Nath was, during some time, quite abrasive and his aggressive style and blunt way of critizising things he felt was wrong made him more than a few enemies.
I've decided not to discuss or debate HTC's decision of banning Nath for now, and can see both sides points of view. To a large extent it's between HTC and Nath, but in 9./JG 54, people are our most valued assets, and as such, I feel a loyalty towards squad mates that's very strong indeed.
When Nath joined 9./JG 54, there were some questions from members of this community about the decision from the squads side to accept him. Our view was, and is, that Nath is one hell of a stick and that under the somewhat blunt facade is a whole different side to his person. He's knowledgeable and has contributed a lot to the squad, be it in scenarios, tactics discussions or the creation or our web site.
Those who consider nath just an egomaniac with a potty mouth are, put simply, wrong. There's much more to it than that, but one has to bother to look to see it. All my life I've surrounded myself with people on the fringe of the "accepted norm" of behaviour. Some have been provocative, some have been outcasts and some have been rejects. All have been worthwhile once I've seen through the prejudices and easily formed unbased opinions. Some things there has been something to, others there hasn't.
So I was pretty sure that there was something beneath the surface, and I was right.
It's a fact that after Nath joined 9./JG 54, he has cleaned up his act a whole lot. Several people have told me so, and it's also been my and other squad mates experiences. Occasional outburst yes and when we think it gets a little out of hand, we let him know. Still, it's his prerogative to act on our advice or not, and he knows very well that if he behaves like an utter tard all the time, he won't be welcome in the squad.
But the thing is, he hasn't. And the communitys response to this ban has been, well shocking.
The schadenfreude has been unrivalled, and people have basked in his misery (cannot find another English words, sorry). Then, when it was pointed out, they sort of got straight faces and started acting all logical and civilized. However, they did show some character traits that I personally dislike.
Fortunately, there were also individuals that showed class. A big <S!> to them.
He's arrogant. That's the style of a Grünherzjäger. Another characteristic of a Grünherzjäger is to poke fun at your opponents, and rub things in. We give, and *we take*. Like everyone, we vent from time to time. Nath may not do it with the same sort of style as the rest of us, and is serious about his complaints most of the times (I tend to rant and rave when I get shot down, but usually it disappears after a minute or two).
Nath might be conceived as abrasive, but there are a lot of people out there that are equally abrasive. There are people who whine a whole lot more. There are people who game the game and are proud of it. There are kill stealers and car bombers and offmap dweebs; something I rate much worse than a "you HO dweeb, learn to fly" comment.
He ain't the worst and he's gotten a whole lot better.
Don't bring HTC's decision into this debate, please. It isn't about that. It's about a pariah or pariahs in general, and a squad mate. Some of you will think less of me because of this post, but that matters little; I remain true to my principles and that includes showing the other side of the proverbial coin.
When I know what the situation was like, I'll speak about it, and that'd include what I think about Nath's behaviour. I'm talking in general terms and about the community's reaction to him and others in the past. So HTC and the situation that caused the whole deal is not a part of the discussion, although I must say I am sorry about the damages done by nath, but also on him. For that, my apology and regrets.
<Soap box mode off>
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Baron Claus "StSanta" Von Ribbentroppen
Staffelkapitän 9./JG 54 "Grünherz"
"If you return from a mission with a victory, but without your Rottenflieger, you have lost your battle."
- D. Hrabak, JG 54 "Grünherz"
[This message has been edited by StSanta (edited 04-06-2001).]
