STGRB: The Bluff

Every time I write a new post I tell myself that it is the last one I will write. Maybe that's wishful thinking on my part, but nonetheless, something always pops up and I get compelled to mention it. Staying with the norm, I hope this is the last post I am compelled to write.

Recently, STGRB did a post about Autumn Turner and a post she did on her "Bullylikes" account. The following screenshot will show this.

However, this post isn't really about that. Instead, it's about something that the STGRB people said within the post.

Ever since I took up this fight against author bullying, I know at times I went off the rails. I think we can all agree that when you deal with these bullies, they can tend to set you off once in a while. Yours truly is no exception.

The one thing I tried my best at staying focused on is not to allow the bullies to push me to say things that aren't true. To make sure I stick with what the evidence allows. Part of this includes not saying things that may not be accurate. I always tried to remind myself that credibility is the most important tool when combating the bullies. If you say things under false pretense, then eventually it will catch up to you and before you know it, people will catch on and then you begin to lose your credibility. To lose credibility is to hurt the cause. Unfortunately, STGRB didn't refrain from this. You'll see what I'm talking about shortly.

This brings me to the post STGRB recently did about Autumn. As I stated, it's not really about the post as it is about what STGRB says in.

The post addresses an issue between Autumn and an author named Annette. Just another dispute between a bully and an author. However, this next screenshot shows STGRB informing Autumn that she published Annette's personal information. Take a look.

Then they also go on to proceed to post a screenshot of "Digital Media Laws". 

Now, I will be the first to admit that I am no lawyer. And while I am guilty in the past of seemingly giving legal advice, it is a practice that I decided to discard. I wish only that STGRB would follow that lead. Most in part because, they are not lawyers either. They know as much about the law as you and I. Yet how many times have we seen them give legal advice? 

So through this post of theirs, they send a message out to Autumn that she is breaking some kind of law by posting an authors email. (That author being this Annette girl.) Check it out. 

But here's the thing. The email they are talking about is actually an email the author herself advertises for her readers / fans to use in order to contact her. From what I saw of Autumns post, she posted an email exchange with this Annette, and it showed that authors email. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this isn't illegal. Yet STGRB insists that it is. At least, that's what I got from the post. 

But there is a point to all of this. A point I am now going to strongly make. You see, STGRB showcases all of these shady activities that the bullies participate in. (As well they should.) The thing that bothers me is; how can they, in good conscience, do this when they themselves practice shady activities? (Remember this? The shady practice of Athena sending a private email between her and I to other parties?)

While I am first to also admit that STGRB does some positive things for the cause, it's their own "shady" practices that negates the good things they do. Case in point:

One of the activities STGRB practices is something I like to call "The Bluff". Now, "The Bluff" is a tactic they use to try and put the scare into the bullies. On the surface, this could be seen as a good thing, but in reality, it damages the cause, provided that the scare tactic is nothing more than a bluff. For STGRB, their bluffs have often times worked the crowd of good people into a frenzy of hope, or believing that something great is about to happen when in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. 

And while STGRB gives Autumn their stern warning of her shady practices, I wonder, is there anything I could do legally to Athena for her shady practice of sending my "private" emails to her to other parties for evil intent? Perhaps I should look into that!

They also talk about Angela Horn, one of the most evil of the bullies. She deserves everything that she has earned in regards to any punishment from the law or otherwise she may ever receive for her acts, in my opinion. But now we get back to "The Bluff".

The STGRB bluff is designed to "rally the crew" - so to speak, but the hope the bluff can give also leaves many empty inside. It also hurts credibility.

In this next screenshot, you will see exactly what I mean. 

Did you see where STGRB mentions that a group intends to file charges against Angela? Boy, I wish that were true, but if I was playing this hand at a poker table, I would go all in if I were Angela and call the STGRB bluff. (DMCA take down is one thing, legal action is something else entirely.)

You see, I heard something once from Athena herself, firing up the crew of good-guys into thinking that there was once a "group" who was going to sue the pants off of Goodreads. When I inquired about it, Athena kept playing the bluff. And in hindsight, that's all it was back then, a bluff. Don't believe me? Then take a look at these emails between her and I discussing it as I ask her that very question.

This is her response. 

You see? It's a big one! And I was to be one of the authors this group would contact too. I was so fired up then. Check out the rest of that conversation.

And I was excited to hear from them. The only problem was, I never did hear from them. In fact, the only person I ever heard from about it was Athena herself. Check this next screenshot out. 

See how she is asking me to send all my info to her, and not this "group"? Well, I did send her a lot of screenshots. Unfortunately, nothing ever came from it. Even when I wanted to make some kind of announcement on "The Glass" about it, she advised against it. Take a look.

You see. And now I ask you all, was there ever a lawsuit filed against Goodreads? The answer is a resounding, "NO"! There never was. It was just one big bluff. 

Even more interesting, I inquired exactly on September 1st of 2013. How is that significant? Well, shortly afterwards, around October / November, STGRB began singing the praises of Goodreads, remember? This is when GR came out with yet another "new policy" update that STGRB mysteriously never questioned once. 

This was also another reason that led me into thinking that perhaps STGRB made some kind of back door deal with GR because through the month of August, STGRB was mentioning that something in the form of a lawsuit was brewing in the wind. Looking back, who is to say that STGRB didn't merely use that as some kind of leverage for a deal? 

The point is, no lawsuit ever emerged from this so called "group", and this is why when I read their words of another "group" planning on taking Angela to court, I wish STGRB and I were in Vegas at the poker table so that I could take my chips and go "all in" on their claim. I think it's just another bluff to put the scare in the bullies. 

I'm not revealing this to help the bullies, I'm revealing it to help the good guys. I don't think it's fair to get people all excited about something that may not be true. Athena's last bluff caused me to question her credibility. How many others has she bluffed? And this is why I say, while STGRB has done a lot of good, they hurt the cause, and negate that good with these kinds of bluffs.

And giving legal advice when you're not a lawyer isn't a good idea either. 

When it comes to your reputation, credibility is everything! One might think that this kind of bluff works in favor of the good guys when it fact, it does the opposite. It hurts STGRB's credibility. Because if you start questioning the integrity of those claims, then that sheds a question mark on the other stuff. People will start to question how much substance is put into your other posts, and how much of it is real and accurate, and how much is nothing but a bluff? 

I hope they stop practicing this kind of behavior. I hope they see this post, and understand that this kind of bluffing is detrimental to the cause. But don't take my word for it, see for yourself in this next screenshot of author Rick Carufel talking about the WIN group on Facebook. 

That is interesting indeed, Rick. Please keep us posted.

Maybe if I'm lucky, Athena will join this mystery "group" and threaten to file charges against me for posting her public email information on this post. If so, I got my chips on the table, and calling her bluff. Consider me "all in". 

I'm Carroll Bryant .... and this is The Looking Glass. 

Barks and Bites

I know STGRB has done a post about this, but I read some of the comments from this post on Bullylikes by "Barks and Bites" and read the post itself and I have a few cents in my pocket to throw into the kitty. So here they are:

"Barks and Bites" is a "Bullylikes" member, and apparently, from her post, she is growing tired of "Thin-skinned" authors. (But in this post, we see how "thin-skinned" the bullies are.)

She starts it out with this. 

She claims to have reached her limit, and is tired of reading shitty books by shitty authors. But wait a tick, isn't that just a matter of "opinion"? I mean, what might be a shitty book to her could be a great book to others, correct? And sure, she has every right to say if she thinks it's shitty. No one is is trying to stop her from voicing her opinion of a BOOK. 

But this is classic bully behavior: to try and cloud the truth. The truth isn't that myself, or anyone else, especially Anne Rice, is trying to stop reviewers from expressing their love or hate for a book, because it's not about that, but instead, this is about bully reviewers attacking authors on a personal level. (Which is why I wanted to do this post, to show the hypocrisy of what "Barks and Bites" writes in her post as compared to what she and her bully friends comment below it.) So stay tuned. 

She, like her bully friends, continue to insult the intelligence of not only authors, but of the rest of the world by saying that their work, "It's not an effing baby". Well, duh, we all know this. Authors know this. They're just books. But again, it's not bad ratings of books or bad reviews that authors are complaining about, it's the personal attacks, fake ratings and fake reviews that authors are complaining about. A huge difference. Here is more of her post.

My first question to "Barks and Bites" is, how does reviewing under your real name affect your review as opposed to an anonymous name? It doesn't affect your ability to write an honest review. Many people write book reviews under their real identity. 

Her response is that if authors can write under an alias, then how come she and her bully friends can't review under an alias. Well, first of all, authors aren't attacking people in their books like bully reviewers attack authors in reviews. (And I struggle using the phrase "bully reviewers" because most bullies don't even read the books of authors they attack / bully.) 

Then "B&B" seems to think that reviewers will be placing themselves at some kind of risk if they "review" books under their real names. I have never heard of an author threatening a reviewer with any personal / physical harm for a negative review. Just saying. 

But she does admit that she can't separate a person from their work when it comes to authors. I want you to keep this in mind for later in this post. 

But in this next screenshot, she asks the question that if most of them (reviewers) stop sharing their thoughts, who would be left to review books?

Well, "B&B", I'm glad you asked that question. Here is a small sample of people who will be left to review books. 

The previous screenshot came from a reviewer who left this review on a Meg Cabot book on March 10th, 2014. This reviewer also left a two star rating. No one is complaining about this review. Nor is anyone threatening the reviewer who left it. 

This next screenshot is of many readers posting their thoughts on a Stephen King novel. Pay special attention to the dates they left these. All of them in March of 2014. (This year) 

So you see, "B&B", there are plenty of people out there still rating and reviewing books. The only difference is, they are not bullies. They are not attacking the authors. They are not leaving books in nasty or hateful book shelves. Unlike this bully, who put one of Anne Rice's books in a bookshelf that real readers and reviewers would never do. (And all because she (Anne Rice) stands against bullying of authors) 

Are you wrapping your head around that, "B&B"? No? Well, let's continue then, shall we?

"B&B" concludes the previous screenshot of her post with: 'Every time she opens her email, another author is spewing their shit all over the internet. First of all, your email isn't "all over the internet". Secondly, what kind of shit are they spewing? I would certainly like to know. But hey, if you don't think an author is "cool", that's fine, but to take to your blogs and or the book reviews of the authors you deem "uncool" to attack that author is uncool of you, and you spewing your shit all over the internet. I mean, isn't someone being "cool" nothing more than a matter of your opinion? So my next question for "B&B" is: what makes your opinion more valuable than the opinion of someone who doesn't think the same as you? And why do you think that your opinion of an authors "behavior" is a matter of interest to others where the value of the book they wrote is concerned? Oh yeah, that's because you can no longer separate the book from the person who wrote it. (Keep this in mind still as I am not done with her statement.) 

Now to this point, the bullies continue to lay claim that it's all about the reviews, when in fact we have "B&B" on record saying that she can no longer separate the work from the person. So apparently, that in itself is a conflict, yes? Or hypocrisy, yes? But now we start to get into some real hypocrisy as we take a look at some comments. This first screenshot comes to us by way of one of my personal stalkers who is well documented on this blog, along with her husband. Take a look.

"B&B" hits it on the head. She is pointing the finger now at Anne Rice as having "blown it all up". But I am confused, if the bullies don't think they are doing anything wrong by attacking authors because they can no longer separate the work from the person who did the work, then why are they so upset at Anne Rice? To my knowledge, Anne Rice has NEVER mentioned a name, or singled out any one individual from the bully side of the argument. With this being a truth, then how does "B&B" and the other bullies know that she is personally talking about them? I don't get it. Or is it a guilty conscience of "B&B" coming into play here? Something to think about for sure. 

But before I end this post with the zinger of all zingers, I want to share some more comments from "B&B's" Bullylikes post. 

Authors complaining about being personally attacked is getting toxic?

First of all, I think this is wrong. I don't think a teacher's job should be at risk just because of what he or she writes as an author. I wanted to go on record with that. But, let's set up my zinger by reminding everyone what "B&B" said earlier in her post: "I can no longer separate the work from the person who did it." - Now, if "B&B" can't separate the work from the person who wrote it, then why would she (or the other bullies who believe as she does) blame an education system who didn't separate the teachers work from her? While I am against a teacher for being fired just because he or she wrote erotic novels, the bullies, especially "B&B", just committed a huge hypocrisy of their own words. 

And Sonya ends her comment with a very good question: "How come readers aren't allowed that?" (To be able to comment anonymously if writers can use pen names?) 

Well, Sonya, because as I stated earlier, authors don't attack readers / reviewers on a personal basis in their books. Studies have already shown that 80 percent of personal attacks on authors come from anonymous posters in their reviews. 

In this next screenshot, a comment by "E". 

Again, another complaint against reviewers using their real identities. Well, "E", I already explained why, and showed proof that people can still use their real names and review books without any fear. Only a bully would fear using their real name because what a bully does is not review a book, but rather, reviews the person who wrote the book. If you're not doing anything wrong by reviewing a book, then using your real identity wouldn't matter. 

Then "B&B" says this. (Don't worry, the zinger is coming up.)

Nobody ever said you had to support anyone you don't want to support, "B&B". But again, just because you think an author is an asshole doesn't mean that they are. Others might feel differently. But to go onto your blog and say that someone is an asshole is indeed proving that you are honest when you say you can no longer separate the work from the person who wrote it. However, when a school system holds a teachers work against them for their work, you have a problem with that? Make up your mind. Are you wrapping your head around that yet? And who made you and your fellow bullies "judges, juries, and executioners" of authors and their behavior anyway? Because again, what you might find as "bad behavior", not everyone else will. It's all subjected to interpretation or opinion. But instead of deciding that an author is "badly behaving" and posting about it online, why can't you just keep that opinion to yourself? Or simply among your friends in private conversations and or emails? I mean, if you feel you have a right to announce to the world on the internet that you think an author is an asshole, then why is it not okay for that author to take to that same internet and defend themselves publicly from your public opinion? It goes both ways. Maybe the author finds your behavior "bad". But to hear you and your bully friends talk, it's okay for you to personally attack authors but it's not okay for them to personally attack you? Someone needs to get her hypocrisy straight. Just remember, bullies, if you are going to judge others, then others will see it as their right to judge you in return. If you don't want to be judged, then maybe you should stop judging others. (You'll see what I mean shortly.)

And this "nutty" comment from "B&B".

Did you notice who responded to it? "Me Grimlock King". (Shoshana Bick) 

Well, I'll say this for "B&B", she is holding true to her "can't separate the work from those who wrote it" statement she made in her post. But wait! Now for the zinger. While "B&B" admits that she can't separate the work from the person who wrote it, she now has a real problem with it when the work, and the person who wrote it, (her) is held against her? Check it out. 

Yes, hypocrisy of the bullies in true form. You see, "B&B" gets upset because her husbands co-workers make snide and slimy comments about her work. (Her reviews) And she seems downright upset about it. Especially because those people at her husbands work are so "judgmental" and "nosy" as hell. (Maybe "B&B shouldn't be so "thin-skinned"?)

Let that sink it for a minute. 

In conclusion, "B&B" can't separate the work and the person who did the work yet she has a problem with it when others don't separate her work from her. Not to mention, she calls her husbands co-workers as being "judgmental" and "nosy" while never realizing how judgmental (and nosy) her and her bully friends are towards authors. 

Hey "B&B", if you don't like it when people judge you, then why are you and your bully friends being so judgmental to authors? Authors are people too, just like you. They have feelings too, just like you. And now you know how we feel when you and your friends judge us. And nosy into our personal lives. Especially our "online" lives. We're not always going to get along with everybody online either. But that doesn't make us assholes. Just like you're not going to get along with everyone online. But that doesn't make you an asshole either. But for authors, you and your bully friends hold it against us? You judge us? You also take to your blogs and book reviews to express how much you judge us. So thank you "B&B" for writing that post. I think you helped to show everyone who you and your friends really are and what you're really all about. It's not about the reviews, it's about your right to judge authors on a personal level while defending your right not to be judged in return. 

I have but one final question for "B&B" .... have you wrapped your mind around that yet?

I'm Carroll Bryant ... and this is The Looking Glass.

Jude Henderson: Own It! Please?

Believe it or not, I have put all the bullying behind me. No, seriously, I have. The one thing I haven't done though, is to forget.

I got am email recently from a friend. Periodically, I still get emails from people who insist that I should "take a look at this". For the most part, I don't. However, when someone sends me something and explains in their email what it is I will see / hear, and if what they say peaks my interest, then I do check it out. In this case, I was sent a video of Jude Henderson. The title of her video alone peaked my interest.

Now, I am aware that Jude used to do videos on Youtube, I just didn't know if she was still doing them. Well, until this one was sent to me. (Good for her!)

For the record, deep down, I do believe that people can change. I think for some that an event can awaken them and impact them to the point where they have an epiphany or something. I have witnessed people changing before, and in fact it has happened to me before too, so yes, change is possible.

However, real change takes a series of actions to occur and more importantly, it takes one to take full responsibility for their past aggressions against others. When a person really does change, owning up to the bad things they did is perhaps the best way to demonstrate they have changed. Am I right about this?

So when I got this video, I decided to watch it. After all, I wanted to know if Jude really has changed. And it's a video where she talks about depression and everything, and the healing power of books. I also noticed that she mentions her attempts in the past of suicide. Ironic that she mentions it now, after I have come out and mentioned publicly of my suicide attempts, but I digress.

The thing that really grabbed my attention though was when she touches on the subject of bullying. Now, I am not going to post or link to her video. If you want to go watch it, help yourself, but I take issue when she tries to mention bullying.

Before I get into this post any further, I would like to say that I am happy for her that she finally got some help with all her mental problems and everything. I really am. Dealing with ones mental and emotional issues is a difficult mountain to climb. I should know, I dealt with mine. Still am to this day. So kudos for her.

However, on the topic of bullying, I have a problem with her. She mentions of the bullying she had to endure while growing up, and it's awful that anyone has to endure that sort of thing, especially as a child. But my beef with her is the fact that she fails yet again to acknowledge her participation in the stalking, harassing and bullying of me. Her and her many bully friends. (Don't believe me? Just go to her GR account and see for yourself. Many of the bullies appear on her friends list.)

You might be wondering why I bother to bring it up. As you all know of me by now, I say it like it is, period. I can do this because, and if you been keeping up and or do your homework here on this blog, you know that where this battle with the bullies, and those of us who stand against them, I am the only one from both sides who has ever owned up to his mistakes. No one else has ever done that. I'm the only one. It's a fact. If I am wrong about this then please let me know. But this blog has a few posts where I own up to things I later discovered I was wrong about. And again, nobody else from either side of the fence has ever owned to their mistakes.

Therefor, when it comes time to call people out, I, more than anyone, am willing (and authorized) to do so. And I think you all know this about me.

So here I am calling out Jude Henderson, again. I mean, if she's going to go public with her troubles of the past and gain sympathy from people, the least she could do is acknowledge her wrong-doings against me, yes?

And while I have put the past behind me, I still keep to my promise that I refuse to let people forget how the attacks and the bullying against me first started, and why. And I refuse to allow people to forget who it was that was behind it all. Only when amends are properly made will I be able or willing to really put all of it behind me.

Now, everything is on record right here on The Glass in regards to how and why I got pulled into the fight against cyber bullying. I didn't really have much choice in the matter. I was viciously attacked by many people for a very long time. But the person most responsible for those attacks is Jude Henderson herself. She was the one who got her bully friends fired up by posting / sending emails I allegedly sent to her. (I never saw the emails so I can't say one way or the other if I actually sent them, or if they were doctored, or if they were taken out of context or what.)

But I do know she posted them somewhere online because she said so herself, and so did others say so. Many people posted excerpts from these alleged emails when they attacked me. Still, she participated greatly in the attacks against me. And we also know this from the "GenX Says" series right here on The Glass where some of the bullies "admitted" they were speaking on her (Jude's) behalf.

So why she would make a video and mention the bullying that she has received, and not mention her participation in bullying me is confounding to say the least.

If you want to talk about the road you traveled, Jude, in regards to your mental and emotional problems then that's fine, but if you're going to talk about bullying then perhaps the first place you should start is by coming clean about how you helped to organize a bully attack against me. I think it's only fair. And if you really have changed, then coming clean and apologizing to me would be a really fine place to start. It would also indicate that you really have changed. Until you do this, then you haven't changed, and you really shouldn't be talking about bullying. You can't pretend to stand against something, Jude, if in fact you participated in it, and never owned up to it. This what we call hypocrisy. Or need I remind you how and why it all started? You remember, right? It all began shortly after you stalked me on my shared blog? Maybe this screenshot capturing that event will jar your memory.

Does that help?

Look, I am glad if you think you're all better now. I really am. But you will never be able to come full circle until you once and for all come clean about what you (and many of your friends) did to me. I'm still waiting for that apology. Until I get it, I will not let the world forget what you did, and who you really are. I'm sorry, but that's just the way of it. The truth will always be out there for all to see. 

And while I am more than happy and willing to let bygones be bygones, when it comes to you talking about bullying, I have to keep reminding everyone, and you yourself, that you have some amends to make from your not so distant past. If you're going to talk about it, then so shall I. And if you're not going to remind everyone of your bullying deeds, then I will. 

Own it or be quiet about it. I will not allow your hypocrisy to go without being challenged. The truth is the truth, so just do your soul a favor and confess to the truth.

I'm Carroll Bryant ... and this is The Looking Glass.