-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Smoot [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2005 9:20 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: FOFC


Hey man, I can't post on FOFC anymore! Something happened to my account. Can you look into it?

Thanks man!

GroundCat


-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Smoot [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2005 9:28 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: GroundCat banned?


Mr SkyDog, I logged in as a guess and saw that GroundCat was BANNED!

What happened man? I don't know what I did wrong. Did I say "ass" too much? I'll stop if that's it.

GroundCat


-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Smoot [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2005 9:45 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: FOFC


You gotta let me back in man!

I won't use curse words anymore.

GroundCat



-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Smoot [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2005 10:29 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: FOFC


I still can't get in. Can you please let me know what's going on?

Is there a rebuild time on unbanning or something?

GroundCat


-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Smoot [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2005 5:02 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: DOOD!


DOOD!

I still haven't heard form you! I can't get in FOFC!

Help me man!

GroundCat
So at this point, after four e-mails from him, I decide, "Ah, what the heck, I'll throw him a bone and at least respond."

Ben Lewis <[email protected]> wrote:
<meta content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2627" name="GENERATOR"> I know you can't get in. You're banned.
-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Smoot [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2005 5:02 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: DOOD!


DOOD!

I still haven't heard form you! I can't get in FOFC!

Help me man!

GroundCat
Since then....

-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Smoot [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2005 5:16 PM
To: Ben Lewis
Subject: RE: DOOD!


What happened man!

Was it the cursing? 'cause I can stop that!

GroundCat


-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Smoot [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2005 9:07 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: DOOD!


DOOD!

When is this black on black internet violence ever going to end!

GroundCat



-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Smoot [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2005 8:32 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: HEY


I still haven't heard back from you about how to get unbanned!

Come on man!

GroundCat




-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Smoot [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 8:11 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: DOOD!


DOOD! I still haven't heard why I was banned!

You're kind of being a baby about this!

Why was he banned (honestly, I have no clue)?

And how do I log in as a guess?

I suppose if he doesn't have a clue as to why he was banned, it would be nice of you to give him a reason. And let him know for howl ong he's banned (if it's a temporary thing).

I'm just sayin'...

/tk

Fred Smoot is soooo over-rated.

If he's "banned," he's gone for good. If he's suspended or "in the box," that would suggest he could come back.

Why was he banned (honestly, I have no clue)?Just take a look at a few of his 98 posts in the 7 days he was here. Fastest "lifetime achievement" banning ever. He was a complete idiot troll--highly likely a troll that has already been banned, too.

http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/member.php?u=4335 (http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/search.php?searchid=69807)

If he's "banned," he's gone for good.You are correct, sir.

but i think he was fairly amusing. it wasn't as if he was posting all over the place trolling, he seemed to keep it contained to one or two threads where he could be poked and prodded (or avoided). I personally didn't find him all that trollish, and I actually got a good laugh or two out of his persona (not to mention his comment there about black on black internet violence). But then again, a democracy this ain't, or we'd have NSFW content and QOTD and avatars and all, so I suppose in the end it's up to the HNIC.

The only thread I saw him post in was the one where he was answering football-related questions. Not exactly a reason for a banning, IMO. A tired shtick, maybe, but rather than ban him, I'd just suggest hanging a "DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS" sign.

and i'm sure that "well i've probably already banned him" is really a legit reason for banning anyone preemptively. At least, not without fairly concrete proof (IP logs or whatever) that he is the same person you have already banned. Otherwise this becomes a bit too much of an exclusive, ass-grabbing club.

(If yes, then suggest a response below.)
Well, okay.
Hmm ... lemme see here ... thinks back to admin/mod days gone by ...

There's always: "What part of "go the fuck away" don't you understand".
Usually worked okay for me.

If he doesn't get it, he never will. I voted "NO," but then thought that if you are to respond it should be to inform him that he his bannation to be eternal, and that by bothering you with these emails he is not helping his cause at all. In fact, he is only proving the validity of his banning... DOOD!

In fact, just for typing "DOOD" over and over you should be allowed to dip his fingers in acid until the bones show.

I think the high road always needs to be taken, and he should be told exactly why he was banned. I wouldn't respond beyond that, though.

I think he should also be given a reason, not just "you are banned".

Honestly, I think that banning him, and then starting a thread that IMO, seems like trolling in itself, or at the very least trying to provoke ridicule of a person obviously not in a position to defend themselves, by the board moderator no less, is pretty ridiculous. Just my opinion though.

I'm a 90% lurker, 10% poster, but I think that it's time that you lock your own thread this time SkyDog.

Everyone deserves the dignity of a response. The bigger man (not a penis joke) should take the high road, not wallow in the mire with the vermin (this is not necessarily any kind of shot at the aforementioned GroundCat, as I have no knowledge of who he may have been in a previous incarnation, nor do I have any actual clue as to what he may have done to deserve a bannination).

I'm still not clear on the reason for his banning - is there any evidence that he was a repeat offender? And as for his trolling, what few posts I saw were silly, but they seemed harmless enough.

Unless GroundCat did something I'm unaware of (which is entirely possible), I find it confusing why he was banned and yet the likes of BubbaWheels are allowed to continue their merciless trolling.

He was amusing. There are alot of people who get away with much much more. At least you could tell him you thought he was annoying and that's why he was banned.

Edit: Maybe back in as a probationary measure?

People can be banned for being annoying? Hmmmmm....

I respect your job as moderator.. I'll say again I would NEVER want the job.. but maybe a reason to him why he was banned and then be done?

Todd

I'm still not clear on the reason for his banning - is there any evidence that he was a repeat offender? And as for his trolling, what few posts I saw were silly, but they seemed harmless enough.




Why the hell was he banned? Was it something he said in the thread that he posted himself, or was it something outside that thread? I only read that thread, but there was nothing wrong with it. Definitely no trolling in there, if anything he was being baited by others, and responded tactfully.

There was nothing wrong with the thread he started, or anything he posted in there. Whether or not he was funny shouldn't make a difference, I actually found it more entertaining than 90% of the crap posted here. If we banned people for posting dumb/annoying shit, half of the regulars would be gone.

Am I missing something, or is SkyDog way overboard here??

Lets take a look at some of the facts.

1. His name was a spinoff of Skydog's. Several trolls have done the same.
2. He started posting as soon as Skydog said he would be gone.
3. The e-mail account he is using, and probably the one he registered with, was created on June 3rd, the same day he started posting.

All three of the above statements, point towards it being someone that was a previous member of the forums, and probably banned for some reason. It wouldnt suprise me if his IP was close to someone previously banned.

That being said, I dont think I would have banned him just on the 3 things above. I searched for every post he made, I couldnt find a single post that seemed to be trolling. Yes, some of his posts were definately a grab for attention.

Personally, I along with several others thought that this groundcat was Wig. I don't know if thats true or not, and it could have been one of the other banned members.

If I was the moderator, I probably would have done things different. I am not sure I would have banned him. However, I am not the moderator, and I feel that Skygod probably acted in the best interests of the board. Who knows though, Skydog could have more information he hasnt shared with us about this situation.

1. His name was a spinoff of Skydog's. Several trolls have done the same.

one could say "airhog" is, too. im sure it's not, but the argument could be made.

basing my opinion completely on the "enter groundcat" thread i saw, i didnt him do anything bad. but if skydog has already banned someone from the same IP or has other knowledge, i'm sure it could change my mind.

At least tell the guy why he was banned. He deserves that much.

I'm with the mob on this one. He was an attention whore but most of us have some of that in us, myself included. If there's something we don't know about like the things Airhog said which point to a repeat troll with multiple accounts then it's another matter. But otherwise, I think he was not a major troll just somewhat of a "n00b" to the board, not really a bad thing.

SI

Groundcat should get 35 years.

Hmm, who likes the Vikings and Madden football?

Groundcat should get 35 years.
From someone who works in the system, 35 years is to much, 15 is more like it. Good bye ground kitten

I don't know and even don't understand what Groundcat really did to be banned. But I didn't like him...he was very annoying...this is only my personal opinion.
BTW is few time him here, I don't know the 'policy' and i don't if generally these things are enough to be banned...but that guy, as said was too annoying....well done SD.

SkyDog,

I don't really know what this guy did, but I think he deserves somewhat of an explanation at least. When I was suspended it was very frustrating for me because I had no idea why I was suspended and it took several emails to get you to respond. I didn't find out I was even in the box until I tried to post, and it took a reply by you to somebody else in a thread two days later for me to find out why since you would not respond to me via e-mail. So while this guy may be troll or whatever (I don't know) I still think he should be allowed an explanation because it sucks not to get one if you really don't know what the reason is.

If he's likely a previous poster, I'd love to know who. That's an auto-ban.

I don't know that he did anything "wrong" on the board beyond being annoying. So if he's not a previous poster, then I don't see banning him.

Either way, NeuteredCat deserves a response.

It was very clear this guy was a known member and trying to be funny with a spinoff name. SkyDog has access to IP addresses of posting people, I fully trust him that this was a classic troll account, registered by someone with a history at the board.

And he didn't think Ricky Proehl was the slowest white guy in Tecmo Bowl. That's a bannable offense if I've ever heard of one.

It was very clear this guy was a known member and trying to be funny with a spinoff name. SkyDog has access to IP addresses of posting people, I fully trust him that this was a classic troll account, registered by someone with a history at the board.
And that's fine, but then SD's response to him is self-evident. Why SD would ask us if he should respond to him, when we obviously don't have the full picture, makes no sense as well. If he's a known troll, then blow his cover (and, I guess, tell him to quit with the charade while he's at it). If he's just some annoying guy who decided to unleash his brand of funny on the board, I'm not sure I understand why he was banned, but he deserves that explanation as well.

FWIW - I ignored his emails when he started sending them to me last week.

Where is this guy from? Because the fred smoot name is a name someone i know use to use alot for signing for emails.

This saves me the trouble of having to put GroundCat on my ignore list. Thanks for that.

I concur with the mob....I just ignored his posts, not even the ignore list, just his posts, cause they got annoying, as it stands, I didn't know being annoying was cause for banishment.....

Who voted to allow the Patriot Act on FOFC.

Who voted to allow the Patriot Act on FOFC.

{raises hand}


:D

I didn't like the guy, he was annoying, but it wasn't worthy of a ban.

I didn't like the guy, he was annoying, but it wasn't worthy of a ban.

It is if he was previously banned.

Hmm, who likes the Vikings and Madden football?

I don't think so. At least he didn't admit it to me. *shurg*

Hmm, who likes the Vikings and Madden football?


You?

You?
Nope, I pretty much hate all console sports games.

I'd explain to him why he was banned and how his posts appeared to you. On the chance that he really does not know. Of course, I am probably too nice to be a mod because I give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

Are you guys really all this ignorant? Who the fuck signs up as GroundCat? Even the capitalization is mocking SkyDog's name. Good lord!

This situation is an example of the difference between committing a crime and actually being found guilty of a crime in a court of law. Based on the info Airhog already posted and instincts, I am confident that groundcat was a previously banned member who was looking to create some havok eventually. His (or her) probable goal was just to get some attention and maybe give the mods a big GOTCHA when he revealed who he really was.

All that said, Skydog would have a hard time getting a conviction based on the evidence at hand. Luckily for Skydog, this forum is not a court of law.

Remember, the FOFC is here to protect democracy, not to practice it.

Not only that, but SkyDog isn't around when hes posting, and RyanS doesn't post THAT much to begin with, but a new poster just happens to know who to email with questions about banning? The only chance he wasn't banned is if hes a longtime lurker who suddenly decided to be an annoying center of attention with a name mocking the moderator. (While also deciding create a new email account for this new board name, a lot of strange actions for someone who was content with longtime annonymous status beforehand...)

I would say the chances of this being a repeat offender are at 95%.

I thought that GroundCat was SkyDog. Why did he ban himself? Attention whore.

Are you guys really all this ignorant? Who the fuck signs up as GroundCat? Even the capitalization is mocking SkyDog's name. Good lord!
Yes, I am ignorant. If mocking someone was a bannable offense at FOFC, all that would be here right now is tumbleweeds. A little more information is necessary for me to conclude that this is someone who has been suspended/banned before, and thus subject to an automatic banning for being a wiseass.

as per your request here is your suggestion for response-

GroundCat,

Your account was banned due to (blah blah). I chose to ignore your request and put you up for ridicule on message board because (blah blah).

Good day,
SkyDog

If GroundCat is indeed a troll, wouldnt this be the ideal thing that they were looking for? Create conflict within the community, leave their mark upon the board? I think this thread needs to be locked, otherwise the terrorists win.

If GroundCat is indeed a troll, wouldnt this be the ideal thing that they were looking for? Create conflict within the community, leave their mark upon the board? I think this thread needs to be locked, otherwise the terrorists win.
As long as no one has bought reefer in the last couple of weeks I think we're still okay...

I say re-instate him.

no need to reinstate him. he's already here because GroundCat=SkyDog

no need to reinstate him. he's already here because GroundCat=SkyDog

Would that mean that SkyDog should be banned for trolling?

Aren't cats already on the ground? Now maybe if it was like GroundBat it would make more sense.

I just had Cheeseburger Macaronni Hamburger Helper, and it was fabulous.

Would that mean that SkyDog should be banned for trolling?


He should be, but it wouldn't be the first time he's trolled without penalty.

I am rather stunned that this many of you think that this guy is serious. FYI, the straw that broke the camel's back was in a thread that someone else started, and the person who started that thread decided to delete it because "GroundCat" had completely threadjacked it. It is 100% clear to me that this guy was only here to be a troll, get attention, and annoy people.

All that being said, I decided to placate the masses and respond to him.


I haven't forgotten about you. You were banned for your obvious trolling in several different threads--the thread that QuikSand started being the straw that broke the camel's back. Reinstatement is not an option now, nor will it be at any point in the future. This is my final decision, and it is not up for discussion or debate.

--Ben
-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Smoot [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2005 3:03 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: HEY MAN!


DOOD!

Don't forget about me man! I'm still waiting!

It's not too late!

GroundCat

I'm entirely placated. I've never been more placid.

I thought Moderator decisions were final (i.e., undiscussable) and emails/PMs supposedly kept confidential?

I thought Moderator decisions were final (i.e., undiscussable) and emails/PMs supposedly kept confidential?And it seems you thought wrong on both counts.

1. I'd prefer that the board doesn't turn into "moderating decision discussion central," butpeople around here still somehow seem to think that their public complaints actually make an iota of difference to me when making a decision.

2. When a troll stoops to a certain level of UIC in their bizarre protests of my decisions, I've always made it public. ("I will not accept a banning." "I will come back stronger and more powerful than ever.") Nothing new there.

I am rather stunned that this many of you think that this guy is serious. FYI, the straw that broke the camel's back was in a thread that someone else started, and the person who started that thread decided to delete it because "GroundCat" had completely threadjacked it. It is 100% clear to me that this guy was only here to be a troll, get attention, and annoy people.

All that being said, I decided to placate the masses and respond to him.

[/indent]

I don't why you are getting so much crap either. The guy didn't just stumble across FOFCentral and decide to post using a play on your name. Obviously he is a former member and most probably a banned member. If he isn't a banned member than he just lost a dummy account, tough shit. Keep up what you do, this is one of the few quality sites that doesn't have a bunch of spam and trolls. Even some of my favorite sites have really gone downhill but this one is always policed very effectively.

And it seems you thought wrong on both counts.

1. I'd prefer that the board doesn't turn into "moderating decision discussion central," butpeople around here still somehow seem to think that their public complaints actually make an iota of difference to me when making a decision.

2. When a troll stoops to a certain level of UIC in their bizarre protests of my decisions, I've always made it public. ("I will not accept a banning." "I will come back stronger and more powerful than ever.") Nothing new there.

The black on black internet violence was pretty good though. (But it also proves this guy has been around before and isn't someone brand new)

And it seems you thought wrong on both counts.

1. I'd prefer that the board doesn't turn into "moderating decision discussion central," butpeople around here still somehow seem to think that their public complaints actually make an iota of difference to me when making a decision.

2. When a troll stoops to a certain level of UIC in their bizarre protests of my decisions, I've always made it public. ("I will not accept a banning." "I will come back stronger and more powerful than ever.") Nothing new there.
1. Then why the poll?

I thought it was/is as obvious as a kick in the nuts (which i enjoy, call me ladies), that this dude was an already banned guy coming back to troll. I don't understand the debate about it.

1. Then why the poll?
Watch out Bucc, you might get banned for that kind of talk.



*ducks*

1. Then why the poll?Because responding to him is not a moderating decision. I was genuinely curious how many people would be unable to see through him.

Fair enough.

I remember one of the RWBL owners with smoot in his AIM.. I want to say.. Raven, but I'm not 100% sure, and I'm surprised he would act in this way if it is him

Because responding to him is not a moderating decision. I was genuinely curious how many people would be unable to see through him.
In all honesty, I didn't really pay much attention to him or his antics.. that's your job. :)

I remember one of the RWBL owners with smoot in his AIM.. I want to say.. Raven, but I'm not 100% sure, and I'm surprised he would act in this way if it is him

That is cause his last name is Smoot. Fred Smoot is a CB for the Vikings.

I say let him back in and then lets beat him up when he least suspects it.

Let's review the facts, then....

1. His very first new thread (http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showthread.php?p=801236#post801236) started with "I LIVE" or something along those lines. He edited it when he realized his mistake. (If I'd seen this thread earlier, he would have been banned right then and there. I missed it because I was out of town.)

2. He picks a name that is a perfect takeoff on the admin.

3. He appears the very day after another thread had appeared asking about my whereabouts.

4. He creates a brand-new e-mail account just for the purpose of this FOFC account.

5. Even though I didn't post to him, nor did I associate my e-mail addy with my screen name, he knew to refer to me as "SkyDog" within less than a half hour of his banning.

6. His continual e-mails to me are wayyyyyy too dumb to be real.*

7. He has gone to great lengths to conceal his identity, in terms of how he longs on and how he sends his e-mails.

Taken alone, none of the things above would have cast much suspicion on him. Taken together, they are too much just to be coincidence.


As far as his identity, numbers 2, 4 and 7 above, taken along with his e-mail name, his "Look At Me!!!!" style of posting and his continuing to send me e-mails over and over again are all *extremely* consistent with the behaviors of one banned troll in particular.

Again, there's just too much to be explained by mere coincidence.






*--And if they ARE real, then we've lost nothing by getting rid of this nimrod.

Because responding to him is not a moderating decision. I was genuinely curious how many people would be unable to see through him.

So basically you were posting regarding a person you had already judged fully?

Interesting.

He shouldn't have been banned and should be reinstated asap.

I have seen FAR MORE offensive behavior on this board and way more insulting comments directed toward people than what this ground Cat guy did.

And the posting of a poll is a blatant attempt to publicly riducule him, no matter what kinda spin you put on it.

I remember one of the RWBL owners with smoot in his AIM.. I want to say.. Raven, but I'm not 100% sure, and I'm surprised he would act in this way if it is him

That's a perfect example of why you shouldn't be in the RWLB. You don't even know a major, original owner (and Commish that saved the league) who did WAY more to make the league what it is then people like you (multiple no-show, no-care owner when he realized he has no chance to compete with actual baseball-minds). Go punch a tree. Bob Smoot is 10X the owner you'll ever be (RSSmoot).

I may be over-acting though ;).

So basically you were posting regarding a person you had already judged fully?

Interesting.Yup. Just like "I will not accept a banning." and "I will come back stronger and more powerful than ever." No one complained about those, now did they? :p

Aren't cats already on the ground? Now maybe if it was like GroundBat it would make more sense.


You know that Johnny Werzner kid - the kid who delivers papers in the
neighborhood? He's a fine kid. Some of the neighbors say he smokes
crack, but I don't believe it. Anyway, for his 10th birthday, all he
wanted was a burrow owl, just like his old man. "Dad, get me a burrow
owl. I'll never ask for anything else as long as I live". So the guy
breaks down and buys him a burrow owl. Anyway at 10:30 the other night I
go out into my yard and there's the Werzner kid looking up in the tree. I
said, "What are you looking for?" He said, "I'm looking for my burrow
owl." I say, "Jumping Jesus on a pogo stick! Everybody knows that a
burrow owl lives in a hole in the ground! Why the hell do you think they
call it a burrow owl, anyway?!" Now Stuart, do you think a kid like that
is gonna know what the queers are doing to the soil?

What exactly is the fascination with banning people? Isn't there an ignore function on this board? As long as someone not posting porn all over the place, or something along those lines, who is he hurting?

I could care less if this guys posts or not, and I'm sure he doesn't care much himself. Sounds like he was just having a little fun and rousing you up--which, with the creation of this thread, appears to have succeeded beyond his expectations. If you want to ban him, I guess that's your perogative, but it seems a little petty to me. As does creating a thread trolling for cheerleaders on that decision.

Yup. Just like "I will not accept a banning." and "I will come back stronger and more powerful than ever." No one complained about those, now did they? :p

Hey man, I'm scared of you. I mean no ill-will. I am harmless. ;)

I obviously could make some money selling bridges to the folks in this thread.

Sounds like he was just having a little fun and rousing you up--which, with the creation of this thread, appears to have succeeded beyond his expectations.ROFLMBAO!!! Rousing me up? Hardly. I find him hilariously funny, in a laughing-at-him-not-with-him sort of way. You really don't get me if you think this clown has gotten to me.

I obviously could make some money selling bridges to the folks in this thread.

Is it Covered-up? If so, I expect a large discount.

:D

ROFLMBAO!!! Rousing me up? Hardly. I find him hilariously funny, in a laughing-at-him-not-with-him sort of way. You really don't get me if you think this clown has gotten to me.

You are a Rock. You are an Islaaaaaand.

ROFLMBAO!!! Rousing me up? Hardly. I find him hilariously funny, in a laughing-at-him-not-with-him sort of way. You really don't get me if you think this clown has gotten to me.

I don't mean at all that he pissed you off, just got a reaction. Just an observation, but he's probably laughing at you in the same way--since it was obvious he was just trying to get some attention and you've certainly given it to him with this thread.

You are a Rock. You are an Islaaaaaand.My favorite reference in this thread was the one from Crimson Tide. :p

My favorite reference in this thread was the one from Crimson Tide. :p

Have I told my 4th of July Gene Hackman story? Last year, on the 4th of July, I celebrated the holiday with Mr. Hackman and his family (and the other 6-7 houses) on Blakley Island in the San Juans. It was.....extremely nice.

Have I told my 4th of July Gene Hackman story? Last year, on the 4th of July, I celebrated the holiday with Mr. Hackman and his family (and the other 6-7 houses) on Blakley Island in the San Juans. It was.....extremely nice.NICE!!!

NICE!!!

My Step-mom is very wealthy. I am not. However, I am more excited about the 4th of July than I have ever been. These people spend more of their own money than most small towns on fireworks and food. Blakley Island's nemesis is Obstructilon Island. Unfortunately, OI beat us last year on the weight of one of their Tycoon's Firework raft. My step-father is determined to not allow that to happen.

Updates as they are available. :)

My Step-mom is very wealthy. I am not. However, I am more excited about the 4th of July than I have ever been. These people spend more of their own money than most small towns on fireworks and food. Blakley Island's nemesis is Obstructilon Island. Unfortunately, OI beat us last year on the weight of one of their Tycoon's Firework raft. My step-father is determined to not allow that to happen.

Updates as they are available. :)
Dynasty please.