Postby Moderator » Sun Dec 11, 2011 1:31 pm
Good Morning, Jim --
Still lurking in search of any topic you can call people names for, I see. I promised only two people I wouldn't mention them here, and you, sir, are neither (unless you're an alias). In fact, your name never came up until you just now poked your head in to say hello.
As far as behind the scenes of the Connie Willis issue, you have no idea what I am or am not privy to -- some of which I have been able to hear from the participants (note plural) in question as opposed to trolls who love spreading rumors and innuendo. Nor were you at the Con in question (I was).
If you're really going to take the time later to launch more nastiness "once you get home", I'd have to ask: why? Are we still so much worth your bother that you have to come in and tell us how much of an authority figure you are and we need to tremble at your pronouncements of our social ineptitude? Have I missed your installation as the "final arbiter" somewhere? As the person to whom everyone else turns for validation of our standing, morally and socially? Apologies if I did.
Finally, your attempt at an insult by labeling me an obsessed sycophant. Harlan is a personal friend. So is Rick. I don't have fights with my friends in the open, nor do I go seeking ways to insult anyone who hasn't themselves come forth to deserve it -- I have far better wastes of my time to indulge in. Ask either one of them and they will tell you I've had issues and voiced a contrary opinion on a number of occasions. In private, so that fools like you don't get some sort of dementedly merry joy in the friction.
But to me, haunting a website waiting for the mere mention of a name and then making a big deal out of it when it happens is the very definition of "obsession".
I'm obsessed with many things. I am obsessed with ensuring everyone gets a fair word in edgewise, which is why you yourself aren't banned even after this latest salvo.
But I also have opinions which I am happy to express. I was intimately involved in the proceedings around here following, as you put it, gropegate. I was the target of many of "Billy Rubin's" nastiest, angriest posts. You vehemently denied participating in that little fiasco save knowing who the posters were, but were wise to be disassociated from that embarrassment. And to assume that somehow, someway it's evil or mean or just bad form to use the names of some of the well-documented participants -- the posts in question being in public record and certainly open to anyone and everyone who wants to cite names (From a legal standpoint, I know the internet's rules and laws very, very well) -- is so pointless as to be absurd.
I look forward to your retort, as hair splitting as it is doubtless going to be (I'll be shown, dammit, boy will I be shown!!!). But really, ought'nt you better served by going and finding a better hobby than dropping in here as if we've summoned Beetlejiuce, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice by saying certain names too often in sequence? Isn't that obsession at its finest?
As noted, there are two people I promised, despite some nasty little private emails from them both, that I wouldn't use their names here as a courtesy. I still haven't. Didn't use YOUR name until you popped up to object. Since Paula seems to be the person who is behind the calls to Rick and your recent appearance, she has my email and can contact me directly. But trust me: using the name of a banned poster on a message board -- particularly when that poster's banning and all posts are matters of the public record -- is not something that can be addressed by threats or obsession.
Feel free to shoot me an email and ask me to stop using your name and I'll honor it. But come at me in a public forum, or make nasty calls to Rick ordering him to make me stop is precisely the wrong approach.
And stop haunting the board looking for offense...that's simply obsessive in and of itself. For goodness sake, move ON with your lives.
- I love to find adventure. All I need is a change of clothes, my Nikon, an open mind and a strong cup of coffee.