DU, it's time for me to come clean with you

[Squatch]

My name is Brian. I originally registered under the name of Superfly right around the time of 9/11 and very early in DU's history. Superfly was given a tombstone about 2 years ago.

A couple months ago, I posted in this very forum that I was going to be deployed. At the time, my emotions ranged from downright dread to excitement.

What humbled me was the response from the DU community. I received about 75 PMs from you all, expressing nothing but support. Hell, even those of you I know are ardent anti-war people (and I count myself among you), reached out and offered tangible and intangible support. I signed my replies with the name Steve for fear that somebody would put 2 and 2 together and figure out I was the poster formerly known as Superfly.

For that disgraceful lie to your generous support, I sincerely apologize. I apologize to the DU community as a whole for not being honest with you with respect to who I am.

DU, I cannot thank you enough. DU has, in large part, help me to mature my outlook on social, political, economic, and environmental issues. I look back from where I came...a naive, fence-sitting moderate to a full-fledged and and defensive liberal progressive. What I've learned on this site has given me the ammunition to dispel the hateful rhetoric you so often hear in military circles. My unit knows that I am a liberal, am proud of it, and will defend it and those like me.

Superfly was banned because he was an idiot. I basically had one thing to talk about on DU, and that was gun control. As a result, I found myself butting my head against DU legends like MrBenchly, COLiberal, and others. After a while, I grew frustrated with our conversations, gave access to my account to another person with the pledge never to return to DU. That person used my account to launch into a tirade of personal attacks that, thankfully, I did not have a chance to read due to the quick response of Wickerman, the mod at the time.

Within hours of that tombstoning, I felt the need to be back on DU. The sense of community, though online and distant, was a powerful draw. After a cooling-off period, I re-registered with my current name. Since then, I've developed new friendships, learned a ton on every topic under the sun, and had many a conversation. I agree with a lot of you, disagree with as many, and I respect each and every one of you. The thing you have created here is truly a great social spectacle and I am glad to have been a part of it.

I know that what I did, namely re-registering under a different name is against DU rules. I seek no clemency or any special treatment, just a chance to offer both an apology and a hand in friendship and community.

DU, thanks for being DU.

[BlooInBloo]

1. It wasn't me ya hona! It was a guy that looked like me!

Sure, it's possible.

[boston bean]

2. Wow, really.... I am sure there are many former ts'd posters using aliases.

I want to wish you the best with your deployment.

[trumad]

3. You should have emailed the admins...

[peacebird]

4. No worries - Keep your head down over there and come back safe!

:hug:

:hi:

Looking forward to continuing the conversation!

[cali]

5. Great post Brian.

I for one, appreciate your candor, and hope you'll stay engaged here.

a hearty k&r.

[Squatch]

6. Thanks, Cali...

I know that you and I have butted heads before, so I really appreciate the support!

[Spiffarino]

60. Be safe and if you get to Tikrit

...say hello to my cousin. He's got a couple more months left.

[MadHound]

7. Hey, no problem, we all do things that we regret

And compared to some things that I've done, playing games with an online identity is nothing. In fact I've always been very jealous of my privacy online, simply out of fear of the weird ones out there.

I appreciate the honesty however, and understand what it took for you to come clean. Thanks!

I vaguely remember Superfly, and yes, you were big into guns, but frankly we've got a lot of folks around here that are passionate about guns. Nothing to be ashamed about. I don't remember what happened to 'Fly, but hey, this is a big place.

But most of all, in regards to your deployment, first of all, thank you for your service. Second of all, be careful, we want you back. Finally, keep your head on your shoulders over there. Shit gets into your head when you are surrounded by insanity, and don't do anything that you will later regret.

Take care of yourself, and know that you've always got a group of friends here that are just a few keystrokes away, no matter where you are.

Peace and :hug:
:hi:

[Squatch]

10. Thanks a bunch!

Not so much into guns anymore, though I still have a few hunting pieces. I've spent a lot of energy over the past months launching a fly fishing business...much more relaxing than the shooting pursuits, if you ask me.

[MadHound]

36. Fly fishing sounds great!

I love to fish whenever I can, but with my hectic life, I simply don't have the time anymore. Good luck with the business though, combining something you love with making money is always a good proposition. That's why I've started a fruit orchard, I love growing things.

[Squatch]

39. Where is this alleged fruit orchard?

I ask, because I also enjoy turning fruit into ethyl alcohol.

[MadHound]

49. LOL! And what flavor of ethyl alcohol do you like?

I personally enjoy applejack, hard apple cider. In fact I'm growing a selection of apple trees for that very purpose. I'm also growing peaches, cherries, pears, blackberries and raspberries. Next year apricots.

I'm out in the Mid Missour area, and started this three years ago, so commercial production is still a few years away.

[stevedeshazer]

8. Hey

:hi:

[rateyes]

18. Hey steve,

:hi:

[stevedeshazer]

27. Are we having fun yet?

Good to see you, my friend.

:hi:

[rateyes]

86. Sure is a lot more fun than it was

this time last year!

[xchrom]

9. living is more important than dying -- come back safe.

that's the only thing that really matters -- butting heads is de riguer for living -- so live.

[sam sarrha]

11. we all have to start where we are.. with what we got, with some help from others we grow

[lildreamer316]

12. I support you...

and I hope you don't get in trouble.
Water under the bridge and all. Hope it is seen that way.

[shireen]

13. Stay safe

if you have a chance to post when you go to your destination, please let us know how you're doing and share the experience to the extent that you can without compromising your work.

Take care! :)

[flyarm]

14. I will pray you stay safe during your deployment and come back whole

and teach us all what you learn...please do not let it harden you to human beings..ours and theirs!!

Stay safe...and come back to us!!

Know you go, with many angels from Du praying to keep you protected!!

fly

[Frogger]

15. WHOA!!!

I'm new here, but I've got to say, I admire your courage. Thanks for your service and come back safe and sane.

[rateyes]

19. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Frogger]

55. Thanks, and

:hi: to you, too

[Greyskye]

16. Thanks for your service!

As well as your candor here.

Do a good job, be true to yourself, keep your head down, and come back safe!

Good luck!!! :toast:

[JuniperLea]

17. Live and learn

Looks like you did. Congratulations on that!

Stay safe and come home with even more insights.

:patriot:

[rateyes]

20. Keep your head down...

and come back safe. :hi:

[Hekate]

21. Brian, take care of yourself and stay in touch. We want you & your voice back home safe.

:grouphug:

Hekate

[vickitulsa]

22. Hmm. Interesting, to say the least!

I'm sure that must have been a difficult post to write, and I'm glad that you saw fit to make your public apology and explanation -- and tell of what you've learned and how much you've grown.

I'll admit, it doesn't feel good being lied to and "taken in," but I'm very happy to see that your conscience -- and the draw of DU -- won out in the end and gave you the opportunity to learn some things that have obviously benefitted you.

I remember your post telling us you were deploying, and were excited about it. Seemed like an honest admission, and I recall all the support you received in the thread.

I was the one who told you you would not be talking the same way after your tour of duty, because I've been very close to quite a number of Vietnam vets for many years.

I wish you well all the same, of course. Guess we may not have a chance to follow up on what happens with you, as your admission and apology might not prevent the admins from ts'ing you again.

If so, perhaps you can keep in touch with some of those who PM'd you, and ask them to let the rest of us know how you're doing?

Just a thought....

Oh, and do keep your head down!

[Squatch]

26. I hope I get the chance to earn back your trust.

[vickitulsa]

33. I hope so too. Surely none among us can cast stones, eh?

I remember when I was a young adult and hated my life so much, I started "reinventing myself" in an effort to leave that painful past behind.

It didn't work -- and I learned about that inevitable "tangled web" and how badly others can be hurt even when our lies seem to be ones that would do no one harm. I decided after only a few short months that, in general, it's always best to just be honest with everyone.

Amazing how such a simple principle can prove elusive or even seem to be a negative for a time. I found it was wonderful never to have to worry about what I said or be sure I was sticking to the "right" storyline! ;)

You did the right thing, 'fessing up. The others here who said it took a lot of courage are correct.

And doesn't it feel great NOW?

Keep on being real -- it's a worthy path!

:hug:

[LSK]

23. you totally described me!!!

"I look back from where I came...a naive, fence-sitting moderate to a full-fledged and and defensive liberal progressive. What I've learned on this site has given me the ammunition to dispel the hateful rhetoric you so often hear"

:hi:

[underseasurveyor]

24. Growth

How cool is that! :applause:

Be well Be safe Squatch:hug:

[AllieB]

25. Thank you for your service, Brian

Take care and please be careful. Our thoughts are with you.

[malta blue]

28. Thank you for your honesty and please be safe.

:hug:

[SmokingJacket]

29. Wow. What a great post.

This place can be so amazing -- thank you.

[Longhorn]

30. My son is a liberal Marine who is gaining more respect all the time!

Some attitudes actually do change after you've been proven right!

Congratulations on finding yourself! :hi:

[carolinayellowdog]

31. Welcome home

DU has its downsides but the sympathy lately expressed for Tony Snow shows how decent and honorable the vast majority here are. You belong.

[wildbilln864]

32. Best wishes from me also! n/t

[bonito]

34. Wow ,I can really relate

The members here have given me a great education I consider priceless, didn't get bounced or as far as I can tell even ignored, though probably deserved. be safe my brother.

[brer cat]

35. Your hand is accepted, Brian!

Keep your head down, and come back safely.

DU will still be here for you. :grouphug:

[supernova]

37. I remember Superfly

some days, I think you'd be the only one in the gungeon. :rofl:

But I'm glad you're back and that you have realized a lot of things since being here at DU. I agree with you about the pull of DU. Eventhough it's electronic, and I will never see most of you IRL, I do feel very much at home here in ways that I don't think I ever have offline.


I will be thinking of you and please come back safe to us when your tour is over. :patriot:

[corkhead]

38. I'll bet you're not alone...

godspeed, We will do all we can to make sure you can come home asap:toast: :patriot:

[Booster]

40. It takes a big man to confess and apologize. Sounds to me like

you might be becoming the man you'd like to be. Stay safe and post when you can. God speed.

[bigwillq]

41. Best of luck to you.

:hi: :hug:

Thanks for this honest post and thanks for sharing your story.

[Jack Rabbit]

42. Come home safe from Iraq

It's not up to me, but perhaps your account will still be here.

[Madspirit]

43. Honorable

I don't know you but k&r. You are an honorable man.
Lee

[Raine]

44. All the best to you

take care. :grouphug:

[PhilipShore]

45. Have you ever considered, becoming a conscientious objector ...

because it is not a just war?

Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind...War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.

-- John F. Kennedy

[NorthernSpy]

97. I think a CO has to have a categorical moral/religious objection to ALL war...

... not only to unjustified wars.


For that reason, very few people qualify as conscientious objectors.

[slackmaster]

46. Brian, I salute you!

:hi:

[Squatch]

Hey, Slack. Long time no see, Pard.

[uppityperson]

47. Thanks for that Squatch and be careful.

Peace to you and best of luck.

[mmonk]

48. Clemency granted (from me, don't know about the mods).

[Straight Shooter]

50. Squatch is just a helluva better name than Superfly, anyway.

:P

:hi:

[Anita Garcia]

51. Be safe!

[Jonathan50]

52. Kudos to you to for coming clean in such a forthright manner..

If it won't break opsec can you tell us what unit you're with?

Thanks for your service and may you and your squadmates come back hale and hearty.

[Squatch]

54. Sure thing.

116 IBCT, VA Army National Guard (In my active duty days, I was in 3-2 Infantry, Ft Lewis, WA)

[tandot]

53. Stay safe and come back home soon.

I've learned so much since I am a member.

:hi:

[graywarrior]

56. Don't forget your promise.

[pitohui]

57. stay safe, don't sweat the small stuff

you don't owe anyone an explanation for the past, look to the future

i'm sure we will all look forward to hearing what you can tell of your experiences

and again stay safe!

[Javaman]

58. Hey man, it's all good. :)

Be safe, keep your head down and don't volunteer for anything. :)

[omega minimo]

59. MrClenchley got the heave ho

It's painful knowing that troops in the field listen to broadcasts of Limbaugh lying about liberals attitude towards the troops and the military (at taxpayer expense).

[kaygore]

61. Beautifully said. Thank you!

[SeattleGirl]

62. Thanks for your honesty and your service. Please stay safe

and come back home as soon as you can. :patriot:

[Richard Steele]

63. Squatch, superfly or Brian, just come back in one piece. OK? It seems...

..really cool of you to be posting this, and I think
you deserve a lot of credit for doing it. I never saw any
"Superfly" posts that I can recall, but "Squatch" has
always seemed like a pretty decent guy to me. This post just
confirms it, IMHO.

[aikoaiko]

64. Good luck, be well, fight hard, and stay alive.

Thanks for your service.

:patriot:

[Redneck Socialist]

65. Good luck and keep your head down

Pssst, those folks you mentioned...they're not around anymore either.

[roody]

66. Cool.

I demand that the war end immediately, and our troops come home safely and recieve the best care there is.

[ComerPerro]

67. I remember your name, but not the poster personality. Anyway, stay safe, thanks for coming clean

[Warren DeMontague]

68. You fought with Mrbenchley?

Jeezus. Who didn't?

Anyway, good post. :thumbsup: And thanks for serving. Here's hoping you stay safe. :patriot:

[tom_paine]

69. I clasp your hand in friendship, sir.

Honesty is always hard, and often appreciated.

This is one of those times.

Thanks, troop.

P.S. Are you still being deployed to Iraq?

[w4rma]

70. Thank you. You rock, Brian. Please stay alive, and in one piece, over there. (nt)

[Control-Z]

71. The road here

must have been long for you, Brian, starting where you did. I am just glad you made it.

Now, please, be careful. We'll be waiting for you to come home.

[SusanaMontana41]

72. Hey, Brian,

I wasn't a DU member during your previous incarnation, so all that history is just history. I admire your courage.

Keep you head down over there and we'll do our best to get you back here.

Take care.

[grace0418]

73. You told the truth and that's what counts. Everything is is water under the bridge.

Please be careful. You shouldn't be going at all, but if you have to go I hope you make it home safe.

[truedelphi]

74. May you stay safe and sound and come back in one whole

piece. My thoughts and prayers go with you.

[leftofthedial]

75. best wishes

safety and good health to you

[colorado_ufo]

76. Rule of nature: Grow or die.

You've grown into a new person, and as far as I am concerned, a new person registered as Squatch. Welcome to DU, Squatch!

Superfly, R.I.P.

[benEzra]

77. Stay safe, and you'll be in our thoughts. (n/t)

[BoneDaddy]

78. Welcome home

Godspeed and be safe brother.

[BlueCollar]

79. Stay safe

and we'll look forward to hearing from you as you can post.

I'm a second amendment Democrat...Plenty of us out here

[myrna minx]

80. Thank you for being a man of character.

May you and your unit stay safe and come home to our grateful, welcoming arms. :hug:

[CrazyOrangeCat]

81. Hang in there, Squatch.

We'll be keeping you in our thoughts.

[Blackhatjack]

82. He raises an issue that I have never seen discussed here before...

When a moderator 'tombstones' a DU member, they just disappear without any way to communicate with the rest of DU about what happened. And unless the Moderator who took the action explains, people here have no idea what happened to the DU member --why they suddenly stopped posting.

Shouldn't there be a requirement that when a Moderator 'tombstones' a DU member that they announce that action so other members will not be left to wonder what happened to them?

[calazini]

83. What a great post - that took courage!

The people here at DU, at least in my experience, are a most forgiving lot. We may not always agree (and quite often, we don't), but that is the beauty of this place.

Be safe and get home soon.

[NashVegas]

84. Thank You for Your Apology

All the best to you.

[Irishonly]

85. Stay Safe

I will keep you in my prayers. You have grown up.

[LeftishBrit]

87. All the best, and please stay safe!

I only joined in 2004, and didn't know about the incident that you mention; but I respect your honesty right now!

Best wishes to you.

[NewJeffCT]

88. stay safe & be well

You'll find many liberals to be the forgiving types. (not all, but many)

Good luck, stay safe.

[bemildred]

89. I remember Superfly.

:hi:

[ananda]

90. getting along

I see no point in being hateful or spiteful when socializing or working with misguided Reeps.
However, the way this Reep criminal dictatorship is destroying so much of America, I would
hope that many Reeps feel quite a bit or rue and chagrin and find themselves willing to
think differently and well about others who are different from them.. i.e., not wealthy, not
racist, not sexist, not homophobic, not stingy, not greedy, etc.

Sue

[donkeyotay]

91. I don't know about the history, but this is why I love DU

It works on so many levels. Best wishes for you. :hi:

[Cabcere]

92. I haven't been around here for very long

so I obviously don't remember Superfly, but I have been impressed by your posts as Squatch on here so far and this is certainly no exception. :) Honesty takes a lot of courage, and you've proven (to me, anyway, and it looks like I'm not the only one) that you are both honorable and courageous. :patriot: Thanks for this excellent post, and best of luck in Iraq! Stay safe and be well, my friend. :toast:

[IWantAChange]

93. Being honest with yourself is a huge key to finding yourself - stay safe.

[ConservativeDemocrat]

94. Don't feel bad. MrBenchley got tombstoned too.

As did I, for a matter of fact: essentially only because of my account name.

It took special dispensation from Skinner to agree that yes, indeed, one could be a Conservative Democrat. (Although, I think it's fair to say that conservative Democrats define conservatism differently than trillion-dollar-boondoggle-war supporting neocon Republicans.)

Besides, it wasn't you who actually launched the personal attacks.


- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[Bake]

95. Here's one plea for clemency from an old-timer

You 'fessed up, apologized, and have obviously grown up a lot. If we're not about forgiveness and understanding, we're no better than the other side.

Mods, Skinner, consider this a plea for clemency for Squatch.

And stay safe, Brian.

Bake

[NorthernSpy]

96. we've all done stuff we eventually come to regret...

:hug:

[laylah]

98. We all make mistakes.

The key is learning from them, as you apparently have. It takes a big person to do what you have done. Be safe and Godspeed, Brian :hug:

Jenn

[StrictlyRockers]

99. Brian, you rock. Thanks for coming clean on this and being honest.