You're dumb.

And you're not funny.

The grass is always greener on the other side

Credit where credit is due, it was well written Mako.

However, free speech is exactly that, free. Some people are always going to take what you do the wrong way and criticise you about it, it's common ground for it to happen to myself.

Some people are just jerks, plain as. I'm not going to start pointing fingers at anybody, as that just makes things worse.

We all also have different ideas of what is and isn't funny. Riel's comment for example. Some people will find it funny, you and other people obviously find it offensive. It's the way of the world.

And Darr's right, you really are asking to be flamed. Because to be perfectly honest, you sounded just a little whiney then.

Quote:I refuse to tolerate uncalled for rudeness.  And I have done nothing to be treated the way that some have treated me.

Quote:2) Make sure that you remain objective and do not resort to name calling or simply being rude or cruel.  If you aren’t smart enough to lie out a proper argument, or explain your issues like an adult, then it is no wonder you take offense to me, as you are an idiot.

Quote:Not being funny is a matter of opinion.  I did not direct aggression at anyone, nor did I involve anyone who wasn't a willing participant.

For the dumb part, I would refer you to rules 2, and 4.  I assume that you are too retarded to read, so I will sum them up.

Don't be a jackass for no reason, and state your issues with me fairly.

Resorting to uncalled for cruelty and lame ass comments are for the kiddie section.

Thanks.

Don't act like you're the victim. With those kind of statements, you deserve anything coming to you.

Decemberist:

I can appreciate your view.  I have admittedly created a somewhat hostile environment for those attacking me, however, it is precisely because I am the victim that this forum even exists.

I wrote a simple story.  It made a few people mad, and so they went on to attack me on sight.  It was not asked for, and the article was not aimed at anyone, so I don't feel like it was an attack on anyone.

Because of these unprovoked attacks I have most assuredly created a post that, admittedly, probably isn't the path of least resistance, however I am not willing to be an easy target for whoever wants to take their bad day out upon me, and so yes, I am aggressive with people that are hostile toward me, especially if there is no good reason behind it.

So, I appreciate your comments, and I do agree that I am reacting aggressively, but please don't misinterpret the things in this forum for me being an instigator. 

The statements in these forums are specifically for people who have showed uninvited aggression upon me because of a rediculous article.


Fury:

You are very welcome to find me condescending, and I appreciate your honesty in that respect.  I do have a somewhat abrasive personality and it is definitely not for everyone.

Just so you know, I did not set out intending to ask for an AT-AT.  I wrote an article that was merely meant to be funny.  No, I didn't specifically go and look up an AT-AT to be sure that i could buy one before I wrote the article, because I had no intention of actually trying to get one.  I just wrote an joking article asking for donations to start an AT-AT farm (which doesn't exist by the way), and people actually gave me money. 

To say that I started a personality campaign to insist on getting an AT-AT is a big bit much.  You said yourself that I haven't asked you directly.  That is because I haven't asked for one.  A personality campaign is also a big strecth, as I don't think that anyone can imagine that this is forum is getting me a huge vote for Mr. Personality.

Because people actually gave me money from the article though, I of course felt obligated to ask for one.  I have not gotten around to asking, because I don't have enough money, however once I do, I will ask (again because I feel obligated to do so), and you will say no. 

I will then write the people who have donated to me and ask them what they want done with their money.  So please be patient.

As far as setting ground rules to people, it is because SOME people in the VE think that it is funy to be extremely rude to other people (especially new people) because they are having a bad day, or whatever, and SOME other people in the VE encourage, or at least allow them to run free; treating whoever they want, however they want, without just cause, or any correction from the higher ups (at least as far as I can see, because it happens a lot).

If people attack me, I attack back.  If someone had a problem with my article, fine, there is a comments section, but to attack me when unprovoked for whatever reason is not ok with me, whether or not it is ok with the rest of VE.

Again, about the legwork, I never intended to ask for an AT-AT when I wrote the article, so I don't see where it really matters how long I have been here or what I have done to, or not to deserve, an AT-AT, or any other "Special" item.

I don't even know what I would do with one, and honestly, upkeep would probably be too much for me to want to deal with.

As far as it being me "a little," I will admit that my personality is not for everyone, but I would like to point out that the VE was full of personal quarelling long before I got here (as evidenced by several articles in the ComNet that you have left public, and perhaps shouldn't have) + (In my own opinion, of course as I feel that it is not good for the new troops to see that kind of stuff when looking forward to how wonderful VE will be), but I still think that that statement is a bit rude and uncalled for. 

Even if it is called for though, I feel like you have an obligation to be an example for the rest of VE, given your position, and perhaps leaving remarks like that isn't the best for the rest of VE (again, my own opinion)

I appreciate your reply, and hope that you understand that I am not trying to attack anyone, but am trying to simply state my views of an issue that has gotten out of hand. 

Thanks.

1) If you haven't noticed, Mako's rank blatantly indicates Private First Class. For those who haven't caught on yet, that means he's new to the VE and doesn't know every single minor detail that needs to be done, that should not be done, or the various channels that are available to him in order to find something. He's one of the rare individuals that has joined that actually seem to give a damn about putting in some effort - this includes going a little above and beyond and joining the Vast Empire Today (contributing to the club, activity, something to do, self-motivation). Yes, I thought he was serious at first, but the "AT-AT Farm" portion kind of gave the hint that it was all just a joke.

2) Yes, by creating this topic, Mako may have just created a little corner on the web where the potential for "flaming" can occur. A smart move according to "VE Standards/Expections"? No, but as I said above, he's new and doesn't know how we would react. He intended to have a location where people could leave their personal insults at the door and speak maturely of their criticisms and disagree with his article.

3) And for those who have given him some smack behind the scenes without even properly introducing yourself beforehand - well then, perhaps you need to rethink about a few things before you start flapping your tongue in the wind. Why? Because we're not exactly in a VE Golden Age in terms of activity, and forcing people to leave because of "behind the scenes" acts or rude behavior toward them right off the bat is just the thing required for us to dig a deeper grave. We have a few people going into retirement soon - some very good and productive people, and if we keep walking down this path, we're not going to have enough hands left to dig ourselves out of the hole.

4) What's done is done. It's an article. Get over it. Mako now knows the difference, so why not just leave it at that?

5) And lastly, I am well aware that there are people who don't like me and would rather not see me as Commander of Training. So do me a favor, let's stop the 'snickering behind the back' bull starting now, and come to me in private to vent your steam. I'm one of the very few people around here that have a string long enough for you to pull as long as you please, so I welcome your emails, private messages, and ComNet messages with an open ear.

You always hear us (perhaps more from me) talking about the VE and the ol' glory days. It's a hell of a lot easier to talk smack than it is to come up with proposals to help the system. Believe me when I tell you: seeing all this BS gets old real fast, so I'm all in favor of working a little harder to making this club feel like a fun place rather than an obligation.

I'm sure this will all die down in 1-2 days if left alone, so I'm done with my ranting, and I hope you are too.

Sounds good to me.  Believe it or not I do care about the VE alot. 

Decemberist: I will take your advice.  It was a story, and maybe, if I catch criticism (or attacks) then I should adjust my strategy.

Cosmic:

I appreciate the intervention.  I do care about the VE, and thank you for recognising the intended purpose for this forum.  I believe that this forum will hurt more than it will help anything, so I will drop it right now.


MD:  Let's have some Rum.


I will delete this forum as soon as I know how, or anyone else is welcome to if you know how. 

Thanks again, and I would ask that all future issues be sent to me privately.  Thanks.

One last thing, and nobody can accuse me of sucking up or anything because I'm retired.  In my point of view, anyone that has a problem with Cosmic is either an idiot or hasn't gotten to know him well enough.  He is one of the most even-tempered people in this organization and you should be more then freaking proud to have him as the Commander of Training.  He's one of the VE's longest standing members and anyone that has a problem with that really should keep those thoughts to him or herself.

Merrick:

Again, the topic is dropped, however, I owe you an explantation to your concerns, so here it is:

I have averaged approximately 2500 words per weeks since I have been here (not counting this forum or Mirc, of course).  Email me and I will send you evidence, if you must.

This topic wasn't meant to attack or start a riot, but it did get out of hand.

As far as you "Making" me give it back, for one thing it was Given to me, not extracted, and the other thing is that I already said above that I was going to offer it back to the donators, so there is no point in forcing my hand on what I am already planning and willing to do, and have already said that I would do already publicly (you may have missed that part, I am not trying to sound condescending here).

As far as removing the topic, I don't feel that I have spoken any lies, and I stand behind what I have said, regardless of how it came out, but I personally feel that a topic like this would not be good for new recruits to see, as it is techncally infighting, and hinders VE as a whole.  So if it must stay up, that is fine, but I personally feel that it should come down (again, not my decision, of course).

I am not trying to tell anyone how to do their jobs, but I have pointed out some things that I have experienced that may make it seem that way, so I understand your feelings.  I just simply feel that if I didn't point thee things out, they would never be known.  I post suggestions, not orders, and I try to look for solutions, not complaints.

I sincerely hope that this answers any questions that you have and that you don't take it in a heated way, as it is not meant to come off that way.

If I left anything unclarified, I would ask that you send me an email explaining it.  Thanks.

Fury:

I talked down to you because of the way you came at me.  I don't wish to start any trouble, belive it or not, but I do not want to be attacked.

I don't feel like it is reasonable to expect me to take attacks without retalliation.  I am sorry that you didn't see the whole picture, and yes, I do tend to get a little out of sorts with certain people.

Maybe I take the way things are said to me too personally.  Perhaps I should not react the way that I do when people talk down to me, but I do.  I can't immediately change the way that I am.

But, can I ask your advice?  What am I supposed to do when people talk to me in a fashion that I feel is unreasonable?  I can ignore comments like yours above all day long, but I don't feel like they should happen (although I do freely admit that this particular comment is definitely due to the way that we have treated each other over the last few interactions).  What am I to do when confronted by such hostility, when it is unasked for?

I could spend my whole life telling you and whoever else would listen my whiney troubles, but I am no snitch, and I am sure that you have better things to do than listen to someone cry about the way that they are treated.

And, to me, it is unreasonable that I allow myself to be trampled upon like carpet simply to avoid a confrontation (when people are directly attacking me, not just over the average petty incident).

So is there a better way that I may have failed to see?

I'm with Maxx.  Thanks.  I am going to ask Kadann to wipe it off, if that is ok with everyone here.  Thanks.