[IKE]

David,
This is not an attack. I think you are a strong enough person for this thread to provide some good feedback that should be valuable to the community.

Having strong opinions and conviction are great things. Just don't let the pride of individualism blind you.

There is a famous saying that "Reasonable men will confrom to thier environment, but unreasonable men with try to confrom their environment to them. Because of this, the world can only be changed by unreasonable men." This is absolutely true that many strong willed individualists have changed the world (Ford, Edison, JP Morgan,...). Many individualists sight this as an excuse to unreasonable. Notice that the quote didn't say that unreasonable men would change the world for the better.
Example:
Two men had dreams of changing the world in a way that could forever end racism. The one man's dream was of people working together in harmony. The other was to create a master race (1 of many goals) and irradicate those that stood in his way. Both of these men forever changed the World.

Playing the role of devil's advocate is a very good role to play. It can help explore boundary scenarios and lead to new roads of discovery. Please continue to do this. There are more effective ways of doing it though without alienating others.

For instance: In your post that you think it is wrong for some of the pre-coded software.
"Ok I have not shown much enthusiasm about the autonomous kit stuff. Its mostly for those rookie teams I am assuming? Well I am against that whole idea, kind of showing pity towards them... I may sound evil right now, but just because they are a rookie team, that does not mean that they can't compete with he veterans... IDK where this idea came from, but I don't like the kit idea that people are doing. This is not some government run multi billion dollar project... Software pretty much costs $0 for us, its all electrical and mechanic that gobble up the money, I don't get how being under funded rookie has ANYTHING to do with programming... Yea this challenge was for individual teams doing it by themselves, the prize is vanity and pride..."

This attacks the idea of pre-made software modules, and assumes they were made for Rookies. A different way of opening the same discussion could have been:

"Ok I have not shown much enthusiasm about the autonomous kit stuff. I am suprised that a Robotics competition has pre-made modules that are plug and play. Does anyone know why these exist? I don't understand how giving solutions out improves teams abilities. Software is essentially free from a monetary standpoint so I did understand why teams "need" this to be given. I am a rookie this year and was able to make things work, so this can't be with regards to rookie status. Giving someone the answer undermines their opportunity to learn and grow and thus build self-pride. Can someone enlighten me as to the "need" for these pre-fab modules?" (By the way, this is a great topic to discuss and should be continually renewed. It is a branch of the larger subject of Kit solutions versus home grown designs. Why are their Kit solutions (EE, programming, and mechanical), and how "good" should those solutions be.)

The above example should convey the same points you were going for, but in a more inviting and open manor. If you truly want discussion, you need to invite others to discuss, and not just state opinions as facts.

See some of Dr. Joe's posts of recent as shining examples of how to bring up controversial topics within the world of FIRST (FiM vs Regional, Intentionally doing a particular strategy at a lower event to learn how to win a larger event, ...). Notice how he asks more questions initially, and then states opinions once the discussion is started.

************************************************** *
"I am sorry if you do not like my posting style and or my attitude, but I am not going to change. Sorry, I guess you have to deal with it then, it has done me more good than harm IMHO."

Technically this is not an apology as much as it is a rationalization of your position. Posting your position is a good thing as it helps others understand that your beliefs should not directly reflect upon your team, but an apology technically should show some remorse for a behaviour that with hindsight you would have done differently or at least feel bad about.
As another example:
"I am really sorry if I have offended others. That was not my intent. Blah blah blah... In the future, I intend to still express my viewpoints with conviction, but I will try to work on tone and.... with the intent of not being as offensive."

Again, this isn't meant as an attack, but more as an opportunity to improve communication. Your apology/position statement is a very brave action that helps us understand you a bit more. This bravery is why I think you have the strength of character to handle a post like mine.

IKE