On Christmas Eve I went to the Debunkers forum to see how the other half lived. Given that I was there for less that an hour I still found a veritable desert of hard information. No reprinted articles or discussion of hard facts.

Two particular themes did quickly come to fore: the obsession with this forum and the disdain for both Ed Youdon and Gary North. Not the stuff of which convincing arguments are made.

Below is the first post I read.

I am amazed that there is *any* traffic on this site. From reading CPR's posts, I would have to assume he is in junior high or emotionally stunted. (Is there anyone here older than 14?) His persistent arguments against the so-called "doomers" are 95% character attacks. If he has a case to make -- and I believe he does -- why can't he make it without the hatred, sarcasm, and mockery. I don't believe Y2K will result in much, but this guy is an embarrassment to our cause.

I did notice activity by some of the most ardent TB2000 protagonists Y2K Pro and LL. As far as LL was concerned, it didnt try to pass itself off as a Y2K Consultant with oil wells in the family.

KOS: I wimped out. I did not as if there were any chicks who like to mudwestle. What shall be my penance?

-- gary (a@a.com), December 26, 1999

Answers

Thanks Gary, never visited the forum. Your observations indicate time well "not" spent. Thanks.

-- Michael (michaelteever@buffalo.com), December 26, 1999.

Total waste of time.

-- which (is@very.short), December 26, 1999.

Geez. You guys are brainwashed.

-- Bad Company (johnny@shootingstar.com), December 26, 1999.

For those old enough to remember the 60s, Saul Alinsky wrote a book called "Rules for Radicals". In confronting one's adversaries, he counseled to always use the ad hominem argument.

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), December 27, 1999.

In the interests of protecting the innocent, a question after reading this thread: Is it hazardous to go there -- or just to post there?

I thought I remembered something back in Feb. or so about CPR tracing posters to his Forum and getting there e-mail addy or being able to impersonate them or -- what?

I went there just once and have no curiosity. It's on my list of Things That Are DEFINITELY Not Worth My Limited Time. (Like capitalizing certain letters. How does Dieter do it?)

-- jor-el (jor-el@krypton.uni), December 27, 1999.

What is the URL for the debunker's forum?

-- Forrest Covington (theforrest@mindspring.com), December 27, 1999.

http://www.stand77.com/wwwboard/board.html

Say Hi !!! to cpr and LL for me :-)They're gobs of fun...

-- Netghost (ng@no.yr), December 27, 1999.

Thanks, gary. I must say, given the stench of rotting brains that must permeate that hell-hole, I imagine that I would have done a quick exit too, rather than trying to engage any of the women in discussion of weighty topics. (Especially psychotics like LadyLogic.)

And, BTW, I have often maintained that CPR, Paul Davis, et al, have probably HURT the polly cause by babbling the paranoid nonsense that they do. About the only credible pollies that we have ever seen, IMHO, are Hoffmeister and (sometimes) Flint.

-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.cum), December 27, 1999.

The Debunkers forum may be a rowdy place, but at least nobody has ever tried to give away their newborn grandchild on it. . . .

-- (duh@duh.duh), December 27, 1999.

duh3,

Can you attest to the veracity of the infamous baby post. Or is it what it appears to be: a stunt.

-- gary (a@a.com), December 27, 1999.

Can you attest to the veracity of the infamous baby post. Or is it what it appears to be: a stunt.

After several responses were already made to the post, the following was added to the top of the Answers:

This poster, Midwest, is a LONG-TIME Forum regular.

This poster has never in any way been a troll. This appears to be a serious plea for help. Please treat this with respect.

-- Sysop (y2ktimebomb2000@yahoo.com), December 23, 1999.

Only a sysop can add a response to the top of the answers already posted. I don't have to attest to the veracity of the post, the sysops already have.

-- (duh@duh.duh), December 28, 1999.

Changed your handle to "netghost" huh CT?

How's the fishing in Brookings? Sales going well on those mobil homes?

-- You (are@n.ass), December 28, 1999.