The questions aren't going to go away until you've answered them, Donkey.

How does it feel to have turned people who'd initially responded encouragingly to your poem against both it and yourself?

Did you want to make everyone detest your poem?

Do you want to make everyone detest you?

Does it bother you to know that you'd had the chance to be accepted into the group, but threw it away?

Or does such a realization never cross your... for want of a better word... mind?

Are you trying to drive everyone (who doesn't slurp your idiotic posts) away?

If so, why?

Do you want to shut down AAPC?

Or are you trying to make it your personal social media page?

On Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 3:48:09 PM UTC-4, michaelmalef...@gmail.com wrote:
> The questions aren't going to go away until you've answered them, Donkey.
>
> How does it feel to have turned people who'd initially responded encouragingly to your poem against both it and yourself?
>
> Did you want to make everyone detest your poem?
>
> Do you want to make everyone detest you?
>
> Does it bother you to know that you'd had the chance to be accepted into the group, but threw it away?
>
> Or does such a realization never cross your... for want of a better word.... mind?
>
> Are you trying to drive everyone (who doesn't slurp your idiotic posts) away?
>
> If so, why?
>
> Do you want to shut down AAPC?
>
> Or are you trying to make it your personal social media page?

This post won’t attract new readers to the group.

On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 6:57:55 AM UTC-4, Spam-I-Am wrote:
> On Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 3:48:09 PM UTC-4, michaelmalef...@gmail..com wrote:
> > The questions aren't going to go away until you've answered them, Donkey.
> >
> > How does it feel to have turned people who'd initially responded encouragingly to your poem against both it and yourself?
> >
> > Did you want to make everyone detest your poem?
> >
> > Do you want to make everyone detest you?
> >
> > Does it bother you to know that you'd had the chance to be accepted into the group, but threw it away?
> >
> > Or does such a realization never cross your... for want of a better word... mind?
> >
> > Are you trying to drive everyone (who doesn't slurp your idiotic posts) away?
> >
> > If so, why?
> >
> > Do you want to shut down AAPC?
> >
> > Or are you trying to make it your personal social media page?
> This post won’t attract new readers to the group.

True. Not in and of itself.

However, if the Donkey were to address the questions honestly, and attempt to modify his behavior so that such questions would no longer be valid, this group would become a more attractive place as a result.

I sincerely believe that somewhere inside of the Donkey's drug-addled, self-aggrandizing brain is a desire to be accepted and liked by his fellow writers.

In the past I have attempted, unsuccessfully, to integrate the Donkey into the group. I'm now attempting to spur the Donkey into recognizing his faults and taking the necessary steps to integrate himself.

Unless the Donkey actually does want everyone on the planet (General Zod excepted) to destest him, these questions might prove a catalyst to a mutually desired end.

On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 11:31:24 AM UTC-4, Michael Pendragon wrote:
> On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 6:57:55 AM UTC-4, Spam-I-Am wrote:
> > On Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 3:48:09 PM UTC-4, michaelmalef...@gmail.com wrote:
> > > The questions aren't going to go away until you've answered them, Donkey.
> > >
> > > How does it feel to have turned people who'd initially responded encouragingly to your poem against both it and yourself?
> > >
> > > Did you want to make everyone detest your poem?
> > >
> > > Do you want to make everyone detest you?
> > >
> > > Does it bother you to know that you'd had the chance to be accepted into the group, but threw it away?
> > >
> > > Or does such a realization never cross your... for want of a better word... mind?
> > >
> > > Are you trying to drive everyone (who doesn't slurp your idiotic posts) away?
> > >
> > > If so, why?
> > >
> > > Do you want to shut down AAPC?
> > >
> > > Or are you trying to make it your personal social media page?
> > This post won’t attract new readers to the group.
> True. Not in and of itself.
>
> However, if the Donkey were to address the questions honestly, and attempt to modify his behavior so that such questions would no longer be valid, this group would become a more attractive place as a result.
>
> I sincerely believe that somewhere inside of the Donkey's drug-addled, self-aggrandizing brain is a desire to be accepted and liked by his fellow writers.
>
> In the past I have attempted, unsuccessfully, to integrate the Donkey into the group. I'm now attempting to spur the Donkey into recognizing his faults and taking the necessary steps to integrate himself.
>
> Unless the Donkey actually does want everyone on the planet (General Zod excepted) to destest him, these questions might prove a catalyst to a mutually desired end.

The questions aren't going to go away until you've answered them, Donkey.

How does it feel to have turned people who'd initially responded encouragingly to your poem against both it and yourself?

Did you want to make everyone detest your poem?

Do you want to make everyone detest you?

Does it bother you to know that you'd had the chance to be accepted into the group, but threw it away?

Or does such a realization never cross your... for want of a better word... mind?

Are you trying to drive everyone (who doesn't slurp your idiotic posts) away?

If so, why?

Do you want to shut down AAPC?

Or are you trying to make it your personal social media page?

On Monday, September 12, 2022 at 2:29:12 PM UTC-4, michaelmalef...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 11:31:24 AM UTC-4, Michael Pendragon wrote:
> > On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 6:57:55 AM UTC-4, Spam-I-Am wrote:
> > > On Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 3:48:09 PM UTC-4, michaelmalef...@gmail.com wrote:
> > > > The questions aren't going to go away until you've answered them, Donkey.
> > > >
> > > > How does it feel to have turned people who'd initially responded encouragingly to your poem against both it and yourself?
> > > >
> > > > Did you want to make everyone detest your poem?
> > > >
> > > > Do you want to make everyone detest you?
> > > >
> > > > Does it bother you to know that you'd had the chance to be accepted into the group, but threw it away?
> > > >
> > > > Or does such a realization never cross your... for want of a better word... mind?
> > > >
> > > > Are you trying to drive everyone (who doesn't slurp your idiotic posts) away?
> > > >
> > > > If so, why?
> > > >
> > > > Do you want to shut down AAPC?
> > > >
> > > > Or are you trying to make it your personal social media page?
> > > This post won’t attract new readers to the group.
> > True. Not in and of itself.
> >
> > However, if the Donkey were to address the questions honestly, and attempt to modify his behavior so that such questions would no longer be valid, this group would become a more attractive place as a result.
> >
> > I sincerely believe that somewhere inside of the Donkey's drug-addled, self-aggrandizing brain is a desire to be accepted and liked by his fellow writers.
> >
> > In the past I have attempted, unsuccessfully, to integrate the Donkey into the group. I'm now attempting to spur the Donkey into recognizing his faults and taking the necessary steps to integrate himself.
> >
> > Unless the Donkey actually does want everyone on the planet (General Zod excepted) to destest him, these questions might prove a catalyst to a mutually desired end.
>
> The questions aren't going to go away until you've answered them, Donkey.
>
> How does it feel to have turned people who'd initially responded encouragingly to your poem against both it and yourself?
>
> Did you want to make everyone detest your poem?
>
> Do you want to make everyone detest you?
>
> Does it bother you to know that you'd had the chance to be accepted into the group, but threw it away?
>
> Or does such a realization never cross your... for want of a better word.... mind?
>
> Are you trying to drive everyone (who doesn't slurp your idiotic posts) away?
>
> If so, why?
>
> Do you want to shut down AAPC?
>
> Or are you trying to make it your personal social media page?

“Bonding - Donkeys naturally enjoy the company of their own kind…”

“Territorial - Domesticated donkeys may exhibit more territorial behaviour than horses.”

“Love to learn - For a donkey, learning begins from the moment they’re born and continues throughout their life.”

“Stoic and hard-to-read - A donkeys’ body language is often less expressive than horses, and so a change in their behaviour may be subtle and hard-to-read.”

“Behavior problems - Donkeys can develop a number of behaviour problems for various reasons, but a medical condition should always be forefront in your mind.”

Understanding Donkey Behavior
https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/what-we-do/knowledge-and-advice/for-owners/understanding-donkey-behaviour

On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 11:31:24 AM UTC-4, michaelmalef...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 6:57:55 AM UTC-4, Spam-I-Am wrote:
> > On Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 3:48:09 PM UTC-4, michaelmalef...@gmail.com wrote:
> > > The questions aren't going to go away until you've answered them, Donkey.
> > >
> > > How does it feel to have turned people who'd initially responded encouragingly to your poem against both it and yourself?
> > >
> > > Did you want to make everyone detest your poem?
> > >
> > > Do you want to make everyone detest you?
> > >
> > > Does it bother you to know that you'd had the chance to be accepted into the group, but threw it away?
> > >
> > > Or does such a realization never cross your... for want of a better word... mind?
> > >
> > > Are you trying to drive everyone (who doesn't slurp your idiotic posts) away?
> > >
> > > If so, why?
> > >
> > > Do you want to shut down AAPC?
> > >
> > > Or are you trying to make it your personal social media page?
> > This post won’t attract new readers to the group.
> True. Not in and of itself.
>
> However, if the Donkey were to address the questions honestly, and attempt to modify his behavior so that such questions would no longer be valid, this group would become a more attractive place as a result.
>
> I sincerely believe that somewhere inside of the Donkey's drug-addled, self-aggrandizing brain is a desire to be accepted and liked by his fellow writers.

Damn shame that it will never happen. Mostly because no one would ever consider Donkey as a "writer."

>
> In the past I have attempted, unsuccessfully, to integrate the Donkey into the group. I'm now attempting to spur the Donkey into recognizing his faults and taking the necessary steps to integrate himself.
>
> Unless the Donkey actually does want everyone on the planet (General Zod excepted) to destest him, these questions might prove a catalyst to a mutually desired end.

On Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 9:38:33 AM UTC-4, Family Guy wrote:
> On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 11:31:24 AM UTC-4, michaelmalef...@gmail.com wrote:
> > On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 6:57:55 AM UTC-4, Spam-I-Am wrote:
> > > On Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 3:48:09 PM UTC-4, michaelmalef...@gmail.com wrote:
> > > > The questions aren't going to go away until you've answered them, Donkey.
> > > >
> > > > How does it feel to have turned people who'd initially responded encouragingly to your poem against both it and yourself?
> > > >
> > > > Did you want to make everyone detest your poem?
> > > >
> > > > Do you want to make everyone detest you?
> > > >
> > > > Does it bother you to know that you'd had the chance to be accepted into the group, but threw it away?
> > > >
> > > > Or does such a realization never cross your... for want of a better word... mind?
> > > >
> > > > Are you trying to drive everyone (who doesn't slurp your idiotic posts) away?
> > > >
> > > > If so, why?
> > > >
> > > > Do you want to shut down AAPC?
> > > >
> > > > Or are you trying to make it your personal social media page?
> > > This post won’t attract new readers to the group.
> > True. Not in and of itself.
> >
> > However, if the Donkey were to address the questions honestly, and attempt to modify his behavior so that such questions would no longer be valid, this group would become a more attractive place as a result.
> >
> > I sincerely believe that somewhere inside of the Donkey's drug-addled, self-aggrandizing brain is a desire to be accepted and liked by his fellow writers.
> Damn shame that it will never happen. Mostly because no one would ever consider Donkey as a "writer."
> >
> > In the past I have attempted, unsuccessfully, to integrate the Donkey into the group. I'm now attempting to spur the Donkey into recognizing his faults and taking the necessary steps to integrate himself.
> >
> > Unless the Donkey actually does want everyone on the planet (General Zod excepted) to destest him, these questions might prove a catalyst to a mutually desired end.
>

Well... true. I can't imagine considering him a writer; however, I can imagine most of us treating him courteously and civilly, provided that he did so in return.

I've noted the following story several times, but it bears repeating here:

When Jim started the "Sunday Sampler," Will bitched and moaned (and whined) that he was being unfairly critiqued/ignored/lost in the shuffle, etc. He reposted his "Sampler" poems in separate threads, and turned the "Sampler" comments/critiques thread into a weekly battleground -- so much so that Jim threatened to shut down the "Sampler" out of frustration.

When Will whined about my not having critiqued one of his "Sampler" poems, I explained to him that I had already critiqued it in the past. The next week, Will submitted a newly-written poem, "Apple Montage" (which lacked both apples and montages). The "poem" was really a short prose piece, written in a very straightforward manner (at a second grade reading level that Will can more-or-less competently write at). It was a step up from his usual, incomprehensible, thought-fragment, stream-of-illiterate-brain-farts fare; and was met with encouraging and complimentary reviews/comments by almost everyone here -- including those Will claims are "malicious trolls."

I feel this clearly demonstrates that no one is out to get Will Donkey -- and (almost) everyone is willing to accept him and his lapdog as members of AAPC, and to treat them with at least a modicum of civility.

The problem is that Will insists on monopolizing the group -- to the point that he will constantly repost his old poetry, reopen old flame wars, etc., in order to bury everyone else's poetry and to keep the point of focus on himself.

This approach used to work for him 6+ years ago, when the group had dwindled down to a half dozen or so active members. By monopolizing every thread, Will was able to act as an emcee or host -- starting new threads, and keeping existing conversations active.

But the "Sampler" changed things. It doubled the group's active membership, and both revitalized, and consequently, dominated AAPC. The "Sampler" and the AAPC member commentary regarding it became the primary focus at AAPC -- but Will was unwilling to share the spotlight: to step back and let AAPC develop into an actual discussion forum where poets interacted on topics with or without his prodding.

As a result, Will drove Jim (temporarily) away from AAPC, and shut down the "Sunday Sampler" (although George Dance attempted to keep it going with mostly Will and his socks as participants).

The new, Donkey-dominated "Sampler" touched off a war at AAPC, from which it has yet to recover.

We now have "AYoS" as a descendant of the "Sampler," and Will Donkey's attempts to bury it under shiploads of meaningless patter between him and his drawerful of socks.

I still believe that the hostilities can be brought to a mutually satisfying end, provided that Will Donkey comes to his senses and stops trying to dominate AAPC. The majority of us have shown (through our reactions to "Apple Montage") that we are willing to treat him as a fellow writer and to interact with him in a positive and encouraging way. IOW: We will accept him as a *member* of our group -- but not as its leader.

In looking at, and examining, his past, Will should be able to see that it has always been his egotistical attempts to dominate/shout down/falsely accuse/whine/bury posts of others at AAPC that has caused him to be persona non grata with the majority of members over the course of the past 20-some years.

Hopefully even a Donkey can learn from his mistakes.