Must we present evidence to verify our nominations for the '03 awards? To be honest, I really can't
be arsed to dig through all of Timmy's ramblings to 'prove' my assertion that he really is the ONLY
contender for the rec.running 'Pompous Fool' of the year. So here is my unsubstantiated nomination.
Last year Timmy had some staunch competition in the scary shape of Mike Tennent. This year our very
own train controller and iron penguin has drifted into something of a posting coma from which he may
never awake. Timmy, OTOH, despite a sig. that at one time read '...it's only Usenet...' defied
belief with a series of mind boggling posts demonstrating his belief that he is a Usenet god and
all-round running wunderkind.
I think it's safe to say that no-one does stuffed pomposity quite like the Brits, and in Timmy we
have a prime example of the breed. Well educated, solvent, happily married and productive, Timmy has
absolutely no excuse for his regrettable persona. Yet time and time again he demonstrates a contempt
for his readership, a willingness to spread smarm thicker than the marmalade on his breakfast toast,
and an unfortunate tendency to consort with the lower echelons of rec.running when it suits his
purposes. He lacks personal morals, yet is confident he has both feet firmly planted on the moral
high ground; he lacks style, yet he derides those who he assumes wear clothes of a different cut; he
condemns the opinionated, yet he is not above placing his rapier squarely between the ribs of an
unsuspecting poster.
And yet....Timmy can be such a nice chap. He's self-depreciating, genuinely helpful, and has had
considerable success with his running in '02. So why do I feel you must vote for him? Simply
because I believe that he can be saved. Maybe the accolade 'Pompous Fool' will cause Timmy to
rethink his approach on rec.running, to actually match words with deeds, and to appreciate that
hypocrisy is 'a bad thing'. I hope so, because Timmy deserves a second chance. Let's award Timmy
the title *with love* in the hope that this fallen angel can once more take his place amongst the
good and great of Usenet.
Roger.