With regret . . .

[Lookin]

I just finished reading the thread in which Benjamin Nicholas’ face was Photoshopped into a number of familiar pictures. When I came to the last one, where the poster had cropped BN’s picture on to that of a nine-year-old Cambodian girl, running and screaming in pain from the napalm burning into her flesh, my stomach rolled.

 

I have never seen anything more cruel done on a message board. I don’t know how the poster could have sought out that picture, looked at it, and started the several steps necessary in Photoshop to turn that little girl into Benjamin Nicholas. I looked at it only once, and wondered how he had managed to change BN’s skin tones to match that of the little girl and the other people in that picture. How could that have been done step by step without any reactions to the victims in that photo? How could it have been posted for people to laugh at?

 

I have no truck with Benjamin Nicholas and my reaction had nothing to do with the fact that it was his face. Anyone’s face would have produced the same reaction for me.

 

I have seen cruelty on this message center before, and laid low until it went away. But this is more than I can comprehend. I realize I may be the odd man out here, but out I am. I’m not planning to return as a poster or as a reader. I don’t want to see what might be next.

 

I value the people I’ve met through this message center and have enjoyed interacting with many of you. I will miss the posts and the fun.

 

Very best wishes.

[+ Lucky]

"I realize I may be the odd man out here, but out I am. I’m not planning to return as a poster or as a reader. I don’t want to see what might be next."

 

Please don't let a small group of people determine the course of the message center of which you have been such a favorite part.

[+ Charlie]

I agree that the last photo was, to say the least, offensive, but I hope you do not leave because of it. We need posters like you.

[FinFangFoom]

>I just finished reading the thread in which Benjamin

>Nicholas’ face was Photoshopped into a number of familiar

>pictures. When I came to the last one, where the poster had

>cropped BN’s picture on to that of a nine-year-old Cambodian

>girl, running and screaming in pain from the napalm burning

>into her flesh, my stomach rolled.

 

Oh please Louise.

 

Someone get her her smelling salts, she's about to pass out!

 

Frankly, I thought that was the funniest of all the pictures. Not because I was making fun of her (she's alive and well in Vietnam) but because it was so over the top. I wanted to pick something that was historically iconic and that picture fit the bill perfectly.

 

Some of you queens really need to take a chill pill. No wonder some of you guys have to hire hookers - who'd want to have a relationship with someone completely humorless.

 

Creatively yours,

 

FFF

[MindThe Gap]

I was very much enjoying the photoshop skills of FFF, until I came to the last photo. It made me feel ill. Anyone who can connect to those horrific days knows the context and reality of that photo. I'm sorry FFF chose to use it. It was, for me, very inappropriate and hurtful.

 

If lookin decides to leave out of personal protest for something he finds very wrong here, than I applaud his actions. It speaks to the character of him, as apposed to others here, who, might simply want to write a check to a charitable organization and feel as though they had done a public service for everyone.

 

I hope Lookin will reconsider, but if not, there goes someone I really respect.

[FinFangFoom]

>I have seen cruelty on this message center before, and laid low until it went away.

 

A regular profile in courage.

 

 

 

> But this is more than I can comprehend.

 

You have a very low threshold of comprehension.

 

 

 

> I’m not planning to return as a poster or as a reader.

 

Poor little flower...dropped her petals and folded her tent.

 

 

 

> I will miss the posts and the fun.

 

Cyber-death by Photoshop. Oh that it were only that easy.

 

 

Wishfully yours,

 

FFF

[Lankypeters]

>>

> I realize I may be the odd man out here, but out

>I am. I’m not planning to return as a poster or as a reader.

>I don’t want to see what might be next.

>

>

 

You are not the odd man out. I share your disgust and anger.

 

However anyone else feels about what started this all off, it's time to get off of it. Points have been made on all sides. There's nothing further to be gained by continuing to stone someone in the village square.

[Steven_Draker]

>How could it have been posted for people to laugh at?

 

An old chinese proverb says that a good joke makes everyone laugh.

 

Another Irish proverb says that "when the mouse laughs at the cat, there is a hole nearby"

 

Steven Draker ~

http://www.hotsexystud.com/uk

[MindThe Gap]

> There's nothing further to be gained by continuing to

>stone someone in the village square.

 

Everyone moves on from things in different ways and with different time tables. Some people grieve a death for a day or two, while others, grieve for months, years even sometimes.

 

 

Why do Letterman, Leno, Stewart and O'Brien continue, after all these years, to do Bush jokes every single night of the week? It's because humor is a part of our fabric, especially when it applies to idiots, liars and frauds. Ben has put himself in these catagories and until the very last person who feels something about this has had their say, it won't go away and nor should it.

 

FFF has brought a very refreshing humor to this topic and with everything else in life, sometimes, people will be offended by it. Say you're offended, but don't anyone go calling for him or anyone else to move on, until the real time comes for each and everyone, to do so naturally and without force or intimidation.

 

Then and only then, will it be the right time.

[+ glutes]

>

>Why do Letterman, Leno, Stewart and O'Brien continue, after

>all these years, to do Bush jokes every single night of the

>week? It's because humor is a part of our fabric, especially

>when it applies to idiots, liars and frauds. Ben has put

>himself in these catagories and until the very last person who

>feels something about this has had their say, it won't go away

>and nor should it.

 

Well said MTG.

If you guys don't think it is funny, for Heaven's sakes - don't look at FFF's posts!

[Lankypeters]

>

>

>Why do Letterman, Leno, Stewart and O'Brien continue, after

>all these years, to do Bush jokes every single night of the

>week? It's because humor is a part of our fabric, especially

>when it applies to idiots, liars and frauds. Ben has put

>himself in these catagories and until the very last person who

>feels something about this has had their say, it won't go away

>and nor should it.

>

>FFF has brought a very refreshing humor to this topic and with

>everything else in life, sometimes, people will be offended by

>it. Say you're offended, but don't anyone go calling for him

>or anyone else to move on, until the real time comes for each

>and everyone, to do so naturally and without force or

>intimidation.

>

>Then and only then, will it be the right time.

 

 

Lankypeters

[Lankypeters]

>> There's nothing further to be gained by continuing to

>>stone someone in the village square.

>

>Everyone moves on from things in different ways and with

>different time tables. Some people grieve a death for a day or

>two, while others, grieve for months, years even sometimes.

>

>

>Why do Letterman, Leno, Stewart and O'Brien continue, after

>all these years, to do Bush jokes every single night of the

>week? It's because humor is a part of our fabric, especially

>when it applies to idiots, liars and frauds. Ben has put

>himself in these catagories and until the very last person who

>feels something about this has had their say, it won't go away

>and nor should it.

>

>FFF has brought a very refreshing humor to this topic and with

>everything else in life, sometimes, people will be offended by

>it. Say you're offended, but don't anyone go calling for him

>or anyone else to move on, until the real time comes for each

>and everyone, to do so naturally and without force or

>intimidation.

>

>Then and only then, will it be the right time.

 

Perhaps he should bear it away in private. Or at least in good taste. This is shameless. The accuser is fast approaching the level of the accused.

 

 

Lankypeters

[Guest EuropTravl]

>>Frankly, I thought that was the funniest of all the pictures. Not because I was making fun >>of her (she's alive and well in Vietnam) but because it was so over the top. I wanted to pick >>something that was historically iconic and that picture fit the bill perfectly.

 

The photo is one of the most famous of that era, and I think FFF's motive of pushing the ridiculous was clear. Now, please.

FFF, you simply MUST now work on the photo of BN in the manger in his swaddling undies (Ginch-Gonch, or were they Calvins?) , or at the crucifixion - talk about a stampede out of the message center (for the wanting-to-be offended)!

}(

[Guest alanm]

>I have never seen anything more cruel done on a message board.

> I don’t know how the poster could have sought out that

>picture, looked at it, and started the several steps necessary

>in Photoshop to turn that little girl into Benjamin Nicholas.

>I looked at it only once, and wondered how he had managed to

>change BN’s skin tones to match that of the little girl and

>the other people in that picture. How could that have been

>done step by step without any reactions to the victims in that

>photo? How could it have been posted for people to laugh at?

 

I was drafted and spent a year in Vietnam (1968-69). My initial reaction was similar to the OP's. Twenty-hour hours later, I have a different view. In truth, a million pictures as bad or worse could have been taken 37 years ago in Vietnam & Cambodia and currently in Iraq & Africa.

 

For those who have posted in outrage, please increase your efforts to

improve conditions in the Middle East and Africa. Frankly, it required

very little effort or courage to leave a message center in outrage, despite all the applause for Lookin.

[Guest PWIT]

>Frankly, it required

>very little effort or courage to leave a message center in

>outrage, despite all the applause for Lookin.

>

 

I took Lookin's point differently. I didn't see his decision to leave the message center as a point of courage but rather choosing not to participate in a forum that has drifted into a level of attacks and affronts on individuals. The picture references was just the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.

 

I hate to admit I fell into that personal attack trap myself. I hope Lookin will reconsider but I definitely understand his reasoning as I have had similar thoughts lately.

[Philly Guy]

>>How could it have been posted for people to laugh at?

>

>An old chinese proverb says that a good

>joke makes everyone laugh.

>

>Another Irish proverb says that "when the mouse laughs at the

>cat, there is a hole nearby"

>

>Steven Draker ~

>http://www.hotsexystud.com/uk

 

 

You gotta love that Irish Proverb!

[Guest roadhoundnyc]

I love how people keep lobbying to drop the subject. "Lets move on"

Fuck that, this trash has been getting away with some serious bullshit for a long time

and in my opinion, deserves more then he's been getting. You don't have to read everything posted here, I don't.

 

Lets keep it going, bring the trash down to the town square and lets stone his ass.

[RockHard]

RE: If he only had a heart.

 

"If I had a heart..." written by FinFangFoom, March 14, 2007

 

"I'll piss the hell out of others of you and frankly, I live for that. I like nothing more than to upset some of you bitches to the point where you get your skirts up over your heads, you run around the room like your hair is on fire and then run smack dab into a door jamb. Oh joy. Oh bliss. Oh rapture.," written by FinFangFoom, March 12, 2007

 

 

Honestly, what can anyone expect from a man with no heart who has a piss-the-hell-out-of-you agenda?

 

I sure wish Lookin would consider the source and consider its relevance.

[Happy]

RE: If he only had a heart.

 

What thread are the fabulous pictures of the fabulous BN?

[MindThe Gap]

RE: If he only had a heart.

 

>"If I had a heart..." written by

>FinFangFoom, March 14, 2007

>

>"I'll piss the hell out of others of you and frankly, I live

>for that. I like nothing more than to upset some of you

>bitches to the point where you get your skirts up over your

>heads, you run around the room like your hair is on fire and

>then run smack dab into a door jamb. Oh joy. Oh bliss. Oh

>rapture.," written by FinFangFoom, March 12, 2007

>

>

>Honestly, what can anyone expect from a man with no heart who

>has a piss-the-hell-out-of-you agenda?

 

Rockhard is such an ass licking, ass kissing prentious little cunt.

 

Here's what Rockhard said just a few days ago about FFF's return:

 

FFF: "I like nothing more than to upset some of you bitches to the point where you get your skirts up over your heads, you run around the room like your hair is on fire and then run smack dab into a door jamb."

 

Rockhard: "YAAA-HOOOOOOOO!"

 

Rockhard: "Just when I thought Tom Isern was double-posting 50% of the usernames (or bartering sex for editing rights), along comes this breath of fresh air. Izzy sure won't be happy to see you. (I've got goosebumps.)"

 

And then Rockhards posts tonight:

 

">Honestly, what can anyone expect from a man with no heart who

>has a piss-the-hell-out-of-you agenda?" "I sure wish Lookin would >consider the source and consider its relevance."

 

If Rockhard had a spine, it would look like this:

 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/chgo/slinky.jpg

[Guest EuropTravl]

RE: HooBoy/BN history

 

Out of curiosity, wasn't there a time when BN had the chairs flying

through the room around here when he "outed" the (admittedly obnoxious)

Richard Hatch from "Survivor" - not as a homosexual of course, but talked about

escorts having made comments about his wanting to hire them, and how Ben

thought he was too good for THAT particular TV star - and many people in the

message center said "That's it - do something or WE'RE out of here"? Wasn't that before HooBoy died?

 

(As I recall, "15MM" was featured (advertised) on the opening page and was removed after that - BY demand)

 

All this rambling has a point (well, I think it does). Someone new around here might truley believe

BN is being "stoned in the public square." But I can remember reading the HooBoy page when it was just a forum, period. I remember logging on and being incredulous at his first

chosen "escort of the year"** (any guesses? -hint: A.L.) But HooBoy did play favorites and BN does have a long history of "getting away with it". I sort of see how certain people think "the current administration" should do something and FFF should be expelled (I can imagine the emails to the moderator(s)). But many of us are less "offended" because of the KARMA aspect of the whole situation. I never met HooBoy, never much commented (beyond asking him if he was insane when he thought A.L. was THE be-all and end-all of the escort scene - boy, did that thought depress me), but I think it Hoo still ran the joint, FFF's dissection of BN's apology wouldn't have lasted a day without being removed. I sort of like the new "free speech" here.

 

**and believe me, that wasn't by popular vote, he just chose him. It was his page, after all.

[Guest PWIT]

RE: If he only had a heart.

 

I think this MTG post makes Lookin's point. I lifted the below from the message center rules.

 

"...Personal attacks stifle discussion and create an atmosphere that discourages many people from joining us. We want all people to feel welcome here and welcome to state their opinions. Those who come here for advice or assistance should be treated with respect. You are free to criticize the opinions of other people at will. But please do not attack, insult or disparage others themselves; all are worthy of respect, even those with whom we disagree."

 

Before the barrage of hypocrite labels start pouring in and I have my own words quoted back to me, I am not claiming innocence by any means. But the tone of the MC lately is not one that would encourage participation.

[Louis]

RE: If he only had a heart.

 

I agree with you PWIT. It seems easier to attack a person than to have a civil discussion. That's even happend to me, when I made a comment in the political area. Rather than people responding about what I said, a few attacked me, and all I was doing was trying to open up the discussion.

There are a lot of people who post here, and even more people who read but don't post. Everyone has different life experiences, and different goals in their lives, which should mean that there will be a lot of different opinions expressed here.

The real sad part about life is, that sometimes people (myself included) have done things or said things, that are seemingly harmless, and have no harmlfull intent, but unfortunately people sometimes get hurt. Its like the old story about a cup of water that is half full or half empty, or maybe its Vodka and not water, there is always two or more ways of looking at things which unfortunately has the potential for creating a misunderstanding and someone, gets hurt. Are these people thin skinned? No. They have had a different life experience.

The message board is great, however it can be very easy to offend another person because very few people know the person that is making a post.

[Guest O solo mio]

RE: If he only had a heart.

 

PWIT, why did you not reprint the board rules about personal attacks or take offense when RockHard started referring to Doug69 as "Herpes69" merely because Doug exposed BN's plagiarism? And then you called Doug a "bitter queen." Do you feel name-calling and personal attacks are sometimes justified if they are used against someone you don't like or who does "bad" things like exposing fraudulent escorts? Yes, you are a hypocrite!

[Guest ncm2169]

RE: HooBoy/BN history

 

< FFF's dissection of BN's apology wouldn't have lasted a day without being removed. I sort of like the new "free speech" here.

 

I totally agree. :7