Some honest questions. Let's see if you can earn those tips!
I will do my best
You say that you first discovered Bitcoin last year. Why did you not stay involved then? What was your thought process?
First I'd have to say, that I'm naturally skeptical. I love the idea of bitcoin being an example for tight monetary policy. But in all honesty, my primary drive for obtaining them was for appreciation. When they shot up to $30 I lost interest. Additionally, I was concerned about the FBI probe and the Chuck Shumler comments.
So, you didn't like BitInstant's publicity stunt? Why would you let the actions of one individual or group push you away from a useful tool? If someone used a hammer for murder, would you shun hammers?
BitInstant and Coinbase actually recaptured my attention in Bitcoin. If they can pull of the credit card, it will be a big step for liquidity. More so, the bitcoin ecosystem needs legitimate players. When I see incubators out of California funding bitcoin startups and those startups doing press releases and executing a plan... I get excited. When I see publicity stunts that are juvenile at best and illegal at worst, I get turned off.
You also mention fears about the government vilifying Bitcoin. Similar to the question above, why would you let the authorities push you away from a useful tool? Is there somewhere that you would draw the line and say, "I don't care what the government does or says, I will not give in to their threats/demands"?
Sure, but that line is drawn much closer to my family and personal freedoms. I've seen the government confiscate private property for other commercial interests. I've seen authorities abuse power and literally break up families. I saw the government shut down napster and convince people that downloading a file is evil (when copyrights are generally regarded as the responsibility of the holder to secure). Defending a crypto-currency that the public believes promotes terrorism, child porn, drugs, and money laundering is a losing battle friend.
Having said that, I believe bitcoin has a chance. But that path involves public perception that bitcoin doesn't promote illegal activities foremost, and that it can coexist with governments ability to control fiscal policy. Most interesting, is that the blockchain provides more transparency than cash transactions. I didn't even figure that out until recently. I think the bitcoin community should be touting that fact as loudly as it can.