What does my pattern suggest? That I only post when Fed is winning? Go back and read some of the history of the website. Buckeye and I used to go toe to toe on numerous issues. I was an outspoken defender of Canas when he came back from his drug suspension, scouring the web to find info and coming to the conclusion that his case was pretty controversial. I agreed with Kittens way back when that Fed had potential issues with his mental strength. Of course, that was long ago, but part of the reason I haven't been around much lately is precisely as I laid it out to Buckeye - wading through the crap is painful. In my specific case, it drives me crazy when certain posters take Fed's quotes out of context and/or make quotes up and attribute them to him, then use that as a basis for attacking his character. Happens all the time. I'm not trying to bash Alison here, but she's done it since time immemorial. I have to laugh at Herc saying he must "defend" himself from the Federeesians, because it's his countless and usually baseless attacks on Fed's character that start most of the stuff. Just last week, in the act of defending himself no doubt, he made the bold claim that Fed was "running scared" because Fed said he'd rather play Verdasco in the final. Then after a couple days of silence, he's back telling us that Fed is an "arrogant, selfish baby" for crying in the post-final awards ceremony. Earlier last week I waded into the Rafa tribute thread because he and Shank butchered a different quote from Fed, and were claiming that Fed was already calling himself the greatest player of the open era.
Trust me, I think there are plenty of valid criticisms to be thrown at Fed. But the twisted and made-up BS that gets posted on here, by posters claiming to be "interested only in the truth", is beyond ridiculous. So shoot me if I can't just ignore that crap, but as I said, it drives me crazy. It's just plain wrong to do that. If that's my hidden agenda or whatever, then so be it. But it does make it difficult for me to post on tennis issues, and takes up alot of time to boot.
When I said that I wanted this place to get back to being a happy, fun place, I was serious - but I think these baseless character attacks on players has no room in such a place.
Freebird, you said part of the reason why you aren't here as much because you don't like what you read but keep it in mind, not the whole reason. And that was my whole point. I am sure you used to be here a lot but things change over time. I now post 15 posts a day as yellowball counted for me not so long ago. But I am sure that will not be the case in the future. I have other interests in life and soon this addiction will wear off, I will get busy with something else. I will probably still post once in a while if I see one of my old faves is doing really well or if there's a very interesting match-up that does not involve my old fave. But I am sure I will not blame it or even mention it, that part of the reason why I am not here is because, I am at odds with some people because they make things difficult for me. Simply because it's not the whole truth and it's certainly not the reason why I am not here all the time. So when you or anyone whoever says things like that, it bugs me. If that was the whole truth you wouldn't be here under any circumstances, I can tell you that.
Anyway, I don't think you should take some of the comments seriously. It only tends to go back and forth and never really solves any of the problems and it never will. On top of that, it goes on forever. I hate both. "Running scared" is a bit of an extreme choice of words I agree and is bound to make Fed fans react, one can't possibly deny that. I also agree it's not the best time to say things like that even though there's some truth in it. Federer definitely didn't want to play Nadal, no doubt about that. But the situation is so dynamic right now. A lot of tension in the air and for the right reasons, as things really took an interesting turn after the AO. This forum is still doing far better than the two other forums that I frequent only. There, the whole forum has devided into two groups of fans and it's really ugly as wrong assumptions are being made all the time. This forum will go into the same direction if we also take things too seriously. I like you. You are a very good poster, very easy to get along and same goes for herc. Mind you, herc never has anything good to say about Pete. He at least pays a lot more respect to Fed than Pete. He absolutely hates Pete and he made it very clear, yet both Shankar and I, the two most genuine Pete fans here, are his great buddies. That should tell you something. I did flip one time at herc's harsh comments at Pete, but then I decided not to be too bothered with it. I figured I could live with it. I didn't have to but I decided to. So that's your choice. For me, this is still a fun and happy place.
