I encourage you all to read Robert's detailed response (see the comments to Rogue's Gallery, Biopic Robert) to my characterization of his time on board Mabrouka. I'm happy to leave it there as-is because I'm sure his recollection of events is better than mine in many instances. It's certainly more detailed.

My own response to his original comment stands, although it should probably be expanded. In particular, I welcome further criticism and/or support on how I'm approaching this blog. Surely it's obvious that I am having some fun with the way I describe events and people, which opens the door to hurting some feelings. Should I restrain my tendency for entertainment in favor of accuracy? Should I resist talking about people at all, knowing that my view from the outside looking in will never match my subject's view looking out? Should I take notes, actually interview people, and cross-check all my facts?

If these turn out to be the consensus of recommendations, writing for you will become overwhelmingly tedious and I fear that the blog will devolve into a bland travelog of, "...I sailed here. I anchored there and went ashore. I walked around a while and drank beer and tropical drinks. I pulled up anchor and went to another blue-watered, white-sanded cove where I did it all over again." BORing!

Although it has never been and never will be my intent to hurt anyone or distort history to anyone's detriment, I also never intended this blog to be anything but my story. Sometimes I don't write down my thoughts until days or even weeks after-the-fact. Through my imperfect memory I'm sure I will reveal my own faults and sensitivities. Is that the way of being an author or even, as is probably a more accurate label for my blogging activities, just a diarist? I think so.

In summary, I apologize to Robert and to all future participants in this story for mis-recollections and mis-characterizations that have occurred and will yet occur. My only caveat is that my writing should always be taken as a story told from my point of view. You might even call it historical fiction which, as I understand it, is basically an entertaining imagination built around a few basic facts. Robert's criticisms are part of my growing process and I, for one, will not ignore them.