Hey man, I feel your pain and the resulting confusion. This is an open public forum. People are going to say all sorts of things that later they wish they hadn't. I think people can forgive you immediately and note that it could be them next. At least you are NOT faking posts and writing posts about how steemit sucks. You were just freaked out by the $$$ signs, happens to nearly EVERYONE. You are not the Dali Lama, and do not need to be. Peace friend! And I am going Follow you, you have deep integrity man, I know it!