[John Sabato]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva"> There was no libel, slander, or accusations in the thread. Ed, you were wrong. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Wes, I couldn't disagree (in a gentlemanly manner) more with this statement. The thread has been deleted, not hidden, but I distinctly remember that Mike's integrity was being questioned without anyone knowing the complete facts about the transaction that resulted in him owning the pistol... We may never know the truth, but in cases such as this, where the facts are not public, comments that denegrate someone's integrity are not called for... patience is until we learm the facts... and if we never do learn all the facts surrounding the transfer of the gun in question, we, as a forum, a "fraternal" organization if you will indulge me, should certainly not be casting the first stone. I know that there is probably not one among us that hasn't regretted at least one transaction in our history... Mike is just as capable of making mistakes and having to live with them as I am...and I make them all the time.

If Ed was overzealous in your opinion, that is fine and I encourage your participation and comment, but your opinion doesn't make Ed wrong, anymore than my opinion makes him right.

The last time I looked, we don't have a list of folks from this group of over 2000 who are waiting in line to volunteer to donate their time and effort to moderate the individual forums... and take flak for their decisions.

Ed, like all the rest of us, has to formulate his decisions on his observations and experience. I applaud his action to try and put a halt to what appeared to be a rapidly deteriorating situation.

Had I been more available when this incident took place, I probably would have terminated the situation even earlier than he did...I might have just edited some comments, but I wasn't around and Ed was... his decision might be considered hasty by some, but his intentions and actions were made with the best interest of the whole group in mind.

I came to his defense to encourage his participation and moderation of the forum discussion... just as I would come to your defense to speak your mind...

We can sum up our thoughts and speculation on the origin, quality, quantity, and authenticity of a particular specimen of the Luger, without denegrating the owner, seller or buyer... I think that should remain our primary focus on this forum.