You're right. But I think many times when people only know each other through text (posted in forums, tweets, text messages or emails), a lot of mistakes are made in personality judgements. I'm guilty of it I know. The slightest remark can be misinterpreted as a marker for a certain character trait, when in person the same remark would accompany a facial expression, tone of voice, body language, etc.... things that could truly reveal a person's character or frame of mind.
There are some telltale signs and history which provides it. How many years has a person been argumentative, controversial, attacking others as the INITIATOR without provocation, is involved in flame wars with a number of different people on various forums or subjects, busting balls without knowing the total ins and outs of a system or facet of pool themselves, been banned for life in any other forums.
I'm guilty of posting things here strictly due to an emotional reaction brought about by simple text that in person would've more than likely been funny or no big deal. A person plunks out a few words and either purposely or innocently pushes another person's buttons, sparking a flame. Then somebody else fires back and the flames get higher. We've all probably done it, purposely and innocently a few a times. I know I've written some things that afterwards I wish I had not written. Instead of fanning the flames with a retaliating response, I should've ignored them. Nevertheless, I try my best to remain courteous, to avoid name calling and belittling others.
Which is probably why you won't ever be banned for breaking the rules. You have a way of phrasing things that don't directly break the rules but have double meanings that are provocative.
In an earlier post you mentioned that I should respect Stan. I respect Stan for his passion for the game. I may not agree with everything he says, but I share his passion and can relate to how he feels about the game.
How about for his knowledge of the game and playing skills? The fact that he was a working stiff his entire life as a school teacher but had world class skills as a player to finish as high as he has and been a certified instructor with the BCA and other recognized teaching organizations with certification?
How about the pro players he's worked with to develop them to greater heights?
And lets not forget his own son who has a junior record that stand above all others in the history or junior pool and has beaten the top name pros in various matchups?
You might not agree but what in God's name do you think you know more than he does especially on a subject he's poured his entire energy, time, pool intelligence, pool experience, and years of study and experimentation into?
I've been playing 34 years and I don't think I've ever gone more than a week without playing pool, except for Air Force basic training back when I was 18, and I'm sure I suffered withdrawals!! I can only hope that when I'm Stan's or PL's age that I'm still capable of playing pool and loving the game as much as I do.