plr66 wrote:I think folks who have felt abused or assaulted (or whatever else that made this poster's intrusion here, feel so intense and negative)...our folks need time to kind of de-brief and resolve any misconstrued messages amongst themselves. That's healthy. So Nan, try not to be too impatient---or just do not continue to read the thread, if you're done with it.
Full disclosure....I couldn't read any more than a few lines of the first post from Calist. It was just trash not worth my time. But I need to point out that for all the posts here in response to Johnny's explanation about his reason for banning the guy....it's surprising that only one or two state recognition of the "crystal clear" reason he thoughtfully & reluctantly decided to ban the guy! It was not due to Calist's nasty attitude, his counter-productive or un-helpful or provocative and hostile responses.....but due solely to his mis-representing himself. I only mention this to deflect future plea's for Johnny to remove someone just because they are incredibly obnoxious. I think he is saying clearly, that is not his agenda.
I really didn't read very much of the first few, lengthy posts, but I do remember my "WTF" moment. A comment was made, under the guise of his being a professional in this field, that I knew was not correct. I am no expert or professional, but there are certain things that are not opinion but fact or not. And one of his comments was totally inaccurate. That's what got me reading a little bit more because I was very surprised that a professional in the field would make a comment that was such a blatant inaccuracy.
I am a fully willing to take my knocks as I am the one that "engaged" him but it was done simply to point out that some of his comments were just not true. He didn't seem to like it and then the whole thing started about the ventilator. I'm sure people are tired of hearing about it, but that was the ONE thing that *I* could say, 100%, definitely without a doubt -- he was wrong about. And it seems that -SWS agreed by posting the link to prove it. I don't care that he was wrong, but for the fact that he was claiming to be a professional and was so obnoxious about it. People coming here needed to realize that some of his information was just inaccurate. This is not just obnoxious (obnoxious CAN be ignored) but was bordering on dangerous to any unsuspecting member that didn't know any better.
WHAT IF -- this is just a what if -- I wasn't as savvy as I am about my condition and equipment and opted to take Calist's rants about my ventilator seriously? What if I went to my DME and doctor and ranted and raved and accused THEM of lying to me? Can you just imagine the harm that could have been done to me, my treatment and my relationship with my medical team IF I had been stupid enough to listen to Calist -- as he INSISTED I should? I cringe at the very thought. Let's not forget that he did tell me in a post that he was medicine and that I needed to listen to HIM. Luckily, I've been around the block enough that I saw him for what he was.
And I know I was accused of taking this too seriously, but I had visions of some new person coming here, latching onto Calist and his rantings, and doing serious harm to themselves because they didn't know any better. And I was frightened for them.
I understand Johnny's "hands off" approach to this forum and 99.9% of the time, I agree with it. I do think a person claiming to be a professional, but spewing INACCURATE information under the claim of being a professional, is doing this forum and the people here a great disservice.
And I keep asking myself why he would choose to list a fake name (well, that one I can understand) but to list a fake place of employment that IS a real place? That makes no sense to me and that's where it really took a bad turn. All the stuff he was doing here -- giving out bad information, abusing and berating the kind people here -- that's bad enough, but to involve a professional, medical facility that has absolutely nothing to do with this? Why would somebody do that?
gvz -- I know you called him and talked to him and want to support him. As I said before, I personally have a hard time with that, but I do respect your right to feel and believe what you want. You never once helped him in his attacks or rants on or about me, which I thank you for and appreciate. For what it's worth, I never once had any harsh feelings about or towards you.
Yes, this will die down and the forum will move on. But a few of us were badly wounded in this situation and the recovery will take some time.