As I stated Wednesday evening (US-MST):

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum.../000785-2.html

Here is the one post made by me using a false handle (not personna, handle):

What follows is my apology to one and all:

I have erred and I am ashamed of my actions and behavior on July 25, 1999. I promise to go forward from this point on committed to never allowing myself to behave in such a manner. I ask each and every FlyerTalker to please look deep in their heart for a bit of forgiveness for this sinner. I promise to go forward and try to earn your trust and respect.

I deeply regret my actions...

And now I have done a typo on the date. My transgression was on July 15, 1999.

But you haven't apologized for the incorrect date...

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Take a deep breath, and remember what's really important...

onefreeman: now that was an APOLOGY! (but what for?

One quick semantic point to this long thread which has resulted in just one revalation of an alias.

I don't care what your real names are, so long as the face you present to me is consistent. If someone creates another alias to post their views, unless it is truly transparent (ie., Catcop, etc., then it gives them two or more voices and creates a completely different dynamic.

Example:

Say there was a thread ripping on another FTer (imagine that if you can?!?). If a flyertalker had 6 aliases and each one listed seemingly different bad experiences or opinions of an individual, it would color everyone's perspective if they thought each was an individual person, as opposed to the same person.

Also, I like to know more or less who I am dealing with. I understand there are major limitations with the internet, but that's part of the fun and challenege. To create and multiple identities really messes with the dynamic of this place for the worse.

I am BoSoxFan45. You know certain things about me based on my posts. Just as I thought I knew certain things about others. If people march around pretending to be different people, then that is unfair to EVERYONE here, and unfair to the FT community at large.

It may not be agaianst the letter of the rules, but it certainly is against the spirit of any community that wants to reamin one. And those who can't discern this have a lot to learn.

Flyertalk being an entity on the internet brings some of the truths of our eExistence to bear.

The internet has proven a wonderful tool for communication, learning, and sharing information. Flyertalk is one of my favorite examples of this due to my fascination/obsession with FF miles. I have learned tons from the collective wisdom on this board. Just as beneficial is to see the commraderie that has been fostered here as well.

The difficulty here comes from the inherent distrust that the internet brings with it. The anonymity provides a place where chaos and n'erdowells can flourish. This doesn't have to happen as the collective integrity of all members makes Flyertalk a relatively peaceful harbor along the rough open seas of the internet.

I hope to see the majority of people on here (at least I perceive it to be the large majority) continue to respect each other and maintain a place where people with similar interests can interact. This doesn't mean everybody always has to agree with each other; on the contrary, some of the best threads have been where a controversial topic gets lively and colorful. People simply need to "play fair" by being consistent with their handles.

A fun second nom de plume is fine for specific postings, but to assume other identities for the purpose of deceiving everyone and fomenting negatively goes completely against the norms and values that I see on this board.

I am a relative newcomer, but I definitely value what the people before me have created here. It is up to everybody to continue to make it work. Kind of like a modern democracy... maybe we shouldn't go there.

My $.02- Merry Christmas to everyone here!

Kevin

Why anyone needs a second handle is beyond me. My life is confusing enough without worrying about additional personas.

That being said, to me the issue is INTENT.

Second handles to administer secret santa as as benign as it gets.

Second handles to be silly, etc. are acceptable, but frankly I think it is a waste of time.

Second handles to launch attacks anonymously really has no place here. Stand up and speak your mind. For all the wrath that PremEx has incurred recently, he has posted HIS words under HIS name. He certainly COULD have chosed to hide (like many others) - but he didn't.

Finally, second handles designed for fraudulent purposes (such as to add credibility to an argument) also have no place here. To my way of thinking, this is like carrying voter ID cards in several jurisdictions so you can vote fraudulently.

motnot: I hope you do not believe that I am engaging in semantics here - but I suspect that what I am writing is probably reasonably close to most FTer's philosophies.

I respect what BoSoxFan45 is trying to do here, and I truly wish everyone would come clean.

But much like my "Direct Question" thread which quickly unravelled, I believe that it is preaching to the choir. The people who engage in this behavior either do not see anything wrong with it, or are unwilling to take the heat for it (which is what led them to go "underground" with a second handle to begin with).

What I think will be most telling is how things proceed from here. If we see NSNH and Pfp disappear, and no creation of new handles, I'd be happy.

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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."

Jon Toner-

Wise words, as usual...

Preaching to the choir is absolutely right. I guess it's silly to think you can change adults who lack certain ethical traits....

If truth be told, BoSox, we don't even know if (and in fact I doubt that) all of the worst offenders actually ARE adults.

Charlie

chazas...true. Legally or mentally!

[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited 12-15-2000).]

I'm me...........

I'm me. I'm not Twiz, my son, nor have I ever posted as him (though I have encouraged some edits). But my son is also Twiz, T-wiz and T'wiz. He forgot his original password so he registered similar names. I don't think he's ever posted as T'wiz and, because of the password problem, he will never again be able to post as Twiz. Clear? Or did that all just wiz by?

Doc said, "But then I've never attacked anyone or ridiculed anyone to the best of my knowledge at anytime, anyplace or anywhere of FT - kind of like in my "real" life!"

Doc, you must be getting older... your memory is starting to go.

Since, I have been deleted... I guess I'll admit to being NewZealandCoins. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum97/HTML/000264.html

That was my only alais. I created it because when I would criticise Ozstamps he would bombard me with URGENT emails. This continued even after I asked him to stop. Since this is my one and only REAL email address I made up the handle. Had only 7 posts. See the thread above if you would like more comments. Im not sorry, and I don't believe that I did anything wrong. The name was clearly fake,used spareingly, and never in a vulgar fashion. The other alterniative was not to have my email showing. I think it's sad that one poster can make us all want to hide.
Anyway, BoSocks45, I'll step up to the plate and be a man and answer your thread. (unlike the thunder from down under).

Edited because I type like America Wests maintanence NOT GOOD!

[This message has been edited by cigarman (edited 12-15-2000).]

motnot complains about semantics. But several writers seem to logically equate secondary aliases with false names. I will admit that I will likely change my alias SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE. I came close a few months ago when all of the reports had it that Sammy Sosa was being traded to the Yankees. I am a Sosafan. But I would not be a fan of any Yankee (having grown up a Washington Senators fan, and having to watch D**N Yankees almost every year.)

I know this doesn't have anything to do with the situation that led to this thread. But
1) I don't understand the fuss
2) I probably will have a different alias someday.