Maybe threatened...

[ree]

I have a website that's got some games on it and I recently started posting about some of my H2 project. A person who had been frequenting the site to play one of the games noted this and sent me the following message via the contact form on the website.

i've been playing yatzree off and on since you first began your site or at
least since the mid-90's. Now I find that you think a Hummer is a good
vehicle. I regret to say that I am deleting your web site from my
favorites as it is clear that you are a typical greedy selfish, self
absorbed american who will ruin the earth for your own pleasure.
I hope you're a christian, waiting for the rapture, and that it comes soon
and takes you off this precious earth that you view as your personal toy.

Next thing you'll be shopping for your family in the 3rd world.

I acknowledge that Yatzree is has been a service to those of us who have
numbed our minds playing in low moments, but it hardly makes up for
irresponsible behavior.

"p"

Note the last sentence of the first paragraph (which I italicized)!

I've removed the email and name that was included. Since it's not an email directly from that person, I don't have a log of the SMTP hops for the message back to the individual. But I have the IP address which traces back to a Verizon DSL pool in DC area. The email address provided in the contact corresponds to an individual who was politically active last year in the Democratic party who lives in a town consistent with the Verizon ISP service. And so it seems that the person may have provided her real address and may not just be trying to impersonate the named individual.

What would you do?

(a) Ignore it
(b) Report the incident to Verizon as a violation of their fair use policy "(r) to use the Service or the Internet in a manner intended to threaten, harass, intimidate;" and hope that Verizon at least slaps their wrist or even cancels their service
(c) something more (but legal!)

And let's be reasonable here. Not irrational or vicious.

I'm strongly leaning toward (a). I have a family and would hate it if this person turned out to have bite to back up the bark and actually tried to do something in retaliation. It's really not that big a deal UNLESS this person is a already super whack job and is already researching me and not just venting. I take basic precautions to protect my privacy, but unless you live in a cave and especially once you post anything online, a determined person can find out everything about you via social engineering and public record.

I'm all for free speech and can accept criticism just fine. But when people, particularly those who feel they should be part of the political process, start strongly wishing you dead for as stupid a reason as liking HUMMERs, it makes you feel like they should be held accountable somehow.

[KenP]

PM me the name and address.

[DRTYFN]

Originally Posted by KenP

PM me the name and address.

Yesssssss.... we needs dis info.

[PARAGON]

First, you know more than anyone here about the whole deal. Make a personal threat assessment and decide from there. If you feel the threat exists anything past what has already taken place, then contact your local FBI office and get them involved. I can't emphasize that enough.

[ree]

And then, what's second?

Nothing but the willies thus far.

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by ree

And then, what's second?

Nothing but the willies thus far.

First was that you know more. Second was do something or don't do something

Third is that you tied our/my hands with "And let's be reasonable here. Not irrational or vicious."

[ree]

Originally Posted by PARAGON

Second was do something or don't do something

Okay. Good advice. I'll do something or not do something right away.

Third is that you tied our/my hands with "And let's be reasonable here. Not irrational or vicious."

I know this crowd. I don't want to be guilty of incitement.

[Mr. I - Man]

I wouldn't worry.
Its probably some angst filled 15 yr old goth geek, and he will probably just take it out in a bullet filled outburst on his classmates, not you.

[ree]

Originally Posted by Mr. I - Man

I wouldn't worry.
Its probably some angst filled 15 yr old goth geek, and he will probably just take it out in a bullet filled outburst on his classmates, not you.

More than twice that age, but a Democrat. So afraid of guns.

[Goalkeeper]

Originally Posted by PARAGON

First, you know more than anyone here about the whole deal. Make a personal threat assessment and decide from there. If you feel the threat exists anything past what has already taken place, then contact your local FBI office and get them involved. I can't emphasize that enough.

Dude,

Forget the FBI, I doubt you'll get any assistance from them.

I am a Federal Agent and a Computer Forensic Agent for DHS. PM me and we can disucss a few options. Oh, and I'm in Baltimore!

-Matt

[H2bill]

Originally Posted by Goalkeeper

Dude,

Forget the FBI, I doubt you'll get any assistance from them.

I am a Federal Agent and a Computer Forensic Agent for DHS. PM me and we can disucss a few options. Oh, and I'm in Baltimore!

-Matt

Sounds like Matt could be just the man to help you out.

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by Goalkeeper

Dude,

Forget the FBI, I doubt you'll get any assistance from them.

I am a Federal Agent and a Computer Forensic Agent for DHS. PM me and we can disucss a few options. Oh, and I'm in Baltimore!

-Matt

Complaints to the FBI like this gets logged. She develops a pattern of harassment, continues, does something a little bolder down the road and it's all in the system.

The biggest point is. Is that should this be some vague threat and she somehow think Ree needs to be harmed, he took the first step in a he said/she said situation. Which is the most important.

Just like in a local civil matter. First person to call the cops, gets the first benefit of doubt. It's just human nature.

[ree]

Thanks all.

I know it's not really much of a threat if one at all. I mostly wanted to put her in her place by getting Verizon involved. But she seems like enough of a nut case that that will just piss her off. Taking a stand on principal can have its consequences. If I didn't have children, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

I've been watching logs and there's no evidence that anyone from that DSL pool has been checking up on me. So I'm just going to leave it alone.

Sorry Drty and Ken

[CO Hummer]

Originally Posted by ree

Note the last sentence of the first paragraph (which I italicized)!

I hope you're a christian, waiting for the rapture, and that it comes soon
and takes you off this precious earth that you view as your personal toy.

Are you kidding me? You obviously don't know what he's talking about. This is not a threat at all. Ignore it and move on. The guy is an idiot at best as is proven by his dispensational theology. But he's talking about wanting to do an "I told ya so" after the rapture. This is not directed as a threat, no more than saying "I hope you fall off a cliff".

[BlueTJCO]

Originally Posted by CO Hummer

Are you kidding me? You obviously don't know what he's talking about. This is not a threat at all. Ignore it and move on. The guy is an idiot at best as is proven by his dispensational theology. But he's talking about wanting to do an "I told ya so" after the rapture. This is not directed as a threat, no more than saying "I hope you fall off a cliff".

exactly, just written with a little more thought...

[H2bill]

Originally Posted by ree

What would you do?

(a) Ignore it
(b) Report the incident to Verizon as a violation of their fair use policy "(r) to use the Service or the Internet in a manner intended to threaten, harass, intimidate;" and hope that Verizon at least slaps their wrist or even cancels their service
(c) something more (but legal!)

In all probability it's harmless. The fact that s/he would be linked to democrats, is consistent with other examples of their preaching tolerance...while being totally intolerant of those that have opposing views to their own.

About the only religious group that it is excepted to dis nowadays without shots being fired, is of course Christianity. However, your option 'b' might be an angle to pursue that might create a bit of panic in the individual. If you make the case that you feel this person is harrasing and trying to intimidate you because of your religion (whether you are a Christian or not), and you are "considering" going to the feds with your concerns, it might just generate a response from Verizon to the perp.

At the very least, you may get some sort of satisfaction from it and the dude/dudette may think twice before they spout off again. Let us know what you end up doing.