This is such a wonderful place one can’t keep away. I came back to see if my apology was still posted. I read the many comments and would like to make a statement. Firstly it does upset me to think I annoy other people as I see such as a failing on my part not theirs. Secondly I have no illusions that for what ever reason I tend to have an “in your face” approach which is not what I expect from myself. I don’t like it in others so perhaps that is why I see it as a major flaw of my character. I can see how others see me in that context and if I was working with the impressions they have to work with could not think any different to the way I suspect they think.
I am concerned that I have generated a view from some that I am critical of the moderators striking my posts and say that is not the case. Certainly the approach taken with the David Hicks post was to focus attention on a problem which the very last post deleted sought to point out that not dealing with the problem was simply one that could be laid at the feet of lawyers not the Government of the USA or Australia.. I went out on a limb to make the point and the limb was cut but I see it that the action by the moderators was the correct one. That was no one else’s fault but mine and it saddens me that I have caused some to blame the moderators. It is not their fault it is mine. The rules of the forum are clear and yet knowing the rules I raised a matter that was highly political (I was however trying to show that the politics was not the problem but the law needed to act faster so feelings of injustice could not remain in our community) the post was confrontational, divisive but above all outside the mission statement of this place. It deserved to go so please everyone see it that way.
The problem is not that of the moderators and they have my support. My only objection to their management is minor in that the rules indicate a warning will issue before action. However the rules are clear and if I had kept within the rules there would have been no problem. I would like a warning for once warned I can realize that I am being carried away with the joy of discussing something.
It is my fault as I clearly was pushing my luck by deliberately breaking the rules.
I am not withdrawing for reasons other than I must recognize I am unable to help myself determine what is offensive and what is not and how my breaking the rules is different to someone else breaking the rules. But I say talking about foot ball may not be astronomy related but is fair general chat whereas presenting matters where our leaders could do it better is not. It is my problem that I don’t see the difference..Its all just chat to me.
I said once that if you hit me in the head with a brick I am more concerned about what problems caused you to do so than my injury and as strange as that must seem to many that are the way I approach life. I care too much but it comes over that I don’t care at all.
I support the moderators and I support the rules but the reality for me is I can not help but ignore them. This is a personal problem not one the moderators need be concerned with and believe me, looking at my reaction to withdraw probably looks like a dummy spit and part of it could be, I ask myself that but cant get a straight answer. I don’t trust other people but I don’t trust myself to face truths either. But my main concern was when I thought it was not finally a dummy spit, even if that could be linked.. My intention not to upset people and I realize I do… that was the reality I was seeking to address.
So it upsets me to see people thinking the moderators acted unfairly... I say they did not I was to blame and I ask all that have offered their support to remember that... anything else is a falsehood.
People say if you have upset people so what but no one needs to be upset by someone breaking the rules.
AND working on the basis that part of my motivation was indeed a dummy spit and being a big baby I will start over , I can learn from my mistakes I know what my problem is it upset me that no matter how hard I work on being better I fall down. That’s why I wanted to hide...but that is not being a man...
So please take it after the dust has settled what I bring upon myself lays at my feet.
If I post in the future and I step over the line I would ask you to tell me as your feelings are very important to me...not what you think of me and my approach to life but how my statements may upset you.
On the positive one learns from their mistakes so if anyone thinks I have a self opinion that I know everything remember it is because I believe I have made more mistakes than the rest of you. I don’t mean to sound like I know everything please see it as a matter that I believe that I speak the truth and am honest in delivering my feelings to you I would not say something if I thought it was not true so please understand I am not saying I am right just that I believe in what I am saying.
I thank you all for helping me grow up
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AND Mike overreaction can not be viewed from the outside because one can not account for what that person is reacting to … most of my over reaction was to myself not the moderation which again I support.. But I accept your observation that I have over reacted.
If you want to know how I really feel do not hesitate to ask but I don’t think I can be more open with any of you.
Having logged in I see I have messages but I will post this first.
alex