My contributor status is up today and I have decided not to renew after many years of donating faithfully since the option to donate was made available.
Yeah, I'm with you on that Booted, but for slightly different reasons.
I decided against re-upping my subscription over the summer, when SteelChip posted a meme of a semi with blood splattered all over the grill, a meme about the ongoing BLM/George Floyd protests happening around the country at the time. The fact that didn't bother a single poster or mod on here, proved to me how low this board has sunk. Of course, Spike's over-the-top image depicting violence was immediately removed and he was called out for it.
I've been on this board for what seems like forever, have been a contributor for nearly a decade. In the early days after the Steelerwatch merger, I helped Dave upload articles on the front page, did that for about a year. I came here, and stayed all these years based on my love of the Steelers franchise.
This politics forum has been a topsy-turvy roller coaster ride. I've always been left of center in my political views, spent hours on end debating on here during the Bush & Obama years. Back then, things would get heated, but the personal attacks were infrequent, particularly those having to do with the fact I'm an expat American living in Europe. Nor do I recall being called a commie, a paid Soros troll or worse, during those years.
The Trump presidency changed everything. It certainly changed me. The insults started flying and got nastier with each passing day. It's highly ironic to read from Tim and others, how vile I am, how I've insulted everyone on this board. Well, maybe so. But you know what, I too have been insulted by just about everyone on here. It's a chicken or the egg dilemna, who insulted who first, or more often? It doesn't matter. The gloves came off, I got sick of all the insults, and starting flinging the **** right back where it came from. In time, my relationship with long-time posters deteriorated, and I became public enemy number one. I could post anything at all, and the attacks would start immediately, about me living in Hungary, being an antifa supporter, not being an American, hating America and so on.
I take responsiblity for my words that have provoked and insulted others. My views on Trump remain unchanged, but my anger and frustration towards those who supported him, and continue to support him has increased. My anger and frustration regarding the hypocrisy on this board also has increased. While I'm called out and confronted for being a contrarian on a board with an overwhelming opposite political slant, the personal attacks against me go completely unchecked by mods and regulars alike. It's been open season on liberals on here for many years now. So be it.
I don't know how often I'll visit or post here. I understand full well most here want to see me gone. I get it. If I do post, I will refrain from insulting or attacking anyone here. How others react to me, my posts and my political views will be determined. We'll see where the mud-slinging originates from, where the belittling, petty personal attacks come from. It won't be coming from me.
I wish for and hope for an America where the division dies down, the mud-slinging and personal attacks between people with differing political views is replaced with normal conversation and debate. I understand that has to start with me, since that's all I can control.
I apologize to anyone and everyone I've belittled or insulted during these past few years. I do not apologize for my views on - and criticism of - Trump, his behavior or his presidency.
Cheers, Tibs