[Gordon Bentley-Mix[_2_]]

Acceptance of 2-6 would be enough for me, and in return I promise to never
reply to one of Peter's posts again. In fact, I'd be willing to go so far as
to never post in any thread he posts in - as a reply to his post or to any
other in the thread. I'll also echo Greg's apology in my own words:

Peter, I apologise for all of the occasions when I treated you in a
less-than-kind manner. Like Greg, my comments are inexcusable,
inappropriate, often mean spirited, and spawned from my anger or ego.
--
Cheers!

Gordon Bentley-Mix
Word MVP

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup.

Read the original version of this post in the Office Discussion Groups - no
membership required!

"Greg Maxey" wrote in message
...
Peter,

Spin the thread how you like.

I did not intend to be discourteous or malicious to the OP. revivalgurl
[sic] did not indicate that she had taken offense in her follow up post.
She had every opportunity to pour on scorn and indignation along with you
and Ms. Barnhill. She did not. Perhaps she wasn't offended. If she
wasn't it only makes your indignation more irrelevant.

Everything that followed your "Are there no courtesy requirements for
becomng [sic] an MVP" remark is a direct result of that remark. Even your
fan club captain classifies the remark as careless and intended only to
chastise me. Others can have and share their opinions regarding remarks
that you direct at other people and they can even presume to know your
intent. In fact, only you know your true intent and the recipient has the
exclusive right to determine how a he or she receives a remark. Yours was
deliberate and received with the full measure of your honed arrogance. It
was a direct attack, a haughty insult. You threw your glove full in my
face. In an earlier era, it you could have had it returned to your wrapped
around a bullet. Unlike that era, I offered you the opportunity to take it
back. You have spurned several private attempts at reconciliation, which
only confirms your intent coincides with the manner the remark was
received. You have not retracted the remark, nor have you softened it.
It carries the same force today as the day you made it. No, I am not
going to forget it or act now like you never made it.

While that beer summit or room with a brace of pistols would end this
matter, I will make you another offer at reconciliation.

I don't expect, no I can certainly say that I will never consider you a
friend, peer or associate, but I also don't really want to stay forever on
one side of an argument (right or wrong). I think that a man in himself
wrapped up makes a very small package and perhaps we can find a way to
step back from the fray and co-contribute amicably to the Word forum.
Call it an offer of cease-fire if you like.

Here are some terms for you to consider:

1. Apologize publicly for insults that you have directed towards me
directly past and present, actual and perceived. Apologize for the
disparaging public remarks that you have made about me here in this
support forum. You don't have to enumerate them. A general apology will
do. On this, I will take the lead.

Peter, I apologize for all remarks that I have made which have insulted
you or which have been disparaging of your character. They are
inexcusable, inappropriate, often mean spirited, and spawned from my anger
or ego.

2. Post when and wherever you like, but stay in your range of expertise.
Always be open to the ideas and suggestion of others. If you venture
outside your range then try to be correct.

3. Stop posting your opinions as statements of fact. If you think
something is easy or if you prefer one method to another then say so in
that manner. Stop insisting or trying to prove that your ways are always
best, easiest, fastest, etc. Let others decided for themselves what is
easiest between a set of given options and decide for themselves if the
effort/advantage of pursuing one approach justifies taking that approach
over another.

4. Stop disparaging the contributions and skills of others and selective
advanced Word features. Stop throwing up roadblocks and detours when a
user seeks information on a particular feature or function that you don't
understand or that you don't wish to pursue yourself.

5. STOP SHOUTING in the newsgroup.

6. Bridle your arrogance.

These are fairly simple and reasonable terms. Perhaps unpleasant, but
they are not an unconditional surrender. Give them some thought. Let me
know which one or ones stick in your craw and perhaps we can work it out.

Cheers