[b]Fact: When a persons employer becomes involved, a persons livelihood goes in jeopardy.

[i]AROCK rationalized this by saying it was not his job to chase around the photoshopper. Yet he spent time to find out who the webhost was. Spent time to find phone numbers. Also spent time researching what laws that will fall under this "violation"

On Kelleys part she, I believe, got caught up in the moment. And got into the "I'll show you" mental state. Really showed poor judgement.[/i]  

Fact: This became personal very fast.

[i]Everyone should've taken a step back. I know hindsight is 20/20. However, I have been alive for 35yrs now, and I have met a lotta of folks that in this situation. They would've stepped back to look at the big picture. Show good character and judgement. These are the folks I respect and trust[/i]

Fact: Yes, TRG went overboard during the rule 11 fiasco.

[i]Knowing TRG's personality. He did this without malice, but basically as a rib and protest against this rule. Unfortunately it was not taken lightly. Hindsight TRG should've backed off.[/i]

Fact: Trust has been broken.[/b]

Here's is my position:
Although I can understand and even forgive the actions of individuals involved. Afterall it got heated very fast. I can put myself into this. Don has been trying to contact me for days now, but I have not taken his call. This is due to the fact, that I am still steamed about this. Although this did not happen to me personally, I really feel betrayed. So I do not want to contact him for the fear that I will say something I will soon regret. My deal is for me to cool my head. My up coming trip to CA should do that.

Everyone should've taken a step back and chilled. Instead of jumping off the deep end.

Regardless of the intent, ones employer should've never been contacted. Repercussion due to that is very damaging, no matter the intent of the other party. Worse case would be termination. Next to worse case is being passed up for promotions or raises cause you are labeled a "trouble maker".

I am very dissappointed and feeling very hurt about this situation. You see, DonR, Jarhead_22 and TRG were the first folks to ever welcome me to the DFW area. I opened up my e-mail and there they were extending their friendship. From TRG inviting me to his party barn, Jarhead_22 taking me to my first gunshow, to DonR taking me to my first nudie bar. I gave each and everyone my trust.

When the DFW group slowly started getting together and friendships were established, I assumed everyone had the trust and loyalty that I had for everyone. To me it was like they were my extended siblings.

Then I find that someone I have trusted and considered my personal friend betrays another, it was a shock. Yes this happened with folks on the net. Well maybe for most of you guys. But I have been to these guys' houses. Ate dinner with them. Hung out with them.

Although I can forgive thier actions, I do not believe I can ever trust or respect Kelley, Don or Newman again.

I feel the same way about Trust. You have to Trust the people you spend time with on the Internet. And I'm not sure if I can trust anyone on the board. I mean,it's like they become your family. And then all of a sudden someone stabs someone in the family in the back. It's going to be really hard to trust a few people again. And even though this didn't happen to me. I wouldn't care if someone photoshopped me. I would consider it an honor that they would've ever consdier my photos. But the thing of the matter is,it's just the internet! unless someone threatened your life. I don't see what the big DAM deal is!

Mona

Agreed, very well said.

[V]

[shaking head]

Dissapointing.........

[/shaking head]

[V]

Funny, that is what we thought as well about the DFW crew.

Bottomline is that everyone has a breaking point. Character of this individual become evident on how they handle that breaking point.

I do not believe DonR and AROCK have access to post on AR15.com

What makes this so impacting in my eyes is that I knew these people and considered them my friends.  If this involved someone unknown to me, I'd think, "hey that's pretty fucked up - I hope it goes well for TRG."  But no.  Because I know these people, it is absolutely enraging that they could be so underhanded and backstabbing.  

When you don't know someone, you naturally have your guard up.  When you consider someone a friend you place your trust in them.  When that trust is so overtly and blatantly violated - when that trust is raped in its entirety, I consider it crossing the point of no return.

I could never forgive these people. Never.  I don't care if they recant every complaint and plead for forgiveness - its too late.

I've bitten my tongue throughout this (publicly) due to the fact that I would not have been able to control my anger.  Every cuss word and insult would've been thrown at them.  Friends just do not fuck over their friends.  Its really that simple.  Violating that earns you (omitted).

I support TRG 110%.  I told him that he would have my help in any capacity - all he had to do was say the word.  But, unlike the others involved, TRG is a grown up and can handle his own difficulties; without attacking the other parties personally.  TRG is a good man.

And I still refuse to work for or be in attendance with the persons who placed TRG's livelihood in jeopardy.  Any association with them would create an embarrassing situation for the event and AR15.COM. I refuse to enter into a situation that could have the potential of smearing the very good name of this site.

This is the only time I will say anything about this publicly.  I have a million things running through my mind about this - so I hope I've at least made this somewhat understandable.

Well,I think the Ball is in Kelley's court now. She can either own up to what she did was wrong on her part by calling Brian's boss. And for not getting in touch with Brian in the first place and handling this better. I think that until Kelley realizes what she did was wrong. This will not be settled. Kelley has apologized to everyone else about this. But has yet to apologize to the one person she tried to destroy. And that would be Brian. You can't tell me that just because you call someones work to even just talk to their boss isn't going to cause problems whether they were intentional (sp) or not. Own up to your mistakes Kelley so that this can be resolved!

Mona

I've got some things to say, but I need to think them out first. It'll probably be later on this evening before I can get back.

For the moment I will say thank you to Kelley and Don for having me in there home and all that they have contributed to this site in the past 5 years that I have been here.

Special thanks needs to go to Kelley for all the hours of driving and time on the phone and fronting money to get Gunstock off the ground.

I'll leave everyone with this:

[b]A reporter once was interviewing a very succesful CEO and asked him:

"How is it that you have come to be so succesful?

"By making good decisions."

"Well, where did you obtain the ability to make good decisions?"

"Experience."

"And you got your experience from...?"

"By making bad decisions."[/b]

Although the damage done here may never be repaired, all wounds leave a scar, I do believe everyone involved have made some bad decisions that will guarentee they make better ones on down the road in this journey of life.

She's apologized to me and certain people about this whole mess. But she fails to realize she needs to Apologize to Brian!

Mona

SC-Texas
You are totally right. I'm not sticking up for Kelley because she is totally wrong in this. And I am to the point that she will never understand what she did,or will apologize to the one person she needs to.

Mona