Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-31600610-20190809045519

@ Everyone, but especially, Amrosa and Powerup777

Ok. So. Here we go...

I am, and will probably always be, a somewhat abrasive person. I'm short-fused. I speak my mind freely, yet often without consideration to other's feelings. Occasionally, or maybe frequently I do not consider my words carefully before I speak them. I'm not sure how I became this way, but I'm me and that's all I know how to be. However, one can change...

I apologize, Amrosa. What I said regarding 9/11 wasn't the right way to say what I thought, and it may have seemed insensitive, or inconsiderate. I can assure you, that was not my intention. As I sit here and take the time to contemplate the events of that day, I remember very clearly, and vividly, exactly where I was and what I was doing. It's one of the few historical events that I've experienced in my life that has left such an indelible impression. And I know I'm not the only one.

It was a horrible day for this country. I can't imagine what it must have been like to be near, or in, one of those buildings. I watched the footage, like most of us did, over and over and over. And, the thought that was on most of our minds, was "why?" and "who would do this?" It didn't take too long before those questions were answered, and our "enemy" was identified.

I have four brothers. Two of us served in the Army, and two served in the Air Force. (The other one is a slacker, but we all love him anyway.) On September 11th, only one of us were active. All of us (including the slacker) were ready to go to war and two of them re-enlisted. (I was not physically able to do so, but I tried.) We all agreed that we love America, what it stands for, and our fellow Americans. We were willing to die for this country, and still are. It's that simple. And then questions arose. Questions that at first, I brushed off. I saw what had happened on television. That's all I needed to see. A bunch of crazy, religious fanatics had hijacked those planes.

Then, almost unimaginable rumors began to fly. Fingers were pointed. Legitimate, rational, and credible people with varying degrees and prestigious titles began to step forward with some extremely serious accusations. Men and women with many years of experience in physics, engineering, chemistry, metallurgy,  aeronautics, and more, were asking the questions that many of us never considered. And there are still many, many questions that we may never truly know the answer to.

Regardless of the how, and the why it happened, many lives were lost. And people are still dying as a result of 9/11. One of my favorite comedians, Jon Stewart, has made incredible progress in securing proper healthcare for many of the first responders that have succumbed to sickness resulting from exposure. It's heartbreaking to consider how many innocent people never got to say goodbye to their loved ones. It's agonizing to consider those that have kept their faithful vigilance, silently weeping as they watch a spouse, a sibling or a dear friend slowly die from the exposure of their bodies to toxins at ground zero.

I do not consider myself a conspiracist. I consider myself to be an intelligent person with the ability to rationally discern between the plausible, possible and feasible possibilities and the fantastical, irrational or illogical  ones. Like countless others around the world, I've spent enough time reading, researching, analyzing, considering and scrutinizing  the information that IS available to come to my own conclusions.

With that said, I am convinced that the official story is incorrect. It is MY belief. If that belief offends you, or hurts your feelings, I will do my very best to refrain from expressing my personal beliefs here in the forums, to the best of my ability.

Now, reflecting on our above exchange, it anguishes me to think that I may have personally inflicted more pain on a wound that is likely to never heal. I would never, in ANY way belittle or diminish anyone's grief, compassion, or sorrow. Comparing the horror, tragedy and devastating losses of September 11th, 2001 to the joy, amazement and hope that Apollo 11 provided to this country and the rest of the world in 1969 was more than an oversight on my part. It was downright ingorant, inconsiderate, and careless. I have no excuse. I was raised better, I know better, and certainly could have conveyed my feelings and thoughts much, MUCH better.

.Please accept my sincerest apology.

As an act of atonement, I will not submit another single word to this wiki for one week, unless the wiki community overwhelmingly encourages me to return before that time. Until then, I will still visit, and read, but I will not log in.This is my choice. If anyone wished to speak to me, I am on discord, and Powerup777 can send you a link to the server I belong to.

Some of you might say, "Weren't you threatened with a ban?" Yes, I was. Was it implemented? No, it was not... Because it didn't need to be. I've never been banned from anything before, and at first I didn't care. But then, a man that I respect (althought I've never said it) spoke with me this evening, privately. And his sincerity, kindness and patience made me stop and take a look in the proverbial mirror.

I was so angry when I wrote to him, and yet, via simple, typed words on a screen, I was disarmed. Nearly speechless in fact. That's the kind of guy that should be spending his time enjoying himself instead of running around doing damage control for my senselessness. Apologies to you as well, Robert.

So, you great people have an awesome week, and I'll see you then. Until then... -Derrick

p.s.: The chicken cordon bleu recipe was delicious! 