My avatar & signature

Everything Else
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Just wanted to give a little background to those who seemed to jump to conclusions about myself excluding Elk. Been a WW2 history buff since I was in 3rd grade. Would read or watch on anything regarding WW2 and became especially interested in the North African theater. So when I started playing a MMORPG called WW2 online almost 18yrs ago, I chose the military commander I admired & respected(for his military achievements alone) as my online name and been doing that ever since.

As I am a guest here & received a very friendly email from Paul I have removed avatar and quote.

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Thank you, Rommel. This is very gracious of you.

Given the positive tone of your posts (here and elsewhere) I expected an explanation such as you provided.

I am sorry for the tough welcome you received. But I am certain you understand the objections were heartfelt.

You are more than a guest, you are a full-fledged member. Welcome!

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Truly a stand-up guy and a real asset to the community. Hey. We’re all guests here! Thank you so much for helping out and we hope you stay and contribute.

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Thank you!

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Hi Guys,

A lot has been said and I understand this is a non-audio related topic. I am still compelled to speak up!

‘Rommel’ I too am a history buff and was a history major in college. As such I both appreciate and admire your interest in history! The fact is Nazis killed 6 million Jews and 17+ million people in total from a variety of groups. If General Rommel had been successful, millions and millions if not billions of more people would have been killed. My point is, I highly suggest using the utmost care in taking up a persona affiliated with the Nazis regime.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holocaust

The analogy I would make is with General Lee and his position in the Civil War. He too is recognized as a great general, and as such deserves to be referenced in history books and documentaries, and his images should be in museums and at historic battle sites. Towns and schools should not be named after him though, and we sure as heck should not have pubic monuments to him. This would be similar how Germans handle Nazi memorabilia.

I want to end with this powerful message which is the last thing one sees in our US Holocaust museum,

"First they came for the Socialist, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Uninistist, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew.

Then they came me - And there was no one left to speak for me."

Written by a German Luthern Minister who was an early Nazi supporter and was later imprisoned for protesting the Nazi Regime.

LET US NEVER FORGET, Kevin Norton

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An understandable reaction, albeit hyperbolic in this context in light of Rommel’s explanation and the fact that not a single poster is arguing the Nazis should be celebrated.

But we also need to exercise understanding, tolerance, and appreciation for others and their differences. Rommel has explained his use of the avatar and has compromised wonderfully by removing the picture and quote. He is entitled and welcome to respect the tactical accomplishments of a skilled military commander, even if others here do not.

He should now be judged solely by the quality of his posts, not by his avatar/appearance - just as we do not judge another by the color of their skin, religion, national origin, etc.

As a on-topic musical exemplar, the Bayreuth Festival celebrates the tetralogy Der Ring des Nibelungen, despite Wagner’s political beliefs. We respect and greatly admire his artistic output, especially in light of his revolutionary concept of Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art), by which he combined the poetic, visual, musical and dramatic arts. Some, of course, reject his music on the grounds of his writings and are free to do so.

A public forum is not necessarily every reader’s safe place, and there are no trigger warnings. This is the nature of public discourse.

Note also that each complaint, report of unfairness, declaration of offensive behavior I receive on any topic is countered by at least one PM message vociferously arguing the opposite. That is, no matter what I or anyone else does someone will be offended and displeased. Thus, despite the many personal attacks I receive, publicly and privately, I try to be moderate in my moderation.

While recognizing one member decries the concept as “silly,” I again note one can easily avoid Rommel’s posts by placing him in your adversary list. This is akin to avoiding books, Wikipedia articles, Internet searches, etc. on topics you find upsetting. If the appearance of the name in a forum thread is a trigger for you, it is entirely in your control and perfectly reasonable to avoid the trigger.

Query: Is this discussion an example of Godwin’s Law, or does it fall outside of its application? :wink:

And yes, I know there will be those offended by this post. :slight_smile:

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Sticking your head in the sand is no solution. I said silly, I suppose I should have said, a poor solution, which I still think it is. If you would have contacted Rommel right away, rather than coming up with plausible excuses this would have been resolved much sooner.

And as the Forum leader, you should be monitoring avatars, even if you don’t like them. Whether you know it or not, your defense of him being a good military man, didn’t win you any friends. I tried sharing my moderating experience, when you wrote two multi paragraphs on staying on topic. I gave you permission to edit my comment that set you off, and suggested that if you cared about not being on topic, remove our three posts. You left them up, so I don’t think you cared as much about being on topic, as you did showing people how smart you are. Actually all disputes or corrections by a moderator should be done by Private Message.

Norton’s post was on topic, he explained his feelings on the subject.

And I agree Rommel’s posts have been fine, and on the topic of bi-amping, educational. Why would I make him an adversary? And anyone offended by the name, may want to see if continues being a model citizen. I for one, believe he will. But let’s say he was testing the waters, you wrote him the plausible excuse.

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Look display name change and everything because let’s just move forward so we can all talk about what were here for, AUDIO! I’m tired and there is so much I want to say but would be a waste of time. I believe there is a lot of knowledge here, which is why I registered, and want to continue in that pursuit without people dismissing me because of an historical name…

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Indeed. Let’s lay this to rest and keep it tuned to audio.

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jeffstarr said If you would have contacted Rommel right away . . .
He was.
And as the Forum leader, you should be monitoring avatars . . .
I do.
. . . your defense of him being a good military man, didn't win you any friends.
Finding Richard Wagner's music wonderful or recognizing Erwin Rommel's military genius is not a defense of their respective philosophical positions.
All disputes or corrections by a moderator should be done by Private Message.
Like criticism of the moderator? :)

On a more serious note, I believe forum moderation and other forum issues should be discussed openly. This is not my forum, but our forum.

I fully appreciate you, and some others, may have handled the situation differently. Please keep in mind however there are also those here who opine Rommel was treated unfairly. These matters are not simple.

Why would I make him [Rommel] an adversary?
If, for you, seeing the name is more upsetting than what you perceive to be the value of his posts. This is each member's call. (I dislike the forum's term "adversary" and would prefer it labeled "ignore.")

As an aside, I find fascinating questions such as whether one should recognize and enjoy Wagner’s genius and contributions to the arts given his racism and anti-Semitism. These are thorny, difficult issues which have no easy resolution.

[Edit: I forgot to note that avatars/user names are exceedingly personal. Like a self-portrait, they reflect how we choose to see and represent ourselves. They often invoke significant pets or people, accomplishments, life-long interests, goals. Many have used the same user name and/or picture for many years in multiple contexts. They possess history. Many people are exceedingly attached to their own.]