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RE: Aquatic Plants Digest V4 #1443


> Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2001 17:20:24 -0500 (EST)
> From: Shawn Prescott <fishvet at shado_jagunet.com>
> Subject: "Free" speech
> 
> I would like to add my two bits worth to what Steve and Joel 
> Witty have said.
> 
> Withour taking sides in the current court case, they have 
> stated admirably in my view, that this forum and others, too 
> often become the vehicle, for over inflated ego's which 
> carried away by their own self importance often carry the 
> imprimatur of "death" to any company they fell like "bashing".
> 
> Sometimes, as they say in Ireland where I originate from 
> "Least said, soonest mended".
> 
> Yours
> 
> Shawn Prescott
> Aquarium Landscapes 

Hello Shawn,

As one of the admittedly "inflated egos" (recently, at the very least.. I was a lurker before. ;>), I believe I have something to offer to this discussion especially given my LAST somewhat aggressive post to Mr. Novak (and I apologize to the list-members, apart from Novak, for the tone of the message.. Anger /Righteousness can tend to make one a blowhard.. ;>).

Shawn, I believe it is important to get some perspective on where this all started, and in what order:

1 - Someone asked (invited) about Petswarehouse.com on THIS list.

2 - Someone ELSE factually described their negative experience with the company, even after trying to gain satisfaction directly through the company. 

3 - A few others chimed in with some "me too" type statements..

NONE of these events is unique to the internet, the real world or even the watercooler at your workplace... People share their opinions with peers and friends based on their experiences, and they should never have that right abrogated or punished. 

4 - The original suit was declared and filed, against those people and against this list-serv's owners and operator.

5 - As the case boiled on, cronies (Jack/Mike, or perhaps even Novak himself) participated actively in the Fish Forum on c$serve, utilizing one-liners, harassment and baiting techniques to pull others into the conversation (in my opinion, they're doing this to try to get something actually DAMAGING to support an already pathetic and baseless civil case, and have yielded no catch yet).. 

6 - A defense fund was created. BANNERS that lead to that defense fund were posted. People were appalled (and expressed that) regarding the lawsuit on this list, on the C$serve forum, and other places.. 

7 - A few weeks ago, Novak filed a "first amended complaint" that added people who had contributed to the defense fund, people who had created the banners, people who had expressed how horrible this suit was, and people who were encouraging the existing defendants to keep the faith..

8 - I saw this (along with many others) and got an EGO about it (along with SOME others) <grin>. In fact, I got quite obsessed, incensed and more about it. I won't drop it. I can't give it up. It's a "CAUSE" now. Call that ego or call that valor. I don't care what you call it, but I'm still not going to let it go.  

9 - Novak starts sending "private emails" to people who post on this list and on the Fish Forum like little afgan bombing runs, promising nothing but intimidation.. That's just junk! And THAT alone prompted my public email to him! 


Perhaps you've not really looked into the history of this thing (I have), but I'm virtually AMAZED as I watch people get named for the suit who aren't in a position to defend themselves, and those who ARE in a position to defend themselves are NOT named. Seems a bit FISHY (no pun intended) to me! Novak's lawsuit is destroying these peoples' lives. They are intimidated, they are angry, and they deserve to be compensated for that! They deserve OUR attention. 

I WILL say that I didn't feel so compelled to HAVE an ego/self-importance about this until I saw people being victimized (and seeing they didn't have the means to protect their own rights.). In other words, Novak's reprehensible actions are only drawing people into this, and I'm one of them. 

I believe that I deserve SOME credit for the fact that at least I'm putting my money and my actions where my mouth is.. Ya know?

Finally, I'm not even remotely interested in bashing Petswarehouse.com. I'm only interested in seeing an end to what I see as absolute insanity on the part of their actions. 

Respectfully,

Gregory

I promise my next post will be aquarium plant related! Don't spank my Cynthia! <grin>

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