Well, just got to read the pings (I would never catch up if I read the thread!)--I see that this thing has still got a lot of life left in it! I want to see that TV show!
So, PJ has broken all records, Skinner is AWOL, Undie still hasn't had surgery, Paypal refuses payments, DUmmies watching us watching them--is that a fair summary? Good going, guys!
I doubted Andy and this is why...
[Just because he bounced a check and presents a couple of phony Generic Checks online as evidence of his veracity, why should you have any doubts?]
I donated $50 on two occasions. It was never about the money. I could afford it, and I have personal feelings about the fight against cancer. On the days that I donated, I did not question for a moment the legitimacy of the fund-raising. I have not been a member of DU for too long but I have been reading posts here since the 2000 election. I am familiar with the work of many of Andy's supporters. I have not met any of the folks involved, and I likely never will.My parents taught me that if someone asks for money, and you have it to give, you should give it without any expectations of ever seeing it again. I like to think that I did so in this situation.However, when I saw Skinner's thread regarding the events of a few days ago, my heart sank. I read the entire thread, post-by-post, and I felt a wild mix of emotions. I was sad that something happened to sully the beautiful effort everyone here made for one man. But it did make me angry to think it was possible I had been suckered along with countless others. That was my pride speaking.
[You suckered by Andy? Now where ever could you get such a wild idea?]
Once the initial doubt had been raised, I found it hard to shake. I looked at the facts. I was very confused. It felt good to give, as it always does. I wanted that good feeling to stay. But it was replaced by doubt as soon as I read the title of Skinner's thread. I did not post about my doubts, perhaps out of respect for Andy's well-being, perhaps out of level-headedness, perhaps out of cowardice. I am not perfect. I am not even close. I did something because I thought it was right. But I won't tell Andy now that I never doubted him, because I did. I doubted DU, and I doubted myself. I have a feeling that there are others like me. I'm not going to apologize for the way I felt, because I had no control over that. If any out there chooses to spit on me, go ahead. I wouldn't be the first person punished for their honesty.
[Yes, there are other secret doubters out there as well. You all need to get yourselves into a Doubters Anonymous Program. When you successfully graduate from the program, Andy will personally forgive you...after you send him a paypal payment.]
You shouldn't feel bad at all for having doubts. Let's face it, you've never met Andy or any of the people who were vouching for him. And the Internet isn't exactly a bastion of honesty. The trolls who brought up fake "evidence" against Andy are the ones who deserve scorn, not you.
[Yup! We faked Andy's post about him handing a hot check to Johns Hopkins. Also we forged those GENERIC Cashier's checks he posted.]
When I read Skinner's post, I was a little disappointed. I wanted a clear cut yes or no answer to put ANYONE's doubts to rest. As for me, I don't know Andy, but I have had a lot of respect for his work, and for the work of many others who call him a friend and know him in person. I made the choice to trust. It wasn't a trust based on in-depth knowledge. It was something I decided to give. I won't rescind that trust unless I have a solid reason to. Rumors and innuendos aren't enough.
[DAMN that Skinner for not unquestioningly swallowing the Andy Kool-Aid. Which reminds me. Why no Andy phone call to Skinner?]
when i read the skinner post. i was concerned too. Indeed that was the point of Skinner's post, to lay everything on the table. Once I saw who was vouching for Andy downthread though I didn't worry. There were some heavy-hitters emerging in defense of Andy and at that point I knew everything would be OK.
[Yeah. Those alternate Andy screen names vouching for him downthread sure were convincing.]
Skinner did, absolutely, give validity to the fears and concerns. It can be argued that he did what he had to do and he did it in as professional a manner as possible. But an argument could also be made that it was humiliating, catered to the freeper amongst us while longterm DUers' input was basically ignored (or put another way, the freeper's input was give EQUAL validity to all the rest of us who should be pretty much known by our deeds after all this time), AND that there really has to be a better way.
[DAMN the Freeper in us that is possessed of rational thoughts!]
The fact the Will Pitt knows Andy is enough for me. I respect Will Pitt alhough I don't know him, but he does have credentials. If Will is lying all I have to say is he is messing up his future. Don't think so! He is too talented. So Will Pitt whoever you are thank you.
[Bless you, Pied Piper Pitt. I have placed my brains on ice and frozen all critical thinking because I have put my blind trust in you.]