Why the hell is everyone such a ASS on this forum?

Because the group culture on this forum is one of self-moderation, so if you do or say things that people don't think fits with the generally established and accepted decorum (which is actually pretty lenient here), someone's going to say something. If you give a good explanation for what you said, they'll probably let it slide. If you apologize, and make note not to do it again, they'll probably let it slide.

I've discovered in life, that if someone outside a group claims everyone inside a group is an ass, typically it's the other way round.