I'll just respond to this drivel by quoting what I already said in response in the PM's:
On banning...
On plagiarizism...
On letter writing campaigns...
I have never denied these things, in fact I have addressed them head on, just like now, anytime they were brought up. My reputation is doing fine, backed by actual accomplishments, thanks for your concern though.
Right Will - you address them by trying to explain them away. "Oh, it was only two boards I've been banned on and others were banned too so that makes my behavior ok," "Oh, I did plagiarize, but it was "unintentional" and only the intro to the article so it is all ok", etc. Facts are facts, regardless of the spin you try to put on them.
Everyone deserves a second chance, but it's clear by your behavior subsequent to those events that you continue down the same path. We all see how you constantly try to bait Al, Chris and others using language with subtle jabs to generate a strong reaction from them, so that you can turn around and pretend to be victimized. It's the typical grade school tactic of slowly poking a person until they overreact, and then you run to the teacher crying that the other kid unfairly attacked you for no reason.
Where there's smoke there's fire, and your history is quite the chimney.
Now back to the real issue, you have done nothing but try and incite thoughout this whole thread, you have had nothing to say on the subject and seem determined to incite another flame war here. Why is that?
No one is crying "victim" here, the facts are plain and simple, anyone can go back and read your posts in this thread, the truth is laid bare.
Will, I'm calling it like I see it. I have a strong feeling that you posted this tree for your amusement at the rest of the board's expense.
As for crying victim here, let me be clear for the record that you sent me a number of PMs insulting me, so that in public posts you could play the innocent victim card.
Now, do you have anything at all to say on the subject?
On the subject of the tree, what can I say? You've got what looks like a weak tree with no trunk character and about 2 inches of foliage. It sounds like you've had two of the three branches die on you in the past two years, and not much growth in the last branch that is left. I personally love the designs in the Naka pictures and others, but it's clear from those pictures that you need a trunk with a lot of character to pull off that kind of design. With only one branch, it also should be obvious that health of the tree generally and that branch specifically is imperative for long term viability. Yet you refuse to consider any advice to go back to bonsai 101 and work on strengthening the tree, characterizing that advice as a "cop out" and making excuses for bad pictures. If anything, this is worse than the stereotypical sticks in pots that sometimes beginners post on here - at least those trees generally are healthy.
What I don't understand is why someone with as many years in bonsai, with all those accomplishments, and who is writing a book on bonsai, would fail to acknowledge the basic horticultural and design principles above. If anything, as others have mentioned, it does a big disservice to newbies coming along looking for examples - particularly those who might look to someone who touts his accomplishments to attempt to appear to be a knowledgeable authority.
I've said enough on this so I'm done with this thread. Good luck to you and your tree.
