BS: Regulars who pose as Guests

Subject: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Once Famous
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 04:03 PM

Yes, it is another guest controversy thread.

Originally, before I became a member I still posted as Martin Gibson, so my posts said Guest, Martin Gibson. So I have been consistent all along and you know the post was from me. Or was it? My detractors took it upon themselves to post as me as Guest, Martin Gibson which this forum allows to happen. One of the main reasons for joining was to prevent this from happening, so there would be integrity in knowing that at least a post was truly from me, regardless of content, regardless who did or did not like what I had to say.

Now, I know there has been many threads on the topic of guests and I can truly understand why someone would maybe ask a music question or make a comment without actually joining and not wanting to be anything but a lurker and an occasional poster.

But to me, the worst characters that can be found on this forum are the regulars, who when they attack someone, have to hide behind the Guest curtain, so phony, so cowardly, so small in stature, that they can't attack you or criticize you in their real Mudcat identidy. No doubt, this post will draw a few out, but I want you to know that after a while, it becomes obvious to all who you probably are. Many here I believe have philosophical differences and I believe that the ones who can't come clean with their feelings and express them openly using their regular Mudcat identity are the true complete scumbags of this forum.

You know who you are. And for many it's pretty obvious, also. I just want to bring this to everyone's attention so that when you regular members can't find the balls to say something to someone without their mask on, you really are held in the lowest esteem. Lower than whale shit.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: MMario
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 04:05 PM

Martin - do you have a need for controvesy and contention? You certainly seem to seek it.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 04:11 PM

MG... get a hobby... or a bran muffin...

It's just the internet...

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Once Famous
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 04:30 PM

I have plenty of hobbies. real ones.

MMario and Clinton Hammond: do you both have a need to discredit or downplay this type of forum behavior? Perhaps I hit too close to home with my assessment of some regular posters..............

Why does all of the controversy have to be so political or religious in nature? Or to suit YOUR needs?

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Nerd
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 04:37 PM

I agree with Martin. It's kind of cowardly both to post without your cookie thus appearing to be an anonymous GUEST, and to assume someone else's identity so you are GUEST, Martin Gibson.

The funniest time it happened to me, I was arguing with an anonymous GUEST, and I mistook the person for a regular anonymous GUEST whom I spar with often. The person then came out and said "I'm not that GUEST. You'll be chagrined to know that I'm a regular member but not posting as one" or some such.

And I thought: wow, now THAT's chicken!

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 04:37 PM

Reflecting on your histrionics in your tenure here, it strikes me passing strange that your virtue compels - or allows - you to take umbrage at just about anything at all.

Ebbie
Elva Bontrager
Juneau, Alaska, USA

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 04:39 PM

I pretty much agree with Martin Gibson (the real one, who stands up), about the (most of the time) undesirability of members making controversial posts in the guise of guests, although I certainly wouldn't get as indignant as he appears to be.

I sign myself, as I always do:

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Peace
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 04:48 PM

I got used to GROK in BS. I like the 'cat and I wanted to support Jerry. He's reposting, so it's a non-issue to me. I have told people to get fu#ked under my own name too. However, if I choose to post as GROK, that's my concern. So, I use brucie on the music threads and GROK in BS ('cept once when I forgot to logout). I may keep doing so.

However, for me, all roads lead to Rome because I tend to make it clear who I am, and anyone can read what I've written and know my name is really Bruce Murdoch and that I live in Hinton, Alberta. I invited someone to look me up. I ain't all that hard to find. Posting under a pseudonym is fine by me, but because I choose to post as GROK shouldn't concern anyone, should it?

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Once Famous
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 04:53 PM

Ebbie

reflecting on your hystorectomy in your tenure here...................or whatever you are talking about.

can you buy umbrage in alaska?

Can you buy a good hot dog sandwich?

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: GUEST,GROK
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 04:53 PM

What he said.

How ya doin', Martin? Good I hope.

BM

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Once Famous
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 04:55 PM

Brucie, Why GROK? Because it's KORG spelled backwards?

Stay cool.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: GUEST,GROK
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 04:56 PM

The GROK post was supposed to be under the brucie post. Martin and I cross-posted. Ebbie, my remark was NOT directed at you. Martin, behave yerself.And, you are from CHICAGO--where they have the second-best hotdog in North America. It will hurt you egregiously to admit that deep in your heart you KNOW the best 'dog is from Montreal.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: GUEST,GROK
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 04:58 PM

Hi, Martin. A word from "Stranger in a Strange Land." Sci-fi book I really liked when I was younger. (I am aware you aced who GROK was over a week ago. Ya can take the boy outta the country but . . . . You stay cool, too, bro.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Once Famous
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 05:00 PM

Actually Pete Rose was the best Hot dog I have ever seen.

Grok, did you ever see those stickers on the back of Chevy's of the boy devilishly peeing on the word Ford?

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 05:01 PM

I'm sad to see it, brucie. Whether it "should" concern me or not, it does. That doesn;t mean I want you to chnge your behavior for me-- it's up to you. But yes, it's one more layer of what I didn;t know, that I'd have liked to know, and someone else deciding what is OK for me to know and when. I like things to be pretty simple and transparent.

I've been tempted once or twice to post anonymously when I know the person is not likely to listen to what I say if my name is attached. But that's the real lesson-- when it gets to that point-- that obviously the relationship is not what it would need to be for me to just be myself with that person. That's ME needing to change, not my name.

Also, when I am thus tempted, it doesn't take long to rememeber that there are a fair number of Mudcat volunteers who will know it's me right off (from the IP address), and a large number of other folks who will spot my writing style right off the bat too. Kinda takes the temptation right out of it. So I don't do it. Except once in a great while in the Help forum, and usually accidentally there.

In another community I belonged to, someone was up before the group as the subject of a counseling demonstration-- how to work on a particular issue. Part of what she said to the group, and everyone laughed their asses off cuz it hit home so accurately, was:

"You think your particular shit isn't showing, that you have actually been able to hide it cuz you TRY so hard to do that. Guess what. WE CAN ALL SEE IT. Get over it!"

So whether we mean to be ourselves or not-- in the end, you know, we ARE. As long as we are going to be obvious to everyone anyway, why not just post with our usual handle?

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Once Famous
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 05:18 PM

A very wise man I know said:

"People don't change. They just become more of themselves."

Susan, they don't post with their usual handle for the reasons that I explained in my opening post.

They are cowards with small penis complex. At least the male ones are. I guess the female ones just have penis envy.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 05:25 PM

It depends on what the intentions are behind the "Guest" post. For instance, suppose people are having a big debate about God...and a member decides to post as "Guest, God" or "Guest, Jehovah" and say something amusing or satirical that sheds a bit of light or humour on that thread.

How is this harmful? Why should it insult anyone when it is perfectly obvious that it is not God doing the post, but someone else who is using that post to make a point of some kind?

Suppose Spaw invents a character called "Cletus" and then Cletus posts as a Guest and says something funny that is appropriate to his character. Suppose I invent a chimpanzee character called "Chongo Chimp" and post here and there as Chongo, again mostly for humorous or satirical purposes. How is that harmful?

Posts, on the other hand, that deliberately attack a member with the specific intention of causing hurt or stirring up bad feelings are harmful intentionally, and those posts may be either anonymous or NOT and they are still harmful...but I will agree that the anonymous ones in that case are more cowardly all right.

It will happen, regardless of whether it ticks off various people or not. It's kind of like the anonymous graffiti you see spraypainted on buildings. You don't know who's doing it, you don't like it, but you can't stop them from doing it unless you position hidden government snipers on every single rooftop in town and shoot them down in the act!

In that case I'm afraid the cure might prove to be worse than the disease...and more expensive too.

As always, it is intention that is the crucial issue. Analyzing intention is a more subtle business than noticing whether a post is anonymous or not and judging it simply on that basis.

There is at least one former member of this forum who used to drop in regularly under various phony Guest names just to stir up shit here, vent her hostility, and cause trouble. That person was clearly emotionally ill and had nothing but bad intentions toward the forum...but saw herself as having been victimized BY the forum and felt therefore totally justified in what she was doing. Whether she's been back recently I'm not sure...

That's what I call offensive posting. You can object to it, but that won't stop 'em. In fact, it will greatly encourage them. The best thing to do is just shrug, and not let it bother you. You can't control all of Life, but you can certainly find ways to enjoy it.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 05:25 PM

Never done it, never been tempted. I would find it very upsetting if someone used my name, posting as a guest. It's hard enough keeping track of reality in here the way it is. All the more reason to be a member. That way, if someone doesn't like what they see posted under my name, they can dislike me, not an imposter.

Still Jerry after all these years

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 05:26 PM

"I have plenty of hobbies."
Well, maybe you should trade a few in for a life... a REAL one...

"do you both have a need to discredit or downplay this type of forum behavior?"
You take this place way too seriously MG...

To put your little mind and heart at ease... I'll never (and have never) 'hide behind the guest curtain'...

Feel better, little-camper?

*sheesh*

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: GUEST,guess who
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 05:29 PM

This is the first time I have ever logged out to post anonymously. (That is, the first time I've deliberately posted as "GUEST" since joining.) Before I joined, my occasional postings always had my *real* name attached; since then, I've always used my (one) "Mudcat name."

If people enjoy playing games and adopting multiple identities, it's OK with me. I don't normally do so myself, mostly because it's too much trouble, but wondering how others might be trying to manipulate us is a source of mild entertainment as far as I'm concerned.

For example, I sometimes wonder if "jOhn from Hull" is really some other 'catter's alter ego.

One good reason I can think of for anonymous posting is to speak frankly about aspects of one's life that are best kept secret, like use of illegal herbs/drugs. A useful and truthful dialog might sometimes benefit from every participant feeling safe and secure about *anything* they might reveal about themselves.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 05:31 PM

" I sometimes wonder if "jOhn from Hull" is really some other 'catter's alter ego."

O.k... ya got me... guilty...

LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 05:34 PM

I, on the other hand, once posed several times as "Guest, Sammy Skunk" in order to hassle Clinton Hammond, who was trying to get people's advice on the best way to kill a skunk that was living under his house.

I may be an unscrupulous wretch in the eyes of some for having done that, but the pro-skunk lobby approves of me and considers Clinton Hammond to be lower than a worm. :-) He murders skunks. I post as them. I prefer my approach when it comes to this one, and don't feel even a twinge of guilt over it.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Wolfgang
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 05:36 PM

...when it is perfectly obvious that it is not God doing the post, but someone else who is using that post to make a point of some kind?


You're so right, Little Hawk, but some people take it dead serious, when the post is a bit longer and called testament or Koran or so (sorry, wrong thread).

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 05:39 PM

"Guest, Sammy Skunk"
That was you??? NO WAY!!!!!!! (note the heavy sarcasim)

"He murders skunks."
Didn't... was more than willing to, but my neighbour beat (pardon the pun) me to it

LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 05:48 PM

Yeah, Clinton, I figured at the time that it was dead obvious that it was me doing it... (grin!) and that made it all the more fun doing it. I have always enjoyed sparring with you for some reason. I genuinely hope to get to see one of your gigs at some point. You are one of Canada's great rugged individualists, in my opinion.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: GUEST,God
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 05:50 PM

I log in to the Universal Totality as Little Hawk when I want to create a new universe, since he explains it better than I can. And in the last universe I created, hot dogs in Chicago were made from leftover Spam and served with Ketchup on Wonder Bread. The best hotdogs are now in Dalhart, Texas.

Never make God angry- especailly one with a wicked sense of humor.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Once Famous
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 05:51 PM

LH,

I really have no problems with regulars coming in and making up funny names to chime in to a post. some are clever.

It's the no-balls cowards, the ones who you spar with, who get their red baboon asses (sorry chongo) completely chafed by how uncomfortable they feel with themselves that they can't even criticize or have to be at their meanest by dropping their screen identity. Like I said, these are the real scumbags on the forum, and more and more I feel like I want to draw attention to it.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: *daylia*
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 05:55 PM

Assuming a GUEST identity is much like the ancient, powerful art of wearing a mask. To quote from the article, here's an interesting observation about masks from the University of Southern Illinois Theatre Dept:

Something about wearing a mask allows people to do things they wouldn't ordinarily do and say things they wouldn't ordinarily say. "There's a theory that when you put on a mask, the neocortex, which governs reasoning, becomes less active," Naversen says. That would allow emotion to come to the fore--much like the effects of imbibing alcohol, he notes.

No surprise, then, that many off-stage uses of masks remain theatrical in the broad sense ... Other purposes for masks are more prosaic. Their use for hygiene goes back centuries ... variations on masks provide crucial protection. Masks can offer emotional or spiritual protection, too: they're sometimes used in counseling to help victims of abuse tell their stories. Shamans may use them to ward off evil spirits.

I rather enjoy the Mudcat Theatre, as is. :-)

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Once Famous
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 05:58 PM

clinton Hammond, you miss the point which is not surprising.

I DON"t take this place seriously at all and the real hobbies I do have I am very happy with.

at the same time, it is not hard to say to you in full Martin Gibson regalia, that your arrogance rises to the top every time.

You kind of remind me of a folk singer in a 3 piece suit, but with body odor, nonetheless.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Nerd
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 06:02 PM

I agree again with MG--uh, oh, people will talk!

It's not the funny names or even the multiple consistent identities (ie Brucie/GROK). It's the people who drop all identity...especially when they then try to make you feel bad by saying "I AM a member--I just on't tell you who."

That said, it's a mild annoyance, and I'd agree that people do have a RIGHT to do it. So if that's the worst thing you ever do, you're some kind of saint!

Wolfgang, you are SO right!

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 06:08 PM

"I genuinely hope to get to see one of your gigs at some point."
Oh LH... you don't wanna do THAT to yourself!

" that your arrogance rises to the top every time"
I'd have to care to be arrogant... but believe whatever lets you sleep though the night, sugar-bear...

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 06:26 PM

Don't underestimate me, Clinton.

Martin - Yeah, I get what you mean. Chongo hates those particular stuffed shirts that you are referring to, and would love to shove a lit cigar up one of their available orifices if he ever got the chance to.

daylia - I LOVE wearing the Chongo mask! It's great fun, because he is so utterly unlike me in lifestyle, manner, and general attitude...not to mention climbing ability. He gets to have the kind of adventures I never get to have. He gets to flirt with dangerous femme fatales and take on evil, heartless foes and blast off tommy guns while careening down the street in a 40's auto. It's like playing a part in a movie. Imagine the fun one could have playing Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe or Al Capone or Blackbeard the Pirate. The sheer gusto of it all is just irresistible. I basically got the idea for Chongo from reading Liberty Meadows (the comic). Its author and artist, Frank Cho, regularly depicts himself as a chimp, and it's hilarious.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 06:29 PM

Martin Gibson,

Susan....

You dope. :~) I was agreeing with you and addressing people who DO it. Not disagreeing with you! :~)

I don't mind the fictitious characters playing parts of a story, either, or people going totally anonymous to get a furball up, with some privacy to be hoped for.

But "I'm a member but I'm posting anonymously cuz I don't want any flak" is just DUMB. You aren't as *anonymous* as you *think*! And you double the flak aimed atcha by adding the GUEST thing to the situation!

And brucie, never mind if SUSAN doesn't like your two-handled-ness, it's a site no-no. It's in the FAQ, ONE membership to a customer. Yabbut, I know, it's usually GUEST GROK, well, if it's not OK to have two identities according to the FAQ, doesn't that tell ya sumpin?

The scary-sad thing is, most of y'all that hang out here anymore weren't here when the mutiple-identity thing just about killed the place, and some people really did get hurt. I guess gray hairs are invisible in text-- don't listen to those of us who hung in and stayed and learned some tough lessons. [muttering] Damn folkies, so conscious of their rights-- "busy drilling holes in their own boats."

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: GUEST,CLETUS HARDDINGER
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 06:52 PM

I wuz reedin thizzeer thred an itz jus like a hole bunch uv others whut tock bowt gests an all. Onliest thing I wuntid ta say wuz ta Little Hawk.

Lookit heer buddy   I aint no made up purson ya dam fool. Me an Paw an Buford an the Reg boyz are reel folks! Now I tell ya that Catspaw izza nice feller an rite smart an all but he dint make us up or make up them storeez. Heez bin noen ta jazz em up sum but thay all happint purty much tha way he tole em.

jus reed the storeez on thizzeer thred an yall gotta no weer tha reel deel. But thiz gest stuff we bin tockin on an on fur a long time an I doan see no poynt innit nomor.

Cletus

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: The Shambles
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 06:54 PM

Subject: RE: Deleted post
From: GUEST,unrepentant clone - PM
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 12:03 PM

Ad-I deleted it. It was only 15 minutes after it had been posted, and I was not sure anyone else had even seen it. It was posted in the music threads, was obviously copied and pasted, and not only had no commentary to explain why you posted it, it was offensive and inflammatory.

Still, I should have left a note saying what I had done and why. I had a phone call and totally forgot. Apologies for that.

We allow a lot of non-music discussion on lots of things, but it just struck me as an attempt to fan flames. That is only the 2nd post I have deleted in several months. Obviously, this volunteer moderator game is not an exact science.

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=69253&messages=19

Some time after the discussion in the above thread - it now appears (in the HELP forum) that it is considered as pefectly acceptable for unknown numbers of unknown but favoured volunteers to post as 'A Joe clone' in order to protect their registered name.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 07:01 PM

Whether posting with your own real life name, with a pseudonym, or as a GUEST, the principle should be that you never post anything you wouldn't be willing to say face to face.

And once someone has demonstrated that they don't see this principle as applying in their case, by posting in a way that would get a glass of beer chucked in their face in real life, the best thing is to avoid opening their posts in future. Permanently. (Of course that's only really possible when they post with a recognisable handle.)

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: CarolC
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 07:18 PM

I agree with McGrath on this one.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: catspaw49
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 07:31 PM

Geeziz Shambles.....You really are grasping at syraws to keep your "crusade" going! Joe gave a very complete answer on that thread you link and I fail to see any relevance here. Joe's answer:

Subject: RE: Deleted post
From: Joe Offer - PM
Date: 01 May 04 - 02:36 PM

Gee, I wonder how many of you have taken the time to read the post that was deleted - I posted instructions for finding it way at the top of this thread. It was what I call a "no-brainer," and it's the kind of post the JoeClones are allowed to delete - a post that is very obviously against our policy. The post in question is non-music information copy-pasted from an unattributed source by an anonymous poster, with no personal comment from the person who posted the information. It is full of racial and religious bigotry, and I think it fits the definition of "hate literature." It is available at several other locations on the Internet, and I see no reason why it must also be enshrined and protected here.

If you are a registered and known Mudcatter with a posting history, and you want to say something like that and take responsibility for what you say, that's another matter. We still reserve the right to delete the message (but we rarely do), but the decision isn't what I'd call a "no-brainer" any more. If you are known to the community, then you accept the consequences of how the community responds to what you have to say. That's not the case with anonymous posts - they're more like hit-and-run driving.

As for supervision of JoeClones, that's up to Max, and Jeff, and me. We have no reason to submit our selection or supervision of volunteers to public review. If we were to post a list of all the clones, then we'd subject ourselves to scrutiny every time we add or remove a volunteer, and every time we increase or limit a volunteer's responsibilities. What would be the good in doing that?

If you have a question or a request, address it to one of the following:
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
We're the ones who make the decisions. We have asked the JoeClones not to identify themselves when they edit because we want to take the responsibility for supervising them. They answer to us, not to the public scrutiny of the forum. That's why the "unrepentant clone" posted anonymously in his message above. Believe me, he's not a troll.

So, why is it that we should be obliged to offer a home for the post in question?

-Joe Offer-

So what the hell are you bringing this one back for?

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 07:37 PM

Yes, one wonders, doesn't one. Have you seen the "Mudcat misquotes" thread, Spaw?

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Peace
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 07:45 PM

"And brucie, never mind if SUSAN doesn't like your two-handled-ness, it's a site no-no. It's in the FAQ, ONE membership to a customer. Yabbut, I know, it's usually GUEST GROK, well, if it's not OK to have two identities according to the FAQ, doesn't that tell ya sumpin?"

Susan: Shove it.

Bruce
GROK

You have tried lecturing me three times in the past four days. I don't like your condesceding attitude--and I would like you to know that. There are many people here who post under two personas. So, please save your yayak for the whole crew.

Thank you so much.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 07:49 PM

Rosh Ha Shanah, 15th Sept, is the new year so happy new year.

MG you need to chill out and stop the paranoid crap that makes you out to be something you could never be.

Live and let live.

I have forgiven myself a long time ago... it is not that big a deal, MG how about you?

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: The Shambles
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 08:07 PM

So what the hell are you bringing this one back for?

To discuss the point - This is still a discussion forum and this seems perfectly relevant to the thread to me. I don't really have get your permission to post - or do I now? You could always just ignore anything you don't think should be posted.

George Bush and Tony Blair give answers too - not sure that we have to accept these answers - and even if you do accept B/S - I don't have to. Plus I have been trying out a few - but I am not too sure what a Guest pose is...?

Perhaps you could provide an answer? As the main point of membership, was that we could contact each other via PMs and folk are encouraged to join - do you think that noe encouraging and supporting the posting as a guest or as 'Joe Clone' to protect your membership identity is really necessary or is setting the very best example?

After all these years of complaining about it - is posting anonymously now something to be encouraged?

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Amos
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 08:27 PM

Well, I 've seen fun dogfights, and I've scary dogfights and I have seen dogfights that bordered on comedy. But a dog fight with Shambles in one corner, Martin Gibson in a second, and Clinton Hammond in the third is one I ain'rt never seen before. It's enough to make you want to hold your water!! \:>))

A

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 08:31 PM

Definitely.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 08:45 PM

brucie,

Lecturing? Nope.... Obviously you TOOK it that way, but I was just responding to your post with how I feel about it. Just sharing a feeling with someone I used to count a friend.

Ohhhh! I GET IT! Only YOU are entitled to have feelings! Gee, ya know, I guess I didn't think of that. :~)

Shove it? Um, can't-- nowhere here to shove it-- no orifice big enough for how big you blew it up out of proportion to what I was thinking and feeling. So, politely, here it is-- I'm handing it back to you. :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 08:56 PM

The internet is a strange place---anonymity seems to prevail which is something frowned on in mash notes and hate notes. Also ransom notes and letters to editors.

Screen names---why hide? I always sign mine. Others do also.   

I had not realized that "Guest--and a name" might not be the person, in fact, writing. True cowardice===and worse--misrepresentation that in a court would be considered criminal.

Perhaps the MCers who are computer friendly can figure out a way to make sure that people post their names. Otherwise I do believe I will have to retire from this---what has been---an interesting forum. Or, perhaps, appear as the most welcome masked man---GUEST. Damned shame that the cowards can---as usual---ruin a perfectly fine discussion./

Until there is improvement---I am still--very temporarily


Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 09:15 PM

On the Internet, we all wear Masks. The regular 'handle' that is the Mudcat "member's name" here is just another one. If you don't believe that, why aren't all posts here from all our "Real World" names?

Amos, if you saw the Movie 'Jojimbo' - I'm the one seated on top of the watchman's tower... :-)


"The things that upset us most publicly reveal our most secret projected personal fears."

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: Peace
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 10:08 PM

"I'm sad to see it, brucie. Whether it "should" concern me or not, it does. That doesn;t mean I want you to chnge your behavior for me-- it's up to you. But yes, it's one more layer of what I didn;t know, that I'd have liked to know, and someone else deciding what is OK for me to know and when. I like things to be pretty simple and transparent."

That's what GROK means. On one hand you feel you should 'know' everything and then on the other hand you feel you should know everything I know. I chose to post using the name GROK for reasons I stated above. That's it. Period. My URL was the same also, whether I was using 'brucie' or GROK.

So let's leave it at that, OK?

Thank you.

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 10:49 PM

Trust me Mr. giBS

They know who are...there is not a need to be "member."

Subject: RE: BS: Regulars who pose as Guests
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 10:51 PM

Martin, you are a gold plated asshole. I don't like you. Why don't you go away?

member posing as GUEST