jep's leave of absence

Feb 10 19:48 UTC 2004

It's time for me to take a leave from Grex for a while.  I've been 
participating only in coop for a few weeks now, and that only to pursue 
the policy initiatives which directly impacted me.  Those issues are 
settled now, thank goodness.

A few parting thoughts:

First of all: During the last few weeks, I have been subjected to a 
more concerted and abusive assault from Grexers than I have ever seen 
on either M-Net or Grex.  It reminds me of junior high school, more 
than anything else.  Or of the book, "Lord of the Flies".

I submit to everyone here that that kind of assault is not only 
unwarranted, even from the least responsible individuals, but 
intolerable to Grex itself.  I don't know what can be done about it, 
but not very many people are going to put up with being the target of 
something like that.  This is not an acceptable use of Grex.  It 
shouldn't ever be okay to have someone treated like that; not for any 
participant of Grex.  I hope it's not accepted in schools any more, for 
that matter.

Second: That juvenile abuse isn't why I am leaving Grex.  I am leaving 
over another incident, which I have discussed about as much as I want 
to.  I trusted Grex with a lot of highly personal information, and 
someone abused that trust to attack me, and now I won't be able to 
trust Grex much any more.  I am sorry it worked out that way.

Third: Grex is a wonderful system.  I hope the users here know what 
they've got, and are able to maintain it.  It's far beyond the 
founders, the staff, the Board, the fw's, the system itself... all of 
those are wonderful, but there's a lot more here than what they've 
provided.  Grex is a terrific community.  There are many thoughtful, 
intelligent and nice people here who really care about one another.  
That's what makes it such a great place.

Fourth: Thanks to all who helped me so much during my troubles and 
stress and despair of two years ago.  I appreciate it greatly.  It is 
the nature of a general "thank you" that those for whom it is most 
intended may not recognize themselves.  I hope that's not the case this 
time.

Fifth: I have made many mistakes during my time on Grex.  I apologize 
to everyone who was affected by any of those mistakes.  I have 
misunderstood comments, I have said unkind and thoughtless things, and 
I have from time to time been unfair.  I regret all of these mistakes, 
and hope they can be forgiven.  I have also hurt people -- even 
intentionally, I am sorry to say.  I won't ask forgiveness for doing 
that, but I have always regretted those occurrances, and tried to 
overcome my tendency to do that sort of thing.

I'm posting this in coop because that's where I'm active right now.  
Feel free to pass this on wherever you wish.