Why did I post it? Real simple. I was in the midst of an ongoing discussion on the STAR TREK forum on Compuserve. I wasn't in the B5 area. The topic at hand was Voyager, and people wondering about it and its relation to DS9, the latter not generally getting the respect that they feel it deserves. Having just heard the story around town that the friendly folks at Paramount are worried about DS9 pulling viewers away from Voyager/UPN for a second time in just a few days (from a high ranking person with Star Trek), a concern that others have confirmed here has been floating around for a while now, that they too have heard...and having just had a number of articles coming out in the mainstream press asking very similar questions about whether or not there's too much ST around (including the LA Times and TV Guide), it was timely, it was of potential interest to ST fans, it was in the ST area, so I mentioned it...the same as I'd mention any other piece of news. No more, no less. There can be no agenda because there's nothing to achieve that would be to the detriment of ST or the elevation of B5. The implicit assumption is that if ST folks want DS9 to continue, they should make that eminently clear via continued support. That is the only possible result of that information. Yes, indeedy, one can clearly see how that benefits B5, can't we? The other day, in a similar ST topic, I mentioned that I *very much* liked the episode of VOYAGER that aired on Monday. Heaven only knows what dire conspiracies that comment will imply to some with no fucking life (viz: Mr. Thaxton). I mentioned it on CIS for *exactly* the same reason that I mentioned the bit on DS9...because I figured it might be of interest to the readers, and because that's what was on my mind at that time. As opposed to the estimable Mr. Thaxton, who has been spreading all kinds of vicious rumors here which ARE destructive, which are and have been hurtful, and which are without support. It seems to me more than a little hypocritical that someone who does nothing but spread lies, gossip, rumor, character assassination and innuendo would go into meltdown over a rather reliable story that has been picked up by major newspapers, and confirme by others here. And then, when these facts come out, he falls back on the only tool he has left: to villify, impugn or otherwise call into question the motives for doing so. Never mind that it's actually a Real Thing, why did you SAY it? For the reasons given. If that's not enough for some pinheads among us, tough. And haven't we all gotten tired of the game by now? Ford or one of his few netbuddies posts something outrageous, eliciting responses taht are justifiably angry, and then proceeds to make fun of the replies because their anger is perfectly in tune with the offense. This is the classic bully's tactic...hit you and hit you and hit you until he gets the reaction he wants, and then he makes fun of your reaction, hoping to get another one. How much longer does this have to go on before people catch wise to his game? How much longer can one justify falling for the old "pull my finger" gag? If you're doing this on my behalf...don't. Just *ignore* the man; I get FAR more upset when I see others being attacked for the simple crime of defending me against baseless attacks than I ever would get over the original attack, in large measure because I simply Do Not Read his posts anymore. He is irrelevant to my life, to the life of anyone involved with the show, and to the show itself, and to all of you. We all know that no matter what is said or done, somehow he or one of his three or so ilk (and that's ALL THEY ARE), will attempt to twist it around to make it sound somehow dubious. That's because they are sick, lifeless, twisted individuals who have nothing else to do. So if we know this is always going to happen...why even bother reacting to it? I have 543 messages sitting in my mailbox right now; the majority of them are the "SHIT" thread in one of its various incarnations. Is this really the best use for this rec.arts area? If you have killfiles...use them. Don't you understand that by responding in any way, manner shape or form, you are giving him *exactly* what he wants...and *encouraging* him to do more of it? You are creating the problem by giving him validation...validation that only comes in the form of the echo caused by his voice. Stop being the echo. I don't read his posts anymore; if I see it come up on the header, I just delete it. The only way I know something's going on is when I see a big thread, and sometimes run across an imbedded quote. And y'know, I'm much happier about it. You must understand that this is simply what he does. One of the benefits of being one of his many targets is that you tend to hear from others...people at record industry magazines, radio stations, other composers and producers who have been targeted by Ford, harrassed and stalked on the nets. HE STAYS UNTIL PEOPLE UNIFORMLY IGNORE HIM. The more you ignore him initially, the more outrageous, defamatory, libelous, smarmy and ultimately desperate his comments will become. But eventually if he is frozen out, he will go away in search of new prey. This is how he gets off, people. Pure and simple. Some of the horror stories I've heard from others similarly targeted would curl your hair. And along the way, I've learned a lot about Mr. Thaxton, more than I really wanted to know. More, I suspect, than he would be happy to know that I know. We have new episodes beginning this week. Ignore the jerk. I ask this as a personal favor; I get more upset by seeing this drag on, and seeing others get hurt and insulted, than by *anything* Ford can ever say to me. Because anything he has to say is a fiction, or simply irrelevant. So stop this. Please. As a personal favor. jms |
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