Joe, that's how I remember it, too. Plus the endless emails and PMs. My interest was assumed to be support, and my support was assumed to be agreement with all Roger's PELs viewpoints. I bailed from the whole PELs thing because I found it mentally draining and emotionally frustrating to try to communicate sensibly about the issue in part or in whole; once I saw how it was, I didn't want my name associated with Shambles' efforts.

Roger, many of us have tried to tell you these things and, each time I'm aware of that included me personally, it got turned into a debate. A proof contest. A battle. That's not how to win people to a cause.... in fact your approach drove me right out of the PELs issue entirely.

There are many, many worthy causes in the world, some of which I've worked together with people to bring about change, successfully. I've learned I don't have to put my energies into working in situations that chew me up-- that I can be far more effective in any effort if I focus on situations where I can contribute without being made insane by the working conditions, the team dynamics, and the control issues.

I agree with the posts that have cast your mis-applied persistence as a major control issue. You may not feel it that way inside, but it IS what comes across over and over again. Sometimes a control habit is something we are not aware of inside ourselves. Certainly I have found that my own needs to control are seldom as transparent to me as they are to close friends.

If I were your close friend, I would urge you, with all the caring persuasion I could exert, to find something positive to work FOR and to stop giving a jot of your energy and passion to working AGAINST anything at all. Learning how to do that might bring you some happiness-- and some success in areas you care deeply about.

~Susan