[Northkeep] An Opportunity

[Fitzmorgan at cs.com]

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Greetings Northkeep

       I'd like to remind everyone again of something I said when this all
started.  It's very easy to talk about how great a Barony we are when things
are going well, but it is the hard times that show our true character.  We
are on stage now.  People from all over the Kingdom and beyond are looking at
how we react to the problems we are facing.  I frequently get phone calls and
e-mails from all over the kingdom, and often from outside the kingdom
responding to something I said on this list. People are watching us to see
who we really are, as individuals and as a Barony.  This can be a good thing
or it can be a bad thing depending on what face we choose to present to the
kingdom.  So far I feel that it has been a bit of a mixed bag, though more
good than bad.
       Before you post something here ask yourself if you would feel
comfortable saying that in front of a large Court, because that's about how
private this list is.  If the answer is no perhaps you should consider if you
really want to post it.  Before you hit the send button please reread your
message and try to see the worst way someone can misinterpret your posting
then understand that there is every chance that someone will misinterpret it
in an even worse way than you thought of.  If you read something that makes
you angry or hurt please consider that the person who wrote it may not have
meant it the way you took it.  If you are not sure then please ask them
PRIVATELY.  Even if they did mean it in a bad way please understand that a
lot of people are feeling hurt and angry right now and different people show
it in different ways.  Be patient and understanding.  Don't let a friendship
of many years be spoiled by a few words spoken in a time of stress.  Some
people are not at their best right now, we need to cut them some slack.
       As I said before, a lot of people are watching us right now.  This is
our opportunity to show them that we really are as good as we think we are.

Robert Fitzmorgan