I believe that when the topic is or has me put into a place of needing to defend myself I have an interest in doing just that.

To address the issue of political discussion being inappropriate here...
I completely agree.
So...half the posts in this forum should be scrutinized ..in off topic and outside off topic. Since the term "political discussion " equally applies to the distinction of politics and polarization of members here talking of device, os and platform, and preach, vent and curse as much (if not more and worse..than ever I could) ...
the difference between politics of device, os, corporation ...and real world politics ..is what exactly?
They both can be just as inflammatory. .
So start from page one of this forum and disinfect the whole place of political bias of all kinds.
This isn't hair splitting.
Turn any page here from day one, and you will find disparaging remarks which are political in their nature.
And there isn't a soul here who hasn't posted something here that was a political statement of some kind.


Next.
I strongly object to szopin's post which was disparaging .
Yes I am usually the one of the first to diffuse a situation, call for calm, use humour (a lot) and hope that all get along and try to find a way to resolve things.
This is not the first time Szopin has attempted to take "a go" at me.
Assault me using Morality as the weapon,
and twist my own words to achieve that.
all bets are off.
I don't tolerate that.

And then to have the gall to post "The state of TMO 2017" ?
My opinion of "szopin the firestarter" is as low as it gets.

In fact lets set the record really straight here.
Szopin is quick to pull my words and use them out of context and disparage me in the doing.
If closer scrutiny of my words is needed concerning szopin,
why not pull up my past posts repeatedly urging szopin to calm down and stay with our community, that it would be a loss to lose him, when he was upset and desiring to leave?

Since then, I have found his polarizing, fire-starting, and trolling behaviour difficult and hard to keep my cool over when I have repeatedly encountered it.
Assaulting my integrity was the end to my cool.

As far as apologies go.
One is definitely owed to the community for my hard words to szopin ...and I have no problem at all removing said words from the post in question.
In fact it is already done...and removed.
I have no problem apologizing for words said poorly ...
in haste and from a state of upset...
being deliberately hurtful is abhorrent to me frankly.
I hate not getting along with those around me..
But it will be a frosty day in Hell before there will come an apology from my mouth first...to szopin.


If blood is required..or demanded..
disciplinary action..
or banning...

Well then...
lets see it.

Then lets see what happens afterward.