Dr. Don Bell Resigns WABDL Position

I hate this crap, this should have never seen the light of day, its between these two men, and should have stayed there. Has powerlifting watch become powerlifting gossip dot com?

Gus is my friend and he has done nothing but kind things for me and the lifters I coach. Ya, he has a rough edge sometimes, but who doesn't? Coming out and bad mouthing Gus is unprofessional, and lacks class.

Jon, it would be nice to see Powerlifting Watch stay above this crap, and not become a gossip site.

George Phipps
Reno, Nv

I have been to several meeet in Aberdeen. They have been "sub-standard" (floor unstable multiple years, bench unstable, etc.) After several years of not improving (as promised), our team stopped going.

Yes, Donnie has been supportive at all the meets and it is very appreciated by all.

Gus is a rough guy. Everyone knows that. He is under a lot of pressure, but he runs a great organization and respects the lifters. Other organzations don't have the quality of meets WABDL does.

The economy has been tough on everyone.

This is no place to air your laundry or bash people. Shame on you.

I agree with George: PowerliftingWatch.com is no place for an announcement that amounts to nothing more than sour grapes and gossip. If Don Bell has a problem with Gus, he should take it up with Gus himself, not air his grievances publicly. PowerliftingWatch would do better to treat the news of this story--that a chair has resigned--and leave it at that. PowerliftingWatch should not become a vector for personal animosities and disagreements.

I wish Dr. Bell good luck in his future endeavors, particularly in his weightlifting. He will be competing internationally this fall, I believe (and in Australia, no less, if I'm correct). Best of luck and enjoy the meet!

Dr. John Hudson
WABDL Texas State Co-Chairman
WABDL National Collegiate Chairman
www.hudsonpowerteam.org

I like Don Bell and I like Gus Rethwisch. That being said, these two guys have had minor issues with each other for years. They're both used to being the chief in a work situation and that usually doesn't work out long term.

My company sponsored Dr. Bell's last promotion and it was a fun, local level competition. Don also put on a BBQ afterwards, footing the bill for about 60 people! He's a business owner with two successful shops (gym and chiropractor) so he's not running meets with the goal of making any net profit. I just think that he really likes powerlifting and Olympic lifting. I know that Gus loves powerlifting and strongman but promoting is also Gus's full time job so that has to influence his behavior to a large degree.

But, since Dr. Bell made this annoucement on a different public forum (granted an unpopular and rarely read one) he made his statement "public" and news sites report on the verified gossip in the world. If Powerlifting Watch didn't reprint any drama or controversial news topics, most people would greatly reduce the amount of time they spent reading this site's content. Just look at how many more remarks get posted up on topics that have the possibility for disagreement or debate.

Stay Strong,
Sean
HardcorePowerlifting.com

I know what Dr. Bell is talking about. I ran afoul of Gus - and I'm glad I saw the light before I devoted any more time and energy to working his meets or lined his pockets any further.

The fact is, if nobody speaks up, or posts the information Dr. Bell has on line for others to see, you only get Gus's side of things and you get just the PR side, not the reality of it. That goes for other feds too.

The for profit feds though are run for and by the person who is making the money and all the decisions, whether they be good for the sport or not. I think Dr. Bell did rightly by posting his side of things, and that lifters deserve a balanced perspective, not a Polyanna view that all is wonderful that some feds want you to think without perspective or criticism.

Thankfully there are places to lift and run meets than with someone you don't want to in USA - other countries have fewer options. It's the one thing about many feds you can be happy about...

I got an entry form from Gus for his worlds, and there's a rant on the entry form about how if you don't stay in the hotel he's selected, you cost him money and how he makes 90% from his worlds money. So if Dr. Bell could only send 2 kids to his meet, that's where Gus makes his dime personally for the year apparently.

Anybody with a worlds entry form could read the rant themselves, by the way. And anybody who has done a meet with Gus knows what we're talking about.

Good luck in future, Dr. Bell, and I hope you and the kids you serve do well in our sport and in life.

Proudly sponsored by Titan Support Systems Inc.

I spent several years in WABDL before concentrating my efforts toward full meets. All I can say is Gus was always great to me and several others I know and lifted with. I'm a school teacher and funds get tight sometimes. Gus has covered my room in Reno for worlds for the week twice for very little in return. Once I only brought some warmup weights to New Orleans for a meet and he covered me for that meet and for room and entry at Reno. The other time I only had to work weighins for day one and he covered me for the meet. I could never ask anyone to treat me better than Gus did.

Gus' hotel Rant is only to let you know the in's and out's of the cost situation for the venue..it is aimed at 'sympathetic to the cause' WABDL lifters--it shows only, that the more room nites he gets for the hotel...the less the venue costs..and that can go into WABDL coffers to fund the next year..It's all true..Gus lives frugally so he can keep WABDL the great org. that it is..I'm coming to Reno in the worst health of my life...my once and possible 600 bench is now completely out of the question..I could save $1600.00 by NOT attending (why attend to show poorly?) but I am committed to WABDL and Gus...and want to help out with my hotel nites and entry fees+ buying from sponsor/vendors...Gus has always been fair to me--and Don has always been a great guy to be around..the odd thing about this whole ridicularian 'on line fight' is...Don and Gus will be pals again in 2 or 3 months and this will be all for nuttin'

and BTW read Elma's comment at Go Heavy if you want another good view of this situation.

Sean,

You have some very good points. And I would be more inclined to agree with you if more folks who post on forums like this were as reasonable, articulate, and as thoughtful in expressing themselves as you are. Of course you know how much online, so-called "debate" goes: much of it consists of ranting, claims devoid of factual evidence, and ad hominem attacks. This isn't debate. You've been the target of such so-called "debate" too many times, and I must say you do a commendable job of keeping your responses well-reasoned and thoughtful. You don't stoop to the level of your critics.

I think what George and I are saying is that we would hope that PowerliftingWatch could give us the news in the powerlifting world--along with the legitimate debate--while leaving the "drama" for other forums.

Yours in strength . . .

Dr. John Hudson
WABDL Texas State Co-Chairman
WABDL National Collegiate Chairman
www.hudsonpowerteam.org

The WABDL and the SLP crack me up, those are two federations that seem to be expressly for people who don't like to squat (SLP does put on full meets, but good luck finding one in Powerlifting USA, for every full meet the SLP hosts there's 50 more that are push/pull). The lengths people will go to avoid squatting!

This is an interesting development that is competely non-news. Most people with any length of association with WABDL have known about Dr. Bell's and Gus' "friendship" and its public explosions. Heck they had a public 10 min. dueling microphone battle in Reno in '04...

That being said Gus' is abrasive and thankless to some of those that support him the most. I personally have been caught in that crossfire. Some have posted about how he has comped their rooms at big meets, well the opposite has happened to me. At one World championship I was asked to judge for a single day, and was then (without asking me) scheduled to judge for 3 additional days (days during which my training partners were lifting). I was never comped for room nights even though me judgeing also cost those with me 4 more days of hotel costs because we had traveled there together...

There is alot more to the story about how Gus R abuses those who support him, and yet he still does more for our sport than pretty much any other single individual.

Sometimes the evil we know is better than the evil we don't know.

Thanks John ! Hopefully we'll see ya in Dallas next April when The Ronnie Coleman Classic rolls around again. Texas is a great state for our sport and I'm glad that I get to visit it at least once a year.

Response on the GoHeavy forum by WABDL Secretary Elma Thomas.

RE: WABDL enough is enough – posted by Dr. Don Bell, October 7, 2009
Donny,
I am responding to your comments made earlier on this website. This response is unsolicited and unofficial. I do feel obligated to make some disclosures to those who don’t know me so my bias is clear and upfront. I am Gus’ ex-wife and I helped him establish WABDL in the late 90’s. My husband and I are also the only two paid staff for WABDL. We are independent contractors who do all the office work for the organization. We keep records, prepare all the information for the website, make certificates, prepare the paper work for meets and process them afterwards, and all the other activities that make the organization run smoothly. I, too, have had my differences with Gus, but one thing I have never doubted was his devotion to the organization and to the lifters that comprise it. WABDL, as you correctly observe, could not function without the generous support of time and talent of its members who volunteer, just as you have, to do jobs that need to be done. It is truly a team effort. Your comments are so disorganized, poorly expressed and lacking in true substance, that I can only guess that your real issues are (1) you haven’t felt appreciated enough and (2) you are angry that you were not asked to be the master of ceremonies this year in Reno.
1) If you haven’t heard Gus thank you in front of the audience and in person, then I suggest you are suffering from “selective memory” because I personally have heard him say thank you to you. As for card money going to Gus, it goes to WABDL; and it is the card money that pays for all the office affiliated expenses. Gus, as you well know, lives modestly. He is generous to a fault to lifters. I know, personally, that he has comped entries when lifters really wanted to lift but were financially unable to do so for one reason or another. WABDL, unlike other federations, does not threaten or punish lifters who lift in other organizations. Again, I know from personal knowledge that Gus has given his own money (not WABDL’s) to lifters to help them defray expenses of going to the national and world competitions in other organizations. I doubt that any other federation president has done that ever!
2) Because of the state of the economy across the nation, WABDL numbers are down considerably for world competition this year over years past. We still have a respectable 524 or so lifters, but not as many divisions. As Gus told you when he called you to explain why he wouldn’t be having you at worlds this year (and when he called to wish you well with your Olympic lifting in Australia,) we had to cut expenses as much as possible. Instead of paying for a plane ticket and room nights for you when you only stay two and a half days, he is paying a couple – his good friend and his wife – to come and do two jobs for the entire six days of the meet. He isn’t even bringing his own wife this year, because he can get someone who lives closer to do her job and save the expense of the plane fare for her. There was no slight made or intended as to your abilities as a MC; it was purely a financial decision. And Gus was disappointed that you were unable to bring more lifters to world from your state. Again as you know, the world competition is the bread-and-butter for WABDL. It pays for the increased prices in the venues, the gasoline for Gus to attend meets, etc. for the entire following year.
3) As to the school team that you said you let lift for free at your meet, the ones Gus has contacted said they paid for their entries. Someone is being deceitful regarding this.
4) Another comment you made was that Gus “has ran” [sic] good lifters off; any organization has attrition, but since I keep the records, I know that the core cadre of lifters have supported WABDL over the years. We have had some lifters who wanted to use drugs – and they have said so upfront. They lift, rightfully so, in organizations that don’t drug test or have standards regarding drug use. That is their right. WABDL honestly drug tests (and we have the lab bills to prove it) and endeavors to eliminate drug users, as they become known, from our federation. That’s not what we are about.

I must say, Donny, I am very surprised that you would stoop to sending such a petulant, puerile diatribe to a public forum. You had your good friend, Bill Carpenter, demean WABDL in the past on this very website. Until Bill admitted you were the one who asked him to do that, I thought you were above such nonsense. Why would you want to MC an event that has been described by Mr. Carpenter as “a joke?” By the way, this is a reflection on all the people who work so hard to put on a first-class meet. I find your comments very déclassé. Both of you are operating from an old, out-dated paradigm that lifting should be for only the “best” lifters – and that worlds should be for the “elitists.” That has never been the view of WABDL; it was started because we believe that lifting is a fitness activity that can be done for many years by lifters of all skill levels and ages. WABDL provides that forum. We want to be inclusive, not exclusive. That is something we are proud of espousing and a point you miss.

In closing, let me say that we appreciate your volunteer work in the past, and we wish you well with whatever new group you choose to support.
Elma Thomas, WABDL Secretary

In retrospect I do somewhat agree with Mr. Phipps above. I certainly didnt post the message from goheavy on this site. I would agree that controversy is not always a bad thing. WABDL was started from an argument believe it or not Gus and myself against a USPF offical at a USPF nationals Gus was the promoter I was the mc. Gus invented WABDL and by the numbers no one can say its anything but succesful. Gus and myself go back further than WABDL and he's always been a loose cannon. Not rough around the edges a loose cannon. In his defence I will say he's a little better now than in the past. And some of the best times in my life have been working with the staff at the worlds and with Gus at my own meets. He will always be a friend of mine, but he is very hard on the folks that have best served him especialy Elma anyone that deosnt know this has really no perspective of what has happend. My hope is that our buddy Gus will be a little wiser for the wear, and try to keep his cool. There is couple of core WABDL poeple that will be missing from the worlds this year and not because of economics. The numbers of this years worlds and last years are about the same. To the above post that ranks on my contests whats wrong didnt I feed ya enough prim rib ? We have the best equipment money can buy. Shoot me an e-mail and we will refund your money otherwise give yourself the respect and post with your name. donny

I am one of the lifters out of Donnie Bell's gym. I don't have much comment on the situation between Gus and Dr. Bell. Though I have seen the relationship ebb and flow between Gus and Don over the last decade and a half, I think their issues are their issues. I only want to comment on a couple of the posts here that do mean something to me personally to clear the air.

Though no one has heard of me, I am far from an top-tier lifter in the two arenas I choose to compete-powerlifting and strongman, I have been to many contests all up and down the coast and I must say that Donnie's contests-- though sometimes long winded-- are some of the best I have seen.
We have never used an unstable bench. We have always lifted directly from the floor of a high school gymnasium that could hardly be defined as "unstable".
He always provides a buffet style dinner afterward that is something I have never heard of at any other venue-all for free.
When he has had the sponsorship he has given away gift bags full of swag for the lifters.
There were times that he had so many lifters, and even though the contest was always ran in a timely manner, that we were giving away awards at midnight.
He has tried to include three lift meets along side of WABDL contests until it was demanded that he drop that practice. We felt this was a great way to give everyone an option.
His contests are very well run and I would challenge anyone to make a case that better shows have been put on by anyone else in the geographic vicinity.

Elma and Gary are amazingly hard working people. They are incredibly friendly and competent at what they do. I have nothing but respect for Elma.

However I do want to clarify one thing: Bill Carpenter-and no I don't mean THE William Carpenter--is not someone that needs spurring from Donnie to run his mouth about WABDL. Though I would say Bill has much respect for the lifters at WABDL contests-- he's helped out many a lifter that he didn't know from Adam at our contests-- but he would be one that would agree with the above commenter that made the statement about squatting. Bill is an APF lifter through and through. His comments were straight from his heart.

What has gone down between Gus and Donnie is between them- and of course the entire E-community of strength sports now. I have to say I have lifted in many different WABDL contests but much prefer three lift meets so I am pushing for an APF affiliation. So hopefully we'll have a great APF contest in the very near future and I invite everyone to come find out for yourself what kind of contest Dr. Bell puts on. Come meet the loud mouth Bill "the Grizzly" Carpenter yourself. He'll be happy to lend you a hand I'm sure.

Why don't these feds all get over their differences and actually come together and rival the IPF?

I have lifted WABDL for one season last year.I did not this year like everyone eles not working that much,So i had to make a choice WABDL or USPF AAPF even though we lifted in the other two feds we were not able to go to many meets. Next yr it looks good like we are going to be working our ass off.That means competing in WABDL again next yr.WABDL is not a joke fed if you ever lifted for them you would know better then to say something that stupped. The people that lift for WABDL are some of the greatest people i have ever met,But from what i have seen in the past almost all powerlifters are great people.And good people to be around no matter what fed they lift for. Gus seems to be a little on edge.But if you have ever run a meet then you would know why,It's not an easy thing to do. but still i found Gus to be a nice guy.Don i have never met you sounds like you are a good guy also.It's to bad that someone had to leek the story out.My hope is that you and Gus can be friends again,good friends a hard to find good luck.

I do not personally know Mr. Bell, but by all accounts he is a good man, and good for our sport (although his decision to post this on the Internet is disappointing).

Is Gus a little rough around the edges? Yes absolutely he is. Last year at Worlds Gus and I had a little disagreement. I chose to talk to him about it though and we worked it out. He apologized for his part, and I apologized for my part.

I have nothing but respect for Gus, both for what he accomplished as a Powerlifter, but also for his tireless efforts to make WABDL the best Federation he can.

On occasion Gus's methods can be questioned, but not his motives. He does not get rich doing this. He does it because he loves the sport. Gus considers WABDL lifters his family.

Thank you Gus for providing such an outstanding federation for us to lift in!

Don good luck in Australia!

Ron L'Huillier
WABDL MI State Chairman
WABDL Webmaster

Gus Rethwisch is highly respected here in Finland. He is among the men like Louie Simmons and Ed Coan is our books.
Starting from the days of Hawaii Record Breakers to today´s WABDL World´s and he has always threated Finnish lifters with great hospitality and respect.

These comments should have been told him face to face, rather than posted on any site.

For me the squat is the only lift I can do injury free. Still I enter at WABDL almost every year. Whenever I have time and health for the effort.
This year´s meet I need to pass because I can´t even deadlift. I will Gus next year, where ever the meet is.

Sakari Selkäinaho
Finland

Having been active in the world of powerlifting for many years, I usually sit in the “back” staying out of harms way, however I feel compelled to answer a few of these fallacies mentioned here by “Dr.” Don and others about Gus Reithwich.

Don and you other critics, if anyone would have the right to complain about volunteering and the
associated sacrifices made at WABDL meets-the Worlds in particular, it would be me. My entire
family works this meet. All my girls work on the schedule everyday, my wife pulls 2 shifts or more each day and each year we average 10 days total at this venue. She and I will be at the Peppermill on the 24th…got that?…that is a full 4 days prior to the meet even starting.

As a family we average 35+ days between the 4 of us just for that alone. Professionally for our living, we work for ourselves…not for someone else…so translated that means we get no vacation time… we don’t work…we don’t get paid… so taking 10 days out of our year is an expensive proposition…worth every dime. (Since 2004)

We will be celebrating our Silver 25th Wedding Anniversary marking score cards, holding spit cups at weigh ins and scrambling to find that elusive record someone wants to break just 2 minutes prior to taking the platform.

We dedicated ourselves to help powerlifting and more specifically the individual powerlifter. I don’t agree with everything Gus says and does…but in the end: 1. He is in charge. 2. I never lose sight of the fact I am not doing it for him alone…I do it for all those lifters who bust their backsides each year --12-87 years of age who want to come to a wonderful venue and do their best. Not so I can be the M. C. and be the center of attention or solicit pats on the back… it is NOT ABOUT ME…and it is certainly not about you.

Our family has participated in meets run by Kierian Kidder AWPC, Dr. Maile USAPL, Martin Drake AAU,Scott Taylor WPA and many many others as both participants, officials, score keepers and the last guy that picks up the empty water bottles and turns out the light.

Whether it is Gus or the fine folks I mentioned above.There is one thing that is crystal clear: Each Federation or meet they have promoted-- THEY ARE IN CHARGE- period. None of them run it as a democracy. They built it, signed the hotel & ballroom contracts leaving themselves open to huge financial obligations all on an unknown. In my personal dealings with each of these individuals they all without exception are passionate,consumate professionals…not saints. Each of those I have mentioned put on fantastic meets...but none ever better that what Gus does for the lifters at a WABDL meet. You want to criticize… you sign a $30,000 dollar no cut contract whether you have 3 lifters or 3000. Gus makes a living at this?...whoa imagine that Comrad?

The thing that makes me the most angry is those that use forums like this as some phallus measuring contest...I am back in Jr. High gym class. Ph.d. should carry some professional demeanor…not stand for Piled Higher and Deeper. The lack of understanding and compassion is shameful…Gus almost died at years beginning had bypass surgery less than 7 months ago and now he has to deal with this kind of cowardice. Grow up. You suffer from Veritcal Pronoun Disorder….you worry about “I” too much.

Gus Reithwich was there at the very beginning when this whole phenomenon called powerlifting
started. Doyle Kennedy, Lamar Gant, Larry Pacifico along with an endless list have had their days in the sun and have retired in honor or gone onto their eternal rewards and Gus is still here….standing….promoting this sport. Driving 10,000’s of miles each year doing the meets. He is a living heritage in this sport and what do we have?…what have we seen?…a bunch of cowards an ungrates whine on a public forum and dishonor this man.

In closing you notice MY NAME is on this post…not Anonymous or Master whatever….you want to
criticize -Man up and stand behind your word…not a yellow sheet.

B.L. Biddle
WABDL Indiana Chair

My name is Jim Noblit, i want it publically known i support Gus. In the past 5 years of powerlifting in WABDL. I have lifted in Arizona, Michigan, Montana, Oregon and Washington and will continue to travel to places like this because of the venues and meets are second to none anywhere else..I don't care about the squable's between Dr. Don and Gus. What i do care about is lifting in the best possible conditions and Gus has always provided that. I hope to see many of you in Reno in two weeks..Thanks again Gus for providing a way to continue in a sport i care about..

Go Alma and Mr. Biddle!!!!! Well put!

I, along with Jim have been to WABDL meets in Oregon, California, Nevada, Washington, Arizona, Montana and Michigan. They have been professionaly run and will continue to receive our support. They are by far the best run meets out there that we have experienced (perhaps we are spoiled).

The economy had affected us as well, but we continue to show our support. This is our "vacation" that we budget and plan for. No excuses...Gus is there for us...we are there for Gus...and to the support of the "other" lifters and the FEDERATION!

We will see you in Reno. I'll be bringing cookies......

No not scary...pay attention to the last line of my post....man up and put your name on the line....coward.

Elders and Founders get special privledges...they earned it...how about ....uh, who are you Anonymous? What have you done to advance the sport...are your Gus entries critque to benefit both Gus and the rest of us...or is it critcism to further tear us all down?

Man-up next time you want to criticize...so maybe all of us can and do get better. I mean this whole thing got started because Don was upset...but you know what? I was hard on him and the situation this all caused... but he didn't hide behind anonymous postings..he put his name out there and took the heat. He earned my respect for that one...just wish he would have done it in a way that was not so deterimental to us all.

Big Brother?...Little Sister is a tattle tale looking to cause a problem not help make the situation better.

Jon....if you are out there reading the blogs on your site...suggestion...eliminate ALL Anonymous postings so the cowards will stay off this great site.

B.L.Biddle

If masterwhatever was in reference to me. Take time to read my post before spouting off. It is a glowing praise of Gus! And if you've spent much time at all on any forum you'd know who mastermonster is it's Buddy McKee. I've always used that because when these things first started everybody seemed to use interesting user names. I was real impressed with your post until the end and realised you hadn't even read most of what you were posting on. Next time read the post so you'll know who's on your side. I can only assume that's what you did since I saw no other 'masterwhatever' on the thread.

Everyone needs to take a deep breath, then shut the F-up. This is between Gus and Donnie. Both can be pricks at times. Both have big ego's and are passionate about what they do. This has been coming for a long time. It was like a pimple that was festering, it's now popped, so lets let it heal and get back to doing the job everyone is in this sport for....Gus has a World event to run, Donnie is competing in the World games, staff members have a big job supporting WABDL and lifters need to train hard and support your fellow lifters.
Lets look for the silver lining and be positive that all things happen for the best.
Love to all..........

Its not a between Donny and Gus thing, its a Gus needing to learn to keep cool thing, nothing more. He's the prez of the fed and should be the example I see a lot of folks showing there support for lifting and thats great, but has nothing to do with the issue I brought to the table. With 540 hits on my goheavy post my hope is that Mr. Gus will be a little wiser for the wear, just cuz ones under huge pressure isnt a permit rip into the folks that have best served you. I will continue to support WABDL as I do all lifting sport. I have had no more run ins with Gus than anyone else, I've seen him flip on everyone on the staff more than once isnt that correct Donna lol. WABDL has the best staff why do you think I put ten years into it. Had a blast at every Worlds and worlds and would encourage anyone to go! Squat till ya puke always. Go Team USA AUSSY donny

You know guys. I don't get on these sites much. I think they are waste of a grown mans time.
However at the urging of some of my old Hawai'i team mates I checked it out and I'm more than a little irritated.
Look if your going to say something about another man (IF YOU ARE GOING TO CALL YOURSELF A MAN) you must say these things to his face AND settle it then and there. If you cannot do this you have no right to call yourself a man. These forums should be for information and positive interactions and NOT pre madonnas forum to act like little old ladys at a hair salon.
Gus has been very good to me and to be quite honest I've seen Bell say some off color things to lifters (where Gus had to apologize).. Not to mention the fact that Bell refused to say my name right at the worlds, and my lifting partners.
Gus isnt perfect but he is a good man with a big heart and us guys from Hawai'i still love the guy. Have some bloody manners!
Don Keep your feelings to yourself or at least be a man.
Aloha Colin Keohuloa

I didnt refuse to say your name correctly I just couldnt get it right. After MC-n for several days it aint easy pal trying to say names from several different countries. And after ya through your little fit several lifters from team HI apolagized for your actions. Some times it aint easy being a volunteer sir. I felt bad about not being able to say it right. Since I'm sure your at the worlds this year why dont ya walts up to that score's table and ask Mr. Mike Scott(the coolest bro ever) who he thinks the best MC in the world is. By the way did ya ever get that whopper 610 deadlift? Best of luck to your liftin

Don.
This is the last I will say about this as I don't wish to become one of these whiners on here I hate so much.
What you say is VERY true: that I threw a tantrum, I had nothing against you. There was no excuse for it, and I even went looking for you after to personally MAN UP and apologize. As a matter of fact I was looking forward to taking you out for a pint this year until I found out what you had said via this outlet.
Just because I am apologizing publicly for how I acted towards you, doesn't in any way excuse a single one of your actions. You must as a man admit that what you have done towards Gus is despicable. My point of your not getting me or my teamates names correct if you will go back and read is that Gus is one of a kind to call me up and apologize to the lifter as a matter of respect. Best wishes and I stand by what I have said.
Aloha
Colin

I hear ya brotha, I would never intentionally pronounce a name wrong. The lifters from Hawaii have cool sounding names, but to really be able to make it sound as good as it should you have to be Hawiian in my opinion. Gus can say most of them perfect, but he lived there for a long time. My final word on the "Gus thing" Colin is that I do mostly agree with what your stand is, but he ended up getn a taste of his own medicine, he has, in front of many crowds flipped on a lot of poeple most of which have very passive personalities unlike you and me. And my hope is that he goes a little easier on some of those folks, I've had no more arguements with him than anyone else. Nuf said. I will make you this offer in good faith for the misunderstanding. If you decide you want to make the journey here to washington state for our one of our contests. I will put you up in our hotel, comp your entry, and get you to and from the airport, and like everyone else that shows up after the contest I'll jam your guts full of all the free prim rib you can eat! We'll take care of ya, let me know Colin. flex@techline.com stay strong brotha donny goteam USA