To all readers and members. I would like apologize for my posts, and for being so defensive. I got my feelings hurt because of the way that I felt I was being treated and I treated others in a not nice way, so I'm sorry. From this point on, I will not make any posts that are not related to distance learning. It was my misunderstanding that the political and off-topic discussions were there for us to make off topic distance learning posts. Apparently, this is not the case because I have been sent an email stated I will be banned if I make another post that is not distance education related because I have been accused of turning the board into a "conspiracy board", which is not the case, nor was it my intention. I would like to state that if readers will go back to my original post concerning the physics professor, I was NOT trying to cause trouble. I was only posting that because I thought that it was interesting that a physics professor had written a paper about the physics of WTC 7. I thought that we could discuss the professor and his paper. I am not now, nor was I then stating that he was correct. I only thought that it was interesting and that 9/11 warrants further investigation. I am not a "conspiracy theorist", whatever that means. I only think that no matter what the case, we should question and examine evidence, whatever the subject. Then, if readers will go back, they will see that through innuendos and hints in posts, that I was being made fun of, I'm not saying who, but it is clear. And so I posted some links. However, I was too defensive, and I do apologize to all. Also, my later posts were made in a light-hearted and jovial manner, such as the #2 in Katrina, for instance, to joke that I was crazy. They were not made to turn the board into a "conspiracy board". Again, it was, however, my understanding that we could make non-distance related posts in the political forum. I was not aware that it was against the terms of service. But for instance, I have seen others make non-distance education related posts in the the political forum, and it was my understanding that we could. But now I have been sent an email stating I will be banned if I make one more post not related to distance learning. How strange! For instance, the weather related post was posted because I thought it was interesting, and was wondering if anyone knew if it was real, a hoax, or what, because it was so strange. Also, I was not trying to turn the whole board into a "conspiracy board". I just really think that I have been treated unfairly. But I would like to apologize to those members like Jimmy Clifton and others if I have hurt your feelings by being so defensive. I didn't mean to and I was un-gentleman like to you. "As one of my professors would say, 'If something is challenging your perspective, or making you uncomfortable, pay attention, you are about to learn something.' "-from Nell Newman's book "The Organic guide to a good life"
offensive apology That's a complaint, not an apology. It's also making the content of an e-mail public, which is, dear, not done. It's also whining about moderation, which has been done to death and impugns the integrity of degreeinfo. I haven't read your other posts (nor will I), but your "apology" is champeen passive-aggressive. If this thread goes away, my feelings won't be hurt.
Retract the snotty comments in your "apology". Then apologise. Just apologise, not editorialise. Then go and sin no more, that is, post about distance education.
Thank you Uncle for taking the time to respond. I want to thank everyone here for all of the helpful posts related to distance learning and the general helpful attitude of most memebers. I am sorry and do apologise that that I have disrupted the board with my recent posts, especially when so many members have been so helpful to me. That was not my intention to cause trouble. Furthermore, my original post in this link was not made to be rude or snotty or passive aggressive, it was just made to explain my reasoning behind the posts. I just wanted to explain to everybody what was going on. I can see however, that it could be seen as whining. And you are right Uncle Janko,when I made the post above, my feelings were still hurt. I admit that I am sometimes selfish and childish, even at my age, and I hope to reach a greater maturity level. So I will just drop it, and I do sincerely apologize for any disruptions in this board that I have caused, whether I knew it or not. Uncle Janko is correct, by sticking to specific distance education related topics, misunderstandings, which I submit this was, can be avoided.
Upon relfection, Uncle Janko is right. I just wanted to explain my reasoning for my posts. But my post in this thread comes across as petty and immature, and not an apology, but a whine. If the shoe fits, wear it. If the evidence shows it, so yes, I do indeed retract the original post, because it's just silly and immature and I need to act more maturely. I don't know how all of this go blown out of proportion, I didn't mean to. It's my fault, because I started it. And the moderator was just trying to keep things peaceful and orderly in the board, and again, I reacted in an immature way. Mr. Jack Tracey, sir I am sorry, I have acted like a jerk, and you were just being friendly to me. "I am greed, selfish, and jealous and I try desperately to be loved by all. I am thinking day and night of how to make myself so important that it will force people to think only good about me. I am sorry, but it's true that I always want to be in the right." So, I submit that there has been learning from all of this, because I am seeing myself in a true light. I am reminded of the words of Lajos Egri, in "The Art of Creative Writing", This board is very helpful to so many people.
It isn't that you can't make posts which have nothing to do with distance learning. The problem, as I understand it from the moderator who contacted you, was that you came to DegreeInfo and only made posts that had nothing to do with distance learning... and made yourself look like a conspiracy theorist who had just stopped by for a while to stir everyone up. The off-topic and political discussion areas are there as a diversion for DegreeInfo regulars. If you had a history of making contributions to the distance learning parts of the forum, it wouldn't have been such a problem... although the whole conspiracy theory thing was becoming a bit much, frankly. I think everyone here would pretty much agree with that. But since the only things you posted had to do with well-known conspiracy theories; and since you were so zealous about it; and since you weren't making a contribution to any other part of the forums, it was not an unreasonable conclusion for the moderator from whom you heard to come to. But that's how it felt. Perception is everything, sometimes. You can... but now, I think, you understand how what you were doing was perceived and why you were contacted. Okay... I think we get your point. Let's not make it about moderators and/or moderation around here. And, for the record, I don't believe you were told you would be banned. As I understand it, the moderator was very polite; and he warned that if you kept it up you might be asked to leave. There's a decided difference. But, either way, do not argue it here. If your body/history of posts had been spread across all the various forums (and had been relevant and on-topic, therein), I don't think you would have heard from that moderator at all... at least not as early in the game as you did, perhaps. Okay... so now that that's all settled, let's not belabor the matter. Make your contribution to DegreeInfo at least partly about that which the forum was created to allow people to discuss, and your off-topic and political posts will not stick out like a sore thumb quite so much. But I would caution that endless conspiracy theory threads are probably not the best way for you to spend your time here. Though I might have seemed supportive in the thread where I pointed-out to others who were taking personal swipes at you that it was you who was actually doing a better job of keeping on topic and not getting personal (except as you did in defense of yourself), the truth is that if you had continued with too many more conspiracy-theory-related posts/threads, you would have heard from me about it, too. Your apologies, and your response to Janko regarding same, seem sincere. There's no real problem as long as you understand and abide by the warning you got from the other moderator. All forums -- including off-topic and political, are open to you. Just make your overall contribution to DegreeInfo a little more balanced (and maybe ease-up on the conspiracy stuff a bit... especially the 9/11 stuff which can be so hurtful to those who lost loved ones therein, or who were otherwise deeply moved by the whole thing), and I'm sure there will be no problems. So... are we all squared away, now? And, oh... by the way... in case no one said it, welcome to DegreeInfo. May your stay here be long, balanced, and relatively conspiracy-theory -- and threads like this one -- free.
Thank you Gregg, for your thoughts. I do respect you and I appreciate you. I was actually just reading this great book this very morning called "The Art of Creative Writing", by Lajos Egri, and this forum and Uncle Janko and the book helped me realise something about myself. "I am greedy, selfish, and jealous and I try desperately to be loved by all. I am thinking day and night of how to make myself so important that it will force people to think only good about me. I am sorry, but it's true that I always want to be in the right. I came to the conclusion that whatever I say, I say for only two reasons: 1. To create sympathy for myself. 2. To show how important I am." Holy cow!! That's me! And I look at my recent posts, and that's me! I am actually disgusted by myself.
I see. Yes... well... while your candor is appreciated, and while I'd have to go look it up to make sure, I'm thinking that excessive flagellation may be a TOS violation, too. (Just kidding) Look... just relax. It's over. Let's now allow this thread sink to the bottom of the thread list, and into the archives, where it probably belongs.
Thank you, Jacques, for the reference to the Lajos Egri book. From the 5 or 6 pages readable on Amazon.com, it looks like a wonderful resource for writers, that seems to have been something of an underground classic for sixty years.
Kind of makes this apology and explanation suspect. However, I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt and appreciate your apology. I look forward to more posts from you.
John, John, John. Of course it's a terrific book. Egri Lajos* is a West Carpathian! *You wouldn't say Tse-tung Mao, z.B.
