I was threatened with rape today, NSFW

[BainsBane]

Last edited Tue Sep 2, 2014, 12:04 AM - Edit history (1)

A man online discussed in graphic detail how he planned to violate me and two other women he specifically named. I came home tonight to see not only those threats, but a series of posts reacting to that news in a variety of ways, some supportive, some I consider dismissive of the threat, and others hostile toward me and the other women threatened. Some have suggested if only we didn't read the threats, there would be no problem. They seem to have no understanding that online threats are sometimes acted upon in real life. Some other posters have responded to news of those threats by talking about how much they dislike the women being threatened.

I understand the views I take are not always popular. I am passionate and don't hesitate to speak my mind. What I could not anticipate, however, is that disagreement would lead to the kind of reactions I have seen. I can't imagine responding with anything but horror at hearing of such treatment toward anyone, not only other members of this site but of people I find politically reprehensible, like Michelle Bachmann or Louie Gohmert. No human being deserves to be threatened or degraded.

To those who have been supportive, I thank you for your concerns and empathy. To others, I can only say that I am deeply saddened.

--------

ETA: Since so many people don't have accounts on Discussionist, I'm adding in the text of the comments. They are vulgar, offensive, and graphic, but I think the specific text is important to understanding the situation.

Because of all the suggestions I've had to contact police, I am posting the comments here so that I can get feedback as to whether you all think these are direct enough threats to warrant such a report. I'd appreciate feedback on that particular point.

His profile:
http://www.discussionist.com/?com=profile&uid=100295

Profile information


Real name: Cunt McFuckface
Gender: Female
Hometown: Your Mom's Nigger Pussy
Home country: Your Mom's Wetback asshole
Current location: Up your cunt, fucking spic cunt


About The Doctor

All you fuckfaces can suck on a bag of dicks, choke on the semen, and get your holes stretched into gaping holes, you fucking cunt fuckfaces. Fuck all y'all. You all deserve to be raped in the ass, especially the DU HoFers. Fucking cunts. And I'm still on DU, you fuckfaces. And I'll be back on DI shortly!~

Statistics and Information

Account status: Posting privileges revoked
Member since: Tue May 13, 2014, 04:23 PM
Number of posts: 1,137
Number of posts, last 90 days: 677
Favorite category: Politics, 286 posts in the last 90 days (42% of total posts)
Last post: Sun Aug 31, 2014, 05:31 PM

All you fuckfaces can suck on a bag of dicks, choke on the semen, and get your holes stretched into gaping holes, you fucking cunt fuckfaces. Fuck all y'all.

Transparency page: http://www.discussionist.com/?com=profile&uid=100295&sub=trans

and comment in which he names me and redqueen specifically. http://www.discussionist.com/?com=view_post&forum=1016&pid=36932

24. Those women need a good dicking.
I'm sure if most of the feminazis on the site got fucked by a few dudes with huge cocks, they'd be happy and wouldn't troll anymore.

Hell, I'd do BainesBane and redqueen at the same time. Both of them have nice tits I'd love to cover with my man goo.

[Electric Monk]

1. That's really messed up. Whoever did that should be ashamed of themselves. nt

[hrmjustin]

2. This is disgusting and I am sorry you and others experienced this.

[TDale313]

3. I am so sorry and disgusted by this.

And this shit does need to be taken seriously. It's a violation and an attack, even if there is no intention to physically act on the threats.

I really hope the admins will reconsider adding misogyny to the ToS. I am also disheartened by the response that the real problem was not so much the troll or the system at discussionist or here, but the fact that someone dared to post it here and say we might just have a problem here. Sigh.

[BainsBane]

5. I have a great deal of trouble wrapping my head around that kind of reaction

It is so completely inconsistent with people's views on, for example, transparency in government.

[nomorenomore08]

43. It is completely and utterly unacceptable. We need to make that clear above all else.

Including, perhaps, civil and criminal penalties under anti-stalking laws.

[CrispyQ]

120. I always get lured into supporting DU with the Valentine heart give away, but no more.

I even buy stars for other people, but no more of that, either. I'll deal with the ads before I'll send Skinner any more money.

It's says a lot about our society that a 'progressive' site tolerates misogyny. It's so ingrained in our culture that it is accepted, even here.

[phylny]

125. I'm a monthly donor, and because of this incident, I'm writing to the admins

and asking, as a donor and participant, that this not be tolerated.

[Jim Lane]

180. Per the link in the OP, that poster was banned from Discussionist yesterday. (n/t)

[kcr]

127. I stopped donating, too.

It probably only makes things worse. Instead of taking the hint they start up a site like Discussionist :/

[Wella]

4. Was this here or at another site?

This is just an outrage. Is there a way to report these guys to the police?

[BainsBane]

6. I think only the admins can do that

Since we don't know their real names.

It was on Discussionist, but news of the threats spread here. I was sent a few PMs, people posted them in various threads.

[Wella]

7. So you can't report these guys to the police?

How does that work?

[BainsBane]

8. Well, I don't know

Could I? Which jurisdiction would I report it to? I only know internet names.

[Wella]

12. This is where having the ISP could help

You'd have a location. Is that something a moderator could provide you with? Could you call the police and refer them to the moderators of the site? Maybe a personal attorney could shake the moderator tree until someone came along with an ISP.

[gcomeau]

15. Start local

Contact your own police, the threat was directed at someone in their jurisdiction. Get them to take the necessary steps to identify who and where the person making the threat is, and they can notify and involve whoever has jurisdiction there.

[BainsBane]

16. Okay, thanks

I'll try that.

[OldHippieChick]

153. I absolutely agree w/ gcomeau

You must report this and be assertive. Hopefully you live in a place were the police have a cybercrimes division or at least enough sophistication to take this seriously. It's certainly possible there is federal jurisdiction as well if this was an interstate threat. If the locals don't follow thru, I would definitely consider going to the feds - FBI, in particular or your state bureau of investigation.

[R B Garr]

17. I think you can have their ISP served with a subpoena (I forget if it's another legal form)

and you show cause to have their identity revealed and then you can take legal action from there. That's one reason that I used to say Discussionist was at least good for figuring out the Cave dweller's IP numbers since they're all posting on Discussionst now.

[Go Vols]

29. Admins know the IP's

and should report legitimate threats.

[R B Garr]

40. And that's at least the good thing about having stalkers posting on a related site--

the Admins can identify the individual through IP's or serve their ISP with some type of show cause papers.

You're right about the threat, though. A legal process is different than an immediate and legitimate threat like this.

[tblue37]

76. Maybe take a screen shot in case they try to cover their tracks. nt

[TreasonousBastard]

20. Call your local sex crimes unit...

city, county, whatever. Assuming they are doing their jobs, they should be up on internet threats and how to deal with them. And they should at least care. If Homeland Security can subpoena subscriber lists for imaginary threats, someone should be able to find out who these assholes are.

And contact the admins of the site. More and more sites are getting sick of the problems this bullshit is causing.

Such threats on these forums, even if they may not be real or serious or even possible, are still shocking to open and there's no reason to be subjected to that.

(Who was it said "Don't get mad, get even"?)

[BainsBane]

21. That's a good idea

I like that better than going to my local precinct. Thanks.

[ncjustice80]

95. Wouldnt the sex crimes unit at the police precint???? nt

[CTyankee]

108. I sent you a PM before I read this...

it sort of fits in with my PM to you just now. But this action has taken this to a whole new level, IMO. There has a been a considerable upsurge in discussions here at DU about misogyny lately and, as Discussionist has taken a nasty turn, it is spilling over into DU (with its own history of misogyny). To me, this reeks of desperation.

IMO, since this site and Discussionist are run by the same people, you should contact them first. This is one hell of a development and they need to get on it ASAP!

[CSStrowbridge]

75. Absolutely!

Absolutely! Get the police involved. Put this asshole in jail.

[TDale313]

31. I have no idea of the logistics of this, either

But if it isn't, it should be a punishable offense.

In any event, be safe, and know a lot us here support you and have your back.



Btw, if anyone's looking for other socks, the guy's screen names were Doctor Who related.

[Fawke Em]

207. The authorities can find their real names from this.

Unless the poster used a series of proxy servers and other shielding methods.

Even then, there are ways to find out. The authorities may not delve that deep since it was just a threat and, thankfully, a real rape hasn't occurred, but the information can be procured.

[applegrove]

9. GOP is ginning up a phony war between

men a nd women. They do this to make sure single women, who voted for Obama, do not find a place to discuss issues of the day unmolested. So they feel more apathy and maybe don‘t vote. They do it to alienate men from women. So men will vote for the GOP. A fake war between the sexes works for Republicans in numerous ways. I am surprised that they would stoop to online violence. Actually, when I think about it, I‘m not so surprised. The GOP is the party of psychopaths. I‘m so sorry this happened to you BB. Vibes to you. And don‘t fall for the war.

[musical_soul]

286. Just FYI, this was not a Republican.

"The Doctor" (the guy the OP here says did this) had liberal leaning posts that put down conservatives.

I'm glad that they banned this person for making threats and I'm a proud, conservative leaning person who can't wait to vote Republican in a couple of months.

Just thought I'd let you know everything doesn't come down to left vs. right. Sometimes, it comes down to asshole vs. not an asshole.

[pintobean]

287. "I'm a proud, conservative leaning person who can't wait to vote Republican"

[applegrove]

291. Oh I think there are GOP sockpuppets out there pretending to be liberal.

Otherwise how could they gin up the conflict within the DU as happened this past year. All of a sudden a gender war broke out. I've been on DU for a decade and never seen such a thing. The single women didn't vote for Romney and immediately gender wars break out. A little suspicious to me.

[BainsBane]

292. It would be nice if life were so simple

The fact is you are wrong. These are issues about character and views about women do to how the men were raised. Voting behavior does not explain it.

[applegrove]

300. So you are saying there are no GOP sockpuppets? Sneaking around?

I'd like to be that trusting but I'm not. Sorry. Been through too much in life to not know it.

[BainsBane]

320. I'm saying they are former DUers, Democrats

Vashta Neranda and Galileo Reloaded are both former DUers. Now Galielo may indeed not be a Democrat, but Vashta /The Doctor is, as the content of his posts on subjects other than women and race reveal.

This idea you have that only Republicans are capable of such things is not only false, it's frankly bizarre. There is no evidence to suggest that rates of sexual assault or threats of assault are higher among one political group than another. The fact too many men feel threatened by loss of privilege. What the Doctor did is the sign of a truly unhinged human being, profoundly disturbed, but that is not a function of voting behavior. It is in his psychological make up.

[Cha]

319. ".. who can't wait to vote Republican in a couple of months." Sorry, you're not very

smart then and won't be pushing that republicon claptrap on this board.

".. I'm glad that they banned this person for making threats and I'm a proud, conservative leaning person who can't wait to vote Republican in a couple of months."

[RandySF]

10. Not just disgusting, but criminal as well?

Isn't making a threat online a crime as well as making one in person? If this what he's doing online there's no imaging what he's doing in real life? Send this to your local police. They can surely track down the origin of the message.

[R B Garr]

11. That is very scary to hear. The stalking has really gotten out of hand.

When the game of juries isn't enough to silence you online, they're going to start planning ways to take matters into their own hands? Maybe you could get the ISP provider to identify the individual and have the sheriffs pay him a visit.

I'm so sorry to hear this. You don't deserve this. I would definitely start notifying people around you of this development.

[Vine Gatherer]

13. Discussionist?

Isn't that site related to this one? Either way, this is just plain awful, and you should try every method possible to have authorities track these scumbags down!

Stay safe,
Rex

[BainsBane]

25. Yes and yes.

Thanks.

[freshwest]

63. I know someone for whom the threats turned into a real life nightmare.

I will PM you with how that worked out and some of the solutions.

[Behind the Aegis]

14. That sucks.

The responses which are dismissive are just as problematic in my opinion. You and I have had a few dust-ups, but in no way do I find this acceptable nor funny. Given some of the recent bullshit here, don't be surprised by anything! I know that isn't encouraging, but it is what it is.

There is NO reason for you to back down to that type of shit!

I am really sorry you had to endure this assault.

[BainsBane]

18. Thanks. I appreciate your support.

[Behind the Aegis]

32. I just sent you a PM.

I am sad I had to send it, but I hope it helps.

[ismnotwasm]

19. I'm so sorry BainsBain

What really bothers me is how common this is, and how blithely some dismiss it.
Do they think it's funny?
Do they think the threats are not 'serious'? And fall into the "lighten up" category?
Do they think the threats are 'deserved'?
Do they think women lie about these threats? (MRA's certainly do)
Do they think such threats are 'natural' anger responses?

All of the above? More? Less? I'm having a hard time understanding how anyone could dismiss these kind of threats. And yet, here we are.

[BainsBane]

23. They can't think it's a lie

Since the threats are online for everyone to see.

[ismnotwasm]

34. I suppose that's something

When I read about the many women who have experienced this, on-line, it's usually more removed-- you are someone I interact with frequently which makes it more frightening somehow.

[Behind the Aegis]

35. More common than many think.

The attacks aren't limited to women, and in some cases, can actually materialize into real life situations, which is why I (and others really should) tend to take some of them VERY seriously (DTG and his ilk withstanding).

To answer your questions: Yes, sadly. The one that is usually the one most common: the threats are not 'serious', which falls into "the "lighten up" category".

[YoungDemCA]

42. I think the dismissal of the threats is a way to wash one's hands...

...of the human-rights crisis, social injustice, horrific catastrophe, and all-too common tragedy that is violence against women.

By that, I mean it's a way to wash one's hands of complicity in the broader culture of violence, misogyny, and sexism-the patriarchal set of social and institutional norms often known as "rape culture"-as well as responsibility for putting a stop to the violence, the victim-blaming, and the stigmatization and ostracizing of victims of violence. Not to mention, the ways in which the powerful and privileged in society, more often than not, get away with exploiting their power and privilege.

That's what all of this hand-waving and denial and victim-blaming is all about. It's a way to project the violence of the privileged onto the victims of said violence. The effect: reinforcement of the status quo, the dominant culture, the patriarchy. And since violence-sexual and otherwise-is integral to the patriarchy on multiple levels, one can conclude that sexism, misogyny, rape culture, etc. are not a bug of the patriarchy, but a feature.

To BainsBane: I am so sorry and really, outraged and disgusted by how you have been treated here. Best of luck in taking action to deal with these threats.

[LeftyMom]

22. I am so sorry that happened, and even more sorry that the response was so lacking. nt

[Wella]

27. So rape threats are not taken seriously?

That is really scary.

[littlemissmartypants]

24. ...

Whatever you focus your attention on you strengthen.

[lark]

154. Se we should ignore threats of rape,

Ferguson, Trayvon, etc?

I agree with your statement at some levels, ignoring catcalls during the day usually is sufficient. At other levels, see above, things have gone so wrong that a strong response is necessary lest the actions be deemed acceptable.

[Cleita]

195. Any threat should be reported to the police. They do have

internet crime divisions these days. Most police depts. do. I think though the problems are with the ISPs. They should be required by law to refuse service to any client using their ISP for criminal behavior the first time they do it. Any threats of bodily harm like rape would be considered us a crime.

[chervilant]

184. Really?

I am flummoxed, lmsp. That almost sounds like "victim blaming"! What exactly did you mean by this comment?

[cui bono]

243. And the attention is being focused on dealing with misogyny and threats.

So let's make dealing with it stronger.

You can't be saying let's ignore it. That would be like telling blacks and gays to ignore inequality they face and you can't be saying that.

[AverageJoe90]

26. Sorry to hear of this horrible behavior.

Last edited Mon Sep 1, 2014, 01:59 PM - Edit history (2)

Whoever this fucker is, I hope he gets caught.....rape threats are unacceptable regardless of the motive behind them.



Edit: I had to make the slight edit, because it appears that some were somehow unable to entirely understand what I was saying. For those who may have been genuinely confused, by admittedly slightly imperfect wording, I apologize.

[XemaSab]

65. rape threats are unacceptable regardless of the motivation behind them

Do you even hear what comes out of your mouth?

[JaydenD]

82. WTF do you mean, 'regardless of the motivation'

!!

you do this, don't you. continually, subliminally and just this side of straight out saying it. you will get caught.

[AverageJoe90]

83. Honestly, give me a break, would ya? x(

What I was clearly saying was, it doesn't matter why the threat was made, the fact that it was made in the first place was wrong.

I don't get what was so fucking hard to understand about that.

[ncjustice80]

96. I m confused ???? What did he say wrong???

[WinkyDink]

100. He used the term "motivation" instead of "motive." The former word implies "being GIVEN a reason."

[AverageJoe90]

203. That honestly doesn't make sense to me. However.....

I edited the post, anyway. Just to be safe.

[ncjustice80]

301. They mean the same thing?

My motivation for going to Applebees is becauase I am hungry. My motive for eating the chicken fingers isbecause I am hungry.

[betsuni]

109. Here is a break:

I know you'll enjoy this!

[bettyellen]

269. oh it appears someone has accused you of stalking them, and alerted- LOL

The person who sent the alert wrote: I have this feeling this person is beginning to stalk me. I have expressed nothing but heartfelt sympathy for the OP's plight, and this is what I have to deal with on here? SMH. Some people are just too willing to make things personal. Here's the post this user complained about, btw: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5472573


TBH, If you show up on every single feminist thread to tell women they are wrong, and maybe "just stop" is actually good advice?

[liberalhistorian]

270. Yes, it is, but he doesn't want to hear it.

He generally dismisses women's concerns in a patronizing pat-on-the-head-now-let-the-grownups-talk manner (and he does, indeed, show up on EVERY thread dealing with women's issues to set us straight), but let him perceive even a slight, or non-existent, insult to him or his fellow MRA types and all hell breaks loose. Of course, he's said on more than one of these threads that he's skeptical about "rape culture". Of course, he's also said on at least one of the threads that he's "not a feminist." No fucking shit.

[bettyellen]

333. I know, you'd think that he'd not want to bring up stalking, lest anyone notice something, TBH, odd

going on here.

[R B Garr]

274. Actually he said STOP to CreekDog's post that called him on his perpetual confusion

which I notice he doesn't like to hear himself.

Everything is so confusing. So, so confusing. So misunderstood.

[Veilex]

182. Courtesy of dictionary.com

Motive

Noun
1.
Something that causes a person to act in a certain way, do a certain thing, etc.; incentive.
2.
The goal or object of a person's actions

Motivation
Noun
1.
The act or an instance of motivating, or providing with a reason to act in a certain way
2.
The state or condition of being motivated

3.
Something that motivates; inducement; incentive:
Clearly, the company's long-term motivation is profit.

In this case, the words are his, so it is his intent behind the words that matter… not your interpretation of those words. He has already made his intent clear.

Please stop instigating.

[Starry Messenger]

111. What would be a good motivation for a rape threat?

[AverageJoe90]

198. There isn't. nt.

[yardwork]

134. Why did you say "regardless if the motivation?"

You imply that you sympathize with the motivation. Are you aligning yourself with the person who made the threat? It sounds that way.

[AverageJoe90]

199. "You imply that you sympathize with the motivation." No, I did not.

I hate to be harsh, but could you honestly wake up and smell the coffee?! Please?

[nomorenomore08]

28. OMFG what is wrong with people??? Simple disagreement sends them into a murderous rage

and all the while they complain about other people playing the victim.

[AverageJoe90]

266. The Internet can really suck terribly sometimes.

As many of us might have heard, Anita Sarkeesian, the Feminist Frequency creator, was herself threatened with rape, and murder(!!) over a video she made regarding some of her opinions on issues pertaining to the gaming world. This kind of behavior is just plainly disgusting and I'd like to hope that the guy who did that to her spends a good, long stretch in a 10x10 cell somewhere.

[Quantess]

30. Nobody deserves that kind of ugly threat.

[Warpy]

33. They do this because it works on some women

to remind them how vulnerable they are in a culture that doesn't take this shit seriously.

Somehow, I doubt you are going to take this attempt at intimidation by some dickless. brainless, sackless wonder seriously enough to disappear into a ball of terror.

While you can make an attempt at prosecution, I think your best bet is the FBI since this shit is likely across state lines.

I have refused to venture in to Discussionist because I'm all too aware of this garbage and any site that brings right wing men in to cheer their fellow MRA types on the left on. I had a bellyfull of this crap when I was a referee in a couple of IRC channels.

[steve2470]

36. very sorry to hear this, BainsBane !

I hope the police catch the men involved and that they are prosecuted to the fullest !

[Unknown Beatle]

37. They're trying

to intimidate you. Stay strong and try to find out which city they're from. When they register don't they have to fill out pertinent information?

[BainsBane]

38. No, just a valid email.

Unless the person was a star member here.

[Unknown Beatle]

44. I believe the email

can be traced to point of origin. The threats sound serious enough to warrant a trace by the email company. You should get in touch with the email company detailing your concerns.

[steve2470]

58. in some cases they can trace the email address

I'll await IT people who would know details about this.

[jeff47]

279. It's easiest to trace the IP address from which the post was made.

Email doesn't really prove that this person made that post. The person with that email can claim their account was hacked and someone else wrote it. As a result, it's usually better to use IP address.

IP address is your Internet "phone number". Your ISP gives you one. The ISPs have a range of IP addresses they hand out, and they keep a record of what address was given to what customer. So after the fact the police can come in and subpoena all the records and say "someone from this address made this post" because the number and the time matches.

There are ways around all of this. For example, if your neighbor doesn't bother to encrypt their WiFi, you can post from their IP address. They can post from a prepaid cell phone with a fake address. And there are more complex systems like TOR that can be used to hide identity.

Or even the problem that everyone at one physical address usually has the same IP address. The 13-year-old idiot who thinks threats make him cool will have the same address as everyone else in the house. Proving it was him gets tricky.

[LittleBlue]

39. I support you and think you should call the police

See if your state has any online threat laws.

No one should have to endure those kinds of threats, which should be taken as seriously as a threat delivered in person.

[BainsBane]

41. Thank you

I've gotten some good suggestions I will pursue.

[nomorenomore08]

51. I agree with this post.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

45. ...support to you....

"Lighten up"? That's a really crap attitude, and I'm really sorry you got that (and worse) from supposed progressive people.

Rape threats. What scum.

[yuiyoshida]

46. Hugs Bainsbane

I have heard people tell me they received stuff like that on FaceBook, (Which I don't have) and a few told me about Twitter (Which I do have), and I guess the only thing you can do is report it. I know of one girl who reported such an event to the local police department and was told, well if you can't handle it, stay off Social Media.. a totally WTF moment.. and who ever told her that was messed up.

I don't know what kind of on line authority you can report that kind of thing to..the FBI? But I hope someone can track down people who make those kinds of threats. Its truly terrible to receive something like that.. the worst I ever gotten were some racist comments shot at me ..but those you can send on to moderators and hope they will do something about it. (I don't mean DU moderators, I mean the ones at Twitter.)

Please stay safe

[BainsBane]

49. Thanks, Yuiyoshida

[yuiyoshida]

52. you are welcome

YOU HAVE all OF US going to bat for you!!

[AverageJoe90]

85. Seconding that. Please, BainsBane, do stay safe. nt

[Prophet 451]

47. Are you ok?

I'm sorry that you experienced that.

[BainsBane]

48. Thank you

Yes. I'm okay.

[Boreal]

50. How did the website moderators respond to the threats?

I've never heard of or been on that site but the very first thing they should have done was report the IP address to the ISP of the posters. As mods they have the information and the ISP can track down the individuals from there.

WTF kind of site allows shit like that? Are the posts still there? Was it there or here where people were dismissive? WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE???

Wow, shit like this infuriates me. I'm so sorry you were targeted by these demented creeps. They deserve to be prosecuted AND a baseball bat to the skull. No threat is okay, EVER.

[BainsBane]

53. See this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5471853

[Boreal]

62. Looked at that

and another that said the guy you linked is one of the owners of the site in question. Is that right? If so, why in the hell didn't he immediately report the IP addy to the creep's ISP? So what the posts were hidden? That isn't the point. Yes, their system worked but that doesn't deal with the perverted cretin who made the threat in any way beyond blocking him from posting. He (or, who knows, she) needs to face real life consequences. I'm not sure but I think threats like that may be a crime.

Ultimately, I thought YOU were being chastised for bringing it up! That's bullshit.

[BainsBane]

66. The OP was Boston Bean, not me

but yes, that was my interpretation as well.

[Boreal]

72. If he's one of the owners of that site

he needs to give you ALL of the info he has. IP address of the creep and the ISP and location. He needs to report it and you you need to report it.

That thread is too long to read it right now but did he ever get challenged for acting like the problem was with Boston Bean for bringing it up? If so, what did he say?I find it to be a very bizarre reaction.

I think some asshole like one that threatened you deserves to have his or her life made as difficult as possible.

BTW, aren't threats of bodily harm considered a legal assault?

I'm not thin skinned, at all, and I've hung some sites where anything goes, but threats of rape require payback.

[JaydenD]

135. At the very least the contempt and suspicion could be done without.

I thought that reply from admin was insensitive and just down right nasty.

[Ms. Toad]

236. The response when similar threats have been made on DU

to members of DU, is that they have tried law enforcement in the past and that there is nothing that law enforcement can do.

I don't necessarily believe that is the case - but that has been the response.

[jeff47]

280. It's not so much "can do" as "level of effort required to do".

The police have things they can do. However, doing them takes a lot of effort and involves multiple agencies.

The volume of empty threats is simply enormous, so they don't bother. After all, even SWATting usually triggers no real investigation. They just assume it's an empty threat and ignore it....resulting in the number of threats remaining enormous.

They often won't act unless there's a lengthy pattern of harassment, or a real-world threat.

[JTFrog]

80. Wow.

That is beyond clueless and insensitive.

[laundry_queen]

90. I totally agree.

I want to say more. Just ugh.

[kcr]

130. That explains everything that is wrong with DU

Wow. Just unbelieveable. So disappointing How do you not see what is wrong with what happened?!

[JI7]

54. i'm not surprised at all after hearing which site it came from

i would have been more surprised if it came from freerepublic.

that site is full of banned members from DU . many who have already threatened to rape others.

[zappaman]

55. It's DTG.

Death Threat Guy.
He tries to create multiple accounts here daily.
MIRT gets him quick.
Not sure, but Discussionist seems different and dickheads like him seem to be able to hang out longer before getting caught.

[BainsBane]

56. No, it wasn't.

See Boston Bean's thread in GD.

[zappaman]

69. Not sure which thread you are pointing to.

But I finally got a pm from DTG on my last MIRT go around and the language was very similar...almost exact to the profile of the doctor.
Sorry to hear he came after you.

[Ms. Toad]

239. Nope. Not DTG.

I've been DTG's target a few times - it is not his style.

[Warren DeMontague]

57. That is fucked up and utterly wrong.

Online threats are not protected speech, not by a longshot. I encourage anyone who has threats made against them online to contact law enforcement. It is not a joke.

I am sorry that happened to you, and I agree with your OP 100%.

[BainsBane]

59. Thank you, Warren

I appreciate the support.

[still_one]

60. at a minimum contact the administrator of the site where you saw that online threat. Also, you may

consider reporting it to the police

[Sherman A1]

70. That would be the advice I would offer

It needs to be reported as soon as possible.

[AverageJoe90]

79. Seconding that. This kind of stuff could potentially be life-threatening. nt

[defacto7]

61. That site is a rats nest.

I'd stay out of there.

I'm saddened hearing such violating individuals can pursue these acts anonymously. Be well and comforted that there are those here who despise these acts and will support you to the hilt.

[BainsBane]

64. I wasn't even on there

He wrote it about me. Apparently he's been watching my posts from over there and cultivated some intense anger. Oh, and of course he had an account here after being banned 6 months or so ago.

[gwheezie]

73. That's very creepy

It's setting off alarms for me. I hope you stay safe and take actions to protect yourself. This is not a normal person you're dealing with.

[ancianita]

92. Goddammit, that poster is fucking cowardly.

I think having the police serve a warrant on the ISP is the way to go. This could be across state lines, FBI territory.

Your posts are among the most logical, fair and compelling here. THAT'S why this diddling jackal chose to mark you over there.

Please let us know when the ATA bans him.

[mahina]

67. Mentally ill people,

spiritually ill too. Be well and safe.

[Tobin S.]

258. Mentally ill people are generally not rapists.

[rbrnmw]

71. Call the Police

Make sure it's documented, insist they investigate, trace the person's ip and arrest them.

[rbrnmw]

74. I'm so sorry that happened to you

[Skittles]

77. terribly insecure men, threatened by gals online

absolutely pathetic

[Helen Borg]

78. For what you know....

This person could be living near you. So, I would take this seriously, and so should the police. That said, the details of the context are probably important. Was it out of the blue? What is the motivation for this?

[AverageJoe90]

81. BTW, did you report the bastard?

I normally don't bump OPs in this manner, but I realize this is quite serious.

If I may ask, where exactly did this incident occur?

[XemaSab]

283. Free money!

N/T

[Half-Century Man]

84. Rape is a crime of violence and dominance that uses sex as the weapon.

This scumbag committed a level of rape with his post. By using the threat of violent sexual assault in an attempt to dominate you; I say it qualifies as rape (in the 3d degree?).

Turn him over to the local police, the state police, and the FBI (qualifies as interstate?).

[passiveporcupine]

318. I didn't have a discussionist account, so I just reread this thread

and that message hit me like a hammer slamming me in the head. I wouldn't call it "rape", as it was mental, not physical, or even an actual threat. A threat is potential future abuse or attack...this was very much in the present. It was/is verbal sexual abuse. Any woman who has been sexually abused will recognize it instantly. I'm glad the member has been banned from both sites.

I'm not sure there are any laws against this kind of sexual abuse on the web, but if not, there should be. There certainly are in the workplace. This is like heavy breathers calling you at home, and police will check into that.

[Half-Century Man]

324. It is the planning of a crime. It is premeditation and intent.

To phrase it a different way.
Pick a bank and over the course of time; survey and map out the physical layout, study and keep records of the normal daily activity of the employees, locate and map all surveillance cameras, learn the routines of money pick ups and deposits, write a shopping list of supplies needed for armed robbery, write up a armed robbery scenario with contingency plans, and then contact the bank and inform them you will most certainly rob them.

I would suggest not relying on a public defender.


While you might not be convictable in court, you most certainly would be worthy of an extended police interview or six.

[LeftishBrit]

86. I am so sorry. That person is disgusting, and if possible, should be reported.

[JaydenD]

87. Is admin obligated to report this to the authorities|? I would think so.

It is a crime and should be reported and admin have more details on who this unstable person is. But by the sounds of one admin in another thread, he sounds mad at boston bean more so than at the perpetrator.

[Niceguy1]

98. unless you are a mandatory reporter

, ie working with children, I have never seen a legal requirement to report an alledged crime.

[ProfessorGAC]

88. Pretty Terrible

I don't know where the law is headed, but a threat is a threat and on the internet it's pretty easy to prove.

This sort of issuing of threats might just become punishable. That would stop this sort of punkishness.

[vlyons]

89. report him

If in a forum, report him to the Admin. If in an email, report to your service provider.

[intaglio]

91. I'm another person who "has your back"

As to the "why?" of these sick and petulant threats the reason is probably because these moral cripples have no real answer to your arguments and threats can be made with little or no consequence.

[BainsBane]

99. Thanks, intaglio

I knew you would.

[Tanuki]

102. Someone posted the perpetrator's DU screen name

and from memory I believe he had self-identified as a graduate student in archaeology and had made passing reference to having students of his own (possibly as a teaching assistant). I would think his university would be very concerned about someone in their ranks going around making rape threats and espousing the most vile misogyny on the internet.

[BainsBane]

103. Yes, I remember well

and I remember where he said he lived. I'm only hoping that information was false.

[theHandpuppet]

93. OUTRAGEOUS!!

At some point we -- and the site admins -- must ask ourselves what kind of atmosphere exists on the other forum that would draw these kinds of posters? This misogynic, poisonous climate is spilling over to DU in a torrent of insults, intimidation, and dismissals that have no place on DU. The fact this has escalated to rape threats on the other forum should come as no surprise to many of us.

If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know. This shit has got to stop!!

[Ms. Toad]

240. The same kind of atmosphere that draws them to DU.

In case you are not aware, there are at least two posters who regularly and repeatedly post vile, graphic threats (including rape, death, and dismemberment) on DU.

Because MIRT exists here, they are typically recognized stopped pretty quickly so the general membership rarely sees them, when the get really hyped up and post faster than MIRT (or the auto-removal software) can remove their droppings.

[Depaysement]

94. This may be a federal felony

Several federal circuit courts have applied the statute to threatening emails. It doesn't matter if he really intended to follow through with his threat. If the poster can be identified he can be prosecuted.

The FBI has jurisdiction over these cases.

[JustAnotherGen]

97. I'm sorry BB

. it doesn't help - but I got teary eyed reading this, Boston Beans thread -

Makes me wonder about "The Company" I keep.

[seaglass]

101. I'm sorry this happened to you BainsBane - clearly rq had it right. n/t

[brer cat]

104. I am so sorry BainsBane.

This is beyond disgusting, and I hope the admins are going to help identify the person(s) involved.

[chrisa]

105. Skinner already knows The Doctor's IP. You can contact him and then launch a complaint to TD's ISP.

You can also get the complaint and hand it over to the police.

Even if no laws are broken, you might be able to get his internet service terminated.

[chervilant]

106. Let me guess what kind of response you'll get

if you try to report this:

**** Crickets ****

(Please, don't leave because of this! I need and appreciate your activism!)

[boston bean]

107. Leadership begins at the top.

These persons feel emboldened because the leadership/owners of this website do not set the tone when it comes to misogyny and sexism.

They allow these persons to feel more free with their views. With refusals to at the very least listen to concerns.

These creeps are allowed to stage stalking grounds out in the open in threads at discussionist (a site the admins of this site own) against feminists here on this site.

We need some leadership that this shit is NOT acceptable and stop blaming the people who are the target of this.

I'm sure the response I received last night from the admin did more to embolden this behavior than anything I did. Because in essence, I was the one who got the blame for pointing it out. And they got cover about how not bad this all really is.

[greatlaurel]

113. Well said.

This forum has been under an intense attack for some months. If the admin does not come down very hard on these perpetrators, they stand to loose their business. IMO, some of these attacks on female members are politically motivated to ruin a progressive forum. Some of the people making these threats are just creepy criminals. Either way it is ruining their forum business.

Blaming the victims does not solve the crisis. Admin needs to smell some coffee and wake the heck up.

[R B Garr]

185. It's almost like the jury system has made the obsessive types more bloodthirsty

They get a hands-on way to immediately harm you even by simply having a post hidden and that just makes them escalate that hands-on experience even more. Look at the cadre of outright stalkers that show up bothering the same people over and over with comments barely skirting rationality/civility/sanity/reasonableness. My eyes roll out of my head so much reading the downright taunting of people and it's all set up to detract and distract, not add, to the substance to any discussion.

It really gets old seeing the same people attacked like this

[JTFrog]

190. Complicity.

And we're talking a possible federal offense. Their perception that it's the victim's fault is so fucking representative of what we have been fighting about here for years now.

It's pathetic and it's UNACCEPTABLE. They better be spending some time writing their mending fences post and amending their TOS. If not, well.... I guess we can take EarlG's response as an indication that this place has sold out the very principles it was created for.

[sufrommich]

110. I think it's important to note that vile attacks against DU feminists

have been happening at Discussionist since it's inception and some of the worst attacks have come from past and present DUers. I also thinks it's important to note that the admins seem far more angry at BostonBean for exposing the rape threat against Bain and Redqueen here than the fact that the rape threat was a last straw in a long and abusive tirade against feminists from the mental midgets over there.
That being said,I have your back Bain and shame on everyone involved in that cretinous hate fest.

[boston bean]

112. Yeah, many seem to wash over the fact that many of them have accounts here.

And they use that place as a staging ground to stalk and harass feminists OUT IN THE OPEN.

My god, something can be done about that here! Listen to what the people who are having this done to them are saying, and DO SOMETHING.

Be a bit more vigilant. Lead and let persons know it is not something that will be accepted here. A few words from admin can change the tide around here. But no, we get more denial and dismissals that it's happening to us and are blamed for speaking of it.

[Starry Messenger]

114. I'm very sorry BainsBane

I hope the admins cooperate in aiding legal remedy. The response so far makes me feel that they don't realize that their website is being used to commit crimes against women.

[madokie]

115. The threat of rape is wrong

No matter what your views are concerning anything at all. It is time we all band together and put a stop to this kind of bullshit. Whether it be a threat of rape or jail for black people just because they are black. I'm a white dude so I'm not sure I can fully comprehend what must be going through your mind concerning this threat. I've never been threatened by rape, getting my ass kicked maybe but never raped.

[stevenleser]

116. Sorry this happened to you BainsBane. I hope you have them prosecuted

[MuseRider]

117. I just saw this.

I can't read the thread now but will be back in a while and read it all.

I just wanted to tell you that if there was anything at all I could do I would be there and do it in a minute. I don't post a lot anymore but I do read and I appreciate you (and others) more than you would ever know.

This has to stop. I am so sorry.

[HipChick]

118. Call the Police...I was once threated in a similar manner

The police have a cyber division,and were able to track IP's

[Harmony Blue]

119. Yes when it reaches that point you have to notify the

law enforcement authorities.

[Phentex]

121. I agree. This is beyond stupid trollism...

this has gone too far.

[riderinthestorm]

126. + 10000 nt

[oldhippie]

122. I can't imagine ....

I came home tonight to see not only those threats, but a series of posts reacting to that news in a variety of ways, some supportive, some I consider dismissive of the threat, and others hostile toward me and the other women threatened.

... why anyone would feel hostile to you.

[boston bean]

128. "I can't imagine... why anyone would feel hostile to you" is your response.....

[JaydenD]

139. sick!

[oldhippie]

141. You didn't like ....

... my statement? Do you have enough intellect to explain why?

[JTFrog]

192. Yea, it was a fucking shit statement.

Nobody deserves rape threats. That was a fucked up thing to imply. We know your history with that poster, and while you may have pulled the wool over the jury's eyes with that bullshit, WE KNOW YOU.

[oldhippie]

223. Where exactly, did I ....

... imply any such thing? The inference seems to be totally in your head.

And, no, you really don't know me.

[JTFrog]

226. Uh huh.

Nice try.

[oldhippie]

229. I didn't think so.

No words.

[JTFrog]

260. You can pretend all you want.

I can't imagine why I don't believe you.

[LanternWaste]

338. It may be that more than a few people merely give zero credibility to your sincerity or truthfulness

It may be that more than a few people merely give zero credibility to your sincerity or truthfulness after having read various responses of yours in other threads dealing with women's issues and contrasting them against this one.

(that's regardless of whether I have the intellect to explain... as I most certainly don't)

[cyberswede]

218. Huh...you can't imagine it, but you can demonstrate it

Congratulations.

[oldhippie]

224. How so?

What did I say or do that demonstrates it? And what was "it"?

[cyberswede]

361. I guess you could ask Skinner...oh wait...

MIR Team (Skinner) banned oldhippie

Reason:
Troll

http://www.democraticunderground.com?com=profile&uid=151708&sub=trans

Real name:
DU Member for: 9 years, 11 months, 15 days
Posts: 3,249
Recommendations: 29
Star member: Yes

[JTFrog]

261. No fucking shit.

And the playing coy shit afterwards is ridiculous.

[99Forever]

123. Ugly stuff and completely beyond wrong.

Do as many have suggested and report this.

[CrispyQ]

124. I don't even know what to say, BB.

I shake my head that any man would threaten a woman with rape just because he disagrees with her views. How manly. Not.

I hope the admins do something, but I won't hold my breath.

[AverageJoe90]

262. Men like that are an embarrassment to all of humanity, IMHO.

And yes, the admins NEED to act on this. I know they have a tough job, but this is some truly serious shit right here.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

129. Baines, I am sorry that happened to you. No one should be threatened with bodily harm

either verbally or, through the written word.

Somehow, our current laws dealing with communicating threats via the snail mail or the phone lines need to updated to include via the internet.

I must admit I am ignorant about this subject.

Does anyone have any information in this regard?

Thanks.

On edit = I posted before I read the thread (oops, my bad). I have now read it and understand that you do have some legal recourse. I hope you pursue it to the fullest extent of the law. This type of behavior is inexcusable.

Also, I want to extend my apologies to the other women involved and hope that they too, seek legal redress.

[ellie]

131. Was this on DU?

[PDJane]

132. I would take this seriously, yes..........

These trolls are doing things like forcing women out of their own homes. That was someone who dared to criticize the gamer culture.

Please don't let it turn you into a ball of nerves, and do keep posting. Among other things, I would like to know you are all right. I would report it to the FBI, and to the Admins. It is long past time for action if your words can make him threaten to harm you. That's a really unstable mind.

I care about you.....

[TBF]

133. Contact your local police to file an initial report -

I would take screen shots of all of this for evidence & demand the isp numbers from the site owners. They may well be away for the weekend but I would demand that they deal with this tomorrow.

If they choose not to respond or deal with it there must be a way to escalate this. Hopefully others who are internet savvy will chime in (or pm you) with steps to take.

This is intolerable.

No more donations for DU until this is dealt with. As a socialist I am not in the mainstream here. You need a supporter who is mainstream and well-liked to do a post in GD asking that all who support you chime in - and promising to withhold donations until this problem is satisfactorily dealt with.

[malthaussen]

136. Yes, I'd say that qualifies as totally over the line.

No one should have to be faced with such an attack, and no one should get away with perpetrating it. The person who did this is either a coward, or mentally ill. If the former, he should be heaped with scorn; if the latter, encouraged to seek the treatment he so obviously requires.

-- Mal

[Gormy Cuss]

137. Agree with others. Make a formal complaint to the admin.

Threats of rape (or other violence for that matter) are not something we should be expected to tolerate. Ever.

I'm sorry that you and the others were threatened.

[BainsBane]

147. I wrote EarlG last night

after reading his response in Boston's thread and before posting this OP. I urged him to think about the seriousness of the matter in terms of the potential of the person's acting on those threats.

[justiceischeap]

138. For BainsBane and the Admins

I know tons of folks have been sending you information but I thought I'd post this here as well so others know how serious this is:

Use of the internet to threaten “the person of another” constitutes a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 875 ( interstate communication of threat to injure) If it is communicated interstate, federal jurisdiction is created.

Please see the statute at the following link:

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/875.html

To constitute "a communication containing a threat" under Section 875(c), a communication must be such that a reasonable person (1) would take the statement as a serious expression of an intention to inflict bodily harm (the mens rea), and (2) would perceive such expression as being communicated to effect some change or achieve some goal through intimidation (the actus reus). A message is a "threat" if a reasonable recipient would tend to believe that the originator of the message was serious about his words and intended to effect the violence or other harm forewarned, regardless of the speaker's actual motive for issuing the communication.

Any person who willfully threatens to commit a crime which will result in death or great bodily injury to another person with the specific intent that the statement made verbally in writing or by means of an electronic communication device is to be taken as a threat even if there is no intent of actually carrying it out which on its face and under the circumstances in which it is made is so unequivocal unconditional immediate and specific as to convey to the person threatened a gravity of purpose and an immediate prospect of execution of the threat and thereby causes that person reasonably to be in sustained fear for his or her own safety or for his or her immediate family's safety.

It is not necessary for the victim to actually be placed in fear of imminent serious bodily injury or for the accused to have the capability or the intention to actually carry out the threat. The offense is completed if the accused, by his threat, sought as a desired reaction, to place a person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury.

http://answers.uslegal.com/criminal/16784/

What TD did IS a crime and the fact that the Admins insist that his being banned is sufficient is, IMO, criminal in and of itself. They should be willingly and proactively working with BB to make sure this person is handled in a legal manner... not just under "community standards." EarlG, Skinner and Elad may not take this seriously and see it as trolling internet behavior but, I'll repeat, THIS IS A CRIME and they're letting the perpetrator get away with it by not being proactive.

If the Admins won't post a policy to try and curb this behavior, the least they can do is reach out to LEO's and have this investigated. 'Cause let me tell you this much, if this happened to me and, goodness forbid, the Internet situation turned into a real life situation, I'd sue this site for everything they had for turning a blind eye--I may not win but I'd make them understand financially how egregious they've been with their lack of attention to this matter. And if that statement gets me banned, so be it. When EarlG commented the way he did to Boston Bean and basically blamed her for giving the guy more attention, my blood boiled. If this was happening to one of their female family members on a constant basis, I think their attitude (or at least I hope their attitudes) would be different.

[JaydenD]

140. ...' the Admins insist that his being banned is sufficient is, IMO, criminal in and of itself. '

Dam straight!

I couldn't believe how they reacted to A Crime!, for gawd's sake. And ended up sounding like it was bb's fault for causing a stir. jezzuzzz cripes. fucking sick shit, I am so mad, so mad.

[BainsBane]

144. Would you mind looking at these posts

to see if you think the threat is direct enough to meet that legal threshold?

His profile:
http://www.discussionist.com/?com=profile&uid=100295

Transparency page: http://www.discussionist.com/?com=profile&uid=100295&sub=trans

and comment in which he names me and redqueen specifically. http://www.discussionist.com/?com=view_post&forum=1016&pid=36932

[justiceischeap]

175. I'm in no way associated with the legal trade

so take what I say with a grain or ten of salt but I don't know that that comment would be seen (by law enforcement) as a rape threat.

The closest that comes to a rape threat is in his profile where he specifically talks about rape. I think the police would see his comment directed towards you and redqueen as "bragging" about how hot you two are--sad but true. That said, maybe combined with his profile and that comment, someone may take action.

I would still try and talk to either his email provider (or yours if he sent direct communication to you) and report it. It never hurts to have this kind of thing on file for sick fuckers like him. I mean, how often do we hear about someone raping someone that has done things just like this but no one reported it?

I also think the fact that he got banned for creating a sock and not for saying what he said is disgusting. If after all this time Skinner et al. don't know that certain feminists on DU are targets because of their views, then they have their heads stuck in the sand on this issue.

[NYC_SKP]

142. This is beyond sad. If it's Discussionist, then Skinner, et al., need to own this.

They have access to the account information and IP addresses used by all members for all posts and PMs, and bear a responsibility for bearing witness and assisting with any investigation that might come of this.

There has to be a law against making threats online, I don't know, this is so messed up.

I didn't realize it had gotten so bad over there.

[CaptainTruth]

143. NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!

I hope you're able to report them to authorities & action is taken against them. Threats like that are a crime & they should be held accountable.

[marym625]

145. I'm not exactly new to DU

Last edited Mon Sep 1, 2014, 05:00 PM - Edit history (1)

But I am not a constant reader/poster. I seem to have missed any of this. Any of this particular horror or the misogynistic posts I have seen discussion about.

An online threat is still a threat. People who run social media sites should not be held responsible for everything posted. But they damn well should be responsible for reporting threats to the proper authorities. Minimally be helpful when it is reported.

I am disgusted to learn this is happening. I am so sorry you have been subjected to such vile behavior.

You should contact your local authorities. If you get nowhere, contact the FBI. I believe they have a division that addresses just this type of threat.

My thoughts are with you, BainsBane

[mythology]

146. That is utterly pathetic on their part

As others have said, I would recommend that these sort of threats be dealt with in a legal fashion. While they are probably not a threat they intend to follow through on, it should not be taken lightly as they might and it's still illegal.

No one should be threatened with that, much less over differing viewpoints.

[lark]

148. Disgusting and sickening

especially on DU, where one would expect a little more enlightenment.

You certainly have a right to state your opinions here or really anywhere without this kind of BS happening.

[kmlisle]

149. Baines, I am sorry you have been threatened with violence which is what rape consists of

Here is an excerpt from the DOJ website on Internet threats including the federal statues involved:

A very important tool in our effort to combat stalking and threats via the internet is 18 U.S.C. § 875(c) which makes it a federal crime, punishable by up to five years in prison and $250,000 fine, to transmit any communication in interstate or foreign commerce containing a threat to injure the person of another. Section 875(c) prohibits the actual transmission of a threat, which is defined "objectively" as a statement which a reasonable person would understand as threatening bodily injury.

Consistent with judicial construction given to other federal threat statutes, § 875(c) applies only to "true threats" which are not protected by the First Amendment. This requirement was established by Watts v. United States, 394 U.S. 705 (1969) (per curiam), which held that a threat statute "must be interpreted with the commands of the First Amendment clearly in mind," and therefore be construed only to reach a "true threat" and not "constitutionally protected speech." Such protected speech includes "political hyperbole" or "vehement," "caustic," or "unpleasantly sharp attacks" that fall short of true threats.

[BainsBane]

165. Could you look at the edited OP

With the links to the comments to see if you think they constitute true legal threats?

[kmlisle]

299. I am not a lawyer - just looked up the statutes

But you are right about the necessity of looking at how they would be interpreted by a legal professional. Good luck with this!

[stage left]

150. Horrible!

I'm so, so sorry, BainsBane.

[classykaren]

151. OMG

Were did this happen at. ?

[kickitup]

152. And now they have started a thread making fun of this thread . . .

dismissing the threat and bemoaning how "Feminists have been trying to expand the definition of 'rape' for years."

[boston bean]

156. I was just banned from over there....

and my post actually removed.....

for writing this in response to the OP:

fuck off you misogynist piece of shit.

you're lower than cow dung hanging off the bottom of some horses hoof.

http://www.discussionist.com/101637280

Not very nice, I will agree, but I barely participated over there, and reading that made my blood boil. I guess I'm not allowed to feel that or write about it.

I didn't have 5 hiddens, I wasn't flagged for review..... that was my first post in months. I didn't have a sock, I wasn't spamming.

I guess you don't need have an account for spamming or sock to get banned from there. And my post was actually removed. While the rape threats are still available for all to see..... on someone's transparency page....

I am really the one in the wrong here, I suppose..... oh well...... what happens will happen, I suppose.

ETA

I guess my profile states the reason that I was a sock puppet over there. Well, admin if the tools in your tool box show I am a sock puppet of anyone, you got some seriously flawed tools. I NEVER HAD A SOCKPUPPET at discussionist and NEVER had one here.

My god......

[sufrommich]

171. Wow, so much for the "we only ban sockpuppets" rule.

Apparently they made a special exception for you.

[boston bean]

173. They said I was a sock puppet as the reason.

May the goddess strike me dead while I make this post, I did not have a sock puppet at discussionist. I barely participated. If they are using tools that show I was a sock puppet of two other people I've never heard of, they shouldn't be trusting their tools to find the ones who really are socks.

[Bjorn Against]

176. That is bullshit that you got banned from the site while the misogynists are given a pass

That OP and most of the comments below it are disgusting yet the OP attacking people who just received rape threats is allowed to stand, while you are banned from the site. I am sickened by the way the administrators are handling this.

[boston bean]

177. They say I was a sock, I had name removed and my post gone from the record...

I was not a sock....

[boston bean]

183. funny thing is... the posters they say I am a sock of

there is no record of them ever over at discussionist.... I can't find one post they have made.

However, mine still show....

I don't know why this would be the case...

[BainsBane]

232. I found no records of those members either

Doing both the Google enabled search and the advanced search. That does seem odd, particularly since the PRR message says the sock was to circumvent suspension. That means one of those names would have had to have a posting history.

[boston bean]

233. Really, really weird!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

193. I do not understand the logic behind that move. The reasoning is unsound.

That was not rational. It was unjustified. I hope they rethink their actions and retract.

[boston bean]

213. i did send them an email. we'll see.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

214. It could all be handled so easily. It needs to de-esculate and quickly. I wish Admin would be

ProActive and join with Fark and other sites who are recognizing the problem and dealing with it forthrightly with dignity and grace.

There should be no need to involve lawyers or police by any member.

The Admin should consult their lawyers and accountants and make some amendments to their CS and ToS.

It really isn't that hard to make the wording unambiguous and attain a No Tolerance policy for a lot of this ....

bullshit.

[Gormy Cuss]

238. And speaking of Fark,

this was the alert on my first hidden post:

This poster is just what she is calling others-- a disruptive troll---accusing others of trolling and having as a sig line "Fark DU's TOS. Please." That's hurtful, rude, insensitive and hateful

Oh, I did accuse the poster of trolling, no argument with that as being uncivil. But using my sig line to advocate for the DU TOS to be changed to Fark's is hurtful, rude, insensitive and hateful?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

244. I bet I know who sent that alert. N/t

[CreekDog]

217. In the Montgomery bus strike of 1963, would they just say both sides' incivility...

...caused a disruption of bus service?

Oh and they would add the statement, "MLK Jr called people racists and thus his words were hidden, the jury system works, black people should not call things racist".

Meanwhile white people who call things racist are never chided by Admins.

Oh wait did I mix up the present and the past? How could that happen?

[geek tragedy]

248. Looks like retaliation against a whistleblower.

Funny how admins there zapped you in 1/10,000th the time interval it took to get rid of the rape threatener.

[boston bean]

249. It was truly, just minutes, I didn't even get notice of a hide.

[geek tragedy]

250. At least you know you have their attention. nt

[boston bean]

251. I sort of thought that myself. But I can't prove anything.

and I don't want to be making any allegations.

But after what happened last evening.... my mind is imagining all sorts of things.

[cui bono]

252. Well, you know they had to say "sockpuppet" since that's the most offensive thing to them

and the only reason they will ban anyone.

No more money from me, that's for sure.

The admins are operating on a neanderthal level when it comes to respecting women at this . Just like major league sports where smoking weed is a greater offense than knocking out your gf and dragging her out of an elevator.

[Number23]

303. Fuck this. Fuck all of this

[BainsBane]

157. someone sent that to me

"The internet isn't real life." How many times have people acting on threats on the internet? Many, many times.
In some cases internet bullying has led to suicide. I'm not a teenager. No pathetic loser like Discussionists' the Doctor or Galileo is going to shake my sense of self, but to argue it's not real life and no harm is ridiculous.

[sheshe2]

155. That is just plain ugly.

I am so sorry BainsBane. Please stay safe.

[avebury]

158. If the Administrators (as well as "owners") of Discussionist don't

shut down this type of behavior then they may become legally liable should anything happen to you or anyone else that has been threatened with bodily harm on that board. They need to be cooperating with legal authorities in investigating any complaints that are filed.

Failure of the people behind Discussionist to take prompt action in dealing with members who threaten other members with bodily harm will also taint DU as I believe that both boards are owned by the same people.

[BainsBane]

160. That thought about liability did occur to me, yes

[avebury]

174. Particularly if it has been brought to their attention.

I emailed each of the admins and the main email address. I also liked the post which cites the DOJ information on internet threats which I took and created its own thread on Discussionist. I doubt that anybody behind Discussionist could come close to claiming ignornance of the issue.

[JTFrog]

194. At this point it is my opinion that anyone who caters to an atmosphere of hate and

threats should be held responsible. They can either shut that shit down or remain complicit.

[pintobean]

206. You're plotting against the admins

on their own site?

[JTFrog]

208. Plotting?

You're delusional. I want accountability.

I've seen a lot of folks here demand that FOX, the Republicans and Limbaugh type media figures take responsibility for enabling and fostering an atmosphere and environment of hate. Why shouldn't we expect it here?

[avebury]

225. I agree with that.

Failure to be held accountable makes them no better then those on the other side.

[msanthrope]

326. Who do you think should be held accountable for a banned troll who went 28-0 on 4 juries? nt

[nomorenomore08]

327. I think the idea is that the atmosphere over there made him comfortable enough

to make such vile comments. This didn't come out of nowhere.

[msanthrope]

328. Well, Death Threat Guy and Library Girl feel comfotable enough here to keep plugging away at it.

Should we blame the DU atmosphere, or realize there are always those who will pee in the pool.

[nomorenomore08]

329. Just that there's been a persistent pattern of insults and veiled threats directed at "feminazis"

over at Discussionist. Obviously not everyone there is a raging misogynist, but way too many seem more or less okay with that sort of thing.

[pintobean]

337. He did it here first.

Did the atmosphere here made him comfortable enough to make such vile comments?

[boston bean]

340. Yes. it did, imho.

[pintobean]

342. I wasn't asking you. I know what you think.

You and your group have been attacking admin over stuff like this for at least a couple of years.

[boston bean]

344. Asking admin, and pointing out where things are wrong

and the inaction of them to acknowledge concerns, are not attacking them.

It is speaking the truth.

[pintobean]

346. lol. okay

[nomorenomore08]

356. DU does tend to permit more reactionary views on gender than a progressive website should.

Allegedly "radical" feminist views tend to get more pushback, oftentimes, than right-wing-ish anti-feminist stuff.

So yeah, in a way, that's exactly what happened here.

[pintobean]

357. Well, when it did happen here

at least one of the "allegedly radical feminists" tried to use the incident as a club to beat anyone who dared to disagree with her on anything, trying to tie good DUers to that despicable asshole.

[nomorenomore08]

358. Exactly what was the "disagreement" about? I'd have to know that before I can judge. n/t

[pintobean]

359. Anything. Everything.

Nothing related to the incident. It was just an attempt to put a person's character in question for not condemning that incident. Most people didn't even know it had happened.

[nomorenomore08]

360. Fair enough.

There's simple disagreement, and then there's "disagreement" RE: basic progressive ideas. Two different things IMO.

But that's really another discussion for another thread.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

256. +1 This.

But we need to have "more conversation". Or something.

[randys1]

159. I wont speak about discussionist, dont want to get in trouble with admins and mods and unfair juries

Make sure the police take it very seriously.

Unfortunately many of the people who make that place so dangerous are here on this site as well, pretending to be liberals or Dems and going after real liberals all the time.

[BainsBane]

161. Did you read my edited OP with the actual comments?

Do you think those are direct enough to constitute legal threats?

[randys1]

166. Not sure, i clicked the links and saw the profile of the criminal but not the comments you reported

to the police, or did I...

sorry....

it is hidden, i cant read it, can i??

[BainsBane]

167. You should be able to read them

Do the links not work? I haven't yet contacted the police.

[randys1]

168. This is what i see

http://www.discussionist.com/?com=view_post&forum=1016&pid=36932


where are the comments?

ok wait, let me look

i see a lot of one liners but nothing like what you said, so the post is hidden and we cant see it

[BainsBane]

170. Do you not have an account there?

I'll post it here and I hope a jury understands why.

This was the first comment I saw. It mentions my name. In itself it does not constitute a threat. Combined with the profile, however, I do see it as threatening. The rest of his hides are of a similar nature. One mentions Seabeyond but the rest don't mention any specific women.

24. Those women need a good dicking.

I'm sure if most of the feminazis on the site got fucked by a few dudes with huge cocks, they'd be happy and wouldn't troll anymore.

Hell, I'd do BainesBane and redqueen at the same time. Both of them have nice tits I'd love to cover with my man goo.

[randys1]

275. I do have acct, i may be confused as to how to use these sites, am I able to see a post that

is hidden? It is hidden, right?

But yes, what was posted was terrible and I dont know whether the law will care or not but surely you need to report it

[albino65]

162. Online violence is no different than in-person violence

It's meant to demean and degrade you. The crap that came out of his mouth started in his brain. Who knows what will happen if those thoughts come to him when he's out walking around. I joined Discussionist yesterday just to see what all this was about. I'll never log in there again. The posts are vile and so filled with hate that no one should have to read them.

This guy can be found. I doubt if he uses TOR to mask his trail. We all leave breadcrumbs on the internet. It just takes persistence to find them. Call the authorities and get corroboration from others who were so threatened. Good luck. I enjoy your posts.

[Gothmog]

163. These threats are really stupid and wrong

The idiots who made these threats are real idiots and jerks. The internet is getting nuts.

[Nye Bevan]

164. Call the police.

Let them determine whether to track down and prosecute this person. If they do, it will send a very valuable message about this sort of behavior.

[Ms. Toad]

169. First, report them to the admins on the site where the threats occurred.

If you do not believe the response from the admins is adequate, then file a report with the appropriate law enforcement authorities. You can start here: http://www.fbi.gov/report-threats-and-crime, or here: http://www.haltabuse.org/help/question.shtml

[JTFrog]

200. We have a public response here on this forum. It was woefully inadequate.

And horribly handled.

But yes, I'm hoping that there was also a report made at disscussionist and with authorities.

[Ms. Toad]

209. But THIS forum is not where the threats were made.

And, frankly, the response is pretty much the same that has been given for years to members of DU who have complained about misogyny - including explicit rape threats - on DU: Misogyny is being handled by the jury system, our hands are tied as to the threats, and we can't keep trolls out - but we can ban them once they are identified.

The first is a joke, and I'm not convinced as to the second since the admins have access to IP addresses. As to the third - that is correct for new trolls and trolls who use multiple IP addresses, and some innovations have been employed on both sites to pre-emptively ban repeat dumb trolls.

Bottom line - people who are calling for the destruction of the discussionist board because of how these rape threats were handled should also be calling for the destruction of DU, for the same reasons.

[JTFrog]

212. I agree that it should be reported where the threats were made.

What makes you think it wasn't? Are you trying to say that this shouldn't be discussed here? Keep those rape threats in the closet?

Bottom line, the jury system is a joke. And admin's response was a joke.

[Ms. Toad]

215. I am saying the rape threats made by an individual should not be used

to attack discussionist.

The conversation is different in this thread (which is asking for advice about how to respond to threats by an individual). The first two threads were attacks on discussionist because of the vile actions of individuals, actions discussionist handled exactly the same way identical or worse actions on DU have been handled for years (posts hidden - or removed - depending on post count, and the member banned - and no follow-up with law enforcement).

[JTFrog]

216. Are you kidding me?

Do you think this is one individual? An isolated instance? It happened in a bubble?

And the response by admin here (who are the same admin there) was fucking pathetic.

[Ms. Toad]

219. The admin's response is identical to responses I've received here.

on matters of misogyny, including violent death, rape, and dismemberment threats.

It is no more the work of one individual, an isolated incident, or happening in a bubble there, than it is here. So if you are insisting the discussionist needs to be shut down because misogyny is systemic and you believe the admins response was inadequate, I look forward to seeing you calling to shut down DU soon.

[JTFrog]

220. Well you've probably seen me call for a solution to the problem here.

If that solution means shutting it down because their hands are tied so tightly that it's impossible to have anything other than a hateful and threatening environment (especially at a time when we see folks like fark stepping up and taking action), then maybe it should be shut down.

[Ms. Toad]

228. As long you are making the same demands

I'm a lot less critical.

What has been bugging me is using individual trash on discussionst (to which the community and admins responded with condemnation) to trash a forum, when there have worse things posted here by DTG (with the same community and admins response) - and no one called for DU to be shut down because DTG managed to post his screed or send it in an e-mail to someone on DU.

[Kali]

172. what a pitiful juvenile boy he must be

and I can't help seeing one particular person over there who was always so friendly with him, even linking back to a post of yours for him. that person is also a troll or at least comes across as a juvenile that lacks self-control and judgement.

As for your question - I doubt the authorities can or will do much, but if you want to take the time and the inevitable fall-out it might be worth it to start having these kinds of internet assaults reported. If google and the NSA knows everything about us, eventually these kinds of assholes are going to start getting caught and punished.

[steve2470]

178. I feel very bad for you, BB, that you have to endure this

As a man, I have absolutely no idea what you're going through. It must be horrible, sincerely.

I do hope you get justice and that you feel supported by all of us. We do care. once again


Steve

[heaven05]

179. the poster you are discussing

is truly reprehensible. Just be always aware of your surroundings. I don't mean paranoid, I mean vigilant. So that's why redqueen left. on edit: and yes please take the advice of so many here and don't stop reporting this type of behavior to admin, local police, state police, feds and their cyber units that track down these types of cretins. Make many reports about this very incident. Bring scrutiny to the perpetrator(s). This type of behavior, not acceptable. I went to Discussionist Man!!!! It is a lot worse than when I left it a few months back. Not a place for the sane or decent. Very open misogynists( per your threats) and racists with their "I'm a victim, not black people" cohorts. Free speech is one thing, that site let's people obliterate the line between dissent and decency.

[treestar]

181. looks like racism in part of his portfolio too nt

[Jim Lane]

186. In addition to going to law enforcement, you have the option of civil action.

I don't know how seriously the police or the FBI take incidents like this. You don't have to rely on them if you bring a civil action, but it may be more trouble than it's worth.

I'm not licensed outside New York but I'd guess most other states are pretty similar.

You start with the information that the admins have about the poster. Several posts on this thread are full of venom toward the admins for not providing this, though I see no evidence that they've denied such a request. Let's assume for the moment that they provide you with the poster's email address. That tells you the ISP.

In New York, you could then bring a proceeding against the ISP for pre-action discovery. This isn't an attempt to hold the ISP liable. Instead, you're asking a judge to order the ISP to disclose to you the poster's name and all information that would help you find him. A couple years ago, a judge ordered Google to provide this information when someone wanted to bring an action for defamation or trade libel or some such against a pseudonymous poster.

Once you have that information, you can publicize it. If, for example, the guy really is a grad student at some respectable university, getting the word out there would cause him a world of hurt.

You also have the option of suing him for damages. The advantage is that you don't need to rely on law enforcement to do anything and you don't need to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt (just a preponderance of the evidence). The disadvantage is that you have to hire a lawyer. You'd like to get a lawyer to take it on a contingency fee (you pay something like one-third of the money collected, pay nothing if you get nothing), but that might well be difficult. Even a win in the case probably isn't going to produce a huge judgment. (I'm just making a SWAG here about what a jury would award -- it would of course depend on the jurisdiction.) That would be an obstacle to finding a contingent-fee lawyer. Maybe someone would take it pro bono.

In (what I see as) the unlikely event that the DU admins refuse to cooperate, I guess you could bring two proceedings. You ask that DU be compelled to provide the email address, and then another proceeding to ask that the ISP be compelled to provide the contact information. I've never heard of this being done but it seems logical and there might be precedent.

I don't practice criminal law so I can't opine about whether this post violated the federal statute that others have cited, or whether, even if it did, the case would be pursued. There is such a thing as prosecutorial discretion, and not every crime results in an indictment. I wouldn't be surprised if some prosecutor said that it was probably a violation but there are too many more serious things to handle and we're going to let this one slide. That's why the option of civil action occurred to me.

Good luck!

[Boudica the Lyoness]

221. This isn't as easy as it sounds.

"You also have the option of suing him for damages. The advantage is that you don't need to rely on law enforcement to do anything and you don't need to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt (just a preponderance of the evidence). The disadvantage is that you have to hire a lawyer. You'd like to get a lawyer to take it on a contingency fee (you pay something like one-third of the money collected, pay nothing if you get nothing), but that might well be difficult. Even a win in the case probably isn't going to produce a huge judgment. (I'm just making a SWAG here about what a jury would award -- it would of course depend on the jurisdiction.) That would be an obstacle to finding a contingent-fee lawyer. Maybe someone would take it pro bono".

In my state you have to be able to prove damages. All I see that could be done is a restraining order, but the parties involved don't know each others real names or addresses.

Generally lawyers don't take on these kinds of case, pro bono, unless there is a big payout to be had.

[Jim Lane]

235. I wasn't trying to make it sound easy.

That's why I said that it might be more trouble than it was worth.

I disagree with you on this point:

Generally lawyers don't take on these kinds of case, pro bono, unless there is a big payout to be had.

If there's a good prospect of a big payout, someone will probably take the case on contingency, not pro bono. Such a lawyer would ask three questions: Can we get a verdict holding this defendant liable? How much in damages will be awarded? Can this defendant (or an insurance company) pay that award?

Lawyers who work on contingency are used to taking risks. You put in a lot of time and effort, and even your own money, and you end up with a defense verdict and one-third of nothing. You have to assess the risks and rewards and be selective.

A lawyer who's taking a case pro bono, on the other hand, will take it even though the answers to those three questions don't add up to justify the investment of resources.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

259. Lawyers who work on contingency are used to taking risks......

calculated risks.

Not only do you have to prove damages, but you have to go after someone with money.

That's the first thing one of these lawyers wants to know. How much money do they have?

[Ms. Toad]

245. There is also the issue of personal jurisdiction,

which is a challenge in internet cases, unless you happen to live in the same jurisdiction as the offender.

[Rex]

187. Wow, that poster looks to be completely unhinged. How does a man build up that much hate

for women? Sick, that poster needs to seek professional help. Good for you calling the cops, nobody should be treated that way BB. You have my sympathies.

[Cleita]

189. Classic internet troll. I used to partake in a chat room with

women writers and every now and then one would find their way into our chats spewing all kinds of women hating obscenities. Although the Administrators and moderators of those rooms did their best to screen out the trolls some would get in. Since Discussionist is a new website I think it will be bombarded for a while until everyone of them is sent packing. Early DU had the same problems. Too bad I didn't save some of the messages and photos sent to my inbox back then. You would cringe.

[Rex]

234. I've never seen anyone that full of hatred, his profile is disturbing.

I remember a lot of trolls on DU1 and DU2, but I don't remember ever seeing any that full of hate toward women. I believe you, I bet they all ran off and started CC.

[Cleita]

188. I'm sorry this frightened you, but the person has been

banned and he will move on to another message board until he finds himself with many lawsuits and in trouble with the law. Now take a breath and be happy that he's not ever going to threaten anyone else on DU or Discussionist.
.

[JTFrog]

257. How in the hell can you guarantee that?

Especially when the admins say they have no control over their own website.

The reason for the poster's ban on Discussionist: yes, it for was creating a sock, and that's because there are pretty much only two ways to get perma-banned from Discussionist: spamming, or creating a sock. Other than that, the membership decides who can and can't post there via the Jury system.

Trying to wash their hands of responsibility will probably come back and bite them in the ass. As well it should.

[Iggo]

191. Your playground, Skinner. Your rules.

[Warren Stupidity]

196. I just stopped going there.

For a while it was mildly entertaining, but really there is no discussion with rightwing shitheads, there is just shitheadery. I came to DU to avoid that crap.

[Iggo]

202. I went there once when it was fairly new, saw what it was, and knew it wasn't for me.

Came back here, put Discussionist on my trash word list, and never looked back.

Easy to see it was going to go bad. But I didn't think they'd let it get this bad.

But hey, it's all about the clicks, I guess.

[aikoaiko]

197. That's wrong on many levels. I'm sorry you have to endure that and other comments.

We often disagree, but I stand with you to say that attempts to humiliate or frighten you are wrong and possible criminal.

[BainsBane]

227. Thank you. I appreciate your support on this.

[thucythucy]

201. I am so sorry this happened.

This abuse is unacceptable, and has to stop.

No one should have to put up with this.

[BainsBane]

230. Thank you, thucythucy

[rocktivity]

204. You should definitely bring this to the Discussionist Admin's attention

Last edited Mon Sep 1, 2014, 03:46 PM - Edit history (1)

This has happened to me twice: I simply forwarded the email to the webmaster of both my email host and the emailer's. Never heard from either of them again.


rocktivity

[JTFrog]

211. Oh it was brought up to the Discussionist Admin's attention.

And one of them replied to it here. He appeared to get pissed that what was going on over there was being revealed and discussed over here. He used some really poor judgement and attacked the victims.

[liberalhistorian]

272. And yet what goes on over here on DU

is constantly being brought up in threads over there and I don't see the same level of admin anger and condemnation over that. Half of Discussionist appears to be talk about what's happening on DU. Talk about a double standard.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

277. I noticed that, too.

Interesting, no?

[savannah43]

205. That behaviour comes from knowing you're a man but also knowing that you're an inferior one.

[smirkymonkey]

295. Exactly. I can't imagine how it feels to despise yourself that much.

It's why he's so filled with hatred toward women. I'm so sorry this has happened to you BB. I hope that some action against trolls like this will FINALLY be taken. Thank you for speaking out.

[shireen]

210. sickening

How did the police respond? Is there anyway to track down those creeps?

I'm so sorry to hear you and redqueen have to be subjected to such horrible threats. Please take care, and know you have a lot of people supporting you.

[Sunlei]

222. Take online threats seriously. contact your local police. contact the board admin & have them,

contact his ISP. The ISP will remove their service from him.

If he's posting from work the isp wil forward the threats to his work. This person is not anonymous, the board admin has his ip address. I hope you've done this already. Most important thing is please, take online threats seriously.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

231. Several years ago I did a big expose on an republican congress turd.

Shortly afterwards I received very credible death threat. He had his voice changed and revealed to me that he knew some private information about me. He let me know, he knew where and when to find me.

I really let this fucker have it on the phone and he wasn't expecting that, lol.

Anyway, before my hands/legs went numb, I managed to call 911 and they sent a squad car out to me. I was alone at my manufacturing building on an industrial park at the time. There was no one within screaming distance and I felt very vulnerable.

It took 50 mins for the copper to arrive and he had a bit of a laugh about what I told this potential killer. I also told the cop I should have told the wanna be killer, after he said he was going to kill me, to 'get in line'. lol.

My caller went into detail about my killing. I stayed on the line giving it right back to him and even asking to "repeat that last bit again". lol Believe me I was scared shitless but I didn't want him to know that.

I dealt with it with humor, like I do most things, but the best thing for me was carrying a pistol for months afterwards. I had no permit and so I called the local marshal and he thought it was a splendid idea that I was packing....one of the advantages of living in a very red area.

Because I was alone when I got to my business, I'd unlatch the door to the warehouse area, kick the door open and go in with my gun in a Charlies Angel pose, all the time shouting for the fucker to come out so I could plug him. Oh how I would laugh and boy did it make me feel better.

Just my way of dealing with shit.

Anyway my point is that the police don't/can't do anything, except take a statement. I was hoping they would put three of their best detectives on it.

[William769]

237. Kick & recommended to keep this visible.

[LadyHawkAZ]

241. I'm very sorry that you were subjected to that

and I hope you have taken the advice of others in this thread, and reported this person to the authorities.

I also sincerely hope that you now understand why bigotry and harassing statements made offsite really do matter.

Please keep us all informed of how your case is proceeding. Be well.

[BainsBane]

242. Thank you, LadyHawk

Much appreciated.

I just want to make clear I do not engage in bigoted speech or harassment from any site, lest people get the wrong impression.

[H2O Man]

246. This makes me sick.

That anyone would do that -- no matter how they attempt to justify it in their own diseased mind -- makes me angry. And I really don't care who they say it to: I'd be equally outraged, no matter if the target was someone on this forum that I don't like. It's just absolutely wrong.

[gollygee]

247. Hugs

I hope the police are able to do something. Sometimes laws haven't caught up with technology.

[Jack Rabbit]

253. I signed up, just to check this out and will probably not go back there.

(Unless it's to find out who is using the name "Jack Rabbit&quot

I'd be pretty upset if somebody said something like that to me, too. If I were a woman, I'd be even more upset. I hope you're coping OK.

I suppose the first thing I would ask myself contemplating a police report is do you believe this person knows anything about you beyond your tagname and the fact you are a woman. My gut feeling is that's the creep is just trying to get your goat and that that is all he can do to you.

[JaydenD]

254. Please, please talk to the law about this Bains.

This guy's mind is rotted and he is a danger to you and who knows how many others.

[one_voice]

255. There really isn't a word strong enough...

to express my disgust with this. I know we have had our differences but I would never sit by and not speak up on something like this.

No one deserves this. Being a message board does not make it any less traumatic.

I do hope you contact the proper authorities and that something is done about this.

It's my understanding that things like this are being taken seriously.

Good luck with it.

[BainsBane]

263. Thank you, one_voice

I appreciate your support and respect your willingness to put aside personal differences to speak out against what you know is wrong.

[Triana]

264. I get logon screens (don't have account there & don't want one) and

whatever comment it made (which I've no doubt was threatening and abusive) seems to have been rightly hidden. (?) (or so it says there).

I hope you got screen shots of it. Maybe a lawyer (or police) can issue an order for the site admins to reveal the poster's identity (to them) so that they can go after the creature in a legal capacity.

If the thing is faced with a legal or courtroom battle it will likely pull in its horns.

[BainsBane]

317. I updated the OP to include two of the comments

since so many don't have Discussionist accounts.

[janlyn]

267. OMFG!!

That is one sick and twisted individual! !! You have every right to be worried!! How many times we hear people say " he made threats, but none of us believed he would do it" And as one poster suggested start with your local police.

[jimlup]

268. Is there any chance of legal action?

Not to over step but at a certain point a threat becomes illegal and is not protected by "freedom of speech"

I was physically threatened online. Fortunately, the site administrator was able to ban the guy. The scary part was that he was able to figure out my address and place of work. It was alarming. I cover my tracks more carefully these days because of this.

Come to think of it - maybe I should change my online name here as it is a bit too close to my real name. That was the main way he figured out my personal information.

[bigtonka]

271. so sorry

this is wrong, wrong, wrong. Do whatever is necessary to be safe, including filing a report.

[IrishAyes]

273. How awful. I'm glad to see you're receiving so much

excellent advice, to which I have nothing to add except use a vpn so hackers can't locate you as easily. I think Flickr prevents people locating you through your pictures via google.

[bravenak]

276. That is nasty.

I'm glad you called the police. I've noticed that they have a thing for you. I find it creepy and scary.

[BainsBane]

290. and Galileo continues to fan the flames

encouraging people there to go after DU feminists, and there are no negative consequences for his doing so.

[derby378]

278. I'm truly sorry

No adequate words. Only sorrow.

[BainsBane]

281. Thank you

Everyone's support means a great deal to me, especially when in other threads I'm told that I and the rest of HOF are more disruptive than those making threats.

[gordianot]

282. This does warrant an immediate report to police or what ever authorities you can find.

I also suggest a good self defense class that first emphasizes escape and situational awareness. My daughter took an excellent class. As a last resort she has her kubotan and or heavy steel ink pen.

[BainsBane]

284. Can you explain what those last two are?

I'm assembling the screen shots and about to go to police once I have them all.

[JaydenD]

285. We are behind you in support when you make that visit.

Best of luck and I hope they take this more seriously than here.

[gordianot]

288. Kubotan is a small blunt stick that fits into the palm of your hand.

It has been around for a number of years you use it as a non lethal force multiplier hitting rapidly on specific pressure points. One hit to the jaw or throat will put most assailants down quickly. They are legal in the United States but not Great Britain. Easy to learn to use. You cannot carry them on planes. You can carry an ink pen on a plane it does the same thing. Take a good self defense class worth the money. Police will know what a kubotan does many police have been trained in the use of a kubotan.

[BainsBane]

289. Thank you, I'll look into that. nt

[Jamaal510]

293. Two comments:

1. Was this by any chance a kindergartener who gained access to The Doctor's account? This person lists his hometown as "Your Mom's Nigger Pussy" and his country as "your Mom's Wetback asshole", and his real name as "Cunt McFuckface". How does he even know how to operate a computer?

2. In that comment of his that got hidden, I wonder how he knows what you and redqueen look like, anyway. That was an all around creepy comment, and I also have a pretty good suspicion from his usage of the word "feminazis" who his favorite radio host might be.

[Texasgal]

296. he added that shit AFTER

his posts were hidden. FYI.

[BainsBane]

297. Well

I know how he knows what I look like, but I won't disclose that publicly for safety reasons. As for Redqueen, I have no idea. I've never seen a picture of her myself.

[davidpdx]

294. I agree that it is vile for someone to do that and I'm sorry they threatened you

I have never been over to the Discussionist and won't click on a link as a matter of principle. I can't really help you on what to do, but I would say go with your gut instinct on what you think is best for yourself.

[LeftyMom]

298. Have you had any further follow-up from the admins?

Based on the tone of the earlier posts I'm guessing no, but I'm hoping against hope that they realized that this is their problem and they need to fix it.

[BainsBane]

302. no

Other than Boston Bean being banned from discussionist, no. Galileo continues to post OPs urging retributIon against HOF members.

[Number23]

305. Fuck all of this. This is just so ludicrous I can't even type straight.

I haven't donated to DU in years for this very reason. When a black poster was told BY THE ADMINS that calling something racist was worse than somebody actually doing something racist I knew this place was lost forever.

Burn it to the ground and salt the earth in its stead. DU is just another place run by white men that don't get it and don't feel even the tiniest obligation to do so.

[BainsBane]

306. The thing is

a lot of white men here do get it. Why others don't, I find incomprehensible.

[Number23]

307. Yes, alot of white men do get it. But they aren't the ones running this joint

And now simpletons are in other threads leading the charge against the ones calling all of this garbage (rightfully) out.

[BainsBane]

309. Yes, and that is what prompted this OP

I was a bit stunned by some of the reaction. When I alerting on someone and they referred to me as "clutching at pearls" that was when I felt I had to speak out.

[Number23]

322. Again, not surprising. When the admins had it brought to their attention that GD had lots of crap

hosts more concerned with settling scores than doing their mindlessly fucking easy jobs of determining whether an OP was appropriate for this forum or not, they made a decision. Several non-GD hosts (but hosts nonetheless) made the admins aware by bringing the issue up in GD, in the hosts forum and even in ATA.

The decision the admins made was not to get rid of the shit hosts mind you, but to remove all non-GD hosts ability to see inside of the hosts forum so that they could no longer see how biased some of the GD hosts were being towards posters here.

Problem solved.

[BainsBane]

323. and

they banned one of the hosts who made the issue public from hosting for life. The other had posts hidden that disclosed that info and got a forced leave as a result.

Did you see the comments in Boston's Bean's thread?

[bettyellen]

335. Ouch, they banned someone from hosting for life?

Seriously? It could be me for all I know. Yet I am sure a lot of hosts who gossiped about the posters themselves instead of evaluating the posts are sitting pretty now. Just WOW.

[BainsBane]

336. No. They would have told you

I guess I thought you knew about it.

[kcr]

339. I've noticed the trend of remove the transparency that shows the flaws of DU3

Instead of improving anything. They've shown they can learn and improve in the past when other issues have come up. I wish they'd do the same thing regarding the sexism and misogyny on DU.

[bettyellen]

348. Yeah, disappointing to see the anger expressed at bringing the Discussionist issues here-

when it is DUers targeted for being DUers. I don't think they get how very fucked up that is, and that blowing off concerns contributes to this kind of shit. Not thrilled myself by all of this.

[boston bean]

349. There is 100X the threads over there discussing DU.

Acting like the misogynists assholes they really are. Targeting feminists here.

But but but but I post one that is so beyond the pale to prove what a shit hole that place is and how it serves as a launching pad to disrupt this place, and well well well.... that just can't happen. Admin will set you straight!

[bettyellen]

354. I think it is clear their business model is incompatible w/ oversight - it doesn't include any

way to effectively keep any sort of standards intact. the mods and juries are random, and the standards just devolve lower and lower because the example Admins set now is inaction. I feel like they had a great idea, but in practice it's not working out so great, and they are angry at anyone that tells them this.

[MrMickeysMom]

304. Good Grocking Gawd, BB...

I haven't been to the Discussionist for a while, and now I R E A L L Y have no desire to go back.

Yeap, this is bad. I don't have internet comparatives except the time one jerk stalked me here in the dungeon, but I CERTAINLY can empathize. There are people in this world who have no power and when their realization of it builds up, they lash on the first persons they think should be blamed for it… Their mommies didn't hug them enough… they were rejected by a love interest. It really doesn't matter, because this stuff has to stop.

I don't lurk or participate in HoF, but I have respect for evolution. Sometimes, I just try to convince myself since I don't fucking know if behavior is an aberration experienced in how humans evolve. It has to get so foul before it's acknowledged as a REAL problem.

It is.

Best,
MMM

[flvegan]

308. Just seeing this now, I find this reprehensible.

One, that some shit on another site (that honestly, I can't be bothered with) would allegedly say such a thing. I clicked your links and all I get are "Join Now!" pages and something about The Doctor having something deleted.

Two, that someone that makes suggestions about raping you or redqueen or anyone, who puts someone in a situation where they have genuine fear of that, deserves what might be coming to them.

Three, that this allegedly happened on a site that's directly (somehow) linked to DU. It would seem to me, that if the mods there allowed this to happen, then that place is little more than a gyre on the internet, a collection of garbage that somehow gathered together. Were it mine, I'd stop paying for the bandwidth.

[BainsBane]

310. I agree with all that.

Thank you for your support.

I edited the OP to include two sets of comments.

[flvegan]

311. Wow. That's a special kind of stupid, that one.

[Jasana]

312. This is utterly disgusting...

I haven't been around for awhile and I should have donated for my star a couple of months ago. This site will get no donations from me unless they put a stop to this kind of behavior. Full stop. Deletion of the thread. Banning of the posters and hint: that does not mean Boston Bean. WTF is wrong with the admim who did that? Last; full cooperation with Bain regarding any info she may need to file a report with the police. End of line.

[BainsBane]

316. I appreciate your strong position on this issue

and I do believe it is the sort of thing that is needed for the good of all of us who wish to voice our views without being subject to violent threats.

[Jasana]

350. Bain... I posted comment below...

on the "Leave the Disscussionist alone" thread. You are not alone...

It's happening too much. It's an epidemic.

Perhaps you all are not aware of what has gone on in just this past week alone. Anita Sarkeesian was sent rape and death threats so specific that she had to leave her home. Her crime? A video critiquing violence against women in video games. Round 1 Link: http://www.motherjones.com/media/2014/05/pop-culture-anita-sarkeesian-video-games-sexism-tropes-online-harassement-feminist

Round 2 Link: http://www.businessinsider.com/game-industry-critic-faces-rape-threats-2014-8

And Zoe Quinn's crime was breaking up with a boyfriend. Ergo, rape/death threats, revenge porn and calls to her parents. Link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/22/gaming-misogyny-gets-infinite-lives-zoe-quinn-virtual-rape-and-sexism.html

The entire gaming community is up in arms and is now making a pushback. THIS WILL NO LONGER BE TOLERATED.

It has been so bad for so long that this man devotes an entire blog to tracking it. Link: http://wehuntedthemammoth.com. It is a high traffic blog. Dig through some of the entries... if you can without vominting. Better yet, visit some of the manboobz sites and read it yourself.

No. We will never clean up the entire internet but I'll be damned if I'll let these bastards soil anything I'm involved with.

(Repeat: I don't advocate shutting the forum down. Just cleaning it up.)

[lovemydog]

313. I am so sorry BainsBane.

This is absolutely unacceptable.

I truly hope we can all improve this situation.

It is not tolerable that this happen to anyone.

[lpbk2713]

314. Clowns like this are really lacking in common intelligence.

The thing I never understand about people like this is why do they not mind showing the world how remarkably stupid they are? I'm so sorry you have to deal with this sort of idiocy.

[WCLinolVir]

315. Wow, that is so ugly and violent. And unacceptable.

I am sorry you had that happen. Wish I could have responded to him.

[Cha]

321. I'm so sorry you had to be exposed to this vicious idiotic ugliness, BB~

I looked up NSFW and yeah, that's a good idea to tag it.

[Threedifferentones]

325. Reading this makes me angry enough to hit something...

or even someONE if only we could track down this fucking bully and turn the tables on him!!

[LeftyMom]

330. I hate to jump to the obvious conclusion, but he's clearly anxious about having a tiny cock

Anybody who uses the word "gaping" that much has some size concerns he's trying to hide.

So I don't know if it's any comfort today, but when this all settles down you'll still be awesome and he'll still be a loser with rage issues who needs a pair of tweezers to masturbate.

[historylovr]

331. I was so mad last night when I read this.

Hope you're okay and the police will look into it.

[BainsBane]

332. I'm fine, historylovr

I appreciate your concern.

[Xyzse]

334. I am sorry you have to deal with this.

I am not sure if I will always agree with you, but I do not condone harassment such as this.

[leftyladyfrommo]

341. This sounds like kids to me.

Kids trying to think up the worst things they can. Maybe 12 or 13 year olds?

Really, it's pretty pathetic stuff.

[TDale313]

351. Well, he's been trolling here and Discussionist for years,

So presumably he's a bit older than that. But I would also assume fairly young.

[cwydro]

352. Me too.

And they were no doubt gratified to have their filth now out on DU.

[BainsBane]

353. These kinds of comments are pervasive online

Most are from adults.

[leftyladyfrommo]

362. I guess I've been lucky enough to miss this stuff.

I guess their are people who just get off on being horrible.

I've had people be terribly rude on DU but I've never had anyone come at me like this. Are you supposed to notify some law enforcement agency if someone is harassing you in such an obvious and obscene way?

These guys are real sickos if they have been doing this for years. Someone needs to bring the hammer down on them.

[steve2470]

343. have you heard anything from the authorities yet ? nt

[KamaAina]

345. How is that shite allowed?

Even on Disgustingist?

[hifiguy]

347. Sickening and repulsive.

Hope there is some way that this piece of human sewage can be tracked down and arrested.

No one should ever have to be subjected to crap like this. Ever.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

355. Some frat boy's parent's college money is being well spent, I see.

I'm sorry you had to be exposed to that. FWIW , I think it's someone who thinks feminist-baiting is hilarious, as opposed to someone making a bona fide threat. That said, I wouldn't blame you for calling the law.

I'm really sorry for that poster's mother. She get's kissed with that sewer mouth.

[leftyladyfrommo]

363. Red Queen and BainsBane would finish that guy off

in about a second and a half. There would be nothing left of him to even carry off.

What a total idiot.