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Message: <blockquote data-quote="WJC" data-source="post: 3417083" data-attributes="member: 25191">Well, it is obvious that you’re speaking of me, so I have to give you one. Recently, I did embark on name calling; I’m just human. But, were you around to see any of the unwarranted, inaccurate, and hurtful barbs that were thrown at me? Or, was that all right because I stand by fact in a world of speculation?Did you note that I voluntarily left BF for 90 days just to make a detractor happy? Would you have done so? Do you think other detractors would have done so?Before I offer more evidence of support, I would like to address a portion of your comments.“...when referring to people who don’t see things his way is sickening.”My way? I suppose by that you have evidence of something (technical) I have said that was wrong? If you do, I think you owe it to the forum to point it out, along with the credentials you posses that give you the wherewithal to highlight it as such. I think that’s fair and honorable; don’t you? By doing so, you can edify the group and put me in my place at the same time. If you can’t find fault with anything technical I have said, you’ve lost 50% of the wind from your sails. And, with me falling on my sword for my errant behavior, it would seem the other 50% as well.PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT I THOROUGHLY ADMIT, WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST RESERVATION, THE ERROR ON MY PART. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN BIGGER; I’M SORRY. And, are you aware that one who seems able to read minds has accused me, on the open forum, of saying “I’m sorry” when I “never” really mean it. But, when I have even been chastised for just trying to defend myself, I often feel trapped and confused.  Just today, on the open forum, I read:   “Bill: Now all should see how your knowledge and help is a great thing. Keep up the good work.  Jerry”[Please read post 3 through 6 on the Broken Binoculars thread. Tell me, how many times have you gone to sleep past 2 or 3 in the morning because you were trying to thoroughly answer the questions of someone in need. I’m prepared to be impressed. I have done it many times and, to date, it hasn’t put so much as a nickel in my pocket.]And, last week, one of your own countrymen wrote:“People from Yorkshire, UK, are renowned for 'telling it as it is' Take no notice and keep posting your views.”You say I get upset when people don’t see things MY way. But, when do FACTS have anything to do with somebody’s opinion? At the risk of offending again, I see BF as a room to learn in, not a sandbox to play in. And, I am aware that there are those who want BF to be the home of endless speculation, and that anyone who comes along to help the HONEST TRUTH SEEKER in a non-milquetoast fashion is seen as some kind of enemy—to some, anyway. Sadly, I don’t see it that way. One would think if I were that bad that Ed (PhD), Ronh (PhD), or Holger (PhD) would put me in my place. Yet, it seems that those who want to cause a conflict are those who lack that understanding and think BF was created for nothing more than chatter. I respect that view to a point, and hope you will come to respect mine ... to a point.I allowed myself to be pushed over the edge by a couple of guys who obviously had no respect for what I was trying to do; I am working to curb my feelings. I didn’t put in my 40+ years in optics to be a hotdog; it was just a byproduct of loving my career and trying to put food on the table. But, if I can help someone with an honest need, I will use it to do so. And, I’m sorry, but there will always be those offended by straight talk. And, after working face to face with binocular customers for many years, I’ve come to learn that, in order to really be of service, you have to take on some things with a 50 megaton show of force. I wish it were not so; I truly do. But then, I didn’t set the rules for trust and attention spans. :cat:Cheers,Bill</blockquote>

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