An apology to Tex.

[Cali Coug]

My battles with Tex are fairly well known to all. I think both Tex and I have somewhat oddly enjoyed the sparring. We obviously come from entirely different perspectives on most everything. That said, I find that I am actually starting to dislike Tex on a personal level which is a pretty clear indicator that our sparring has gone too far. I don't even know Tex or anything about him. He could be my next door neighbor, for all I know.

Political and intellectual sparring often leads to a battle of wits as well. Tex has scored some pretty good (and amusing) jabs at me, and I have tried to do the same to him. I haven't even intended them maliciously, so much as enjoyed the fight of "witty comeback." He is pretty good at it and I think that has caused some of my attacks to escalate inappropriately. I found myself annoyed by Tex when I stepped away from the computer today for the first time ever, and that was honestly a bit embarrassing. This is a virtual world and we are all caricatures of ourselves to a bit on here. I doubt any personality on here remotely approximates real-life personality, so why should an online poster bother me in real life? Simple answer: he shouldn't, and I shouldn't try to bother him either. I enjoy the exchanges here, which is why I keep coming back, but to the extent those become personal this forum has no further value to me.

So Tex, I apologize. I don't need to belittle you. I am not going to agree with your beliefs, whatever they may be, but I am going to be more civil in responding to you (or barring that just ignoring you). I have frequently been in the wrong, and have often been the instigator. My bad.

No response necessary, but if you do respond, the last word is yours.

Carry on.