Discussions
Help with Defamation of Character
Posted by melindaville • 9/08/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: impersonation of me, legal advice, obtaining a court order, twitter
Hi All,
Someone is impersonating me on Twitter. I am very sure I know who this person (or people--I believe it is two individuals who are well known on BC).
My husband is out of the country right now and I plan to talk to him about it--we do have resources and lawyers that can help but I am wondering if anyone has any advice on how I can proceed with this?
I know I can get a court order, which will force Twitter to reveal the people's IP addresses which will then reveal their true identity so we can sue them.
Does anyone know anything about this though? I would really appreciate any advice on how I should start this process since I have never been in this situation before.
If anyone wants to see what I am referring to, it is here: twitter.com/search?q=timethiefbitch#search?q=timethiefbitch
I am pretty upset by this--I have worked so hard to overcome my past and become a person I am proud of being. I did nothing to anyone to deserve such vile treatment.
User Comments
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This help? help.twitter.com/forums/26257/entries/18366-
Thanks Claire--I did contact Twitter to ask them to delete the account. I took plenty of screen shots beforehand.
I will probably just have to contact our attorney and see what he says--I am just so upset about this that I also wanted to vent! -
Well if wasn't you Melinda, I would actually be laughing at how tragic they are.
Well I say they, but they are all just the same person aren't they? That theory works both ways. -
Correct, Claire. I am really so shocked that someone has so little of a life that she considers this to be a fun time.
Karma, karma, karma--that is the final word, really.
And this person has no idea who she is messing with. I really will pursue this--not just for my case but to send a message that people should think twice about defaming a person's character online. People think they are anonymous but there are definitely ways to reveal the cowards behind these types of attacks. -
Shame on you Melindy for using your real name and giving something for whoever to get their teeth in.
Stick a bag on your head in the future and lurk in darkened corners ready to jump out at poor unsuspecting passers by. That would be a much more productive use of your time. -
Well, Claire--I decided to go public with my story. I am not sorry I am--the only way people are going to believe that treatment works is if people like me come forward and talk about their real successes.
I think more people ought to go public with stories such as mine--it's really the only way to bring awareness about the need for free and available treatment in our society. -
I was joking by the way, just in case my sarcasm failed
I totally agree with you, but there is no way that whoever is writing drivel like that, is even remotely interested in your story or what you are doing.
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Melinda, unfortunately I have no advice to offer as I'm in Canada and our laws here differ... But I still wanted to say that I am very sorry this has happened to you. I cannot believe that on a forum of adults someone would go to all this trouble to slander someone.
I truly hope this works out for you and that you get whatever retribution is certainly owed to you.
As for whoever created these 2 accounts and took the time to message themselves o_0 .. Your a total coward imho and a fairly shitty human being to go through with something like this...
Shame on you ..-
Thanks Bettie--I agree with everything you wrote. I put in a message to our attorney and will wait for him to contact me back. He's in court today, his receptionist said.
I have always lived by the rule that what goes around comes around--and indeed, payback is probably going to be a b###ch.
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I think the link I sent you via shout is the same one CR sent you; hope that works. I will let you know if I receive a response to my request about it.-
Thanks so much, Jason--I was able to contact Twitter with the information you gave me. I think I gave them enough information and proof I was the real Melindaville to get them to delete the account. I did take quite a few screen shots in case it is deleted and I feel I should still sue. I have to wait to see what our attorney tells me.
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Sad all the way around. Sad that you have to deal with this mess and sad someone went to the trouble to create it in the first place.-
It is sad, NP. It's a good thing that I am constantly reminded of how much good there is in the world so that things like this don't jade me into believing the world is mostly evil.
It's not--it's just that the few bad apples are so darn noticeable!
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Christ, I thought I was the only one who got randomly impersonated. Per my lawyers, there is little that can be done. Hopefully your case is somehow different than mine-
That's not true. You can get a court order to get Google to reveal people's true identities and their IP addresses. I know this for certain.
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you can if they are fully impersonating you, or talking about you. From what I saw, she/he is using your online name and not your full name, or full location. I think that the line is drawn like this:
My name is casey and I love to drink - ok, can't do anything about it since it is not specific
My name is Casey Kennedy of Baltimore and I am a raging alcoholic- Not ok, can be cause to reveal an identity since this example would directly call meout
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It's not worth the resources, the $ will be to high.
M, what will you get back? each state has a different law, and a different price. You can spend a couple of years fighting it.
I suggest let it go, and move on. Or contract it out.-
I have the resources to pursue this. If no one ever does anything to stop these kinds of attacks, people will continue to do them. It's not just for me, either. I really believe that more people have to stand up for what they believe is right.
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I don't have any advice but I wanted to wish you the best of luck in this mess. Fortunately, the Twitter accounts have no followers of substantial value.-
True--but it has the potential to be damaging. I am already in touch with Twitter to get the accounts deleted.
Thanks for your support!
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Yeah, they are funny, I am shocked to see, someone's so after you.......
Well as for the legal proceedings are concerned in this procedure, there are many ways a person can hide his real IP, if the impostor is well versed in Networks then he will escape law or used a Public terminal and if that terminal has no surveillance then it's hard to detect him/her unless, enforcement officers catch him when he is online or can be lured into a trap. -
Televised death match. Solves all problems. -
Those people need to get a life. Why waste your time impersonating someone?
I'm sorry this happened to you Melinda, and not only you as I see they have mention other BC members as well. I hope you can do something against them legally, some people might think it's not worth it but those people need to learn a hard lesson.-
I hope so too, Deray! Thanks so much!
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I am getting so sick of the BC trolls. I hope you do sue so these people grow up.-
I plan to--people need to realize that they really cannot hide behind their computers like the cowards that they really are. Thanks for your support, Shirley!
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Oh wow...I have no idea personally. I do have a lot of lawyers in the family, and I could ask one of them and see what they say as advice.
I'm sorry that's happened Melinda! What butt-holes!!
Aside from legal steps, I always do recommend a swift ass kicking.-
Amen to that. -
Thanks Lotus--I would appreciate it if you could find out anything you can--and I really appreciate your support.
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What a mess. I didn't know people have so much time to waste impersonating others online. I hope you sort out this mess and teach a lesson to those who deserve.-
Thank you most sincerely, Owlburn--and it is truly amazing that grown people have the time or inclination to engage in this kind of nonsense.
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M
You don't have the resources. It will cost and cost and cost and cost and your time will be stress upon. I went through it in the 2004 with a partner with unlimited resources. It wasn't worth it in the end.
Contract it out.-
Rozie, I do have the resources, believe me. My husband has quite a successful company and employs attorneys at his business. I just spoke to him on the phone and he began to advise me.
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I wanted to express my consolation, as well. The situation sucks. Maybe you can take SOME comfort in that they can't have many followers with such pointless, banal posts.-
hahahahahahahah. There's a lot of truth to that!
And besides, this type of thing hurts the person who is doing the impersonating far more than the person they are impersonating.
Most people are disgusted with these types of tactics. Sane, reasonable people, anyway. -
Agreed. Best of luck, however you decide to proceed.
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There was a blog, SkanksinNYC, that posted defamatory material about a model, Liskula Cohen. When Google would not reveal the name of the blogger, Ms. Cohen sued and a court forced Google to reveal the identity of the blogger so that Ms. Cohen could sue her.
I think this may be the precedent you need to compel Twitter to reveal sufficient information for you to sue the miscreant(s) for damages. Defamation is illegal, whether the victim is famous or not.
I would like to suggest that, when you speak with your attorney, that you also inquire about a "class action" type of suit against the perp(s) as it is my understanding that you are not the only victim. I am sure the others will happily join your claim against the imposter(s).
I am sorry this is happening to you...I am sorry for all the people who are being defamed and attacked both on the Twitter site and here as well. Perhaps you, as a psychologist, can enlighten us to the "bites the hand that feeds you" mentality being demonstrated by this behaviour?-
This kind of behavior is sociopathic, really. The types of people who do this kind of thing usually have extreme personality problems--sometimes to the extent of actually being a disorder. Probably several are at work here: narcissistic, histrionic, borderline, and antisocial.
The problem with personality disorders is that they are VERY pervasive and take years to develop, usually. The prognosis is never very good for people who have personality disorders because they don't believe anything is wrong with them.
Why do they do it? For thrills, games, or just to hurt people. People with sociopathic tendences do not have empathy for others, feel no remorse for their bad actions and often will not recognize them at all. Personality disorders are among the hardest to understand and treat--and usually result from a long history of malaptive behavior.
I am aware that others are being defamed as well. I will, of course, do everything I can to right the wrongs of everyone involved.
I appreciate your support, Sweet Violet!
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Twitter has been really crappy about this sort of thing. I hope you can get it stopped.
It appears to me that it is the work of one person; their writing styles are identical including multiple question marks/exclamation points. -
M
what will you get in return?-
Please see my response to medicated, below.
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yikes, I am sorry this has happened. Hope it gets resolved to your satisfaction and we hear about it soon. -
You have absolutely no case at all...
Personally I certainly have no axe to grind with you and on the contrary enjoy reading your insightful comments and participation on the bc forums...
Oviously whoever has done this has tremendously overreacted to some minor conflict on the bc discussion boards...
What makes this even stranger and more ridiculous is whoever has done this is not attempting to gather followers and is protecting their updates...
I wouldn't worry about it...You have no case and it is not worth getting soaked by a lawyer to find this out... -
my twitter account was hacked once and I just changed my password...-
Your point being?
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that is how I fixed the problem...
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That is not the problem though.....
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I thought her twitter was hacked? The same thing happened to me and I just changed my password.
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oh! I just clicked on that link...that is a little different.
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This could be some sort of hacking, as both those accounts do not have public Tweets. Unless it is a major bug on Twitter, that needs to be fixed presto.
I don't see the point about defamation of character though. -
@cookingasshole You nearly made me go over my full stop limit ........
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what does that mean? (I am a little slow today )
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The excess use of '................' when trying to allude to something else.
You slow..... -
I guess I should have read the OP before I posted huh?
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To that I would say.... Yes
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now that I am more informed, I would say why would you bring so much attention to it when no one knew about it in the first place?
To go against my own rhetorical question, almost the same thing happened to me:
softmelon.wordpress.com/2009/05/03/how-to-strangle-freedom-of-speech/
It is actually rather flattering. -
That is quite funny CA. I think there is a relatively good case for the "there is no such thing as bad publicity" argument, especially if you are seeking publicity.
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@cookingasshole. I posted this because three different people--totally unrelated either shouted me or emailed me that this was occurring. I was very upset--I wanted advice and also some support--because I was hurt and upset.
This was hurtful to read--the tweets that were posted. I've worked really hard to pull myself out of the hell that was my life and I don't appreciate people defaming my character and impersonating me this way. -
I know it is hard to read but try to do your best to just let it go
also if you have not yet heard from a lawyer I would suggest not posting to this thread anymore. That will probably be the first thing they tell you.
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Mel in your blog you talked about cyber bullies and predators. It's funny that this thing is happening right in front of your and everyone's face. Much more alarming if the origin is here in BC.-
Yes, I agree--but it takes all types, unfortunately CMF. Most people in the world and on this forum are wonderful, kind-hearted people and no one realizes that more than I do. It is only a very few people who try to create chaos, upset, and destroy. I do believe in karma and it can be a real b####ch.
What goes around always comes around. Always.
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So sorry to hear about this Melinda. I will say that I have yet to read all the posts here, but sure your getting some good advice from this great community. Unfortunately the internet is much like what the wild west used to be, with one exception, you got to wear a gun.
One good thing did happen thou. I have met a new friend and your blog found another reader. Good luck, will keep an eye on your post to see a good resolution.-
OK now I have a clue. (it takes us goats a while to comprehend). I think whoever this JERK is will find a very formidable opponent in you. I also believe the story that emanated our of NYC is precedence and therefore believe you do have a chance on not only making a statement, but also getting whoever is behind this one Giant costly headache.
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@ahardrain--thank you so much. I really appreciate your kind words and support.
Thanks, my friend.
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In relation to this case, my PR person had told me I have been defamed by this blogger.
twitter.com/timethief
"The impersonator goes on and on and sounds just like harveyavatar - coincidence?"
Can someone please indicate what my best legal options are?
I plan to take this all the way to the HTML International Blogging Tribunal if I must.
I have taken a screen shot, so I feel I am on solid paralegal ground.-
Not sure if you're serious or trying to be funny ...
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I second to that. Peace
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Well, an accusation has been made.
Not something to take lightly.
(There's an International Blogging Tribunal?!) -
By the time my case finishes bouncing back and forth between lower level courts, there will be an International Blogging Tribunal in place - in which I hold high hopes.
I see I did well in taking a screen shot with my disposable Kodak, as the evidence has vanished as quickly as WTC rubble being shipped off to China. -
Screenshots can be fabricated, anyway
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Any expert would easily be able to determine if a screen shot had been altered.
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Truth is not defamation.
If you try to sue for defamation on the basis of that one statement alone, you will lose because it is very easy to go find multiple examples on BC that supports the statement. You...like numerous others of us...are not ordinarily given to succinct posts.
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I have had this happen to me, and the only thing I can suggest that works is ignore it. I know you don't want to hear that, but that's the best advice I can give you. If you want to help people, make a resources/advice page for them, but in reality, what can you get from suing this person? Are they a millionaire and will you gain all of their fortune? Will you sue Twitter so the rest of us have to present an ID scan before setting up an account? You can get a court order, for free, to get the person to stop--I have done that. But it only lasts three years and you have to monitor the person's activities online and file a police report whenever they break the court order.
It's not really worth the time and the money.
I will say this: Your story isn't the first time this has happened and it isn't the last time. It will happen to more people, despite the outcome of your trial. Somewhere, some low life will have a light bulb go on in their heads and think, "I know! I'll make a confessional site in this person's name!" and then go through with it to get under their skin.
Also, ISPs can get the username, which traces back to an account via IP. I know this first hand because someone was stealing wifi from me and illegally downloading software. My ISP emailed EVERY SINGLE ONE of my usernames and demanded that the downloads stop. I had no idea my wifi reached clear across the street and my neighbors were 'borrowing' internet from me.
Good luck with this.-
Money has nothing to do with it. It's a matter of standing up for what you believe in, not allowing people to bully you, and holding people accountable in a public way so that other people who might do this type of thing in the future will be deterred.
Anyone who knows me well knows that I really do stand up to a fight.
If we all ignore these types of injustices, what does that accomplish? We let the people who are most harmful to our society believe that they can do whatever they want without any consequences. I refuse to be party to that. With all my rebel/San Franciscan heart I will take on any fight I believe in and stand by it to the end.
What we live with today is the result of our action (or our inaction). I'd rather be part of the solution than the problem. -
"It's a matter of standing up for what you believe in, not allowing people to bully you, and holding people accountable in a public way so that other people who might do this type of thing in the future will be deterred."
On the internet, you can only be bullied as much as you allow it. Don't visit a site. Turn off comments. Delete email. Don't reply to messages either publicly or privately. Let the aggressive person think they are not getting to you.
"Anyone who knows me well knows that I really do stand up to a fight."
Sometimes it's better to walk away than stand and fight.
"If we all ignore these types of injustices, what does that accomplish? We let the people who are most harmful to our society believe that they can do whatever they want without any consequences. I refuse to be party to that. With all my rebel/San Franciscan heart I will take on any fight I believe in and stand by it to the end."
I don't think that ignoring it will hurt the world--it's going to happen again and again. Even the Meirs' couldn't get a law passed to prosecute people who abuse social networks and there was a death involved.
"What we live with today is the result of our action (or our inaction). I'd rather be part of the solution than the problem."
You can never get the time back that you spend on this. It's better to let it go, go on living and enjoying life, than to dwell on something this petty. I'm sorry this has happened to you, but to be honest, I didn't even know it had happened until you posted about it. How many others knew it had happened before you posted about it? I'd bet not a lot. Giving something like this attention is the worst thing you can do for it. -
"On the internet, you can only be bullied as much as you allow it. Don't visit a site. Turn off comments. Delete email. Don't reply to messages either publicly or privately. Let the aggressive person think they are not getting to you."
In terms of harassment, I agree with you--but defamation is a different ballgame. Online reputation has become a valuable commodity, and is becoming more so as a larger and larger slice of the population becomes reliant on the Internet for communication, research, networking and such. The damage one can do online is just real as damage from making the same kind of comments at a local Rotary Club meeting or some such, and much more far-reaching.
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Jeezus...sorry to hear about this, Melinda...-
Thanks Jay--
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Someone is impersonating me on twitter, too. The PussDaddy that is there is not me, they just took my name and avatar and post over there with it. Twitter doesn't care though, as I reported it and the person is still there. I just ignore them. -
I read the link that crpitt posted, but I am not sure how I am supposed to read this person's profile to see what they have in it if I don't have an account, and I can't make an account if the person is already using my name. I don't want an account in another name, I don't even want a twitter accoutn period. And because I don't I filled out what they said to fill out and got back a generic response form letter that pertained nothing to what my complaint was about. So I just chose to ignore them, as that was the only choice I had left anyway.
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I would be quite wary of making any accusations. There is clearly some underlying deceit going on at the forum, which is the main reason I am scaling down my participation here. This could conceivably be a ploy to single out particular BC members. Not saying it is, but definitely a possibility in light of what goes on here.
I have lightly brushed off an accusation made by another member, suggesting I am the one doing the "impersonating" here. I suggest everyone does the same, and not turn this into another chapter of the never ending Drama LLama book. -
@Harvey: I have lightly brushed off an accusation made by another member, suggesting I am the one doing the "impersonating" here.
I missed that and I can't find it. Can you point it out, please? -
Because my comments were deleted - It appears that Harvey's comment makes it look like someone ACCUSED someone of something.
I just want it known - I have not accused anyone of anything.
There are FACTS and then - there are facts... LOL!
Most of us - who have been following this complete incident realize that there are two sides to every story.
But we also realize that there ARE some behavior issues and some ACTIONS that have been taken tat are ABSOLUTELY omplete and utter BS.
There is no accusation in that.
And I also told Harvey that I like him very much. And he knows it too - LOL!
We don't have to have the same sets of friends to like each other.
However - I was trying to point out - that the actions of a few have been UNACCEPTABLE.
But my posts got deleted - and I'm not sure why - but thats all cool.
Folks - this is absolutely about what is right - and what is wrong.
You don't have to like someone - but to BULLY THEM - then Defame them - and to create Horrid Pictures of them --- and to paste those across the internet - create false accounts and pretend you are them - and act like this: this behavior is STALKING / HARASSMENT and it's CYBER BULLYING at its worst.
And the examples we are seeing - are right there for anyone to witness.
Yanno?
THe fight between parties - none of my business - THAT IS WHAT I'VE BEEN TRYING TO TELL YOU.
I don't care who you like and who you don't like.
But I do care about your actions.
It is one thing to NOT like someone - it is another to go out and murder them.
OK?
I mean - this isn't truly MURDER - but it is WRONG all the same.
Actions speak louder than words sometimes.
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A letter I wrote to Twitter:
twitter.com/TimeThiefBitch
twitter.com/MelindaVile
These two individuals (or quite possibly one) are people from BlogCatalog Forums who are using the identity of 2 BlogCatalog participants in a definite "smear" and Defamation Campaign.
It is a direct rule violation of your TOS - and I personally find it extremely degrading and innapropriate behavior for Twitter to allow such extreme activity once notified.
Please consider removing them from Twitter - as they are impersonating both in parody and NON-PARODY fashion.
I have advised the individuals who are being degraded to consider speaking to attorneys, especially since there has been precedence in the Google open case recently.
Thank you for your time and consideration in removing these types of activities from your social network.
Sincerely, -
And the bastardization of Melindaville - is a Trademark Violation - if you have Copyright.
Just FYI.-
Trademark and copyright are different.
You cannot copyright a title or a name, but you can trademark it. A registered trademark is easier to defend (you can do it in any federal court rather than in the court that has jurisdiction over the defendants). To be recognized as a trademark, however, the notation (TM) needs to be shown after the trademarked name or phrase (unless it is registered, and then the R in a circle needs to be shown). If you do not notify people that your name is trademarked by using one of these devices, then the bastardization is not in violation of IP law...although it could be construed as defamation.
It is my understanding that a key in defamation is malice...I've checked out the Twitter site...I see malice...a lot of it.
I think Melinda should proceed and if the duo is smart, they'll stop digging their own graves with their mouths/fingers.
Melinda...if you are reading this, you might consider taking this to the press...it would be a timely follow up to Ms. Cohen's case (SkanksinNYC) and could even generate some publicity for your memoir!
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Good lord. I feel very out of the loop as i'm not quite clear who we're suggesting did this, but regardless this is about as low as it goes.
I've had some experience with this before as well. Had someone basically usurp a handle I was using and then take great pains to copy/paste segments of conversations I had posted, or to otherwise paraphrase certain topics I'd posted about.
Only they did this on blatantly offensive websites that I had never heard of. Really sick stuff.
Luckily for me, the folks running the sites in question had been suspicious about the individual(s) in question and simply banned them and removed the questionable posts after I contacted them with a complaint.
After that they seem to have moved on to bigger and better things.
I never figured out why they targeted me (I'm not that interesting a person to begin with) - nor could I ascertain their true intent. My guess has always been that it was a defamation that they were hoping would surface years from now with damaging results.
Amazingly, I would've been blissfully unaware had someone close to me not located the instances and alerted me to them. Now? I check regularly for such silliness. -
If it's any consolation, Melinda - they appear to have nobody following them on Twitter (based on the links that WW posted above).
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I just don't like being called a liar, even obliquely, and I object to the suggestion that I don't even exist (which is the case if I am merely an alternate identity of TimeThief's). These disgusting excuses for human beings are maligning me, TimeThief and Melinda...perhaps others as well. I dunno...I didn't read far enough to tell. There is only so much garbage I can tolerate at a time, and these two are just vile.
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Totally understandable. I sympathize with you greatly. Know that none of us who know any of you guys from here on BC would never mistake the real you for the filth being spewed on other sites.
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Unfortunately, Horsie, people who DON'T know us from BC don't know that we are civil, rational, intelligent human beings who would rather drink sewage than spew it this way.
In particular, Melinda has written a book and this can have negative consequences for her with regard to marketing it and even for her sales...potential publishers and buyers have no way of knowing that the filth on those sites are not Melinda's work.
I haven't anything of that magnitude as an issue, I just object on the principle of the thing.
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TWITTER'S RESPONSE TO ME:
## In replies all text above this line is added to the ticket ##
Ticket #550411: Impersonation - Defamation ...
Hi,
Thanks for your email. Impersonation is against the Terms of Service, specifically article 4:
1. You must not abuse, harass, threaten, impersonate or intimidate other Twitter users.
Impersonation is against our terms of service unless it's parody. The standard for defining parody is, "Would a reasonable person be aware that it's a joke." This means that accounts that clearly state they are "fake" in the URL or bio are allowed to exist, as long as it is clear to the public that the account is not the "real" person.
Accounts that intentionally mislead others for harmful purposes are permanently suspended for Terms of Service violations. Funny/parody accounts may be altered to reflect more clearly that they are unaffiliated with the "real" person, but may be allowed to exist.
Impersonation accounts are only removed if Twitter receives a complaint from the person/entity being impersonated, or legal counsel authorized to act on behalf of the person/entity being impersonated.
If you are being impersonated, or are the legal party authorized to act on behalf of someone who is, please let us know:
1. If you are interested in removing an impersonation account and permanently removing the name from Twitter, OR
2. If you are interested in removing an impersonation in order to reclaim your name on Twitter for personal use on a new or existing account.
If you are interested in using Twitter for personal use, please set up a new account with an official email address from the company's domain, with a temporary user name (like username_1) so that we may transfer the user name to your new account with no extra steps.
If you have an existing account that you'd like to use instead of a new account, please provide the user name you'd like us to change, and ensure that the account has an official email address.
If you are interested in removing an infringement but you are not interested in Twitter for business/personal use, please let us know: we will remove the user name from circulation so it doesn't get re-used.
Providing this information will help expedite your request. We do receive many Terms of Service requests and must investigate each one; your patience is appreciated, especially if you've been waiting for awhile. Thanks so much for understanding!
Cheers,
Twitter Support
Note: If you submit a request on Friday after 5pm PST, please note that your request will be reviewed the following week, 3-5 business days from Monday.
This email is a service from Twitter Support
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Melinda - my suggestion is to either use this ticket # or to contact BOTH these addresses with your own complaint:
terms@twitter.com
lawenforcement@twitter.com-
Congratulations on getting a response. Some months back, a woman (or at least, a female name/avatar) I do not know made a series of vile and graphic sexual comments about my 13-year-old daughter on Twitter. I complained to every department w/in Twitter that I could find, and so did several other active users, and none of us ever received a response.
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Sorry to leanr about this Melinda and haven't your imposters got better things to do? Surely twitter will help reveal whoever it is?
Keep on keeping on at twitter....they've got to act to protect you.
Keep me posted,
Jim -
Like I said, twitter doesn't care. If the person over there can say they are me and set up an account, then how do they even know I am me when I say I am me and try to get it removed? I reported mine almost a year ago, and it is still there.
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And of course, like most people, I am a nobody on the internet without a bunch of money and access to my own dream team of lawyers and stuff, and who cares if anyone is impersonating a person who is posing as a fricking cat anyway, no matter how many people know me and know who I am? I hope you have better luck than I do.
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None of these sites really care about anyone and their little internet dramas. They do, aftr all, see this kind of thing all day every day. Yours, and mine, are probably just another internet drama to them. Which is why I just choose to ignore it really.
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It seems to me that the war doesn't only contain itself on BC but other media outlets are being used. Melinda, there are only two ways to look at this: let it affect whatever project you will be launching or you can use it to your advantage. As they say, publicity is still publicity no matter what kind. WW is right. You should get that ticket # use it as a reference, you can do it; and we are cheering behind you. A lot of people have already been driven out of BC because of this. Someone dear to me has left due to this reason as well.
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Hi All,
I want to thank all of the people who have shown me support on this thread. I have also gotten an onslaught of private messages and emails also giving me support--even offering to make statements for me. All I have to do is to look at all the wonderful support from so many of my friends in the forum to realize that most people ARE good and decent.
At this point, I am no longer posting to this thread as I have been advised not to. For those of you who are close to me, I will keep you updated through more private means. -
Have you spoken to Ms Timethief about the whole thing Ms Melinda? May be, somebody is impersonating Ms Timethief, too! -
Melinda
I'm so terribly sorry to hear this. It seems we've both been beset by similar problems...again! I've been stalked on Twitter too: my friends, my past wife, others who are close to me and even my kids. It makes me sick to the stomach. The person doing this has an assumed e-mail address that I know and an assumed identity on twitter.
The allegations that have been made of me are no less than vile. I wanted to speak with you as doubtless as an internet friend you may have heard them too. Well, you know I'm British so I must be related to Bluebeard, that fearful man! It has been alleged that I may be a potential murderer too. Sadly I'm serious. There have been several allegations of this nature and many as bad as that one.
I've just been keeping quiet and hoping they go away. They may or may not but I'm prepared to resort to legal action if necessary. It sinks so much emotional energy...I don't really want to go there.
No need to say more here. You know my email address! You have no need to feel anything other than pride and you have all my support. Does the date this harassment commenced coincide with your post on "cyberpaths"? I wonder...
You take very good care. Don't let the buggers grind you down!
Geoffreyx -
My sympathies - having the same trouble (defamation) over on FaceBook right now - with a whole horde of bloggers and their network of "friends" - from the Philippines.
I was exposing a story about an attempted scam - been going on for two years.
I finally come up with some damning evidence that cannot really be refuted - so the bloggers, who had all come out originally to blow a smokescreen of distraction - pronouncing in a very orchestrated way that my story was a hoax - have now had to change tactics - and are proclaiming me to be a stalker and harrasser on the Internet.
It really is the wild west - lynchmob mentality - and there is so little recourse to redress the balance.
Good luck with your fight. -
I have often thought that there needs to be some kind of online authority - that can become widly known - not having to rely on the protocol of contacting web hosts etc. such a lengthy and frustrating business - but relying on good, honest opinion.
After all - the Internet is about perception - it is a publicity war.
A collection of good people - with honest, reliable credentials - a sort of online jury - that could be summoned in to evaluate each particular complaint.
Could then decide on a verdict of opinion - a balanced and intelligently arrived at view.
If this group started to get really well known, started to become trusted and valued - anyone wearing the badge of this group as a trusted member - anyone recieving a considered opinion from this group - if this group had a central site with reviews, write ups of all cases dealt with or under consideration - for cases just like yours and mine - defamation, injustice caused by the potential for quantity to outweigh quality.
The Internet needs a force, a presence actually Online - that is respected and honoured. -
I wanted to update you for those who are wondering about Twitter being good about deleting accounts.
They responded to our request very quickly--the MelindaVile Twitter account is deleted.
TT--the impersonator of you is still up there so I really urge you to contact Twitter and demand they remove it. They were extremely swift in meeting my request--I was impressed.-
I contacted them yesterday and filed a support ticket immediately after Jason did. I have had a hell of a time getting into BC for the last half hour or so. Something is going on in the background on the site here. Maybe the site is being upgraded or something but it's driving me crazy.
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I had the same trouble with BC to post that to this thread. You will probably hear from Twitter soon.
To let you know, we also requested that the impersonator of you be removed but they told us that the request had to come directly from you. We provided them with links to show who they were impersonating for me (the Melindaville blog). I hope you did the same.
I do believe they will delete it. I sure hope so!
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Both impersonator's twitter accounts are still active. The melindavile one just tweeted 4 minutes ago. I have filed a follow-up to my support ticket. I requested deletion of the impersonator's account yesterday and again today.
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Not only are the both accounts still open, they are actually gloating that they are still up.
Disgusting people. -
I really wish you all the best with this. What these people are doing is absolutely horrible. I am not quite sure how successful you will be though I must admit.
Typically these type of cases are difficult to prove for two reasons: first is that the people who are being accused are the ones doing the defamation. That part you seem to have covered.
Second, you have to prove that were was some kind damage done to you personally. Usually this means financial damage but it can also mean emotional trauma.
However cases that focus mainly on emotional damage usually lose because of the lack of the ability to prove that there was actual damage. You will more in likely be successful in trying to get the accounts closed, but anything farther than that, it is about a 50-50 chance.
Anyway, I hope you are successful in every way here because what is being done to you is vile, disgusting, and inhuman. Good luck with everything and take care! -
There could be thousand melindaville on the intenet. As there are thausand Paris Hilton on the net.
I see no followers with that twitter account, means no one is really reading that. Why waste time and money on those things.
Just write to twitter.-
The point is that someone on BC thinks that bullying behavior is acceptable. It's not.
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It would appear that BC's admin agrees that it is ok as well, since not only have the perps not been sanctioned here, they are being protected and people who speak out against their behaviour...or have the sheer audacity to even suggest who they might be, get their comments removed and even get suspended.
Now watch this comment be deleted... -
"It would appear that BC's admin agrees that it is ok as well,"
Actually we do not and I was the first one to alert Melinda about what was happening.
"since not only have the perps not been sanctioned here, they are being protected and people who speak out against their behaviour...or have the sheer audacity to even suggest who they might be, get their comments removed and even get suspended."
That is because any guess as to the identity is pure speculation and we will not allow you or anyone else to start accusing anyone of doing something wrong based on your opinions.
To suggest that we condone or support this behavior is absurd, unfounded. As I have said to everyone else contacting us about this matter. Show us PROOF of who did it and we will take action...and just because I think some of you are confused about what proof is, I'll clear it up. I don't need links to discussions from months ago, I don't need your own opinions about who is doing what to who. I need solid black and white evidence that a particular person is engaging in something that is either illegal and/or violates our TOS.
I and the rest of the team would be happy to take action on this matter as soon as someone presents clear evidence that someone on this site is behind it. Continuing to create rumors that we support or condone the behavior of the individuals behind this not only undermines your personal credibility, but gets you no further to solving the problem.
Another thing I want to point out is that these trolls are getting just what they want when you start spending all of your time talking about them, guessing at their identity and start attacking the community itself. Everyone always says don't feed the trolls; you guys are providing an 24 hour buffet!
"Now watch this comment be deleted..."
I'd rather leave it up as an example of the type of baseless speculation that fuels rumors and fosters ill will on the site. -
Jay - I don't think that the commentary that BC is protecting the people doing this is senseless at this point.
We have all been talking behind the forum base via emails and shouts and other ways.
See below for my proof. I think - if you realize that the actual picture came FROM Blogcatalog - and YOU have personally KNOWN about this picture - yet - the picture and the poster remains...
Does not leave the argument as Baseless.
It, in fact, fuels to the truth - that it is correct.
I don't want to butt heads with you or even start a war against BC - or ANYTHING like that.
I think what is going on is HORRIBLE.
And I think BC does need to act on it - at this point.
But - like the people who are leaving or have left - BUT TRULY HAVE LOVED BLOGCATALOG - we all feel that we shouldn't have to bring it to this level.
The people involved are still active - have active accounts - we KNOW who they are - and so do you.
If you don't then you've not been keeping up with the forum posts or the letters emailed by several members.
I think - when enough members have provided complaints - that should be a red flag.
When enough members start leaving - that should be another red flag.
I KNOW you are trying to be fair and non-judgmental - but - by your actions and lack of actions - you are indeed being unfair - and very judgmental .
I think it is hard to be in your position.
I also know that what is happening is not good - and not right.
I don't care who it is against or by - the actions of this particular group - both ON BC and off BC have been inexcusable and need to be confronted.
I have given enough proof for you to take action - as the picture was acquired via BlogCatalog.
Downloaded from the BlogCatalog Server - which you can research which IP did so... It may take time - but it could be done.
AND - you can ask COOKINGASSHOLE who the perp is on his site - at significant cost to CA - as in - if he is not willing to assist - then there should be BC ramifications.
Maybe I'm too heavyhanded with my belief of justice - but if you were in TTs and Melinda's shoes - or the other individuals on this forum who have been victims or harassed by these individuals - you would not think it was heavyhanded enough.
I speak my mind - and I'm sorry if you feel that it is against the grain - I'm not a SHEEP member. I am A GOOD member - and I'll RARELY do this.
But I DO stand up for what I believe in - when something is WRONG.
And THIS Jay... This - is VERY VERY VERY Wrong - and should NEVER be allowed to happen TO ANYONE.
Especially not when the perps are USING BlogCATALOG to do this.
And that is how I feel about it.
(I still like you - I just think you should know... And I really don't think I'm the only one who feels this way.)
It's enough Drama - the drama needs to stop.
I'm not standing up for TT - or Melinda (although I would) - this isn't about them - this is about what is acceptable behavior and not acceptable behavior - and behavior that has gone beyond the boundaries of normal acceptable rules. -
zzzzzzzzzzzz...
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Oh and CA - if my comment gets removed - it will make it appear more and more so that you are covering up for someone else's crimes.
Think about it first - ok? -
Thank you, WW...you made my points even better than I did.
Jay, actions speak louder than words and the actions here indicate that only the bullies can speak freely around here anymore...the rest of us have to go to shouts or emails to discuss the problem because if we object to the bully behaviours of certain members, WE get our comments deleted...or even suspended!...while the bullies carry on unmolested.
You realize that these perps, as WW calls them, are also maligning BC and its admins on other venues, right? In one, it was speculated that BC's admin team was accepting bribes from a member. And while most of us would think that is ridiculous, we do have paranoids and conspiracy theorists who could take such a speculation...like the one being spread that I do not exist, I am an alter ego of TT, and that all the stuff about South Africa is a elaborate "transparent" fiction...a swallow it whole as the gospel truth, and then proceed to disseminate it further. Down the road this nasty speculation about the character of the people who run this site...they can be bribed by members to grant favours...may be accepted as truth when, in fact, it is just more of the same nastiness that is victimizing TT, Melinda, StillThinking, and others.
I stand by what I said and TT's expansion of it.
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YAY for TWITTER!
It looks like they have been knocked down.
I hope that they provide the IP and ISP addresses to you or your attorneys. -
YAY for Twitter is right for taking a stand against defamation and cyberbullying!
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Yay! for twitter staff. They delivered. Both impersonator accounts have been deleted twitter.com/MelindaVile
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Well let us hope that they now provide the IPs and ISPs of those that are defaming..
It may require a court order - but one should think that it would not be too difficult to get. -
And for everyone saying "just let it go"...
It is time to take a stand against this kind of action.
If Melindaville can afford it - then why the heck NOT?!!!
UNLESS YOU THINK THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR IS ALRIGHT.-
It's not alright and I think admin at BC should take a public stand against harassment like this.
They don't have to ban people or point fingers. Just make a general statement about how this kind of behavior is unacceptable.
Plus, I think MOST BC members would agree that Melinda is a very popular member who doesn't typically create waves or anger people.
So, having selected Melinda as their target reveals quite a bit about who is responsible for this.
Don't you think? Not that I am pointing fingers or making accusations. After all, that would be wrong. -
i think that we should boycott members who practice said behavior. How do we BLOCK again? -
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Personally - I think that this should ALL be brought out in the open.
EVERYONE knows the "STORY" - except everyone is doing it behind the scenes with emails and shouts.
I don't know why we can't just BRING IT OUT in the open - and say it straight out what the heck is going on.
And who we think is behind it - and WHY we think these people are behind it.
I think OUTING people in PUBLIC is akin to keeping it REAL - and stopping people from doing stuff like this in the future.
I think that this hiding the truth - keeping it behind the scenes - makes it so fake and so "DRAMA-ISH" - this hiding - and worrying about which posts will be deleted and which ones won't... It's silly.
If we were "allowed" to say the TRUTH - people wouldn't be so keen to be doing this kind of stuff ever again.-
I agree that the behavior is repulsive, but I don't know if having a full on, thread smack down is the answer.
I think the answer is that Admin has to make a stand and say that harassment will not be tolerated.
Period. -
I think this is a very bad idea unless you want to present us with some rock solid, it-will-stand-up-in-court type of evidence. I think having a thread full of accusations, rumors and opinions would be very unproductive.
Like I have told many people, many times...provide us with proof that someone is doing something wrong and we will deal with it. the problem is the proof that we get mainly consists of theories and opinions with maybe a fact or two sprinkled in her or there. -
I will even narrow it down to a near date for you - if you'd like.
The person on the NING site - updated their avatar to the current one that is in question (the one that was downloaded from the BC server) on July 13, 2009.
Which means that the picture was downloaded probably in that same general time frame.
I also have made screenshots of the particular website and pictures - AND I REQUEST ANYONE READING THIS TO ALSO GO TO
cookingforassholes.ning.com/profile/LisaNYC
to also get screen shots and maintain them.
As I am explaining - this IS - INDEED PROOF.
And I would appreciate if I weren't the ONLY person with this documented.
Thanks.
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wow, this is the last place I'd expect to hearing things like this happening at.
The strong always survive, well done on getting Twitter to act on at least deleting those bogus accounts.
still loving you all. -
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www.box.net/shared/66s4z8ksj1
www.box.net/shared/prpxzp6mrv
Proof of what I am saying here folks - screengrabs of Jepoy's handywork - I don't care about showing my photograph - with his photoshopping work - very clever - it's worth it - to WARN PEOPLE ABOUT YOU !
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I wrote again and asked them to take mine down. Can someone with a twitter account tell me if this profile states it is a parody like their rules says it should. Maybe that is why they won't take it down. Thanks if you do it for me.
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OOPS! Here is the link. Would anyone look at the profile for me and see if it says it is a parody? Thanks so much.
twitter.com/pussdaddy-
So far as I can see, there's no profile information at all.
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I just don't get it evidently. I reported mine again and got back 2 form letters with a ticket number, but if I click anywhere on the email I get a place to log into twitter, and I don't have a fricking twitter account.
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@ WW
And for everyone saying "just let it go"...
It is time to take a stand against this kind of action.
If Melindaville can afford it - then why the heck NOT?!!!
UNLESS YOU THINK THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR IS ALRIGHT.
This type of idiot move can pop up once a week any where on the web, they can post on any number of forums, communities, open websites devoted to break balls etc. Resources will only go so far.
example: I could open a website devote to flaming WW @ $20.00 a year domain included.
You get a lawyer, depending on the state / country difference the cost varies, so lets say $2.000. So for $200.00 I open 10 web sites, and it'll cost you $20,000 and so on and so depending upon the weasel you're dealing with.
These little munts have no life and sometimes they single us out and latch on like pit bulls. Responding you add strength to lock, if you relax and ease up, they find no challange and look for a another foe.
When I ran a forum, we'd get 3 or 4 a week of these little inbreed mf'ers, the more you fought, the more they found way to irate you.
Believe me, I stand and have stood up to much better than any of these twits, but it very hard when it's an invisible foe.
IP or not, they reroute their lives so they are hard to find.
If you can get a home address, good, go to the house with a video camera bitch slap the little prick and post it on u-tube and then let these morons see what happens when they f' with other people on the net hiding behind their keyboard.-
ROFLMAO - well - OK - but I'm not much good on B*tch Slappin'
Can I hire you?
LMAO!
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Thanks guys!
sigh. -
PussDaddy
I just checked it's still up there
BTW
That PussDaddy Is Irish are You? lol -
I have lots of clothes for Puss and I change them every so often. When they lifted my avatar that was what I was wearing. I know the thing is still up, but the link that crpitt left on the first post of this thread is a link to twitter, and it says that twitter's rules say the impersonation has to say it is a parody in the profile. I cannot see the profile. All I am asking please is for just one person to take maybe 3 minutes and actually read what I have written, and click on the profile for me if they have a twitter account and tell me if the person says it is a parody. That is all I am asking. Thank you.
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See? Now I am using the avatar that person took, the Irish one.
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Oh, so the took your avatar also, didn't know that.
Impersonating a pussy cat in a felony.
I'll sign in now -
Never mind, I'll just ask someone on my blog to do it. It's not like I don't have hundreds of people to choose from. One of them twitters I am sure. Thanks anyway though. :-)
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Thanks.
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The profile is blank, I see noting about it being a parody
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Thank you so much. You can't believe what I have had to go thru just to get one person to do that simple act for me. Now I can tell them that the person has not said it is a parody as their rules state they should and maybe they will take it down. I really appreciate this. If I can ever do a favor or anything for you just let me know. Thanks a lot.
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I can't believe your sense of entitlement. As soon as I saw this thread, I went and looked, but geesh...when you ask strangers for a favor, are you really in a position to keep re-posting and re-posting about how you can't believe no one is jumping to do your bidding?
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I am following your Dog Be Dog blog to pay you back, Rozie. I like dogs too. Thanks a bunch.
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LOL, Thanks, I have to update it, need new pictures 2 had birthdays last month.
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I think I recognize that ArmyWife person who posted on your blog from when I was on Ebay a year or so ago.
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It's good to see the accounts were removed. If they can't behave like humans it would be nice if they were removed from other social sites as well.
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To answer whoever was asking, I have a web page screen shot of the person who is accusing me of being the "impersonator", but I haven't figured out yet how to link to it. Once I linked (above) to that Twitter account, that person unTweeted the message.
My share of Drama Llama-ing for the day. -
I'll never get mine removed evidently. But I am glad they removed some one's at least. All they keep doing is sending me a form email with a ticket number on it that when I click it it says sign into twitter and I don't have a fricking twitter account.
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wow. just wow. this so sucks
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