I think Debet felt that this was a collective experience and she didn't want to take our story outside of our home without at least taking an inventory of how the group would feel about it.

My feelings are largely Allyson's. But then, I was never greatly invested in him in the first place. I don't think there's much to gain in going public with our story. I don't really think it'll be received the way we think of it, by people without the emotional investment this board had.

I guess that's what I'm confused about, Cindy. DebetEsse isn't "we." She doesn't need our permission to out him or tell the story.

If she's thinking of how it would affect the humans here in terms of being inundated with trolls, then that's pretty courteous.

Allyson, I don't think a board consensus is likely to happen, and I don't see any good coming of taking a vote. It's entirely possible that the moment in the news cycle has passed, anyway.

I very much felt the impulse to write on my own behalf, but I didn't want to do that without at least consulting the group, since I didn't feel comfortable saying, "You can use this" on my own authority, and--you're right--it would have been useless, otherwise.

Had I emailed them, I think it might have been a data point in the second article they posted, but, as I said, I get the feeling that the news cycle has moved on, unless something else new comes up.

eta: I was drafting this while other people were posting! Aims got it in one, and thank you, Allyson.

but if the author of that Mary Sue post is who I think she is...I am not sure we want her on our side.

Well now I'm all curious. Not that I know anything about anyone at Mary Sue.

I guess that's what I'm confused about, Cindy. DebetEsse isn't "we." She doesn't need our permission to out him or tell the story.

Absolutely she can. And Debet, you should, if that's what your conscience is telling you to do, and if you think it will do more good than harm.

Here's the thing: If I wanted to expose Gus's actions to the MarySue, etc., well, I'd link back to the death announcement and the ensuing bureau discussion. Along with tommyrot's, my posts contained the data that drove the discussion. I don't really want that level of involvement in this. I knew they were public when I posted them, but I wrote them at a time when few people other than us would care. That's changed. And I don't want that level of involvement in outing this person over five year old sins that did nothing worse than hurt our feelings.

five year old sins that did nothing worse than hurt our feelings.

Five years ago, he hurt our feelings. Now there's evidence that he's helping pedophiles find safe harbor on his forums. That's worse, and it's a kind of worse that really makes me want to out him as someone who should not be trusted.

What he did here was just trolling. He's an asshole, whatever. What he's doing now has the potential to do actual harm.

Ah, I see that the posts have already been deleted. So that part of our history has been effectively erased.

They were? Well, whatever, I guess. Erasing something means it never happened, right?

Except Debet never said that's what she was going to do and in fact had NO INTEREST in doing that in any way, shape, or form. And in fact, stated last night that the news cycle was probably over.

People are already writing about (and documenting) the current situation at that wiki. My old documentation is not relevant to it. It would distract from whatever the current issues are, and stir up drama, but not accomplish anything worthwhile. People still get taken by Victoria Bitter (or whatever name he's going by, now). I won't be playing Turmiel's role.

Debet, thank you for bringing this up, here. I understand what you want to do; I'm sorry I characterized it as vengeance. That wasn't my opinion when I read your first post. It was a later reaction (and possibly an overreaction) to the ensuing conversation. All the best to you (and everyone), in however you handle this.

Also, brenda, I don't know if you're following along, but if you are, I want to thank you for being so gracious to me, five + years ago. Re-reading it reinforces to me that fact that you're a kind and good woman. I'm still sorry that posting my suspicions upset and hurt you (and anyone), during that whole fiasco.

I've deleted my old posts, which I know is contemptible. It just seemed less contemptible than having an upsetting, potentially hurtful fight with you lovely people. I know some of you probably downloaded the thread, but even if you didn't, you can still put the story together, if you believe it will serve the greater good. Peace, Buffistas.