Trust on the Internet

Supes,

As I said before on the Alternates forum, I am sorry. There's not any real way for me to elaborate on that. I was moments from officially retiring when you wrote me in late April, and informed me of the threats going on the HN.
Any threat that I had seen was vague at that point. I copied/pasted Master Legend's entries from Nyx's Myspace blog, Phantom Zero's, and his own Myspace blog before you granted me access.
I was shocked at the things I had read, the threats not only made by ML, but also Noble and Zeitgeist. Under your username, even Hero-Gear Jack had some animosity towards me and informed "me" that he could find me if he wanted to.
Once again, these people don't know who they're talking to on the internet.
After some careful consideration and discussion with my wife, I decided to take any and all evidence to the police, and filed a report.
As I posed as you on the forum, no one wanted to hear my side of the story. And, as I posed as you, I dealt firsthand with the disrespect from others directed at you. Since they thought I was you, they treated me like I had no clue what I was talking about, that I was a senile, old fool. And it pissed me off.
After reading comments from some of my so-called "friends," I decided to delete them from my Myspace. Friendship, unfortunately, means very little in this so-called "community." I had been friends with Tothian for two years, stood at his side, fought for him, took the hits for doing so, and still called him friend until he told me to leave.
I had also been with Wall Creeper for almost a year, and he told me to leave as well. "Go. This is your vacation. We'll handle things without you."
Apparently, when friends go through hard times, you tell them to leave.
And Beach Shadow sold me out as well, so she could get some more RLS friends. I listened to her when no one else would.
And so, after reading various comments by my so-called friends, I also deleted Black Arrow (whom I enjoyed a 2 year friendship as well), Knight Owl, Anax, and several others.

So, unexpectedly, you approached me with information. And friendship. And I blew the friendship because I wanted the Heroes Network to believe that Sentinel Superman is NOT a senile old man. While I was posing as you, I gave advice to a new hero whose lady friend had been raped.
After Phoenix made fun of your robot, I cracked a joke like this: "my crime-fighting robot does more that you'll ever do, you monkey-spanking shit!"
But, I also wrote a thread in which I said that I don't want anyone, including Phoenix, to get hurt or killed. I don't want anyone to waste away their lives on silly fantasies. As I posed as you, I wrote that "I'm just an old man, but you're all in your late teens or early twenties. When's the last time that any of you spent time with your families, friends, or had an actual date?"
And it was on the Doomsday Protocol thread that I blew my cover. I discussed religion with Nyx when I shouldn't have. I mentioned that I knew she's knowledgeable on ancient Egypt.

I am hoping that some of them eventually get the message to not waste their life away on spandex fantasies. And I truly am sorry (to you) for losing my temper and revealing to Tothian on the Alternates radio show that I had access to the forum.

I hereby pledge not to violate your trust again, Supes.

Superman,

There's no need to get snippy. I was out of town visiting family over the Memorial Day weekend, and only logged into check some emails.

Peh. I knew it was you quite early, Joshua. Infact, I told Tothian to check it out. Unfortunately, nobody else noticed untill your little post on ancient Egypt.

Umm...didn't Tothian respond to this? Coulda swore there was a post here somewhere.

Oh well. Moving on:

You know, this is but one of many many things that are funny about the internet. We as humans generally tend to trust those closest to us despite our flaws. This is because we spend enough sustained personal time with these people to learn that with some, their worthwhile qualities shine above their flaws.

Another factor is that with those we actually see and interact with on a daily basis, we have certain cues which tell us that maybe, just maybe, we're going too far in certain instances. This is not the case with the internet, where one can post exactly what they feel, put their thoughts out there for potentially millions to see, and damn all consequences.

Naturally, because of this the chances of a person's flaws outshining their merit is a reality on the internet: People may read a person's thoughts as they are preserved and assume that to be the whole of a person's nature, when this is far from the case.

Also, trust has many different levels even among the closest friends. I may for example, trust my best friend to take care of the apartment while I am away, but I may not trust him with more sensitive personal information such as my social security number.

In regards to how this relates to the incident in question; I make no secret of it- I consider Joshua to be a good friend. I know he can be a tad on the overzealous side, but I enjoy his company for the merits I see within him. Having said that, no offense here Joshua, but I don't think I can trust you with my login information. Besides, you already have access to the same forums I do, so the point is moot anyway.

-AN

Nyx wrote:

Peh. I knew it was you quite early, Joshua. Infact, I told Tothian to check it out. Unfortunately, nobody else noticed untill your little post on ancient Egypt.

So how'd you know, Honor-Roll? Please.. tell us. I know you're not into holding back, so please honor us by telling us how you used your supreme detective skills to figure that out. You surely didn't have to reply all cutesy to that Doomsday thread, "Sounds just like Janus. Lord!"

And then change your story the next reply... but you're a pro at that. "I was being sarcastic.."

Supes, as you recall it was not Tothian who was making the threats, but Master Legend. Look, as I've said, I was well on my way to retiring fully when you emailed me about the threats and gave me access.
If anything you're untrustworthy when it comes to passing out a confidential login/password to a private forum. I'd hate to be the pot calling the kettle black, but I think what you did only extended the drama.

Tothian was well on his way to banning you for not really posting anything on the HN. Everything from April 29th to the day you were banned were comments and posts made by me.

I'm trying to enjoy my semi-retirement and I don't need this. I'm looking forward to a teamup in July with some friends of mine.

Supes,

I've already apologized.. please stop rubbing salt on the wound. If you've had requests to remove me from the board, then I think you should do what you need to do to preserve your image. I'm done.

Superman,

You're a great guy, and I have a lot of respect for you and the things you have done in your days of service, as both a Real-Life Superhero and as a Soldier in the United States Army. And the wonderful advice you provide the currently-active Real-Life Superheroes in this community with.

With that being said, never blackmail me ever again, if you "whish" to keep that respect in this community.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackmail

Thank you and have a great day.

Blackmail? Did I miss something?

Oh well...it probably is a moot point anyway.

In all seriousness though, welcome back to the forum, Tothian. I am looking forward to being able to interact with you on a more professional basis. That is if you are willing. I can understand if you feel otherwise however.

-AN

Ummm. Did somebody reply to this? At around 12:22 AM PST?

What's up?

Alrightie. I'm just damned...confused.

Boxers or briefs?

Dear all.

Here, Here:

Kindest Regards & Best Wishes

~ * { D A V I D N E M O } * ~

"FAR TOO CONTINENTAL FOR MANKIND!"