Well... I can tell you that we aren't the only internet news groups discussing this wildly. The difference is, the other sites I found didn't know BWatson. I am sure there will be much more about CyberNET in the coming months/years. And I can see where people will want to discuss that.

Perhaps this needs to stay a condolences thread without all the editorializing... and if we want to discuss the corporate side of this, we can open a thread in OMNI.

Or... maybe folks who want to discuss this would find it more productive to migrate to another website where discussion is ongoing. Two links to other forums discussing this (the company):

http://www.democraticunderground.com...ress=203x76758

http://www.commongroundcommonsense.o...p/t5461-0.html

(Edited to add that the OMNI left-wingers are going to have a field day with this one....)

Let this thread be a symbol of our rememberence and prayers. Although I have never met B Watson, my condolences to his family and friends.

A link to his final post on FT.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...22#post3401422

Link to old thread
This makes interesting reading.... Amazing he could be so sanctimonious considering everything...

"Thieves are thieves - we generally try NOT to hire them."
"I just see this as so black and white, and with no gray"
"CLEARLY you miss my point - my comment about theft and scam are NOT targeted at you but at anyone who advocates perpetrating fraud on their employer."
"This has been the age old excuse of embezzlers for generations - "I just took what I should have been paid in the first place"

I disagree totally. He's not putting the boot in, just bringing to light FACTS that have been convienetly omitted.

I don't think we have to take sides in who has a right to sympathy today. I can separate my sadness at hearing his story from the sadness for his wife (Whether she was complicit or not) and employees. There appears to be plenty of sadness to go around.

Without in any way condoning his actions, I can say that today I'm thankful that I don't face the demons in my life that Barton confronted every day.

Rip Mr Bw
 

Having met and had dinner with Barton, my heart felt condolences to him and his family......

Sad. May he R.I.P.

Extremely well put, robb; thank you for putting into words what I suspect more than one of us are thinking and feeling.

Very noble!! If only such a forthright attitude towards fraud had been shown here.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...highlight=HTML

So let's follow GadgetFreak's advice, and aside from our differing views here I still intend to buy you a pint (or G&T) at the next London Do I get to. :)

I never turn down a drink, thanks very much! :) :D

This is Flyertalk. B Watson contributed here with his knowledge of flights and miles. Like all of us. We don't know his personal life and we never discussed it then and I don't think we have a right to judge him now just because it's all out in the open. Personal business is personal business.

There might be others here on the FT forum that may have deep darker secrets but we're not trashing it out here are we? We are here as individuals gathering together to talk about what we ALL love to do... and is flying, for fun, for business, and for the love of MILES. What we do elsewhere is our business and ours alone. If it's out in the open, well, then please feel free to bash my name and others on other boards, PMs, and what have you's but please not here.

May he R.I.P.

For those who may be interested, here is a little more insight into Mr. Watson's life:

http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/in...9309189380.xml

http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/in...7567113890.xml

For better or worse, no matter what they have or have not done, dead men can't stand trial.

It is, however, a real tragedy when anyone sees suicide as their most attractive option. Successful suicide is something from which no one can ever really recover, certainly not the victim, nor his/her parents, children, spouse, friends and/or lovers.

Sad days.

Nearly every aspect of this whole thing is sad :(

Best wishes for the wife and family.