First off, I'd like to give my thanks to M2, all the forum moderators, news contributors, lyric decipherers, etcetera, etcetera, for making this the PREMIER U2 website. Much better than the official U2 website, in my opinion. I've gone to @U2 as my first place for U2 news and discussion since, hmmmm..... the early 00's, myself. Many thoughtful articles, opinions, and the forum is always a great place to connect to other people who like U2. Because for me, everyday people in my life don't want to talk about U2 like I do. Especially my wife.... She's had enough U2 talk for the past 15 years... And my friends all think U2 are horrendous (dirty, hipsters). I always thought my passion for U2 was abnormal. Probably is, but like any addiction or affliction, it's good to go where the people are like you. They dig it the most.
I feel that we, as forum participants, don't give M2 or moderators the props they deserve. We're like bad houseguests who trample in with muddy foot, drink all the beer in the fridge, and pi*s all around the toilet bowl without so much of a "thanks for having me over."
I just really admire this website -- what M2 has built and sustained for, what, nearly two decades? I feel ashamed that, for whatever reason, M2 had to step away from this forum. I'd love to hear his input on this new phase of U2, especially since the "weekly Off the Records" are now "sometimes Off the Records."
There's so much dissent and senseless arguments in the world. If we're on this website, it's presumably because we're fairly avid U2 fans. If U2 fans can't treat each other with respect, following a band whose moderus operandi is bringing people with differences together, then it's a bit of a sad thing. Personally, I love the U2 of Achtung Baby and Pop much more than then U2 of All That You Can't Leave Behind or How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. But I can still respect those people who like those other albums the best. Who am I to say my version of U2 is better than theirs? Earlier this week in the forum I saw somebody disparage somebody who liked Taylor Swift by saying since that person liked Taylor Swift, their musical opinion was invalid. Really? My Dad likes country music and played in country music bands. Is his opinion of music to be dismissed, because I can't stand country music? No -- he knows more about music in one hand than I know in my entire body. Because he likes country music, his musical opinion isn't invalid. That's f****** ridiculous. When people argue like that on here, it makes whatever else they may say ridiculously invalid. We all have our own opinions and like our own things. But discussion can be respectful and adult and sincere. Even though we can't see each other, doesn't mean that we're not there.
I usually don't say thank you enough to people who do nice things. So thank you M2. Thank you to the @U2 staff. I hope you know how great it is for me to have an outlet such as this. This is such a good thing, and it means a lot to a lot of people. Though I'm sure it ain't easy at times. I appreciate it greatly, even if I may have leave behind a bit of a sticky floor afterwards, myself.