"Shambles does not follow them because someone is asking him to do so. Shambles only does what he wants. Then he complains because others don't want to do things his way."

Thanks Guest, for the insight. I strive to keep an open mind toward Shambles, but often see this mobilisation of defensive posture in his reactions. He thrives in some way by appearing to be beleagured, and his posts can become excruciatingly solipsistic.

Shambles seems to have a pretty tough ego when it emerges from behind the paranoias, and the counter-phobic, chin-first presentation is actually kind of endearing.

"It's part of his mostly impotent Joe-stalking hobby, and I believe that's all it is. I also think Joe cares a lot less than Shambles thinks he does."

Thanks, Jeri, for that observation as well. I don't imagine that Shambles really cares about the birthday threads; it's a way to roll the Trojan horse up to the door on a near-daily basis.