All right, Beldin and BOTK, back to your corners. If you wish to air our dirty laundry in public, then there are few things to note.
1) Yes, I was asked to head up the Confederation during the negotiations between HOT and RB. The requests came from Urk4ever and Your-Mother.
2) The RB that I inherited was an absolute disaster. Most of the leadership ran during the war/ceasefire or was quitting. Urk4ever was in the hospital for 3 months. One of the new Dukes didn't know that he was appointed. 4 of the factions were floundering and one was on the brink of collapse.
3) Through the incredibly dedicated effort of a number of force aristocrats, 2 of the factions have been repaired and are now functional. Another was able to train some new leadership internally (with some external assistance). These players put in a lot of time and effort and are generally unnoticed, except by their tribes and myself.
4) One of the issues that I was trying to avoid was any appearance of a force takeover of RB. However, there was almost no leadership left to fill the vacuum. We literally had to start from scratch.
5) BOTK was one of the ONLY active, native RB Dukes that had any experience (Your-Mother was the other). Though I often deplore his public antics, I have never once questioned his loyalty to his tribe. He has been of great assistance running an organization that has gotten considerably complex.
6) Beldin, you know that you had my respect when you were running RB. However, I also had reservations about some of the things that you said or did. Many of those reservations I personally relayed to you. You know that I didn't always agree but you also know that I was always honest with you.