[ThinkInsane]

I would like to take a moment to explain something, and clear up a situation from this morning. When I woke this morning and checked my mail, there were several reports of a post in the thread memorializing zigzag, a long standing member (and member in good standing) of our little community, that some members thought was inappropriate. The post in question was made by Kevin (aka Zimphire) and was nothing more than the smilie. I decided to delete that post.

I didn't think it was meant to be offensive or disrespectful on Kevin's part, but I thought that if people that don't usually get involved with the usual MacNN forums soap opera were finding it inappropriate and reporting it, it wouldn't be long until the usual suspects turned up and made it an issue in the thread, and given the topic at hand, I certainly didn't want to see that happen. It would have been wrong and disrespectful for that to happen. And I have no doubt it would have happened, as soon as those with less restraint and civility saw it.

I was remiss in not PMing Kevin immediately and explaining the situation, I honestly didn't have time, and for that I apologize to him. I've spoken to him since, and I do not doubt his sincerity (and he'll be the first to tell you that I have doubted his sincerity in the past, many times, less anyone doubt my sincerity in posting this) when he says he meant no disrespect. It was a misunderstanding, nothing more nefarious than that.

But of course, as soon as the post was deleted, the rumor mill went into full swing, and this deleting of the post became a topic of discussion among the macnn sewing circle. I would like to make it clear exactly what happened, and why it happened, put the discussion to rest, and point out to all that delight in such drama that this was a non-issue. No one did anything wrong (outside of me not showing courtesy to Kevin by notifying him of why I did what I did), and allow people to get back to offering their sympathies to the friends and family of zigzag.

[rickey939]

[Chris O'Brien]

To be honest, I seen that post this morning and thought it was entirely disrespectful. I didn't report abuse or anything because I wasn't sure of anything Kevin had going with zigzag, so my take on the situation may have been wrong. Glad to see Kevin didn't mean it as I thought he did originally.

[awaspaas]

Don't delete posts.

[Pendergast]

Appropriate, and honorable.

There are no easy decisions; only tough ones. Having the courage to do, then explain in the most sensible way with the weight of the truth;

[OpenStep]

http://img287.imageshack.us/img287/3...showphp3zo.jpg

Violator! Image size rule. Tsk tsk

[Mastrap]

Enough with this idiotic picture already!

It was mildly amusing the first time it was used. Leave it be.

[Kevin]

I never had anything against zig. Some people made comments in my pvt message that I did not like him.

It was news to me,

I wanted to make it short and sweet. I am not that good at speaking about such things.

It doesn't matter WHO on this forum it would have been that passed, I would have never disrespected them.

And for all those that was offended, I apologize. That was not my intentions.

And ThinkInsane, you sir are a stand-up guy. The more I think about it, the more I realize you DID do the right thing. Didn't matter if I was in the wrong or not. If it was going to disrupt the thread, and thereby disrespecting zig, I would glady give up that post to stop it from happening.

BTW, I am also not mad at those that reported me for that post either.

I know it's a emotional time. Emotions run high, and get exaggerated.

I have been in the position myself.

I guess some thought I had ill feelings toward zigzag when that was far from true.

I don't have any ILL WILL towards anyone in this forum.

I can be a jerk sometimes, but I am not THAT big of a jerk.

Just so people know from now on. I use the smiley as a look of disappointment.

But I doubt I ever use it again.


If we was in a bar, I would by all of ya rounds.


Then duck out.

[dreilly1]

Thanks for explaining that, thinkinsane, but.... wow. Some people have way too much time on their hands to whine and moan about an internet forum. Soap Opera indeed.

If zigzag's thread is a commentary about how the internet can bind people who have never met into a community, this kerfuffle is a commentary about how even a virtual village has its immature idiots.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by dreilly1

If zigzag's thread is a commentary about how the internet can bind people who have never met into a community, this kerfuffle is a commentary about how even a virtual village has its immature idiots.

Eh, I don't think the over-reaction was purposeful. Like I said, high emotions tend to make things a bit edgy.

Apparently some people believed I had a grudge against zig for some reason.

I did not.

Anything I would have posted there would have probably been "wrong" because of that premonition that I disliked him.

Again, no ill will towards them.

[Salty]

It's really unfortunate that some people are so distasteful as to not even try and have a thicker skin after someone's passing... either way... it's sad...
Though still not as bad as another forum I went to where after someone committed suicide everyone refused to believe it, and some people ended up swearing and crap in reference to him... you'd be amazed what sorta crap is really in people's hearts.

[Kevin]

When I first clicked on it, I was HOPING it was a joke.

[GranolaBoy]

I think it's funny that you have to show courtesy to someone you've banned and refuses to leave.

Other than that, an extra helping of granola to you for your integrity!

[zizban]

Originally Posted by Kevin

When I first clicked on it, I was HOPING it was a joke.

Me too

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by GranolaBoy

I think it's funny that you have to show courtesy to someone you've banned and refuses to leave.

Granola, even though I should ignore this troll attempt, I am going to inform you I am here legitimately.

I am not banned. So why would I leave?

This is exactly what Salty was talking about.

[GranolaBoy]

I've read in multiple places that Zimphire was banned. That and the sense of peace that the forum temporarily seemed to have convinced me that it was true. If I am wrong, I apologize for perpetuating a rumor.

[budster101]

Hey, I take Kevin's word for it. He didn't mean anything by it. Let it be. When I read it, I half expected zigzaq to come back as a new name, and then it sunk in. I'm sure if anyone took a moment to PM Kevin and express how they felt, they would have gotten the explanation and all would have been fixed without this little tussle.

I hadn't even noticed when I viewed the post, as I actually figured it was a sad / quizical emoticon... but I rarely use it. I think some of you need to grow up.

[Mr. Blur]

wow....i don't usually get into these threads but i just have to comment...people here can turn *anything* into a battle/argument and/or conspiracy.

thinkinsane did the absolute right thing - he saw something that could be misunderstood in a sensitive situation and removed it, and when time permitted he came back and told us why.....both he and the orginal poster are in perfect agreement about this - there should *not* be any problem here at all - the system worked as it should.

[budster101]

Oh, also I meant to add that ThinkInsane did the right thing here, and it's nice to see him come back and give an explanation so there would be no misunderstandings. Like Mr. Blur said, "the system worked as it should". (It was bound to happen)...

[zizban]

wow....i don't usually get into these threads but i just have to comment...people here can turn *anything* into a battle/argument and/or conspiracy.

Welcome to MacNN.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by budster101

When I read it, I half expected zigzaq to come back as a new name, and then it sunk in. I

I was thinking the same thing too. At least hoping.