Re: A MooTH! A THing!

On May 8, 2012, at 4:45 PM, Matt Bear-Fowler wrote:


> Here's the thing, though. Some of us, including me, never really committed 100% to going.

I neither monitored the attendee list at facebook nor shared in Deb's communications to know who, specifically, committed to this.

I even remember your using phrases like "try my best" and "no guarantees" fairly frequently before the rooms were booked. That language would suggest that you were, at best, a "maybe." I assume that you listed yourself as "maybe" when asked to respond. I should hope it was clear that I wasn't addressing anyone who hadn't committed or RSVP'ed in the affirmative.

If you didn't say that you were going, I have absolutely no problem with you in this matter.


> I had no idea that Deb would owe the hotel money if things didn't work out.

Let me be clear: If you didn't know that, you are at fault for your ignorance. You were apparently a maybe, so that's forgivable. BUT...

Deb has been posting about that particular snag in the deal since January. She posted about it before she signed the contract. It's been a part of most of her entries on the facebook event page she set up to get an accurate headcount for this. It's been hard to miss. I have no real interest in attending, and I was aware of it. I don't see how anyone with a practical interest in the gathering could have failed to notice it.

I think that someone who had committed to this in February and tried to claim ignorance now could only be a liar or a putz.


> I feel terrible about it but I'm not sure what I can do to help rectify the situation right now. That's not from a lack of caring. It's due to a lack of resources.


Allow me to reiterate my point: Anyone who had stated their definite intention of going at the time Deb signed this contract has a duty to pay their share even if they can't make it to the event. Whether or not they have to live on moldy bread crusts and sewer water in order to pay their share, decency and shame should compel them to do the right thing.