True, but since you have chosen to write on an open forum, the onus is really on you to do everything in your power to insure that something doesn't get taken the wrong way due to the method of communication. This is where quite a few people seem to get confused.

I've reworded posts before, and completely deleted whole or partial posts prior to submitting, because after I read it over, it appeared more offensive than I intended. Sometimes what you think you are typing and what actually got typed are two separate things.

I can say with certainty that I've never posted an opinion on one of these boards that I've not stated, almost word for word, either in a conversation in the crew room, the cockpit, or to my various past Chief Pilots.. I've always been of the opinion that if your not man enough to state your view, you're like then not man enough to command a Beach 1900, much less anything bigger..

It's called character, and if you don't say things just to avoid any fray, in my view you effectively lie.

That said, being civil goes without saying.. that is also what gentleman do.

Good point from most people so far...but why don't we all just use our real names rather than screen names??? (other than tony...if that is your REAL name:D )

GOOD point

Okay, you go first! ;)

Well, your opinion is stupid.

I kid, I kid. I was just teasin'! Relax! :)


It's interesting to see the directions that the conversation has taken, given the lack of specifics in my post. I think they're all good things to think about as we attempt to communicate in this tricky internet medium. However, I did not intend to imply that only one opinion is acceptable. Certainly, there will always be many opinions on a subject. I think it's not unreasonable, though, to expect that we express our differing opinions in a civil, respectful manner. The veil of anonymity we think we may enjoy here (see below) does not relieve us of the responsibility to conduct ourselves any differently than if we were talking to each other face to face. So, one point I was trying to make is that we should express our opinions, however different they may be, in a manner that reflects well upon ourselves. I can completely disagree with Tom, Dick, or Harry on a particular subject, and at the same time have a respect for them based on the way they conduct themselves in the debate. Conversely, I can completely agree with John on a particular subject, and be embarrassed to know him because of the fool he makes of himself in expressing his opinion.



While I wish the thread was around to serve as a testament to the concept I tried to describe, it contained far too much detailed information about a person who did not consent to having that personal information distributed throughout the world on the internet. The need to protect that person, I believe, outweighed any other benefit we might have gained by reading the thread now. Lucky fox. (See below.)




I thought I'd let Aesop do the talking for me, so I looked around the internet for a particular fable. I'm not a huge fan of Wikipedia, but I think in this case it does a good job of describing the context.

The "Fox" in our story had an aquaintance (I can't say friend, because friends don't treat each other the way he did) who could help him reach the grapes in due time. When he began to insult the grapes, he also insulted all those who eat grapes, and the one person who could help him achieve the status of grape-eater.

Wikipedia goes on to mention how we might have gotten a different message than what Aesop intended in the first place, and the alternate meaning might be particularly applicable in this case.
In alienating the only person that could help him taste the grapes, he ensured that he will never enjoy the grapes, no matter how many times he may come back again and try.

As for this being a small world (and the presumed veil of anonymity), our "Fox" thought he was anonymous to the people he was bad-mouthing. However, the person whom he offended most was reading along, dumbfounded at his behavior. And in another twist of fate, I've known the person whom he berated for many years, and can confirm just how wrong he was.



We'll start by my revealing your name, your hire date, the equipment and seat that you fly, and, for good measure, I'll explain that you weren't really that qualified to get your job in the first place -- you got special treatment based on your hair color. No, wait, that's the thread that got deleted. Never mind. ;)






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Are you talking about FedUp and a fedex pilot?

His name is MuD.





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Hey.....

How did I get mixed up into this post?:eek:

I don't think he was talking about you -- he was talking about someone who claimed to be fed up with FedEx.



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