I would like to relate a story to everyone here that sums up how I feel about the very valid issues that have been brought up in this thread. To preface this story let me say that I have been playing for about 6-7 years now and have done my time with all three countries but have mostly stuck with the Rooks. I think by the end of this story, you will all see the great respect and admiration I have for "most" of our community.
About four years ago I had hit a very rough spot in my life. My career had taken a turn for the worse, and my wife and I were looking like we were going to get a divorce. I was playing Aces High and trying to get my mind off of everything going on at the time. I was talking over my issues with a few friends of mine in the game and they were listening with the patience and acceptance that only a true friend could give. Of course they were trying to cheer me up but when you've gone that far down the rabbit hole of depression, discussing the problems only seems to make things worse. I had just received a letter of eviction that day and I was at my wits end. I knew that no amount of bargaining or pleading would change my landlords mind. I was being yelled at by my wife for not being able to provide the type of life she thought she deserved. I was getting notices almost everyday from this or that bill collector or from my utilities saying they were going to cut me off. This whole time my friends of AHII kept talking me down from ledge. I felt that I could do nothing right and was wondering what else could possibly go wrong. My friends in game were listening without judgement and without trying to fix my problems but were giving me exactly what I needed...a shoulder to cry on. I felt true despair that day, but the friends I had made in game were there for me. I had finally quit crying when I heard the sound of tires sliding on asphault out in front of my house, but as my office was in the back of the house I couldn't see what was happening. For that I thank whatever higher power is up there. I remembered about this time that my beloved cat, my truest friend, the only thing that never judged me or criticized me was outside. I have never known a feeling of such dread in my life. I sat at my desk frozen with fear. I heard a car door open and shut and then the car pull into my driveway. I heard someone get out of the car and start up the steps of my front porch. I got up and headed for the front as someone began to knock. I looked outside the window and saw a shiny and new, blue BMW with what looked like a dent in the front bumper. The old man at the door had taken his hat off and was holding it in front of him and was looking down with a sad expression on his face. Slowly I went to open the door,
get on the floor,
everybody walk the dinosaur!
This thread has got to rate in the history of the internet as the largest collection of half-witted drivel and personal attacks (on both sides of the issues) that has ever been posted. Here is my suggestion for both sides: Change your tampons, take two doses of Vagisil, and call me in the morning.
/thread
