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December 14, 2005

Troll Impersonating Houston Chronicle Reader Representative

Recently, we have received several caustic comments from a reader calling himself James, using an email address from the Houston Chronicle. Today I received the following note, from the real James, after responding to one of the comments.

I’m glad you e-mailed. I’m James T. Campbell, Readers’ Representative for the Houston Chronicle. I received an e-mail yesterday alerting me that someone has been posting comments using James and this email address. Please post that it is not me sending comments to your blog.

Regards,

James T. Campbell, Readers' Representative

Thank you Mr. Campbell for clearing this up. I have deleted all comments from this imposter.

Posted by Lyn Wall at December 14, 2005 09:18 AM | Permalink

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Comments

Isn't that sad?

A brainwashed conservative Bush sycophant who carries so much hate for the people with whom he disagrees that he has to come here and vent it...

... yet doesn't have the courage to do so even anonymously?

Posted by: PDiddie at December 14, 2005 10:38 AM

Is that any less than the hatred you espouse for people who disagree with you P Diddie?

"Brainwashed sycophants?"

granted, it would have been nice for the man to own up to his identity instead of acting like another, but hatred is hatred regardless of where (or how) its channelled.

Maybe everyone could learn a lesson from "james" on how NOT to act toward the other party.

What I've found out in life is that Democrats, Republicans and Indy's such as myself all pretty much have the same goals, we just have different ways that we think are the best way to accomplish them.

Or you can just call names. Sometimes the latter is easier than the former, and it keeps you from having to realize that the other side is human as well.

Good luck with that.

S.

Posted by: Sedosi at December 14, 2005 10:56 AM

A troll is a troll is a troll... no matter what side of the fence you reside on!

Posted by: Phillip McNutt at December 14, 2005 12:13 PM

I don't hate, Sedosi. I pity.

Both of you.

And if you're an independent, then I'm an astronaut.

Posted by: PDiddie at December 14, 2005 04:24 PM

To Mr. Campbell and the members of the Houston Democrats website,


I owe you all an apology. I left some mean, nasty, and insensitive remarks on your website and for that I am truly sorry. I used Mr. Campbell's email address not to impersonate him but to possibly avoid an automatic screener. I didn't use his full name for that reason. I didn't realize until this morning there are links to the email address of those posting.


My life has been on a downward spiral into depression and alcoholism recently and debating politics in some strange way allowed me to vent some frustration. Heck, I'm not even in to politics that much but in today's political climate it's not hard to find an argument. When just debating wasn't enough to get my fix I lowered myself to being just mean. Unfortunately you were all a witness to that, and I sincerely apologize to each and every one of you.


Waking up this morning with another hangover and realizing the unintended consequences of my actions, I guess I finally hit the bottom I needed to reach and I am seeking help. I guarantee you will never hear from me again. I hope you can all find it in your hearts to forgive me.


Mr. Campbell will be receiving a personal message as well.



Moderator's note: I have altered the name and removed the email address from this comment because they were obviously fictitious and unacceptable.
I appreciate anonymous' apology and wish him/her a speedy recovery from depression and alcoholism.

Posted by: anonymous at December 14, 2005 05:27 PM

Hum.....I got the same comment on my blog from this anonymous person:

http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=17537478&postID=113432299409090581

Something is quite fishy. Anyone want to trace back to his IP address?

Posted by: John Cobarruvias at December 14, 2005 09:56 PM

We know that ours wasn't the only blog he/she'd impersonated James on. Perhaps it was just time to come clean.

Posted by: Lyn Wall at December 14, 2005 10:02 PM

No apologies from me, just thanks!

I had a great time here in Houston and enjoyed meeting many of you at the Harris County Dem Party office. Please post some pics from the holiday party tonight.

Thanks again and hope to see you all next time I'm in Houston.

Posted by: Thom K in CA at December 15, 2005 10:50 AM

Just a cynical guess here, but if you are going to heist the name and e-mail address of a Chron staffer to take political shots on a blog, it would seem that the legal staff of the paper might be sending you a piece of mail of their own. Thus inspiring an uninspired apology, which if you have read many boards, is pretty common. "It wasn't my fault, the devil/bottle/mental depression made me do it." Left unsaid, "I'll find a new ID and I'll be baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack".

Posted by: merci_me at December 15, 2005 02:33 PM

Actually, I received a private email from anonymous, using a legitimate email address and his/her remorse appears to be real. I agree with you that all too often it that is not the case.

Posted by: Lyn Wall at December 15, 2005 02:51 PM

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