Over the years I have been sexually harassed, had my life threatened, and been stalked on DU.

I would urge everyone here: keep yourself safe and secure as possible when participating here. There are a lot of normal people who post a lot of good things, but a lot of social cues that you would use in real life to determine if someone is mentally disturbed do not come through over the Internet, and these people tend to blend in better than in real life so you are less sure of who to avoid.

I think I'll be taking a vacation from DU for a while, things have gotten a little weird here and I'm a little freaked out. As always, I urge people who want the Democrats to win to get involved in the real-life task of getting candidates elected, and promoting important issues; it does so much to get out there and work together.

On to 2008!

n/t

Not everyone is good, nor do they have good intentions.

I hope you contacted the Admins, they should know about this.

Take care and I hope all is well in your world.

I tried the online dating thing - I've had friends who actually got married from it. So, I gave it a try - and a bigger group of psychos and dysfunctional morons I've never met. I played it safe from the beginning so none know my personal info, but it's still scary.

Oh-- sorry. What were you saying?

Sorry to hear that. Take care, LoZoccolo. The times are very weird. A break can be good. :hi:

all the time

then use any info to disrupt personal lives

I used to be a lot more casual about it, but there are too many nuts out there.

krs@valornet.com

oops...

:D

One is my full name@whatever. That one's for trusted friends and only a few people have it. The other I use for everything else, including a spam magnet.

I get almost no spam...use "Mailwasher Pro" that catches 99% of it. I hope you understand, I'm not criticizing anyone for how they operate online...everyone should do what they think is prudent. I just never was much for anonymity...but that's me. :D

...so do I! :)
On edit: a reply to demobrat...(13)

that could end up generating spam (including well-intentioned, politically-correct spam that I just don't need to receive every @!%# day!).

And that's my address for Internet friends, too.

There's some freaky people in the world and there's no reason to leave them a trail of bread crumbs to your front door.

I posted my email address ONCE many years ago, and promptly received a dozen messages calling me everything from a "DUmmie" and a traitor, to a commie who should be deported. I also started receiving tons of porn spam, so I suspect that someone signed me up for a mailing list. It wasn't a big deal since I hadn't been using that address long anyway (I tossed it without really harming anything) but it taught me an important lesson. Since then, I've probably been asked for my personal info a half-dozen times. I've refused every request. People who want to contact me can do so through the board. Even for personal meet-ups for local political gatherings, I tell people to use the DU messaging system. I don't even participate in those dumb "post your first name" threads that pop up in the Lounge from time to time, specifically because I don't want ANY personal info on this board.

It goes the other way too. I occasionally participate in discussions here and divulge things that I'd rather not have my RL acquaintances know about me. The lack of personal info makes it hard for people to connect my discussions here back to me. The admins know who I am since I'm a paying donor, but beyond that I prefer to keep my anonymity.

There are freaky folks out there.

that they're giving out TMI? That's very cool of you.

Hey, I use my real name all over the internets, I've been threatened too. Nothing ever happens. I'm not saying it never could but anybody wants to mess with me in a serious way will find himself on the business end of a .357 magnum.
Just sayin', ya know. Peace. :-)

when I posted too much information. Of course the freep lied and my employer bought it but it doesn't change the fact. It turned out for the best, but still....

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to me again either. Wanna hear something funny, the freeper said I threatened to blow something up, and my employer who was holding a copy of my post in his hand wanted to know why. Mind you, the post said nothing of the sort but because this was a few years ago when the majority was still pro war, having the truth right in front of his face wasn't good enough. The freeper won and I had been at that job 16 years. It was bizarre...

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yawn.

I let you borrow my AR-15 if you need it. ;)

edit spelling

:D
And know how to use 'em.

Maybe if they get clued in they can do something about this, but I wouldn't worry, no one can come through your computer after you, I have in the past given more info than would be prudent but thats me. stay well change your user name.

So far, two freaks on DU have had me checking my stove for boiling rabbit. One's in Boot Hill.

:hi:

I know because it's happened to me on message boards.

I try to be careful what I share.

Nor has it involved PMs. Still I do not like being followed around by someone bent on harassing me on some made-up charge, and claiming that because I get upset at this disturbing behavior, they must be right.

checking the site where I had a photo hosted and from there they managed to find out my name and the city where I live. They let me know they knew in a way that implied a threat. It was a conservative of course.

Take care, LoZoccolo, but don't let the ******s get the best of you.

Tell the people to get lost. The cast of DU won't give out your personal info...I tell you what..go join the Frey at Slate. The stuff they call you and the stuff they say you'll be up to anything. The republicans on that list are nutso from the get go. Then when you come back here you will see that they are all pussy cats.

And I'm not TRYING to discover anything about anyone,
I've just noticed stuff in the course of reading DU.

Anyone actually TRYING to discover things about DUers
would have thousands of our names and addresses by now.

I assume that anyone who really WANTS to find me is
going to do so. That's why I make no real effort to
conceal my identity, and my location is in my profile.

To mess with you.

But I don't think there are very many - not for this.

I used to think there were. My system got crashed - hard two times in about six months.I was sure it was from me - for a long time I thought so. I only went to the Clark site, got my email and checked stock quotes. You what I found out later - that was all I did on the internet - but one of my kids was using my computer when I didn't know. And I think he did piss people off enough to crash the system - you know?

So I don't worry about it. Even if there were, what are they gonna do - screw up my email??

Not worth worrying about to me. But do what you think is right. I hope all is well with you colo.


Joe

Democratic Underground.

Hurry back. :eyes:

n/t

I imagine she's still active around town.

http://makethemaccountable.com/

I appreciate your activism, btw

x(

"We know where you live"..


Well, if you know where I live then you know it's a very redneck community and that we are all armed to the teeth with everything from hunting bows to pump shotguns (*the* most effective anti personnel weapon for the civilian). My neighbors like me and look out for me, just like I look out for them.

Come on down if you have the huevos..

Shuts 'em up every time..

I always thought it was kinda funny - if someone really was out to "get you" - you think they are gonna warn you first - on the internet??

Joe

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:hi:

... (shrug) I guess the ONLY POSSIBLE conclusion is that some people are just RADICALLY unlucky. In the EXTREME. To BIBLICAL proportions.

oh, well. The joys of living out in the boonies. Hell, the SoCal telephone information people don't think the county even exists.
Wackos don't bother me, I'm a musician and artist; I am already crazy!:crazy:

Have a good time on your break.:hi:

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You couldn't BE more wrong.

Yawn.

this embarrassing outburst.

Please, for the safety of everyone, get the help you need during your little vacation.

I can't recall ever getting into any sort of tiff with you, and yet you're all over the place in this thread. Did it just look like a fun thing to do or something?

If indeed these things are occurring to you, you contact administration and report the offending parties.

You don't start a thread and start shouting, "terra, terra" all over the place.

If you're leaving, then leave.

Don't start worrying people who might believe you that DU is a potentially dangerous place to interact.

And then you fly off the handle toward Zhade, one of the most relaxed members here.

Come on dude, you're not fooling everyone.

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:rofl:

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When I was an altar boy, none of the priests ever made a pass at me.

When I was a kid, none of the slutty girls put out for me.

When the sexual revolution hit.... I was a non-combatant.

Nobody has ever harassed me or threatened me at DU.... and I'm hurt!

Nice.

You *are* somewhat cantankerous, I will say that, but you always struck me as a true Dem fighter and activist, albeit one with an acerbic wit. ;) Happy trails, lil' camper.

Just a reminder to contact the admins with questions and or concerns about DU.