Jon,

A few years ago someone attacked my brother. I confronted this person and others jumped in. I was alone.
One of the thugs was a bit bigger than me (stocky). We got into a scuffle while his father stood and watched.
When I over powered this young punk only then did his father intervene. Took several other people to get me off him too.

What does this have to do with you?

It's simple.

I've been here for almost five loyal years with you. I have never ever seen you block two topics in a matter of two days. And coincidently, it involved Aaron.

There have been other heated discussions and far worse that went ignored. But finally people are expressing their displeasure  of Aaron and you just simply hit the lock button. What are you trying to protect? Your interest (Aaron)?

Can you explain? You owe it to your members. They have the right to know.

It's too bad it had to get to this Jon. I'm not going to continue to pound on you out in the open. I still have a bit of respect for you. But you've shown your true colors.

Let me make this very clear.
Don't think for one minute I am leaving because of Aaron and that other scrub Rich. I am leaving because you don't deserve my support anymore.
There is no way in this world I will participate in a forum who's owner encourages this behavior of misleading, misinforming and yes, fig naming at will. You are sending the wrong message. But I guess we over look our integrity in the name of obtaining that special fig. Damn shame.

******************************************************************************

To my dearest friends,

I am sorry this has to come to an end. I tried to be a good citizen but I feel I have failed you at the end. I just cannot with a good conscience support this place anymore. The message was clear.

I did my best to keep the unit together and bring it back to its' glory days when everyone was happy with another and there was nothing but love.

Things got out of hand unfortunately and it's time to say good bye. I will miss each and everyone of you. Love you all.

But you will find me posting in the Gardenweb from time to time. I am planning something anyway. It will take a little while but I will pop up again.

******************************************************************************

Too all the newbies,

Please please please,
Do not think for a minute we hate you. Do not listen to the trouble makers and story twisters.
These older members are only trying to help. Reach out to them and they will be there for you.
As others have reached out to me. They know who they are.

******************************************************************************

To my dear friend Wills,

Listen to me brother, let it go! Your voice was heard from the highest peak. Others have responded and stood to your side. That alone speaks volume.

******************************************************************************

I don't know if this thread will get deleted but I will wait a couple days before I close my membership here.

Good luck to everyone,
Signing off.

Are you sure, Rafed?  You are one of the good ones!  Who's gonna run the Superbowl pool?  Not Jon!

You have my email.  Stay in touch.

Your loyal friend,

Suzi

say it isn't so!!

Rafed, check your email please

Worse day ever on this site!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wishing you the best. I am saddened at my timing in joining the forum. The upheaval, turmoil, and loss of some of the anchors of the forum is such a shame, but I'm hopeful that things will settle down, in time. I will miss your posts. 

Regards,
bill

yep it is

Hang on Rafed,
 
One of my native old sayings (loosely translated):
Good-oil (truth) will always surface above dirty-water (lies).

Very very sad Rafed:-( :-( :-(.
Check your email
Vito

I really hate seeing it come to this! Rafed has so many things to teach us new folks. The other thread was locked but I want to make it perfectly clear my experiences with those that have been on this forum for a long time have been nothing short of amazing. So knowledgeable, generous, kind, and just great people. Even though I can tell he is completely over this forum Rafed has still offered to help me with my newbie questions. I think those that know him or have interacted with him on a personal level know he has a passion for figs and even more for helping people with figs. Sad sad day. Rafed, thank you for your contributions. That is something intangible that cannot be taken away.

I can't be leave it!

sigh

Rafed,
This is too sad.  I have enjoyed reading your informative posts and seeing samples of your nice fig collection.
Is there another way to resolve this?  Maybe some change for the better something that benefits the forum and everyone can stay and grow and share fig growing knowledge?

This is a sad day for the forum, Rafed. It is a sad day for the many, many members who are proud to have become your friends over the past several years.
You have been Jon's biggest booster, earning the foundation a BUNCH of money as well as respect. You have bent over backwards selflessly helping newbies and established members alike . Your problem, Rafed, is that you cared too much. If I had half your integrity I would follow you out the door. Alas, I remain. You will be missed, bro. See you on Gardeweb

Rafed, Say it ain't so bro. You are one of the major reasons that I and others are on this forum.

Sad to see this Rafed.  Hope you stay in contact via email and get out to visit my place some day!

This is the first 'forum' that I've been involved with, and I think I have much to learn. I'm sorry to read all of this, and I wish you all the best, Rafed. You truly deserve it. Gary (a newbie) in CA

Rafed, sad to hear that you are leaving...hope to keep in touch...
Mark

Mahalo Bro.
I will find you in the drift.

Your health and happiness comes first Rafed.

This is a sad day, I wish you the best, and thank you for everything I learned from you and what you have contributed, Rafed. Some of my most prized figs come from you and I also thank you for that. Don't be a stranger!

Rafed,

I hated reading that but I understand. I'll email you soon with my cuttings results. Always know you can reach out to me for anything brother. Take good care and god bless.

I haven't been on the forum for a few days. So I missed all that's going on. To bad things have gotten so personal.

As many of you know I'm new. I just want to learn about figs. So I hate to see someone like Rafed, or anyone else with knowledge, leave the forum. I hope Rafed and the other talking of leaving reconsider.

Hi Rafed. I haven't been here much lately as mentioned in the now-locked thread, so I didn't realize things had gotten so bad here.

I'm very sorry to see you leave. I've always enjoyed your posts - and I enjoy many of the figs in my yard that have successfully grown from cuttings you have given me. Thank you again, my friend! Meeting you here has been a pleasure.

Is anyone still posting at Fig.Yuku.com?


Jon, you really have dropped the ball on this one. How disappointing. 

There are a ton of great people on this forum. There are very few who have contributed as much as Rafed.

I don't know the whole story here, but I find it troubling and just plain sad that a guy like Rafed--who clearly loves the hobby, who has taken a leadership role in the success of the forum and the foundation, who has made lots of friends here, and who has demonstrated kindness and generosity over and over again to members old and new--would choose to walk away.

Rafed--I hope you don't go, I'll be sad to see you go if you do, but I know you have your reasons and I respect that.

It seems like a lot of the best people have dropped out lately. I don't know what we can do to fix that, but I really hope we can figure it out.