Apology to Everyone
A community is self-correcting. That means when I make a mistake, someone out there catches it and lets me know. Thank you, Ginger Hearn, for pointing out a real blunder in the January 30 edition of Today’s Word. I wrote as if I were speaking about Simeon when the text is actually about Zacharias, the father of John. So I have corrected it, and if you keep copies of Today’s Word, you will need to go back and get the right one for January 30.
It’s interesting to me that only one person caught this real mistake. Perhaps the rest of us, including me, were so “familiar” with the story that we didn’t notice or perhaps we were so intent on the Messianic implications that we just skipped over this glaring defect. Anyway, we are back on track now, thanks to Ginger.
Skip
I have my suspicions that this was a sneaky plot to expose those of us who systematically keep each ‘Today’s Word’ pasted into a memory file. Just like pirating Skip’s YouTube videos (or those recorded at other places he has spoken) to avoid the minimal requested compensation for his hard work (15 big ones for Today’s Word archive in this case).
There probably is some nefarious capability on this new web site that records those who are returning to obtain the ‘corrected’ copy and now we will have to be wondering if Skip is two steps behind us and never letting us out of his sight. Paranoia is setting in.
But I have my reasoning’s; I’m the crazy guy who creates a 3 category index each year. My format allows for the year end content to be accessed either by Hebrew/Greek word, date, or Scripture Citation (Never by title because that’s usually just the ‘Gotch Ya’ ringer that draws us in). Have you ever remembered Skip writing something in Today’s Word that has relevance to an ‘in the moment’ occurrence? Yeah go ahead and flip through the 4 or 5 hundred pages from a years past content you actually paid for.
It’s much better to spend hundreds of hours doing what I do then moments obtaining it online as complete years (am I an idiot or what?).
I’m headed to the donation page.
Thanks for contributing again. It really helps.
So, Richard, perhaps offering that index to your fellow TWers for a fee which is actually a donation to Skip would be an incredible way to help the community . I’d be interested!! Anyone else?
Hi Leslee!
I index the daily writing by the date it is written instead of page 1,2,3, etc.; My Index itself is broken into the Torah, Nevi’im, K”ituvim and Brit Hadasha…so what this means is the first listing (in Torah = Genesis verse) follows with the verse written on by Skip in order although he may not have written on any Genesis verse until 3.23.16. It is the 3.23.16 date which would put it on the 82nd page (total days passed in the year until that posting) which is paged as 3.23.17. The second on Genesis by Skip might be 5.2.16 and thus would be that much further away in the total. AND THAT’S THE LEAST INSANE PART OF MY METHOD! The Four column index leads with verse citation, then key words, then language word, then date composed.
What I’m saying then is to take my index as a ‘contents’ page and apply it to something you might have, would just not work unless you re-paged yours by date composed.
For me to send the entire years posting of Skips with my system applied would be a breach of copyright. I can send you just the index page for this year so far so that you can see how I do it and perhaps apply it to yours if you wish. My email address is rjgambino@cox.net
This system does allow me to quickly reference Skips idea on a particular verse pretty quickly. And that’s the key part for me…the verse itself.
OH EMM GEEE….this is perfect. I’ve actually set up my own little file for everything i can find of his on Jeremiah and was going to get around to sending him a note asking him if ever considered sending out some kind of download of his work by the books in Scripture, i reference them that way so often.
It’s tedious, at best, but has proven very rewarding.
I love the humorous way you have presented this. Being holy is draining for me these days.
OK…just checking bcp; There’s quite a play on words in your last sentence; “Being holy is draining for me these days”. Did you see it and mean it the way I see it? Think about a colander used for draining spaghetti…
I’ll make sure to give you credit for the quote of your words when I use it. I thought it was pretty funny way to say it.
Hahahahah!
Have you SEEN my posts on my (non existent) cooking abilities? Trust me you took my words to a far different direction then i ever considered. I promise you i have NEVER strained spaghetti, and even tho i own a colander, i purchased it because it was stainless steel, (read somewhere that was the best one to have) and pretty, I use it to hold bowls that fit in it. The handle fell off, but i saved it, because that’s what i do.
Do feel free to use the quote AND be sure to give credit, footnote, bibliography, page number, date, number of posts down, etc.. Would NOT want you to be guilty of plagiarism or anything like that.
That being said, it’s a perfect example o what this blog is all about isn’t it?
The interpretation of the written word and how the author intended it, initially? 😉
Exactly right, bcp. Thank you very kindly for the reminder.
I wondered if quoting an entire Hymn without a mention of the composer be in the same category of PLAGIARISM? Or, does that only apply to certain folks targeted, whom one disagree with in “opinions”?
Funny you should ask that question. Because yes, it is the same thing. And yes, you could very well be fined up to $50,000 and 1 year in jail for doing such a “petty and nonsensical thing”. No, you can not quote in part or in whole someone else writings, hymns, or commentaries without at least giving credit.
Case in point. At our Shul, we actually pay a yearly copyright use fee. Not only for the right to project the hymn up on the screen (in part or in whole) but, to use and sing them as well. Why? Because it’s the law.
This is from plagiarism.org – Maybe it’s a good idea if people familiarise themselves with it.
DOES IT MATTER HOW MUCH WAS COPIED?
Not in determining whether or not plagiarism is a crime. If even a small part of a work is found to have been plagiarized, it is still considered a copyright violation. However, the amount that was copied probably will have a bearing on the severity of the punishment. A work that is almost entirely plagiarized will almost certainly incur greater penalties than a work that only includes a small amount of plagiarized material.
IF I CHANGE THE WORDS, DO I STILL HAVE TO CITE THE SOURCE?
Changing only the words of an original source is NOT sufficient to prevent plagiarism. You must cite a source whenever you borrow ideas as well as words.
Guess some people take the law VERY serious.
Now maybe we can move on? Shalom.
See, I am exactly right referring to- “Or, does that only apply to certain folks targeted, whom one disagree with in “opinions”?”
Check out your own comments above with TW “Breathe”, you should find a HYMN quoted in FULL, with no attribution to composer- Words by Jean S. Pigott, 1876.
Was there a even a squeak from you, Mark!! That has been done many times by the same person, (NOT meant to be personal to that person).
Proving you are NOT as “law-abiding” as you pride yourself to be,-“Guess some people take the law VERY serious.” INDEED?
OR, simply to show what a JERK you are. Go examine your spirit!
The thing is, I wasn’t interacting with the person you are referencing. Nor am I trying to police the thousands of comments on this site by other people. Never have, never will. My whole comment and point originally, to you, was very simple. I just tried to tell you that I personally don’t want to interact with someone that wants to copy and paste massive responses from some teaching or study they wrote in the past, nor do I “personally” want to interact with someone that wants to copy or use someone else’s work, commentaries, etc, and pawn it off as their own, in a discussion I’m having with them. I don’t care nor is it my job to worry about it if it doesn’t have anything to do with me and the discussion I’m having.
I tried to do it nicely. My comments to you didn’t entail a bunch of name calling, belittling, or snide remarks.It wasn’t meant to attack you or be a “JerK”. I just simply and respectfully said I chose not to engage because of the reason I gave. And it could have just been left at that. Because someone doesn’t copy someone else’s commentary or work on accident, right? So, it seems to me it would have been really simple to either just say, “yes, it’s true I forgot to quote a source”, or even just leave it alone. No big deal really. Instead of denying it and then asking me why “I presumed”. So, I simply responded with why I “knew”.
And then to top it off, Skip tried to be the ever so kind and gracious person he is. By telling everyone involved, to just breath, start over, and move on. I think it was fairly obvious that it wasn’t meant to be mean spirited to you. But, no, you two wanted to just continue on anyway. And sure I could have ignored the ongoing name calling and passive aggressive behaviour. In fact, I did, for awhile. Even let you guys have the last word thinking “it’s no big deal, it’s probably going to be done now”. But, then this above. So, enough is enough sometimes.
I’m very sorry that you took what I said offensively. I did not intend to be mean or confrontational. And I apologise if it seemed that way.
But, hey, that’s fine, you can deflect away from those really simple facts. And sure, feel free to keep name calling and making snide remarks and playing the victim. I’m just not going to interact with either of the two of you again. Have a great week.
Actually, Mark, my original comment had nothing to do with you at all, it was, in fact totally referencing Skip’s purpose of this blog being to drill down to the INTENT of the original words of Scripture, and how our interaction reflected that.
I promise you, neither you nor the other ‘exchange’ was nowhere in my brain when i made the statement.
However Esther is her business, but obviously, you have offended her (read: embarrassed, hurt, etc.) and until the above note, done nothing to make that better.
As far as my ‘policing’ others, i can only presume that you are referencing Craig, where i spoke up, repeatedly, and he only responded when a male said the same things as i had AND stated, as i did that if he felt that way others did. No offense to Craig, i like him, he just drowns people out, same as you feel i do….but differently.
Trust me, people have taken whole email exchanges between myself and them, memorized them, taught classes reciting my portion of the exchange and not only charged for the classes, charged for the CD’s and books created off of them.
I understand plagiarism.
If you had clarified yourself, initially, with the same touch of humility, all would have been well, but you were just as bullheaded as Ester, and i like Ester, you hurt her feelings. I have hurt alone, in front of a group of people who could see it and no one cared enough to speak on my behalf. it sux.
bcp,
Regarding ‘policing comments’, you may want to read Mark’s comment more closely. The way I understand him, he was referring to Ester’s reference to the comment on the other thread (“Breathe”) citing the hymn in full without attribution, with the idea that he cannot possibly try to ‘police’ the “thousands of comments” on this blog.
His first two paragraphs were addressing Ester, the third addressed “everyone involved”, which included you (despite your implicit assertion that it was an “oblique” reference) and me. I took Skip’s ‘hint’, deciding not to engage further on this – until now, and only because this has been unnecessarily drawn out.
I think Mark summarized (as opposed to clarified) the events well in his 2nd paragraph, beginning with the 4th sentence (“I just simply and respectfully said…”). You can even blame me if you like, as I’m the one who initially called it for what it plainly was – plagiarism (and copyright violation) – with Mark trying to soften that by stating: I wouldn’t go that far with it. I doubt it was done with that type of intention. My only point was that I didn’t want to debate with a third party I have no way of addressing. So, he did try to pepper this with grace.
I’m baffled by your first two paragraphs in your comment @ February 6, 2017 11:06 am, in light of this (from comment @ February 2, 2017 10:53 am): Do feel free to use the quote AND be sure to give credit, footnote, bibliography, page number, date, number of posts down, etc.. Would NOT want you to be guilty of plagiarism or anything like that. If the content in italics is not hyperbolically referencing the discussion regarding plagiarism on the “Woodshed Workshop” thread, then I just don’t see your point in using it.
I have no idea what you mean here: …and he only responded when a male said the same things… First, I’ve no idea what you are referencing. Moreover, do you mean to imply that I would not have responded if it were a female? For the record, I’m an equal opportunity responder.
Craig,
The first comment was a joke, and i have long since quit thinking about this whole deal. It’s hard to be upset w/anyone too long, let alone someone i don’t even know except online.
The second was a reference to a conversation that took place in december, that i found by happenstance an realized that the person was saying exactly as i had stated and seemingly had a better response.
I’m really done with this, the only reason i am responding is because you specifically spoke to me and i’m not into snubbing people. If this really bugs you i will respond to you privately, but i’m done here.
My apologies to you if i offended you. And Mark.
Let’s walk our talk, forgive and live.
Re: hard to be upset to long
Clarification: If you are my ex-husband who has learned to torque Scripture to best suit your current needs and use it to slime everyone around you except yourself (being that you are the innocent victim of every woman you ever knew) i find i can be angry for an indeterminate length of time.
Cheers.
PS: If i’m directing a comment to you, i will state it, i do not do oblique interactions.
You said, “I don’t care nor is it my job to worry about it if it doesn’t have anything to do with me and the discussion I’m having.”
I have replied before that you do NOT have to, nor were you obliged to respond to my comments! Read that again. I had NO discussions with you, you started it. You provoked it.
In future, THINK before you write, be more sensitive to others’ feelings. Hope you have learnt your lesson!
Was that a hint of a threat when you used BEAR to intimidate? That’s how I read it!
Face it, you were unhappy with what I commented. You could not accept my view/paradigm, and decided to show me HOW MEAN you could be towards me, looking for faults.
That’s your Yetza hara working BIG time ! FACE it.
So joyful you no longer wish to interact with me (bcp can answer for herself).
SO, I can freely post comments contrary to your beliefs. (Applause)
Ester,
Earlier you had asked me, and perhaps others generally, to give you the benefit of the doubt. Absolutely; that’s the best course of action, as blog comments can be written hastily. However, you lost credibility when, after Mark had made his statement about not interacting with one who used sources without providing attribution (whether you agree or not with his reasoning or his presumed underlying motive from your perspective is another thing entirely), and you responded to him by rhetorically asking why he would “PRESUME” you had done so, when you knew very well you had done so, rather than providing a reason, any reason, for having done so. Had you provided a reason, I’d not have stated anything at all.
Then, after being caught with your hand in the cookie jar, you continued to eat that cookie, all the while pointing your finger at those who’d pointed out your behavior – in other words, after you implicitly claimed you were not guilty (“What makes you PRESUME it was a ‘copy and paste’ from someone else’s work?!”), rather than conceding, you went on the offense, deflecting (e.g.: “How’s your reading, understanding ability, with all your ‘knowledge’?”). In view of all this, you want to accuse Mark of Yetza hara?
To both Ester and bcp,
From my perspective, I think Mark has shown remarkable restraint in view of the repeated ad hominem (“JERK”, etc. – yes, both of you used this term). You may disagree, and that’s fine.
And I should note, Mark’s pointing out Ester’s use of material without providing attribution is not an incidence of ad hominem (which literally means to the person). Pointing out that one didn’t cite a source is merely pointing out a fact. Name calling, however, is an example of ad hominem.
I find it disappointing that you both would continue on after Skip’s ‘subtle’ hint on the “Woodshed Workshop” thread, and I can’t help pointing out the irony that this has continued into a new thread in which Skip has apologized for making a mistake.
Mark is the webmaster here, providing a service for all who read or contribute to this blog. While this certainly doesn’t mean he should be immune from criticism, I think he at least deserves more respect – and the benefit of the doubt.
Skip, my apologies, I feel I need to finish this off. You said, ” I AM THE ONLY ONE who should be personally attacked (and I get to delete those before they get posted).”
I felt targeted for that attack. I am still furious.
I am asking Mark, WHY others have done the same, in fact an entire HYMN, and not pointed out, whereas mine was.
At the time I asked if he presumed I “copy and paste” as I honestly had not, not realizing I had indeed copied that Comment. It was not an article.
Mark was being offensive, intentional or otherwise. That smirk of “know all” just as Craig’s, was what came through in his attack. If that is not demeaning and offensive, what is?
Craig,
I am not at this blog for Mark’s sake, I am here for Skip’s miinistry. If Mark thinks he needs to be respected for being the webmaster, no way.
No where have I seen a webmaster being allowed upfront to “take charge” which appears to be.
End of story!
I ignored the error, sorry. I should have written along with Ginger. I suspect there are others out there like me.
Maybe all the rest of you were just being too kind to show me up.
Yes, if you had made a mathematical error I probably would have written! 🙂
Of that I have no doubt, my friend.
or perhaps; the rest of us had not been able to read it; or if so, had not had time to reply!
On a personal note; I am still in Houston; since Nov. 31, finally yesterday got clearance after all the mammoth physical testing that seemed to go way beyond necessity. But just this a.m. got informed the surgery was finally scheduled for Feb. 13. I am so glad that I did get here this trip with my lap top; my son/wife came first week from Tucson and set it up, etc. so I can use it. I have wanted to respond to several of the Post the past weeks; however; my daughter has kept me busy in her and husband’s life. It is an extremely active one. So hopefully some time by the end of this month I will be back in my big old house that is four hours from here. Thanks for all that prayed for me–
P.S. I had a new great-granddaughter born yesterday in Tucson. and adoption approved for two Chinese: and older girl, and two year old boy. They are not from the same sides of China. So that will make me 14 (fourteen Great-Grand Children). My middle daughter and husband will accompany the parents and two of their American born daughters with them to get the two adopted Chinese when the time comes.
With all the world going crazy in every area, and differences in Governments “getting along with each other”–China, may to decide to make it most difficult for these children to be released close together. I can do nothing except PRAY FOR THEM. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY OF YOU THAT WOULD LIKE TO DO SO. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE
p.s. My grandson, the request I sent out a few weeks ago- a senior in Loyola U. Chicago ( but b. & raised in CA) is continuing on there. seems to be settled, and plans to graduate in May. His family, ( my youngest daughter’s) are planning to be there for him to graduate. His girlfriend will graduate the same day from Perdue. The families will all met the next day to get to know each other.
I guess you all know, what the current U.S. president has said to the Mayor of Chicago.– Let us all pray for our current U.S. situation– that God Himself will bring Glory & Honor to His Word– and many will seek anew His FACE. What a day to live! Thanks for praying for my past requests, and all others that will ask and believe He does hear our prayers.
We read aloud together each morning, casting the webpage onto our TV, each taking an alternate paragraph. I don’t know if I would have caught it had I read it alone, but I do remember wanting to go to the text to read the whole prophecy and not doing that. Perhaps we’d have realised then. I have the email, so I can compare now to check that niggled feeling.
My husband often wants me to forward the email to him, which I politely refuse to do, because of the support factor (I donate, he doesn’t-our incomes are quite separate which he prefers). I have wondered why the website allows free access while the email requires donation.
There are other sites which allow a lesser access without support and a greater access to supporters. The personal integrity Skip creates with free access through the website does not go unnoticed, a different niggly feeling.
I have struggled with the support issue regarding the free website for a long time. I have avoided a membership fee. I might change my mind in the future but I don’t want people to be turned away from the learning process simply because they feel that they don’t want to pay to be members. Emails are different order Of involvement. I end up sending them out and have to maintain the lists and a separate server to do that. So it’s a dilemma. I haven’t resolved it yet. Thanks for your input.
Maybe you could set up a two tiered system, the very oldest (and in my estimation, some of your best work) accessed for free and the newer on a pay by system.
Additionally, we could possibly donate to a pay by and contribute to a fund that allows others to access at a greatly reduced rate. I would never say ‘free’ because ‘free’ is rarely appreciated.
There are ways to contribute, that don’t even include paypal (hint).
One of the offsets that Skip has set up is the ability to access Amazon through Amazon Smile that directs a percentage of purchases towards Skip’s support. I often fail to use the link on my desk top when purchasing something online by searching for the item in a search engine. Usually I end up at Amazon anyways and then fail to remember to use the Amazon Smile link and deprive Skip of that benefit. This could be one way for all of us if faithful to that method to offset the need to charge a membership fee.
Thanks, Richard. Amazon Smile is not a big percentage but it does make a difference.
I’m three days late, but, aren’t we mixing two stories? In Luke 1, the setting is Yochanan’s b’rit-milah, and Zacharias is the speaker. Mary and Joseph were not mentioned and Yeshua was not yet born. In Luke 2, ” Shim’on took Yeshua in his arms and made a b’rakhah to God, and said……….
Thank you, Skip, for being faithful to your calling.
Yes, as I said, I did mix up the stories. But the point about a single savior is still correct.
Skip to be honest I think I made the biggest blunder when I reiterated as if the story was about Simeon’s end. I should apologize to you and am grateful for Leslee for pointing out my mistake. Thank you for being so gracious towards my mess-up.
It looks like it’s time for me to make another comment here. I will be as direct as possible. I DO NOT expect or want a reply. This community is, as I said, self-correcting. That means each of us much ignore or overlook the possible personal comments that offend and consider them nothing more than the heat of the moment, often regretted later. It is unfortunate that some of these cannot be erased from the memory of the community, but they can be forgiven and left behind. NOW IT IS TIME TO DO THAT. Please, no more finger pointing, blame game, personal vindictive, or anything like that. This is a community of idea exchange and yes, because it is human we sometimes do things we would rather not. So, everyone, please be gentle and let’s move on to important matters. As far as I am concerned, this topic is CLOSED.