Below please find a post from a friend of mine, "EvilWhiteMale". I'd like to point out that the letter below does not necessarily express my personal views, but I feel it's difficult when all this chatter is going around and the key subject of the thread isn't around to present his side and I believe it's only fair to hear both sides of the story. If you'd like to flame me for being the official EWM channel today, I'd prefer you org note me privately. Thanks. PG

for anyone who may be skeptical, PURPLEGYPSY and EWM are not the same person! SOme orgers have met both of us in person!

EWM's letter:
"Greetings from the Org grave.

Some of you are wondering why I got banned, and some of you couldn't give less of a shit, which is fine too. But anyway, I figured I'd pass a message along to straighten a few things out here.

First I'll explain my deactivation without getting into specifics or naming names. Basically I was being flamed heavily by another orger. So I did the good guy thing and reported him, but also responded on the thread, not really flaming back, but I did strike back slightly. Then I also took it to an org note instead of ruining another thread. Well, the next thing I knew, my account was deactivated. I couldn't get any sort of explanation, until I went through other mods. It turns out I was booted because of "past history." This of course sucks because I haven't been involved in any trouble for well over a year. What also sucks is that the org note I sent to the orger was used against me as well. That was a surprise, especially since the note wasn't overly aggressive or threatening in any way. Then to top it all off, the flames that were used to bait me were left un-snipped.

So do I think I was given a raw deal? I would say so. Honestly I think some people were looking to hang me for quite some time. And hopefully explaining my side of the story here won't ruin my chances of getting back on.

So with all that being said, I wanna clear up a few things about myself. It's a popular misconception that I was on this site for the sole purpose of starting trouble. Well that's a load of shit. I was on this site to discuss various issues that interested me. I was always myself and I was always honest. I never felt the need to soften up my comments so people would like me. I told it all the way I felt. My views just happen to be different from others. I shouldn't have to become a bleeding heart liberal in order to remain on a site. Why shouldn't I be able to express my opposing views the way I wish, as long as I agree to the basic rules of the site?

I'm also tired of people calling me a racist, sexist, and someone who wants the death of Arab children. Where are the facts on these? But I guess that's the plan. Spread enough lies and people will start to believe them. Then everyone will see me as more of a menace than anything.

Many opposing views (more right wing views) are really not welcome here. Sure everyone says debating is good, but it's not really what some people want. Some people want this site to be as tame, safe, and sterile as possible. And since the majority of people here tend to be more left wing, non left wing comments and attitudes get frowned upon. So right off the bat, I'm disliked. Then add on my style of debating, and I'm suddenly despised.

So what happens next? Well, the baiting begins. People start to make things personal and then we get flame wars. I tried hard to just ignore the bullshit and report flames to mods, but it ain't easy. I'd rather handle these people myself, but I can't cuz I'll be the one to get the axe. And it's bound to happen. If 10 people attack me on and off, the chances of me getting screwed are increased, cuz I have to show that much more restraint. And perhaps the mods aren't necessarily tired of me, but they're tired of dealing with all the flames against me. I could imagine it would be a fair amount of work.

Some people think I don't know how to debate and I just make comments to stir things up. Like all I wanna do is bait everyone for my own twisted pleasure. Well that's a load of crap. I may not be a political mastermind, but I believe what I believe and I'll share what I like. The fact of the matter is that NONE OF US HERE know the facts. We all believe what we do based on other sources. So it's ridiculous for anyone to get on a high horse and try to act as if they're somehow superior to others cuz they can post more sources from other people.

And how bout Prince? Everyone goes ape shit when I post something negative about the holy purple one. Well, why should I lie or stay silent? Why would anyone want to be on a site where everyone agrees with each other? Wouldn't it be boring if everyone kept on about how wonderful Prince is and how he can do no wrong? I dislike almost everything about Prince over these past few years, but from time to time I give him props for all the things I like and I always try to be positive about what Prince is capable of doing cuz I really do want him to make a "real" comeback and be on top of the game again. In fact, I think I'm doing more good, because we should express what we don't like so hopefully things may change. I'm sure my comments won't stop albums like TRC from being made, but fuck it.

As you all know, I'm a big fan of artists like Marilyn Manson, but I don't post much on his fan sites because the majority of people there share my more positive views about him. So it's boring. I'd rather get into deeper discussions and debates instead of having one of those "Oh you like him, well I like him too, let's suck each other's dicks" discussions. Unfortunately some people can't handle negative comments. They feel everyone on a fan site should kiss the artist's ass and agree with everyone else. Well I'm not gonna become a sheep to make everyone happy.

So what's really the solution to all this mess about banning orgers and such? Well, if someone is really just here for the sole purpose of starting trouble and attacking others, then sure ban his ass. But if someone just gets mixed in a few storms here and there, let's look into the situation a bit and see what's really going on.

So I don't know whether or not I will be back here or not. I won't be making any new accounts because I don't want to keep getting banned, coming back, getting banned, and so on. I don't have the time to make a game out of all this. If Ben wants me back, then I'll be back. He's the one to make the decision. I do appreciate the help of the mods who looked into the case for me and the orgers who defend me.

But people, if I do end up getting back on, do me a favor. If you don't like what I post or you don't think I'm worth debating with, then simply ignore me. It's a great solution. It saves the mods some time and keeps the threads clear of flame wars. Those who know how I debate know that I'm certainly not the one who starts the personal attacks. I get on the threads to discuss the issues and speak my mind, not to get into personal bullshit. And if I say "Michael Moore is a fat fuck", so what? Ignore the post if you don't like it, or ask me why I feel that way. Why the need to make the thread about ME? I'd be more than happy to get a fresh start and do my best to keep things civil, but it's not all up to me. It's a group effort.

So with all this being said, I wish you all well and I hope you all have a great holiday and new years.

-EWM"

I miss him

cool. i'm glad that's all cleared up.

I am sorry to hear this EWM..

Perhaps soon they will let you back...

Many to you!

Nice hearing from you again and to know you're still around.. well, somehow...

So happy holidays and a great new year to you too

Since the guy is admitting he was not baiting but posting his honest opinion, I say he got banned for the right reasons. In general, i'm opposed against banning, and in general liberal views are indeed more acceptable here than the facism EWM often displayed. But i also understand how his views were personally insulting to many, and how destructive his "hit 'n run" style of debating often was. You can argue about the definition of racism, sexism, and other unacceptable behavior, but when a large part of a community - rightfully or not - experiences someone as displaying such behavior, it has no choice but to act.
But, maybe beeing more forgiving than they guy self would ever be, here's to hoping he gets unbanned quickly
[Edited 12/16/04 9:58am]

Miss you, man.
Regarding those who have spreading lies about you on this site, the blind can only lead the blind. You're one of the good guys, Evil. You exist above bullshit. Even though we disagree on...well...almost everything.

You are definitely missed around here my friend!

Merry Christmas EvilWhiteMale! And you're not missing much here anyway

Happy Holidays

Thanks for posting this Purplegypsy. I really liked EWM. Perhaps that's because I agreed with much of what he said (not about Prince though - I loved TRC )

I have to give him props for always giving his honest opinion on a subject even if he was not in the majority or sugar-coated his comments to please the bleeding hearts. I never found him to be a racist. There are more black and white discussions/arguements/issues on the site than I care to see, but no one seems to give a shit about them. Just because he hated Michael Moore and voted for Bush does not make him a monster. He has every right to vote how is wants.

Please say hello to him and tell him some of us look forward to seeing him back here someday. I'm not sure that will happen until some the "favourites" are no longer around, but you never know. Give him my best.

EvilWhiteMale said:

...and this is where I stopped reading.

Are all liberals "bleeding hearts"? I think not. I'm definitely not. There are exceptions to every rule. In his mind, the world is painted in broad strokes of black and white with nothing inbetween.

Aside from political views, there are universal laws of common decency and morality which have nothing to do with which way you sway on the political spectrum.

Can you contact Karen Carpenter and John Lennon next, purplegypsy?

EWM and I often disagreed on most topics, especially Prince and politics. Ultimately, we respected each other though, because we debated these issues in an honest fashion. Many of his views I found completely wrong, but I saw that he made good points with all of them. His right-wing views did not agree with mine, but so what? He was more honest and open than many of my liberal friends whose ideals are more like my own.

As he stated, its boring when everyone agrees 100%. He took just as much shit (if not more) from folks as he dished out, and for that I admire him. Plenty of people got infuriated at him for bashing various liberals, but didn't see the hypocrisy in doing the same thing to him with regard to conservatives. I friggin' hate Bush, and voted for Kerry, and NEVER ONCE did either of us take it personal when we said something negative about the other's candidate. For me, I was able to seperate him from his views. We talked one on one in Orgnotes a few times, and I found him to be downright decent. He made people think, and that cannot be a bad thing. For me, my views are solid enough that I can take a challenge. If he actually manages to tear down an ideal I have, then so what? I learn a new viewpoint. For me, he was a great way to examine my own beliefs. In many cases, he forced me to look at things a little closer, and actually STRENGTHENED my position!

EWM, I hope you come back soon.

There are two sides to every story folks...I’m not going to object to this letter being posted publicly...However as the moderator who banned this user I would like to clear up some things:

1) No orgnote was used in determining the ban....I don’t know why this was mentioned by EWM but I find it interesting.....

2) Comments from other users weren’t deleted because I locked the entire thread up.....No bias here.

3) To declare that you haven’t been involved in any problems over the past year is incorrect.

4) Sure things can get a lil heated.....But in the end we must maintain respect. PERIOD!

Which leads me to my final comment:

5) To be dismissive of your own actions by declaring

the following:

is so wrong in all the right places...A flame is a flame is a flame is a flame.

now:

I appreciate and respect diversity within the p&r forum....So people, don’t think that my decision was based on EWM's political beliefs....Its all about respect. And you know what? I know things can get a lil heated....For the most part I simply snip comments when people cross the line. But at what point is it too much for us mods to handle? I do believe this is only the second time I have had to permanently ban a user. Please keep that in consideration as you judge my actions.

I been off for a while, tying up this semester at school and all. I was wondering what happened to dude. Oh, well.


DETAILSDETAILSDETAILSDETAILSDETAILSDETAILSDETAILSDETAILS

Or a link perhaps...

Move on folks. Nothing to see here.

As one of these bleeding heart liberals.....at least I have a heart .....I always enjoyed unsnipping EWMs trousers and ing the hell out of him Honestly, I don't think it's about people on the left only wanting their viewpoint to be aired. Air em all and bring it on. Just don't expect us to sit back like the little pansies we're portrayed to be

I'd like to see Evil come back because even though he does have a tendency to open mouth insert foot, I think he mostly means well. Besides, I think Connie needs help picking up some slack in P&R Hope you're doing well Evil

Everybody is positive on the Marilyn Manson site!? MARILY MANSON?!?!?! Prince wrote a song CALLED Positivity and look what gets said about HIM around here!

Irony is my favorite.

(for the record, Manson kicks fucking ass and deserves to have positive things said about him. . .I'm just sayin'. . . )

Shame he went, i laughed out loud a few times at some of his posts, but he was an honest poster, very forthright. Everyone likes a comeback though EWM.

BinaryJustin said:

if you didn't read the whole letter don't even bother commenting. you're wasting your time and ours.

CarrieLee said:

Except Carrie and me mudfighting.

sosgemini said:

didn't the two of you have a mutual disdain for one another? i mean, if i remember correctly, there is no love lost between the two of you. i didn't realize that you were the actual mod that banned him but now things seem a little more clear...

>>I'd rather get into deeper discussions and debates instead of having one of those "Oh you like him, well I like him too, let's suck each other's dicks" discussions.<<


I perfer the latter.

SassyBritches said:

All I gotsta say is that I like and respect both EWM and Sos. I respect that Sos did what he thinks is appropriate and I'm not gonna question it at all - the mods, in my mind, do a damn good job in this place keeping things relatively sane...would I like EWM back? Hell yeah I would - it'll happen if/when the time is right I'm sure.

BinaryJustin said:

In your case, I'll try to contact John Holmes.
[Edited 12/16/04 13:39pm]

I never interacted much with EWM, but I liked having him around. It was like he was one of those electric bug lamps, but instead of mosquitos, he attracted liberals, heart-on-shirtsleeve wearers, the politically correct in general, and he "zapped" them when they came near. Every site can benefit from such an appliance.

SassyBritches said:

oh no..i love me some ewm.....where would you get that impression? its funny you should make this accusation....when the org2 was created and EWM took on that monicure and started getting attention for his actions i publically supported his right to his opinion...and i still do..but its all about *how* you voice that opinion.....

now, i'd really like to know how and why you would draw your conclusion..expecially since ewm and i have never ever *EVER* had any public spats.....interesting that you would make the accusation. expecially the last sentence.....its very neo-con of you..

purplegypsy said:

Fine with me as long as he ignores when other people post what he doesn't like. What's good for the goose...If he just posted "No sir I don't like it" within a "We like P's new album" and let it be...then cool.

sosgemini said:

just callin' it as i've seen it. and as for neo-con...sweetie, look up what a neo-con is. i don't fit the description and, as a matter of fact, i've spoken out on some them on this very site. my suggestion for future consideration is that you learn a term before you use it. peace.