My comments

[Cindy]

Just wanted to say that someone seems to be VERY upset about my comments on this forum. When this forum was started I was asked by James Hurley and TJ to post. They were trying to create a forum where cave divers could meet, exchange ideas, network and sometimes learn about cave diving. Cave divers (myself included) tend to take things a little seriously at times and get a bit too involved.
I personally do not take what is said on ANY forum as the last word in anything. Most of the people posting do not even post their own names. There is no way of knowing experience level or even the moral values of the people posting. I have always signed my posts with my name. I believe in being responsible for my post. I am sorry if my comments about "tourist caves" or "experts" upset people. I thought at the time I had made it clear that any cave is an advanced dive. The picnic table thing was supposed to be a joke as my friends who dive with me know. Most of our dives are slugging tanks though jungle as the dives done at the caves that are now what some call tourist caves were once done. Some of the caves we dive will no doubt be tourist caves in the future.
I do not think I am the last word in cave diving and I am sorry if it came across that way. Frankly, I have over 800 dives now in caves and I learn something every day. Sorry, but very little of it was learned on a cave diving forum. I use forums to meet people and for announcements. I do post my opinions too much and when other dissagree with me or pick on my friends I tend to get defensive. What's the old saying? It's not paranoia if they really are out to get you! That's a joke people! See what I am saying, the written word is not exact. I am much funnier in person!
So to all of you that I REALLY piss off, I am sorry but you guys may need to watch TV more. I have as much right as anyone to post. I will stand in front of you and say what I post and be responsable for it. That's a lot more than most. I will be wrong now and then as you are. Please, no more wanted posters hung up in dive shops, no more threats to my person, no lectures. If you don't like what I say you have the freedom to post what you think is right and let the people who read them decide. None of us has the right to judge that for others.
Meanwhile can we all please just show a little kindness toward one another? Cindy Butler ps I'll be at the gear exchange on Sat. and you can beat the #### out of me then!

Named or nameless, a lot of us know who the experts are. (Who is this FW guy?) And in my opinion, Cindy, you're one of them.

Keep posting - you keep some of us on our toes.

Russell

[DKKearns]

Cindy,

I enjoy your posts. Keep 'em coming.

Donn

[FW]

Hang in there, I don't get any respect either

Like Sludge said, we need you!

[Kelly Jessop]

Cindy
If you are like me you came along in the old Cavers list days,where you would commonly get labeled "str oke" and "farm animal stupid". I've learned to be thick-skinned and take things in stride. Please keep posting and being a part of discussions. You and I share the same ideals on mentoring,and many of these discussions are beneficial because there are many who lurk in the back ground.

[Dan Thoms]

I'm not sure what you did,... Hmm, experts, I know a couple. Trained by one of them, by chance meet some very respectable, explorers. That are at the top of the game. And will always be there. For what they have given to the sport.

I like your posts,. (some.....,


It's just you, being you. (ocassionally with "muddy")

(cheer up) It's all good Dan is my name,.. 8)

[Cindy]

Thanks all, Kelly, Dan and all. James Hurley and I were refered to as "strokes" on the old forum you speak of. We were so excited that we were noticed! My return post was "i don't str oke, I vibrate"!. You have got to love the
web! I just wish people would take what I write in the same manner as I try to give it. I really love you guys, sounds silly but it's true. I think cave diving saved my life and cave divers are my family. I want to give back to it. I make mistakes. I wish I could fix all the bad stuff I have done in my life but I can't. I will try to be better in the future. Besides, how can I play if no one will play with me. Cindy

[Kelly Jessop]

"Bin Laden" .

This is an anachronism, B** L**** didn't exist as a negative connotation,but my original post of S***** did. I guess S***** must be a euphemism to the moderators. I sure wish an explanation would accompany an edit.

Edit: Kelly, that was an auto-edit. I went into your post and sort-of fixed it, as you weren't using the term in a derogatory manner. Russell

[Richard Atyeo]

Cindy, I am one of the people out here who is just lurking. I have only been cave diving for about a year and read the forum every day. Don't worry about what someone thinks about what you post because I might and have learned from what from you and others who have a lot more experience than me have to say. Thanks to you and all the others who share your knowledge.

[JoeB]

Cindy,
I always enjoy your posts. In fact, I'd love to hear some of the stories about the good ol days of cave diving... you know like we heard from our parents back in the day about walking to school uphill both ways in the snow barefooted (the same stuff I try out on my kids today... well it actually never worked on them & they're grown now)...

Seriously though, I always enjoy hearing about the past in your posts & would like to hear some more, like how or if things have changed, what you like better or worse today from the past, "if you had to do it all over again" what would you do differently, or not at all...

BTW, I thought you never posted when pissed... Just kidding... Keep em coming...

And my name really is Joe...