Originally posted by Shakespearian Syrian:
That it should come to this! [/b]

Originally posted by Dan:
Hey, thread titles are TOTALLY not relevant. All that matters is who posts the best hijack... [/b]

Originally posted by Larry:
OK Pete, then why did Larry delete all his posts? Was he ashamed of something he said?[/b]

No Jack, I was ashamed of what your wife said. I figured when she sobered up she'd be ashamed too and try to take it down. So you're wrong, and so was I. She didn't take them down like I expected, and I didn't remove mine for the reasons you insist on harping about. [/b]

Originally posted by Larry:
Ok, it's like this. There are a *lot* of wonderful people here. We all have flaws. We all have views. We used to be able to express those views, and even expose our warts and flaws, without getting ****ed off at each other. We could have a discussion, even a heated debate, and not end up going personal with it.

Somewhere along the way, a "meanness" found root, and grew. I know where *I* think the root is, others see the root growing somewhere else. Some think it is this person, some think it is that person. Some think it is me. Some think it is you. I'm guilty of getting too "mean" at times. So are you. So is she. So is he. So are they. So what?

We just went through a major turning point, with dire predictions about the CR "dying", talk of rampant departure to other forums, and on and on. It came to a "head" so to speak. A few don't post here anymore. Fine. People do come, and people do go. But if they left, it isn't my fault, it isn't your fault, it isn't his fault, it isn't her fault - it is *their* fault.

Why? Because as we have seen in other recent threads, this is a community made up of some of the brightest, most interesting, and most friendly and fun loving people you'll find anywhere. And by and large, we get along just fine.

I submit to you that we *all* have allowed our skins to get a little too thin lately, and we need to fix that. People will *always* say the wrong things sometimes, they will *always* dig a little too hard, make a joke or a comment that gores someone's sacred cow, but I have to tell you folks, other than a few trolls or new posters with obvious agendas toward others, I can't think of a single *one* of you that I think wishes any ill will toward someone else. I know *I* don't.

The CR isn't dying. It isn't in trouble. Will someone post something 2 minutes after this goes up that gores someone's sacred cow? Sure. Will someone say something controversial, or something that doesn't set well with your particular political view? Yep. Will they do it with malice? Nope. Not a one of us. At least, none of the folks I see posting here lately. Will they have passion behind their position? Sure. Will they turn right around and buy you a tank of gas if you need it? Yep.

So I'm going to ask every one of you to do something. I'm going to ask you to relax. No one here means anyone here any harm. We just don't all agree on everything. That's normal. We need to be able to discuss those things, and yes, *argue* if we want to - without one or the other getting a skin rash because they forgot to remember that the person they are arguing with actually is a nice person, a friend who means them no harm, someone who would turn right around and buy you a tank of gas if you needed it. Remember that no one is always right, everyone thinks they are, and don't take things so seriously that you fail to remember these things.

We can question why this place has gotten friendlier the last few days all we want - the fact remains...... this place has gotten friendlier the last few days. Can't you feel the breath of fresh air blowing through our halls? I can.

Some of you new members may think I'm an ogre. I probably helped you come to that conclusion. So let me apologize for my missteps, and introduce myself to you. I'm a nice guy with a wicked sense of humor, and a bit of a blunt style on occasion. Many times that's a plus. Sometimes that's a fault. Bear with me. I'm here to have fun, just like you.

Quirt, I apologize for being mean to you. I thought you were an *******, but then I found out you have an excuse from the bar association...... (just kidding)..... seriously, let's shake hands and be friends. That doesn't mean I won't challenge you, or that you won't challenge me. It just means we'll do it knowing we're friends, and friends only beat each other so hard, and then they stop because, well.... they're friends. I picked Quirt because I can recall being mean to him, if anyone else recalls me being mean to them, I extend the same apology to you.

There. That's it. Let's open the windows and let the last of the stale air out, and breathe deeply. [/b]

The best thing to do when you are drowning, is quit fighting the water.

Originally posted by Jolly:
WI came in here like no one else, and I'm suspicious of anomalies.
. [/b]

Originally posted by ycul:
The suspense isn't killing me soldier.
The meanness of spirit is doing that.

I have of late but
wherefore I know not lost all my mirth,
forgone all custom of exercises;
and indeed, it goes so heavily with
my disposition that this goodly frame,
the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory;
this most excellent canopy, the air, look you,
this brave o'erhanging firmament,
this majestical roof fretted with golden fire
why, it appeareth no other thing to me than a foul
and pestilent congregation of vapours. [/b]

Don't confuse reservation, and wisdom, with meaness of spirit.