Posted by Hawkwind
(here)
This is basically a response to Bill, but I believe will resonate with quite a few other people here- which is why I'm posting it to the forum rather than PMing.
Bill- if I could open up my brain and let you crawl inside I would, because that's the only way you will ever really know how much respect and admiration I have for you. We'd probably both have a fairly good cry afterwards. I'm clearly not alone on this forum in holding you in that high regard. I don't doubt that the moderators who have recently decided to step down also have very great respect for who you are and what you've done. The problem, my friend, is that of late the situation sometimes seems more akin to Theoden under the spell of Grima Wormtongue and Sauruman than that of Arthur at the roundtable.
The question of whether Charles has come here to help us build something new or to tear apart our efforts to do so has been and continues to be the crux of the matter. After two months of investigating that question to the best of my ability, I still don't know. The question has been argued back and forth for so long that it almost seems pointless to argue it further, and yet it remains the heart of the matter.
As with any scientific investigation, one cannot prove the veracity of any given hypothesis. One can only falsify one hypothesis and show evidence which is better explained by another. Also, when direct evidence is unavailable, it becomes necessary to examine effects which are observable and infer cause. That can, of course, be viewed as being "nit picky". It could also be viewed as a sincere effort to get to the bottom of a very deep and potentially dangerous rabbit hole.
After putting in about eight hours a day since the day I joined going through the Charles material, I'm still not a tenth of the way through it. So, some of my observations may indeed be contradicted by other evidence. Given the current turmoil, however, I feel sharing what I've come up with so far is warranted.
1-As previously stated in this post
Posted by Hawkwind
(here)
If the intent of Charles' suggestion to raise some money to help one of our members was actually to initiate some sort of broader movement which Aubrey had confirmed would have far reaching consequences, then the gravity of the issue should have prompted him to discuss it directly with Bill rather than go through intermediaries. That isn't what happened, so I find it incredibly difficult to believe that the real purpose of this incident is as Charles has described it. It feels much more like a set up, the true purpose of which remains unclear. It could be, as Inelia has suggested, an attempt to shift the focus of Avalon into the sphere of finance, which would make it far easier for the elites to control. It could be, as several people have suggested, an attempt to create division among our community. The fact that it has led to several people calling for a re-structuring of Avalon's decision making process, however, leads me to believe that this was its intent from the start.
2-Charles first claimed he asked people to tell him their eye color because it would give him insight into their character. Later he claimed that the purpose was to make us self aware of our composure. At the very least this shows that some degree of dishonesty and manipulation is taking place.
3-Charls first claimed that the plan was his master's and he didn't have the details of it. He later claimed that the plan was his and had his master's approval. To the best of my knowledge, no explanation of this discrepancy has ever been given.
4-Charles first post on the Atticus account(prior to him revealing his identity) was this:
https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...7148#post97148
The lyrics to this song are available here:
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.n...256BC1002793A3
Not to read too much into someone's taste in music, but does this strike you as something someone who has come to help would post or someone who is gloating over the perceived helplessness of an intended victim, particularly when held in relation to this excerpt from a subsequent post:
Posted by Atticus
(here)
Well it's proved one thing so far your predictable prey.
5- If Charles is being straight with us, then there would be powerful people with a vested interest in disrupting his efforts here. If he isn't being straight with us, then the most likely explanation for his presence would be to be disruptive himself. Either way, trained agent provocateurs would likely be planted in the forum. This most definitely appears to be the case, in that several people who joined the forum after Charles' arrival have seemed intentionally disruptive. If Charles is who he says he is, it seems to me he would have the wherewithal to identify and put an end to these efforts, should he so desire. For whatever reason, that hasn't happened.
6-If Charles is a benevolent force in this equation, then given his background as an expert problem solver, we might expect to see some marked improvement in the functioning of the forum. If he is here to bring Avalon down, on the other hand, we might expect increased disruption and discord. Should the latter be true and in light of what Inelia has called his "off the charts" psychic abilities, we might also expect to see some seemingly erratic and completely out of character behavior from some of our core people.
Which theory is better supported by the observable evidence?
In response to- " if anyone does not like me, my style, my values, my principles, my stand on anything and everything, or the way I try my best to lead this team by setting an example everywhere I go, then damn you, and leave now."
My allegiance is to the ideals and principles upon which Avalon is based, the same ideals and principles which you have fought so long and hard to uphold and protect. It seems to many that we have gotten somewhat off course in pursuit of that quest of late. I don't see it as wise to institute a democratic restructuring of decision making at this time. Neither do I see it as wise to close all discussion of the issue with a "my way or the highway" type ultimatum. From my perspective, we've got some problems that need to be dealt with and some grievances that need to be aired. I have been and will continue to attempt to facilitate that process to the best of my ability. If you or members here don't see that as constructive, let me know and I'll either redirect my efforts or take them elsewhere.
I'm very sorry that recent events have been so hard on you, Bill and humble apologies if anything I've done or failed to do added to your burden. I guess we're all doing the best we can with the cards we've got. I sincerely believe we'll get through this and come out of it stronger than we were. I will in any case continue to work toward that end.
Namaste
Rick
Re: An important announcement following the closure of the WORM TONGUE thread
A ground crew of local members may not be a bad idea for even non visiting-lodging purposes. 
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