Time for me to move on from this thread - just a few parting thoughts first though...
Since it was revealed that Ryan purportedly likes to mix in gay activity with his sex life, there have been some borderline and outright homophobic comments.
While I'm sure most were meant satirically, some seemed serious.
I admit that I got a good laugh out of hearing this new tidbit about Ryan's sexual proclivities, given his past ultra-hetro posturing.
Honestly though, I could care less if he is bisexual, or as a result of being outed, he decides to turn full-on gay, if that is his wish.
To me this wasn't so much about his sexuality as it was about his hypocrisy. It's like with disgraced Pastor Ted Haggard, I could care less that he likes to have sex with men, it was his hypocrisy that I disdained.
I'm not gay one iota, however I am also not a homophobe, and I defend people's right to express their sexuality without discrimination, as long as they are not hurting or exploiting others with it.
To me the things which I most took issue with Sticky about in this thread were exploitation and misogyny, hypocrisy, and dishonesty in business matters.
Based on his behavior on this board over the past years, and revelations about him that have emerged during that time, I think that the guy truly has some deep-rooted psychological problems.
If he is capable of introspection, he will see that by his actions and attitude, he brought on most of this himself. Perhaps he will finally realize this and seek out counseling and treatment, and become a better person.
Web Forums/Boards, especially this one at times, can seem cruel and unrelenting, since many come here for the express purpose to blow off steam and unwind. As we have seen time and again, the more one tries to stand in the spotlight and make boasts and fight with others, the more scrutiny they receive. Ryan was rarely at a loss for words (especially of the 4-letter variety), and he chose to fight with others frequently, seeming to take great delight in baiting people to the point that they would say something back out of anger and get banned.
Therefore, the backlash he has received should come as little surprise to anyone, least of all Ryan.
A common urge under the pressure of public ridicule is to get more angry and entrenched and lash out even more in return. Sometimes it is better though to step back, take a deep breath, and rethink your words and actions.
I've never done business with Ryan and probably never will, so whatever he decides to do in the future, stay in the industry or leave, will have little affect on me, just as I doubt that I have had any affect on him. All I would hope is that he would become a better human being as a result of this experience, stop harassing and exploiting the women (or men) in his life, and strive harder to be a more honest businessperson.
That's all I have to say for now...
Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone!!!
ADG