I'm posting the following on behalf of the lovely Nakatu X, who quit FR a short time ago (opus-free, I might add):
I heard of Andy Stephenson's death early this morning. I was one of the "junior detectives" involved in the story, although I pulled out and had PJ pull my name from the DUFU ping list midway through.
Nonetheless, I did probably contribute no small part to impeding his surgery & certainly contributed nothing to the recovery, and for that I apologize very deeply. Karma should strike me where I am now. It is too late to ask Andy for forgiveness, but please rest in peace, Andy.
Nakatu X
I agree somewhat with Nakatu X sentiments. Andy's fundraising was probably not legally set up and probably was not completely open with the details, but he was obviously sick and he was a human being. We should be respectful of people who are sick or dead no matter how farout their political agenda may be.
Nonetheless, I did probably contribute no small part to impeding his surgery & certainly contributed nothing to the recovery, and for that I apologize very deeply.
Um...no, Nakatu. I am not one of the "junior detectives." I have often thought they were a little bit obsesssive, but chalked it up to the cancer angle--if cancer was being exploited for a scam, it would be a great evil, and we might be talking about a lot of money. That said, none of them--NONE--contributed in any way, shape or form to the death of Andy Stephenson or any delay in his surgery. They asked for information. That doesn't screw up a Whipple.
Don't flagellate yourself. You did nothing to the man. Even if he was completely innocent and was emotionally hurt somehow by the investigation, that was the fault of his cohorts, who reacted to casual questions about accountability in a way that seemed almost calculated to generate suspiscion.
BTW, why did NakatuX quit?