My intent is in no way to offend any here on AH. I have tried to choose my words wisely.
@TMS, With all due respect, In my humble opinion,I believe a mans honor and integrity, surpasses the value of any dangerous game animal, be it a full mane 10 year old Lion or 90lb. Ele, if one still exists. Lol. My wording of "tragedy" had everything to do with the tarnishing of the latter. You seem very confident in your statement that nothing will "change". I guess only time will tell. Hopefully only positive results will occur from this.
I also want to say again, I do not know Loodt, other than a 6-8 minute conversation we had last November, when I inquired about an offer he had on here, and I was contemplating adding it to my already planned hunt in the E. Cape this past April. All my opinions about him are drawn from the way Loodt has conducted himself here on AH, and hunt reports from members who have had great hunts. At no time, have I read any negative comments or reports of this man until now.
With that said, Loodt has not only paid restitution, apologized and admitted he was wrong, he has now become a "punching bag", and is not even allowed to throw back some rhetoric, like saying" Thank you for your positive energy", without being crucified, for his words. It seems Loodts "friends" up until this thread started, have turned into a bunch of hungry Hyenas, and Loodt being the wounded animal, being bit from every angle.
I for one was raised to stand up for the weak, and help pick someone up when they fall. I would do the very exact thing if it were you, TMS, with your stellar reputation here on AH, if you were being treated in this manner.
From what i am witnessing here, many have chosen to not only kick someone when they are down, but bury them, dig them back up, only to do it all over again.
I pray we all learn a very good lesson from all that has transpired here in the last few days. I have seen a very tight knit community, torn apart, with true character ozzing out of many, that before this issue occured, I considered solid members, and would not have hesitated, until now, booking a hunt with. I am in no way, saying they are not solid, but for me, I choose very wisely who I spend my hard earned money, and share a camp with.
Let's all hope we can get over this and move on. This too, shall pass. Kevin