Where Did Civility Go?

The following e-mail exchange took place when Benjamin's brother, a dedicated roadie, posed a very important question: What is HLB Athletics?

Arnold
To: Benjamin's Brother
cc: HLB Athletics
Date: April 6, 2007 9:54 a.m.
Subject: re: Dear Friends

HLB Athletics is an association of Health Law employees and their family members aiming to improve the world one race at a time. By being Benjamin's Brother (and coincidentally, a Health Law Attorney), you can be fast tracked for membership ( i.e. no need for the traditional "jumping in"). If you're interested, I can send you an application.


http://hlbathletics.blogspot.com/
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Benjamin's Brother
To: Arnold
cc: HLB Athletics
Date: April 6, 2007 10:01 a.m.
Subject: re: Dear Friends

Great site you guys created. Sure, send me the app (I assume you are joking) if you can deal with a roadie who hates swimming (it's so damn boring) and who gave up running because of bad knees.
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Benjamin
To: HLB Athletics
cc: Benjamin's Brother
Date: April 6, 2007 11:34 a.m.
Subject: re: re: Dear Friends

Someone in my office who wants to remain anonymous (it was Fernando) saw this and said: "Wow, he hasn't even joined yet but he's got all the excuses down already."

I'm looking forward to the Alpha Dog Smackdown.

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Arnold
To: Benjamin
cc: HLB Athletics, Benjamin's Brother
Date: April 6, 2007 2:57 p.m.
Subject: re:Dear Friends

I don't think we need ANOTHER person to smack down Fernando on the bike!

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Fernando
To: Arnold
cc: HLB Athletics, Benjamin's Brother
Date: April 6, 2007 4:55 p.m.
Subject: re: Dear Friends

Be careful guys. I don't think you want to see me upset, and see a little more of what some of YOU have seen already.

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Benjamin's Brother
To: Fernando, Benjamin, Arnold
cc: HLB Athletics
Date: April 6, 2007 6:55 p.m.
Subject: re: Dear Friends

Jeez, I don't know about this. I was hoping for a nice, friendly group, but you guys seem way too competitive for me. And, Ben and Fernando, if you aren't nice, I won't wait for you on the top of the hills next time we ride.