A message to people who do not like what is on this webpage; you're in the minority.  Everyone else seems to like it but you.  With this in mind, recognize that you're probably wrong.  But let's just play along for a moment and pander to those who think that they're right.

   As of this date (9/06/01), not a single person has complained about this webpage.  Not even one.  However, I did receive an email from Otro (one of the guys humorously ranted at with Charlie) that complained about a specific portion of the page.  This is the email.

Listen up, the shit I say in confidence to you stays off pages and out of public conversations that
 other people might hear.  So, you will take that rant about me down.  Secondly, the rant isn't even
 [sic] completly true.  You put shit in there that I've never said, nor would ever say.  Particularly this, "And
 Ryan, your excuses just don't cut it.  I don't want to hear "They're easier to lie to" or "They can't run
 as fast" as justification."  First of all I don't lie, TO ANYONE, EVER.  You call me a liar, I punch
 you in the nose.  I'm dead serious, and not playing around, so don't even say it just to piss me off or
 see if I will do anything, I will.  Another thing, I'm not looking to rape any young girls and your page
 paints me as a rapist.  So, not only will you take down that rant about me, you will also issue a
 public [sic] appology in it's place.  Got it?  You've got 3 days to comply.
 

   Luckily, I don't use real names, so any claims of 'defamation of character' are both ridiculous and foolish.  Especially when these 'defamations' are made on a forum that exists specifically as a joke.

   However, perhaps I am in the wrong.  After all, Otro says that he never lies, therefore is perfect.  Note how he capitalizes the words TO ANYONE, EVER.  Further proof that I'm wrong and he's right.  Of course, any claims to honesty are quickly lost when he threatens to 'punch [me] in the nose... and [is] not playing around.'

   Also, my page apparently paints him as 'a rapist'.  He says he is not looking to rape young girls.

   Now, was my page about rape?  Did I ever claim that anyone raped anyone?  If I operate my browser correctly, it appears that I said that Otro and Charlie did nothing more than move their eyeballs in the direction of females.  These imagined 'rape charges' are pure fabrication.

   However, I'd like to point out I have no problems with changing something on my page if it bothers someone, no matter how trivial a complaint someone has against me.  However, I must insist that you come onto my webpage and make requests respectfully.  I wouldn't enter your house and say "Your wallpaper insults me.... take it down immediately and issue a public apology."  In the same way, you don't come onto my webpage and make demands of what I put here.  I mean, come on, if I did that, then I'd be purely at the mercy of other people, right?  If you want to dictate what goes on a page, make your own.  This is my territory.
 

   I regret not saving my response.  It was, in short, me saying to ask nicely and not make demands of what I do with my page.  The counter reply was entertaining, to say the least.

When I say something about someone, it's true.  When you say something about someone, you say
 whatever you want so that they look bad, true or otherwise.  Take that shit down and [sic] appologize
 for defaming my reputation or there will be consequences.

   Apparently, once again I'm the filthy liar and he's the beacon of truth.  You all should seriously consider speaking to Otro.  It appears that his mouth is the holy decanter of truth and nothing he says can be falsehood (no, really, that's what he says.  Look at the first sentence!)  Conversely, when *I* say something, I say 'whatever [I] want so that they look bad, true or otherwise.'

   So, the only alternatives are to apologize for alleged defamation of character or suffer the consequences.

   It's at this point I question how Otro plans on inflicting previous consequences of 'punch me in the nose'.  Does he think I'll come and visit him for my punching?  Perhaps, when he sneaks up on me, I'll completely forget to defend myself and let him give said punchings without defending myself?  He's truly ridiculous in his requests of me and his threats.

   The last email was intimidating.  No, really, I'm quaking at this one.

Look dick ball, you'd better start taking me seriously, I won't be [sic]triffled with.  You have 2 days to
 comply.  If not taken down, and an appology issued by 11:59 pm. on Thursday, shit will hit the fan.
 I'm through being nice to your fucking ass.  The friendship is terminated.  More will [sic]insue if you
 don't listen.

  Now, good friends, please stop and think about how many times you yourself have asked someone to 'take you seriously' as you curse up a storm and make unreasonable demands of them.  I'm sure everyone has done this once or twice.  In this case, Otro is asking me to spend my precious time and money to change my website hosted on my web space using my page building skills to change my writings that I have spent my time working, all to satisfy his ego.  Additionally, he didn't even say please.

   That's a tall order for me to fill, although I've been patient and more than willing to accommodate him should he merely say 'please'.  But no, he's the one through being 'nice to [my] fucking ass'.  Additionally, the 'friendship is terminated'.  Finally, 'more will insue if [I] don't listen.'

   Otro, believe me, I've listened.  I've listened fully, regardless of whether I wanted to or not.  Therefore, no more should 'insue'.  I don't want anything more to ensue, believe me.  I don't look forward to threats on my life, even if I know they won't be carried out.
 
 
 

    Now, what could Otro have done to prevent this?

   First off, he should stop taking the '12 year old girls' comments so seriously.  I mean, come on, I learned in second grade that if someone teases you, jumping up and down and screaming does not entice the bullies to stop making fun of you.  It only makes them do it more.  More importantly, had he (or anyone, for that matter) seen something that he didn't like, he could have done this.

   "Hi, this is your friend.  I noticed that your silly article, while entirely meant to poke nothing but fun at me, went just a little overboard.  I know you don't mean to insult and that it is funny, but I'm taking it the wrong way and I don't like it.  I'd appreciate it if you could rectify this situation please.  Thank you for doing whatever you can do to comply with my amicable respects."

   My reply would have been something along the lines of "Sorry.  Just a joke, and you know it.  I'll change it so you're happy, or even take it down.  See you later."

   Unfortunately, Otro chose the "Change it or get punched in the face, dickballs," method.  Let me tell you why I don't like the "Change it or get punched in the face, dickballs," method.

   First, the CIOGPITFD method takes all creative responsibility from me and gives it to you, a lazy internet surfer.  Secondly, it makes me spend more time doing something to please one person rather than spending time ot please lots of people.  Thirdly, it's just plain insulting.  I don't go into a store and say "I'm not happy with my service, dickballs.  Fix it."  I say "May I speak with a manager?  I'd like to return something."

   To pose it another way: you find an article in the News Journal personally offending.  Do you demand that they retract the article, no questions asked, and issue an apology in its place?  How about going back to all the old articles and changing them, replacing the already done work with apologies?  See how ridiculous these requests are?

   In the same way, exercise some discretion and think before you speak (or type).  I don't like being flamed.
 

   Of course, your "Back" button is your biggest defense.  If you see something on the internet you don't like, just click back.  If you see pictures of twelve year old girls popping up, you can prove your commitment to not looking at such things by clicking "Back" or closing the browser.  Do the same with my page.  Don't like it?  Kindly and politely email me.

   Or just don't come.

   There was no defamation.  There was annoyance.  Please don't waste my time.  Be polite.  That's all I have to say about that.  Please come again.  But I'm not forcing you.  If you don't like this content, feel free to never return.  I've had my chance to impress you.
 
 

   One more note: I had refused to take down my rants page because it was time and effort.  Also, I don't want to be seen as some wimp who anyone can come along and say "Nick, do this for me" and I'm so weak that I do it.  So, nothing is changing. However, since Otro was such a good friend of mine before, despite losing his temper so expertly, I will put up a disclaimer.  A happy compromise that doesn't involve as much work, solves the problem, and doesn't require me to abandon all my principles and become some slave dog for anyone who can order me around.

   I'm a genius.  And if anyone wants to challenge my mental authority, or just beat me up, I'm ready for ya'!  Just name the time and the place!  Be prepared to be beaten up, mentally or physically, though, because I am better than you.