CompuServe Messages

Paul, Me… Vindictive? Mean-spirited? It could certainly be interpreted that way. How many ways could I possibly say, "I love you" and yet have it interpreted in a way that is not intended. Sanford Kennedy is playing a game. He sent a message to me titled STOP IT KEVIN. He addressed it to ALL so I couldn't erase it. He used a word he knew I would find offensive. You, on Christmas Day, a day when many people's thoughts turn to sharing, caring and giving… you thoughtlessly piled on. And you advanced logic that reveals much about you. "Sure, within reason." "I believe I have been as flexible as possible…" "Given your limited knowledge of 3DS, I can understand your difficulty." "Why do you insist on turning things into an oppressor/oppressed relationship?" "… but most think they're silly and a waste of time." I ask you: to examine the constraints you are imposing on yourself and others. to examine the logic you employ in advancing your argument. to think before you offend someone through your actions. This is only good advice that anyone contemplating a leadership position should heed. For what it's worth, it is my opinion, that there has not been enough flexibility. And what I am trying to make clear, is that there are many perspectives involved here. When you said, "within reason" you are defining and restricting. When you said, "I can understand your difficulty," you drew an erroneous conclusion. When you say "most think…" you advance an argument that begs for statistics. If you want to advance an argument and back it with the opinion of others, you might put forth a little more effort in collecting data than the casual survey you mention. Regarding effort. I've put forth much, not just for the purpose of advancing this project, but also for self-improvement. It is my wish that you take a more serious approach to learning then to rely on a quick consultation of the dictionary when you come across topics with which you are unfamiliar. The answers to issues involved in running a city are not found in a dictionary. I'm sure you realize this. I'm just underlining the point. You have offered to fill at least three positions in this project. Successful management of a project with the scope and magnitude such as this calls for more than an understanding of the technical aspects of a software package. It also requires the ability to successfully communicate. It requires the ability to empathize. It requires compassion, sensitivity and, in my opinion, a greater degree of flexibility than you have exhibited to date. This is not condemnation. It is just opinion. Mine. And you know the old adage. Opinions are like sphinxes. (G.Angle) Consider this also. If you and I have this much trouble communicating… imagine how difficult it could be for someone whose native tongue is not English. This is an international project. I am not mad at you, Paul. I hope you are not mad at me. I am disappointed in Kennedy. But I'll get over it. He's teaching me something. It's a difficult lesson to learn. You say: "I have neither the time nor the inclination to respond to this last message in parts, though so much of it begs for specific replies." I sincerely hope you will respond to my message in total. Before you do so, I hope you will look at it from a perspective you may not have considered. In any event, if you want to run a city, you will have to find the time and the inclination to deal with things that you find aggravating. Otherwise, someone else will be selected to replace you… Someone who understands the needs of others. Bundle up. Kevin