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.

My connection hung up, and I composed the above post before Jessica's second post (my first paragraph is in response to her earlier one). Aims, I know you were one of the people who was upset five years ago, too. I am sorry I upset you then and now.

Erasing something doesn't mean it never happened. But I well and truly let go of this, back then. To what little extent I can control that, I am going to. You all know the story. You have access to all of his posts, here. You can research it and tell it your own way. I can't and wouldn't think of trying to stop you. Participating in the effort is not something* I can, in good conscience, do.

• Corrected nothing something to not something.

What I am now most appalled about in this whole discussion is that Cindy would delete her posts. I had never imagined she was the type of person who would do a lobotomy of OUR history because of her feelings.

eta: I still think you're a wonderful person, Cindy, but I also think that cutting such a hole in our collective memory is wrong. You're a crucial part of our community.

You know what, Ginger, I am appalled at my edits, too. When I look at the situation, I think my past posts have more potential to cause further harm, than they do to help anything. While our history is important to me, it's more important to me not to cause further harm. I'm sorry I have offended.

I really don't understand how your posts could cause further harm. I don't get that at all.

I don't expect we'll be taking this to a public kerfuffle.

But know we've gone and gutted a huge chunk of our processing about the Gus fiasco so that the whole thread is incomprehensible. It literally makes no sense now. That's a community loss, and I really don't see what that's preventing or helping.

the whole thread is incomprehensible. It literally makes no sense now.

I didn't go read it, but -- really? Cindy wasn't the only person who thought Gus was faking his death (along with his life). I remember that, along with Cindy, I was suspicious of Gus's pseudicide right off the bat, as were you. Do our posts seem like we're crazy now, without Cindy's alongside them, or do they still give some sense of how we were all trying to work things out?