I know WebGuy has an apology he would like to post. I ask that you do that in this thread WebGuy.
If Star feels she needs to do the same, please do so in this thread as well.
After that, let's drop this and begin again.
Let me reiterate however, and JD & I are DEAD SERIOUS about this. If ANYONE verbally attacks another person in this forum in a mean-spirited and public way you WILL be banned IMMEDIATELY. There will not be a discussion before hand. We have had enough.
We are reasonable people, we can tell the difference between good natured ribbing and a mean spirited shot. Neither of us will hesitate to put an end to it before it becomes an issue.
I hope that all the members that have expressed reservations about returning to the forum will put those aside and give it a second chance, with the knowledge that JD & I will not let it get out of hand again.
Wow its good to be back, yesterday was not nice at all, I had to do work all day!!!! although still got to waste some time emailing other members!!!
Anyway I'm glad we are back, lets just all try and get on now, the reason I joined this forum was because of how nice all the members are, lets try and keep it that way so when we get new members they stick around like we have all done.
There are a few things I need to say to you all about the recent events.
First, I want to apologize for my behavior over the past week or so.
At one point, I was fully ready to delete my account, walk away, and not look back. I tried, but couldn't do it. I consider you all as friends and I couldn't just walk away that easily. I had reached a point of frustration that I had to deal with. I decided that it was time I get involved and try to "fix" things for myself in my own way.
The manner in which I attempted to do that was wrong.
I made several remarks to, and about Star that were mean-spirited, and were purposely intended to be hurtful. That should not have happened. As I was trying to decide how to handle my feelings, one of the options was to "get even". Always a bad choice but the route I took anyway.
Ruby kindlly warned me more than once that I was not taking the right approach. I think she knew I was going to end up hurting myself in other ways. I didn't want to give in. Ruby is a wise woman. If you need advice, ask her.
Star and I have emailed a few times yesterday and I think we've reached an understanding. I apologized to her for my behavior, and here again publicly apologize to her for purposely trying to hurt her feelings. That was wrong of me.
To the rest of you, I apologize for doing this in public. I fully knew what I was doing to her in an attempt to bring it to a head so it could thus be ended. I did not consider the impact on the entire forum. I thought the rest of you would just see this as between her and I but would not be bothered by it. I was wrong there as well. It seems there has been much more gone on than I know about. I'm sorry for not considering your feelings in my part of this.
CP, I know you feel some responsibility for opening the thread. It's not your fault. This had to eventually happen somehow to get back to peace. I hope (and believe) in the end that it was good this happened so it can be over and we can move on.
JR and JD, I'm sorry you've had to deal with this too. You were placed in a very akward position. You guys do so much for our entertainment and this is how we've repaid you. Real cool, huh.
Right now, look up from your screen and look around you (especially if you are at work). THIS is supposed to be a little escape from THAT. When THAT infiltrates THIS, THIS loses its purpose. It shouldn't have happened and I regret playing a part in it.
Finally, you might notice that I am not as active for a few days. Please know it's not out of anger at anyone, and I'm not leaving the forum at this time. I'll be here, just probably more quiet then I have been lately. To be fully honest, I am a little embarrassed and ashamed of myself for the way I acted in dealing with my own issues. I profess to be a man of Christian faith but showed a very poor witness. Getting caught up in this at all is what is troubling me the most. I know better. I will need a little time to deal with this part on my own.
So, again I sincerely apologize for my part in this mess. I hope to never be back in this position of needing to apologize to all of you like this in the future.
