You know what, some posts may very well have read more into what you were saying Orion. In part, that is wrong. In part, that's a sad fact of life, especially on the internet. How you act, what you do, things you state, color peoples image of you and what you believe and say. This is doubly so on the internet where there is no tone clearly evident, there is no body language, and so often with so many people...including yourself...often times words can be saying far more than what they say on the surface. Middleground posting what you posted likely would've got a slightly less "defensive" no; at the same time, that's because Middleground hadn't made a public display refusing to donate, encouraged others to follow suit, or been crusading against the staff of the forum so likely her words aren't going to be looked at through the same general scope. Perhaps some may find it wrong, more likely many others find it a simple fact of life that our actions do and will always affect how we're viewed. However, what is unquestionable is actions have consequences and reputations are part and parcel with how people respond to you.
You're request made by an average poster that's never said anything at all ever either way about posting would likely be looked at and in the end the same conclusion would be reached as the issue was looked at and thought of in advance and irregardless of you making it. The response likely would've been different however because it wouldn't be perceived as someone who made a public display of their refusal to donate turning around and seemingly complaining that their decision mixed with improvements to the site has now inconvenienced them a slight bit and they'd like it to be fixed to rid themselves of such an annoyance. This may not have been your intent in your post, but given the tone of your words mixed with your recent actions it is the perception it gave.
So no, the defensiveness likely was not needed and likely did give the wrong impression. I understand vauge's response, given the time put into that forum mixed with your previous statements combined with this one, but I also realized a more specific answer would be useful which is why I posted my previous one which I hope summed up the why for you in a reasonable enough manner. In regards to dragging this thread out, I thank you for trying to step out from such an altercation and I'd ask that everyone cease trying to turn this into a "Donate or don't donate" thread with arguments of the such, there's really no need.