by SteMerritt on Feb 21, 2014 12:10:01 GMT
The Bobby Mac Bar.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2014 12:10:50 GMT
Moody's is my favourite. Has the added twist that it sums up our fan base in a joky sort of manner!
I don't think Langan's is possible due to a London bar with the same name.
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Post by essexyellows on Feb 21, 2014 12:17:33 GMT
Are the people running the YA elected & accountable as they are involved in raising £££`s & "speaking for the fans"?
Must have missed that ...if it happened.
If not why didn`t they just join Oxvox and do their work democratically & with accounts?
Maybe its just a career/CV builder? Who knows?
However if you put yourself in that sort of position those are the questions that will be asked.......
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Post by stevewilliams on Feb 21, 2014 12:28:52 GMT
Moody's bar would be about right for the mood most of us are in after a home game
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Post by Mark Sennett on Feb 21, 2014 14:23:04 GMT
Are the people running the YA elected & accountable as they are involved in raising £££`s & "speaking for the fans"? Must have missed that ...if it happened. If not why didn`t they just join Oxvox and do their work democratically & with accounts? Maybe its just a career/CV builder? Who knows? However if you put yourself in that sort of position those are the questions that will be asked....... Good points raised. Yellow Army is very different from OxVox as OxVox is an elected body in fact we are currently in the middle of an election so please don't forget to vote or come to our AGM to vote if you're a member! We have to be elected as we are accountable to our membership and are independent of the club. This point was proven when we were very vocal to the club about the Charlton ticket prices, we also said 12th man bar needed to be open to all fans not just season ticket holders, the right to bid and so on. The Yellow Army is effectively a fan-led group that focuses on improving the match day atmosphere and helping to united fans, players, directors and legends. It's not an elected body as its a group that is for everyone. Now with every group that needs to collect money pay suppliers etc there needs to be a small group of people who carry out those tasks. At present it's Joe, Charlie and myself but others are joining. We are in the process of opening a bank account and setting up a new website and a paypal account and a shop. But the group is not exclusive we've had a number of volunteers come forwards. The point of this group is to do the fun things like improve atmosphere or enable fans to meet or play against their heroes, drink with players and directors and we've already achieved that. The admin side of it is not exactly sexy work and doesn't have a long list of volunteers! But there are plenty of volunteers offering to do artwork, flag displays, sell items etc and that's what we need. This is effectively a renewed focus of the Yellow Army. I can tell you this if in time the Yellow Army continues to grow you won't see Charlie, myself or Joe complaining if someone else wants to book and pay caterers, order merchandise, man the door, bank cash, post items etc. We will quite happily go back to having a pint together and with other friends on a match day! Don't worry it would be in the 12th man bar and not the vice presidents area! We are of course keen to hear from anyone who wants to help so please drop us a line. It's great that 3 of the 12th man team have offered to help and 3-4 other people have also offered there help already but we want as many fans as possible to join in. So drop me a line if you can help.
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Post by essexyellows on Feb 21, 2014 14:36:05 GMT
Oxvox member since its inception thank you.
So its a voluntary pseudo-commercial operation based on your description. So why not stand under the umbrella of Oxvox (the supporters representative body)?
That way the accounts would be open & transparent and the YA seen as more democratic.
The way the group has almost become the representative voice of the fans doesn`t sit well with all and, worst of all, it becomes a classic "divide & conquer" scenario where you have multiple organisations claiming to represent the fans.
At best the bickering continues..... at worst the Club just ignore all and do what they feel is best.
One Club..... one organisation representing the fans..... democratic & accountable.
Love to help, have the skills but they are already fully booked helping with the running of 1 National group with circa 28,000+ members, 1 Countywide, circa 500 members, & 1 local group, circa 60 members........ all unrelated to footy, all run on a transparent & democratic mandate.
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Post by browny on Feb 21, 2014 20:39:57 GMT
As someone who has not been involved at all in the support groups (who do a magnificent job) I guess I am a bit confused as to why we need 3 different groups
Would one larger group pooling resources not be a more powerful unit.
Apologies if its been answered before but not sure I quite grasp why we have 3
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Post by mcf86 on Feb 22, 2014 11:28:46 GMT
As someone who has not been involved at all in the support groups (who do a magnificent job) I guess I am a bit confused as to why we need 3 different groups Would one larger group pooling resources not be a more powerful unit. Apologies if its been answered before but not sure I quite grasp why we have 3 Can-of-worms.
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Post by browny on Feb 22, 2014 11:31:23 GMT
As someone who has not been involved at all in the support groups (who do a magnificent job) I guess I am a bit confused as to why we need 3 different groups Would one larger group pooling resources not be a more powerful unit. Apologies if its been answered before but not sure I quite grasp why we have 3 Can-of-worms. Fair enough, let's leave it at that then There is enough argument on here from people supposedly fighting for the same cause without me encouraging more Cheers
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Post by bazzer9461 on Feb 22, 2014 23:35:57 GMT
We do need to draw these 3 groups in together argue the toss over who is what and what is being done. Then after all that, Set up a new committee a chairperson, treasurer and a small committee to have a reasonable debate and then sensible vote on matters.
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Post by sarge on Feb 24, 2014 14:24:34 GMT
Accountability! Yellow Army 'officials should be elected by supporters, NOT appointed by OUFC club adminstration IMO
that apart keep up the (thus far) good work
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Post by bazzer9461 on Feb 24, 2014 20:19:41 GMT
Accountability! Yellow Army 'officials should be elected by supporters, NOT appointed by OUFC club adminstration IMO that apart keep up the (thus far) good work If the Yellow Army officials as you say sarge should be voted by the supporters, As we need a voice not a yes group, We need sensible debates amongst this group We should have a meeting. A fair argument, Thrash out the issues have a majority vote for the issues they want to discuss, sort out a board to run the Yellow Army, A spokesman to speak to the club and possibly the media and also to keep the fans informed of what is happening. I do think its the fans that only know about issues via this site, So we need this sorted out sooner rather than later.
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Post by yellowoptimist on Feb 24, 2014 22:04:38 GMT
The faces of Yellow Army need to resolve this for sure. The United we Stand motto from the club looks a bit sick when we haven't even got unity amongst fans groups. Why? Who knows? What is apparent is that nobody within the club administration or yellow army is currently coming out of this well. Is it deserved and personal interests exceeding all other motives who knows? I am sure that ultimately all fans want the club to be successful
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Post by bazzer9461 on Feb 24, 2014 22:12:01 GMT
The faces of Yellow Army need to resolve this for sure. The United we Stand motto from the club looks a bit sick when we haven't even got unity amongst fans groups. Why? Who knows? What is apparent is that nobody within the club administration or yellow army is currently coming out of this well. Is it deserved and personal interests exceeding all other motives who knows? I am sure that ultimately all fans want the club to be successful Good post
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Post by yellowshert on Feb 24, 2014 23:24:21 GMT
It's simple.
Oxvox should represent the concerns of the fans to the club. The issues regarding yellow player are a good example of how they can represent the concerns of a body of fans. It should be independent of the club and the clubs management. I think working with the OCC on the RTB is exactly the kind of thing they should be doing because the stadium whether we love it or not is an integral part of the club.
Yellow Army should work with the club but still be independent to raise funds for the youth, improve the appearance and atmosphere at the stadium and charity work to demonstrate a commitment to the community. This should not be an excuse though for the club's commercial department to neglect the match day experience which I feel is the case at the moment.
If people want to work for both that's fine but it is essential that there is a clear dividing line between the two.
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Post by Mark Sennett on Feb 25, 2014 10:52:31 GMT
Some interesting points raised especially by Sarge. Sport haven't replied sooner I'm on holiday this week looking after the kids.
OxVox and yellow army are very separate OxVox represents members views on all club related issues and YA is effectively a fundraising group and an initiative to improve atmosphere.
OxVox is democratically elected and is actually in the middle of an election. We certainly are independent as for example we were very active just recently raising concerns over Charlton ticket prices. Sarge also knows we are trying to raise concerns he's asked us to raise and we also expressed disappointment the club wasn't supporting the homophobia element of the kick it out campaign, which they are in the process of signing up to.
YA is a bit different in the sense that it doesn't have a formal structure in terms of position much like the 12th man didn't. It does have a working group that people are welcome to join much like 12th man. We are in the process of opening a bank account and I can't see a reason why if in future enough volunteers wanted to bank cash or pay suppliers why we couldn't have an election for that. But it's not something the 12th man ever did. I am the only member of the OxVox committee who is involved in admin side of yellow Army (apart from joe who is coopted on OxVox committee) although I'm sure others will help out where they can at events etc.
Yellow army works closely with the club only on the areas such as fundraising and matchday atmosphere so in that sense It's important there's close dialogue. OxVox on the other hand will happily raise issues with the club that fans would like to see changed and I've listed some recent examples. OxVox's independence is best shown through the right to bid.
A lot has been sad on other forums about the changes and I've said my part. This was a club decision to say 12th man couldn't sell items in the bar as the bar was always an area for yellow army, which 12th man kindly manned the door as part of that group. When 12th man said it was leaving the yellow army the club accepted that decision and came back saying that it was happy for the 12th man to carry on its activities just not in and around the bar as yellow army already had plans to try and generate cash for YTS and they didn't want to confuse fans about where money was going. There really isn't a big scandal here 12th man asked to leave the group that deals with the bar and club was fine with this. Ultimately the fact is 12th man asked to leave the yellow army so what was the club meant to do? It never asked or wanted the 12th man to fold.
It was a surprise to me that the12th man shut and that's a real shame as it was an initiative that OxVox started so is close to our hearts and many of us have been heavily involved in it in the past. There was plenty of good things 12th man could have kept doing such as programme stall, online sales, sales at away games, events like 6 a side. All things that were done in year 1 when 12th man raised over £30k and wasn't selling items in 12th man bar.
It's also great the 3 of 12th man had already offered to help Yellow Army. I'm not quite sure why there has been quite a lot of abuse thrown in the direction of yellow army volunteers in recent months as we are all volunteers and all love OUFC. I've certainly not posted anything publicly negative about the good people involved in 12th man or the group itself for that very reason. Ultimately we now have to move on and hopefully even more people who have been involved in 12th man will offer help in future we've certainly had some great offers of help in last few days from ultras, current and past 12th man people, and fresh faces.
Hopefully the unfounded and unnecessary mudslinging will now stop and we can refocus on raising funds and improving the match day experience as nothing to the contrary is going to have a positive impact.
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Post by Gary Baldi on Feb 25, 2014 13:28:12 GMT
Hopefully the unfounded and unnecessary mudslinging will now stop and we can refocus on raising funds and improving the match day experience as nothing to the contrary is going to have a positive impact. We have a better chance of getting relegated this year than the unnecessary mudslinging stopping. Heaven forbid those that mudsling actually get off of their collective backsides and actually get involved. If they don't like it, join and change it. But it seems they prefer to inflate their egos and complain. It's a shame when so many volunteers are giving their personal time up to help OUFC and by consequence the fans to try and improve things.
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Post by Kerry Yellow on Feb 25, 2014 13:56:52 GMT
There are so many posters on that other "forum" who appear to have an anti oxvox agenda (especially against Sennett) that they are losing sight of what we fans are all about - OUFC.
Will they stand against any of the people that are standing for office on OxVox - no, they would rather aim petty shots at OxvOx and sling mud instead.
Will any of the posters on that other "forum" stand for office - No, I don't think that they will, they are all mouth and trousers.
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Post by sarge on Feb 25, 2014 14:03:47 GMT
Some interesting points raised especially by Sarge. Sport haven't replied sooner I'm on holiday this week looking after the kids. OxVox and yellow army are very separate OxVox represents members views on all club related issues and YA is effectively a fundraising group and an initiative to improve atmosphere. OxVox is democratically elected and is actually in the middle of an election. We certainly are independent as for example we were very active just recently raising concerns over Charlton ticket prices. Sarge also knows we are trying to raise concerns he's asked us to raise and we also expressed disappointment the club wasn't supporting the homophobia element of the kick it out campaign, which they are in the process of signing up to. YA is a bit different in the sense that it doesn't have a formal structure in terms of position much like the 12th man didn't. It does have a working group that people are welcome to join much like 12th man. We are in the process of opening a bank account and I can't see a reason why if in future enough volunteers wanted to bank cash or pay suppliers why we couldn't have an election for that. But it's not something the 12th man ever did. I am the only member of the OxVox committee who is involved in admin side of yellow Army (apart from joe who is coopted on OxVox committee) although I'm sure others will help out where they can at events etc. Yellow army works closely with the club only on the areas such as fundraising and matchday atmosphere so in that sense It's important there's close dialogue. OxVox on the other hand will happily raise issues with the club that fans would like to see changed and I've listed some recent examples. OxVox's independence is best shown through the right to bid. A lot has been sad on other forums about the changes and I've said my part. This was a club decision to say 12th man couldn't sell items in the bar as the bar was always an area for yellow army, which 12th man kindly manned the door as part of that group. When 12th man said it was leaving the yellow army the club accepted that decision and came back saying that it was happy for the 12th man to carry on its activities just not in and around the bar as yellow army already had plans to try and generate cash for YTS and they didn't want to confuse fans about where money was going. There really isn't a big scandal here 12th man asked to leave the group that deals with the bar and club was fine with this. Ultimately the fact is 12th man asked to leave the yellow army so what was the club meant to do? It never asked or wanted the 12th man to fold. It was a surprise to me that the12th man shut and that's a real shame as it was an initiative that OxVox started so is close to our hearts and many of us have been heavily involved in it in the past. There was plenty of good things 12th man could have kept doing such as programme stall, online sales, sales at away games, events like 6 a side. All things that were done in year 1 when 12th man raised over £30k and wasn't selling items in 12th man bar. It's also great the 3 of 12th man had already offered to help Yellow Army. I'm not quite sure why there has been quite a lot of abuse thrown in the direction of yellow army volunteers in recent months as we are all volunteers and all love OUFC. I've certainly not posted anything publicly negative about the good people involved in 12th man or the group itself for that very reason. Ultimately we now have to move on and hopefully even more people who have been involved in 12th man will offer help in future we've certainly had some great offers of help in last few days from ultras, current and past 12th man people, and fresh faces. Hopefully the unfounded and unnecessary mudslinging will now stop and we can refocus on raising funds and improving the match day experience as nothing to the contrary is going to have a positive impact. Some interesting points there... However what about democratic elections, as opposed to hand picked appointments, for those who are at the top in the Yellow Army set up?......what is there to be worried about if its all 'above board' between the Yellow Army officials and club administrators? ....... its admirable that people who have the time and inclination to 'help out' with various Yellow Army activities have expressed an interest, albeit a seperate issue The way I see it, the top tier, those who steer the Yellow Army forward,puportedly on behalf of all supporters of Oxford United, really should be accountable, by being elected by the people they are supposed to be representing. with accountability via elections instead of appointments Yellow Army..... who came about, the way Im led to believe, by being hand picked by 'someone' on the OUFC club administration.... I for one, and Im sure at least some fellow OUFC SUPPORTERS, would feel a lot more reassured about the real motives behind Yellow Army, if those at the top were elected! Heres something Id like to know from the Yellow Army 'officials' .... and its an golden chance to show who's interests Yellow Army are actually looking after....re the % split that goes to the club from sales in the 'Yellow Army' bar? ....is it a straight percentage of ALL bar sales, or is it a percentage of the profits......or does a certain figure in bar sales have to be reached before any percentage split is 'shared'? ( eg- OUFC receive the agreed , mystery figure , of percentage split of profits, AFTER the bar take reaches £4K on matchdays perhaps?) Ive carefully avoided asking the actual figure of what the actual percentage split is...as we have been told that is subject to absolute secrecy, &/or bound by public school style charterhouse rule clauses. So, c'mon Yellow Army 'top guns' how about a straight answer to the question on how OUFC benifits from a percentage of bar sale profits, is it on ALL bar sales on matchdays , or does a figure in bar sales have to be reached before any percentage split applies? On the 12th Man situation.... If 12th Man, (if they, 12th Man, continue to exist- do they/dont they? its still a grey area to me), are no longer permitted to sell merchandise etc ON club premises on matchdays,(as reported in Oxford Mail) how can the 12th man programme stall (mentioned above) carry on selling said programes, unless someone from 12th man happens to own a hover board & the programmes could then be sold from there as it wouldnt be breaching the NOT SELLING ON CLUB PREMISES ......or maybe Im being dense here?
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Post by sarge on Feb 25, 2014 14:21:46 GMT
There are so many posters on that other "forum" who appear to have an anti oxvox agenda (especially against Sennett) that they are losing sight of what we fans are all about - OUFC. Will they stand against any of the people that are standing for office on OxVox - no, they would rather aim petty shots at OxvOx and sling mud instead. Will any of the posters on that other "forum" stand for office - No, I don't think that they will, they are all mouth and trousers. Or perhaps....as OxVox officials are elected, posters on this or 'that' forum, (who are members of Oxvox) chose to have their 'say' at the ballot box? Just because I have one common link , OUFC, with posters on both this and 'THAT' forum, it doesnt mean I agree with everything any fellow OUFC supporter has as their opinion...however, a forum is all about differing opinions, and an individual has the absolute right to express their views irrespective of weather I agree, disagree of am indifferent about their views. And perhaps people who give their opinion on this or 'that' forum ,.... (which IS what forums are for isnt it, voicing your opinion, and maybe even debating your views ).... have work and family commitments that prohibit them standing for office within OxVox due to there only being 24 hours in each day? Being an elected official of Oxvox, or any organisation, is often a thankless task, respect to anyone who has the time & ambition to stand for election, however the ols adage, you cant please all the people all the time applies....and in a democracy, remember (unlike Yellow Army at present) Oxvox IS a democratic organisation, thus anyone is entitled to voice their opinion,...weather they are or chose not to be, paid up members of Oxvox... irrespective if its via their mouth....or via the 'seat' of their trousers!
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Post by sarge on Feb 25, 2014 14:30:03 GMT
Hopefully the unfounded and unnecessary mudslinging will now stop and we can refocus on raising funds and improving the match day experience as nothing to the contrary is going to have a positive impact. We have a better chance of getting relegated this year than the unnecessary mudslinging stopping. Heaven forbid those that mudsling actually get off of their collective backsides and actually get involved. If they don't like it, join and change it. But it seems they prefer to inflate their egos and complain. It's a shame when so many volunteers are giving their personal time up to help OUFC and by consequence the fans to try and improve things. If those holding 'official' positions are ELECTED to represent MY interests thats one thing....if they are not accountable,as in APPOINTED, that means Ive had no choice in having a say who is representing ME..... so, cynic that I am, maybe said appointed 'officials' ( not those who volunteer to help with activities BTW)will have more of a loyalty to the interests of person(s)/ organisation who appointed them to 'power' over actually looking out for the genuine interests of Oxford United supporters ? ACCOUNTABILITY is important IMO
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Post by Gary Baldi on Feb 25, 2014 14:49:53 GMT
We have a better chance of getting relegated this year than the unnecessary mudslinging stopping. Heaven forbid those that mudsling actually get off of their collective backsides and actually get involved. If they don't like it, join and change it. But it seems they prefer to inflate their egos and complain. It's a shame when so many volunteers are giving their personal time up to help OUFC and by consequence the fans to try and improve things. If those holding 'official' positions are ELECTED to represent MY interests thats one thing....if they are not accountable,as in APPOINTED, that means Ive had no choice in having a say who is representing ME..... so, cynic that I am, maybe said appointed 'officials' ( not those who volunteer to help with activities BTW)will have more of a loyalty to the interests of person(s)/ organisation who appointed them to 'power' over actually looking out for the genuine interests of Oxford United supporters ? ACCOUNTABILITY is important IMO So who is accountable for elections? Does the YA need elections? Does this mean a more formal structure is needed? Why aren't the clubs best intentions at heart? One could argue the 12th man didn't have the clubs best intentions at heart, but that I think is unfair. I believe you can accountable and unelected, but it requires people to ask open, honest and non-prejudicial questions. With the high profile of the YA, they can't afford to be doing anything that is dodgy. I doubt that is people's intentions, and the club wouldn't want to associate with that. The issue is some people are biased from the get go and won't like the answers given because they want to believe certain things.
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