[MidOHasp]

Jack,

I want nothing of the like. Don't put words in my mouth.

I didn't say "bigger" - I said "better" Yes, sitting around with a hot-dog over a sterno can to me is better than the hoopla of the party tent, catering, controlled access to the tent, wrist-bands, etc... Not bigger, better.

I'm not protesting anything, by the way. Guilty of what, I have to ask? All I'm asking is for people to stop attacking me and others who have raised questions. It's ridiculous. I haven't told anyone to shut up yet. I speak my opinions without trying to silence others. That's all I'm asking, is for that to stop.

My posts aren't intended to be cryptic. Maybe they are because you are not seeing my point. I admit that could be MY fault. But I'm not hiding anything in my posts, certainly not an agenda to take over the fling. Are you crazy? Seriously. Get a clue and don't tell everyone what I'm thinking or attempting or what my agenda is.

I'm not defending myself, I'm asking nicely for people to understand what my point is. So I'm not one with words. Is that a sin? I'm sorry that you find my posts cryptic. Nobody else seems to find them cryptic. If someone wants to think I have an agenda, I know better. That's all I need to know. My friends who have known me longer than you also know better. I enjoyed meeting you at the leaf cruise, you seem like a great guy. Don't come off as an asshole now by telling me to "let the Cobra community decide my fate"... That's a really ridiculous thing to say. Am I on trial, here?

To say that I have an agenda, you are just wrong. Period. Nothing cryptic about that. You are wrong. I'll say it here, first. You will never see a JPSF or an attempt at a JPSF. You'll never see me asking for Ed or anyone to hand over any reigns. You'll never see my name at the top of anything bigger than a leaf cruise or a dinner meeting. Period.

I tried to take an active role in last year's fling (to the extent that I could, not being located any closer to the real action in the planning phases) and I enjoyed it. I'd like to help behind-the-scenes again. Swear to God and all of you, my friends. That is the extent to which I'd like to be more than a participant in this fling or any fling.

I also haven't apologized for anything, Jack. I'm not sure where you are seeing my apologies. I just haven't apologized once, here, haven't felt the need. Again, people follow the flow of posts. They're going to read yours and forget what I said . . . assuming that what you said I said is reality. That's just not fair.

I'm neutral, man. You are obviously taking personal offense to stuff that isn't even being said. I'm sorry you feel that is necessary. You are on Ed's side. I'm not on anyone's side. I just want to have fun.

I think KISS is better. Smaller, less "bling", and BETTER. Smaller doesn't have to mean less cars. Just less flash.

Jack, I had my hands full with the leaf cruise. That is the extent to which I can plan, organize, and run an event all by myself. I recognize that limitation and hope I can do that again next year, 2 weeks later, hitting peak foliage. In the mean-time, my very literal words are all the agenda I have. Beyond that, you're making stuff up.

Those who haven't seen "my agenda" in my posts aren't READING TOO FAR INTO THEM like you are. That's a more accurate statement.

Jack, you're a good guy. I am, too. I'd like to see you at the fling or at our OCC winter get-together, shake your hand, smile, and know this is all behind all of us. But if you want to try to defame me here by speaking for me, telling everyone out there that I have an agenda, then phuck off.

I mean both parts of that serious as a heart attack. I'm a forgiver and forgetter, so long as someone isn't telling me what I'm thinking or saying or making me look like an asshole more than I do on my own. But, if you can't take this at face value, then you are being a jerk.

I want this discussion, at least my active role in it, to be over. But on my terms. Not on the terms of someone policing what I have to say. I was ready to concede that point yesterday, and even more so after Ed's post today. But I'll be damned if I don't do it on my terms. I'm not backing out of this discussion because someone told me to. I'm doing it because I'm satisfied with what has been discussed. If others want to keep it going, fine. I'm out.

Please, people, save the policing to the moderators. If you have an opinion on the Fling or on Ed Combs, this is the place for it. Those of you that are bringing up your great past fling experiences, I love seeing that. Those of you that are just badmouthing me or telling Turk, Braatz, myself, et al to "shut up", I just don't think that's the same thing at all.

PS - Jack, if you have a personal problem with me, PM me. I have no public records to share, and you and I can talk offline. Tell me personally what you think I'm saying, and if you make a good point, explaining to me how my posts look like I have an agenda, then maybe you have a good point. I will re-read what I've said and I will post something short (I am capable of that, actually) to rectify that. In the meantime, leave the personal slams out of the public arena.