Well, if there were one single event which might a) convince him to ask the mods for absolution, and b) convince the mods to grant it, probably the prospect of a U.S.-backed invasion/overthrow of a Middle Eastern country would be it. I know I’ve sure missed his perspective over the past weeks.
So can anyone confirm/deny an unbanning? **Collounsbury, ** are you out there? Can we please all make nice while we’re fighting ignorance? I’d hate for any unbannning to be temporary…
Collounsbury has indeed been reinstated. We have been sufficiently convinced by the sincerity of his reform and apology, and he has agreed to adhere to stricter rules. He was going to post a thread regarding his return, but the recent developments in the Middle East have prevented him from having the time.
Fuck! I liked Collounsbury’s posts. I want him baaaack!
/lots of whining ensues
Hosea! Or is that inappropriate?
Welcome back, Collunsbury! May your vitriol knob be tweaked only one notch less!!!
::dances a little jig::
You know, this has been a pretty depressing St. Paddy’s Day, what with Bush’s speech, and then I watched the Frontline program on Iraq…then I thought I’d check the SDMB…
This news has just cheered me right the hell up.
Welcome back, Collounsbury! Your knowledge and perspective have been missed.
Woohoo!
Dear Friends, Colleagues & Readers:
I found several emails and I suppose have been flushed out before my intended moment as it were.
Yes, Eva Luna has it right.
My intention was and is to write a proper explanation and apology on my return. The Crisis provoked just what Eva Luna noted, bizarrely about the same time as this thread was revived. Pure coincidence, but ma sha’allah.
I regret to say, however, that I do not at present have the time or will to do so. I have a heavy heart presently. As you probably all know, I work in a ‘front line state’ and the events of 17 March have provoked a crisis. I am at present deeply involved in emergency contingency planning for our portfolio and as such do not have time to properly return quite as yet.
Let me then simply extend my apologies for a decline in quality up to the point where Guadere et al very properly put me in the cooler – and let me note that I fully supported and understood that action now and at the time, and that my return is based on a return to the original me, as it were.
I should like to write something more eloquent and even involved which I promised the Moderators and Administrators out of my own desire to clear the air, but as I said, at present the crisis has all my focus and energy and I do not feel I would do a good job of it.
My only comment on the Crisis & War is, as an expert in the region, someone of long experience in the region and deep contacts, my sense of dread and sense we have committed the most profound foreign policy blunder in 40 years is well placed and profound. Not simply as my personal safety is somewhat in question, not that the portfolio is in question (or perhaps has a post-war upside) but that this course of action is such a profound mistake that it is hard to over estimate.
Not the battle for Iraq, that is not the question, but the war for prestige and place. The Bush administration is committing an error rather similar in structure and form to the French in the post Revolutionary period.
Very well then, as I said, I need to focus on emergency planning issues and as I indicated to the Moderators and Administrators, I did and do not wish to return without an adequate statement on the issue of an apology and catharsis, as it were, on the banning issue, which I owe them above all, as well as many of you.
And as I said, I don’t yet feel I can do a proper job of it, as such please take this merely as an interim statement before an actual return.
Yours very truly,
“Colllounsbury”
Take your time, buddy :).
C: good to hear from you. I look forward to some expansion on this meme; I’m sure it will be quite interesting.
Best wishes, and best of luck over the next few days. I’m sure it will be interesting for all of us, but please keep your head down as needed.
Yay!
Welcome back. I hope you stay safe and I am looking forward to reading your posts in GD.
It’s not that cryptic. You’ve probably heard of Emperor Napoleon.
Col, Welcome back. Best wishes.
I too will be very interested to see what you have to say on the current situation, Collounsbury.
Oh and best wishes, of course.
Welcome back, Collunsbury. Be safe.
I take back everything negative I ever said or thought about you, Collounsbury. Hope to hear from you soon and I pray for your safety.
very, very glad to see you - keep yourself safe please.
Wow. That must have been a hell of a letter you wrote to the staff. In any event, welcome back, and I look forward to your insight throughout the coming debacle.
Can I join in the “me too” pileon?
hurry UP and get your butt in there to GD, dang it, she’s about to blow
I’m glad you decided we’re worth it, and pleased (although a little surprised) that you’re able to come back. Best of luck in these trying times.
We need some good news, and this will do. Welcome back, **Collounsbury[/]! We look forward to your explications of the region and its politics and culture, alongside those of our newer professor,greco loco, as we all strive for understanding.