Tom's Cafe history / Split

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 10th October 05, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by Canuck

The time I noticed the split was after the Million skirted men march in New York. The press featured a gentleman in skirt and high heels as well as a gent in a female skaters outfit. The majority of the marchers were in kilts led by a fife and drum corp wearing Utility kilts.

You're right Robert. It's one thing to talk about the garments over the internet, and to "picture" what your online friends are like. THEN... you see them in person... in sequined gowns. YIKES!

I couldn't give a rat's **** about anyone's sexual orientation. I couldn't give even more about what anyone choses to wear. I DO give a hoot about associating the Celtic traditions and tartan heritage with an off-the-shoulder number and slingbacks!!! There IS a difference... and that just seemed to put it all into perspective. After that time, I think I went to Tom's cafe twice. Once to check on Tom's condition, and once to convey my condolences.

**Freedomlover** · 11th October 05, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by Iolaus

I'm going to be touching on the freestyler/braveheart split during my speech in class tuesday and I wanted to run this by the people who were there since I wasn't. Most of this history I've picked up along the way by listening to people who were part of the early days, but not from direct questions, so if I got things wrong let me know. Thanks.

You are quite right. I was one of the first 10 members. I have a photo mug that Tom had done with pictures of the originals. I stayed around until Tom's untimely death a couple years ago. It wasn't so bad that there was a difference of opinion. That makes life interesting. What was bad is that the so-called 'freestylers' began to control the dicsussion and quashed dissenting opinion. Within months of Tom's death the Cafe had degenerated to a shadow of it's former self, and was as militantly "XXXXX" (sorry, can't use descriptive adjectives here for fear of banning) as the UK site, or any of several others. That is really too bad since between 1996 and Tom's death there was tolerance of other ideas, but not militant insistance upon them. Nor was ridicule of one position by another put up with. However, after Tom passed it wasn't long until that way of thinking passed as well. I believe that I was the last original member to leave, and it was with sadness.