If someone insists that they're innocent and there is no substantive evidence to the contrary, we must publically assume he's innocent.

True. Let him do that. So far he's said nothing. I really, really think an answer is warranted and it is not fair to jump on John just because he's standing by his beliefs. Let there be an answer to the question. If he says no, drop it. If he says yes, consider whether a ban is still appropriate since he has been behaving himself.

I think as long as a person (which, really, we can only define as a screenname) behaves him/herself, we have to take them at face value. Period.

I reject, once again, the use of the words "witch-hunt" and the references to McCarthyism. Witches didn't walk around Salem hinting coyly that they were witches, and writers and artists didn't walk around in the 50s hinting coyly that they were Communists. The McCarthy era people who refused to answer turned up to the hearings, and said loudly and clearly why they were refusing to answer for everyone to hear.

I have my own intense commitment to civil rights and free speech and I can't let those assumptions about my position in all this to go unchallenged. I'm honestly very upset that people I've known for years would characterise me like that.

But, if the majority really want me to let it drop, and, especially noted, if veterans of the Bronze and other online communities which suffered from this kind of thing are saying so too, then I'll let it drop.

You guys are so out of line to call what John is doing a "witchhunt". If I were he, I'd be pretty pissed.

It is perfectly reasonable to ask Schmoker is he's mieskie, based on all the odd coincidences of the two posters. And if I were Schmoker and not mieskie, I'd understand why the question was asked and gladly answer it.

Okay, guys, at this point all this discussion is doing is upsetting people, both those who are participating and those of us who are watching and wincing from the sidelines. I'm putting in a plea for separate corners.

"If he's innocent, he's got nothing to hide."

Except that he has the right to ignore any post he likes. As anyone has the right not to answer questions.

This is the last I'll say on this matter unless there is extreme provocation. I vote to let it drop.

Um, I think people on both "sides" have taken this too far already -- John for pressing the issue (even if you're right, I'd really rather we not talk about standing judgement on somebody because of coy hints), and all the witch-hunt/are you now stuff.

Oh yeah, please let's drop it.

Edit to make myself less of a dick. Sometimes you just snap, you know?

Okay, I think I need to go. I am not an admin nor a core Buffista so I guess my opinion, which is based on the actual experience of having lived through a similar situation, is not applicable here. But having lived through it once and seeing the turmoil it caused, I'm certainly not going to sign on for a remake.

I wish you guys all the best.