"John Ammeter" wrote

Sure, I've got stories but if I was to tell them I'd have to put out a
contract on all of you... and I don't have the "connections" that BWB
had.

Me neither. I could probably get someone ('nuff said) to dump a load of
concrete into a convertable (ala a favorite told story) if it was in my own
little part of the world, or a few other clever tricks, but nobody with true
power and reach into the world.

Bill tried to project a gruff and rough image but, in reality, he was a
compassionate and loving man. We cried together when we lost our dogs… I
knew that if I’d ever needed him he would have dropped whatever he was
doing and have been at my side within hours. As I would have done for
him. If you were his friend he was a true friend; you could talk to him
about anything and know that he would care and he would help. On the
other hand, if you were being stupid he wouldn’t hesitate to let you know
that, too…

I think I saw that in him, from time to time. The fact that many people
that know someone well can testify to that kind of quality is enough to me.
The part where he wouldn't hesitate to tell you if you were being stupid was
where he had problems with people that did not know him well. He probably
went further than he should have, where people were involved that did not
know him well enough to take all of his bluster. That's the way he was,
though.

I suspect he is like many people with strong personalities. You love them
or hate them. Then you have to just move on, from there.

It was too bad how he left the world. A violent end like that is something
that I personally would never wish even on my worst enemy. I hope those
that were close to him are dealing with his departure as smoothly as they
are able.

John aka "amprobe" or "anteater"..... although ampeater is fairly
close....

Dang! I guess my dislexia is kicking in! I stand corrected! Amprobe it
is, since I somehow connect your past electricity relationship with your
handle in the group.

Good to see your name come up here. I so wish that we could get some people
back to using the group like it was used in the past. This group is
responsible for teaching me many things, and stoking the fires of my
interest. The key to that happening is dealing with people who play with
the trolls. The trolls will always be here. Can't change that fact. What
can be changed is how those with a brain and some amount of social skills
deal with the trolls. These people can be reached, I truly believe.

Try as I might, I just can't get into the other groups that have been a
replacement for these Usenet groups. They lack the life breathed and shared
in this type of forum, I feel.

See ya in the funnies! I am still,
--
Jim in NC