Back in June, I completely fisked an article by this guy, Yomin Postelnik, where he claimed to have “logical proof” of God’s existence, and boasted that he’d show atheism to be illogical. The article was beyond a joke, so I butchered it (and him) mercilessly. YP didn’t take too kindly to that, and started calling the ACA (who have nothing to do with the blog), making vague legal threats if my post wasn’t taken down, that kind of thing. Over the next few days, he underwent a highly entertaining online meltdown, posting hysterical rants on Richard Dawkins Forum and other locations. Oh yes… he also thought the best way to get revenge for my article would be to vandalize my Wikipedia page with accusations of drug addiction and pedophilia. I let this lie for a while, since the guy had pretty much self-destructed online. But after THREE months, here he was, still obsessing over me and having his attorney send me cease and desist letters, which was patently bizarre. All this time, he’d been accusing ME of stalking and harassment — basically, everything he was doing to me — and I finally decided enough was enough. So I’m suing him for libel and defamation. In other words, after three months of him crying wolf I’m calling his bluff. Thank to donation help from many folks in the atheist blogosphere, the suit was filed last week and YP is getting served this week. I’ve set up a separate blog explaining everything here. You can see some of the over-the-top behavior this guy has engaged in, including starting up four blogs solely to smear me with. (You can scroll down to read the first post.) http://thisisjustinsane.blogspot.com/ Pharyngula linked to it last month, helping get the ball rolling. http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/09/help_an_atheist_out.php In addition to all the money of mine I’ve been pumping into this, the kind donations of the atheist blogosphere, and all the fine folks who have agreed that this guy’s actions are simply inexcusable, have been a huge help. I’ve been told a suit like this (on which I’ve already paid about $2300) can run anywhere from $5000 to $10,000, especially if YP decides to be an idiot and try to defend it in trial. (The evidence I have linking his IP address to the Wikipedia vandalism is solid, and to date, the ONLY excuse YP has for why his IP is on the libelous edits is — get this — that *I* “spoofed” his IP address and basically libeled myself in order to defame him by accusing him of it!) As I’m now in the second round of donation soliciting, I thought I’d try some different online atheist outlets than before (I didn’t come to you the first time because I wanted to test how willing people might be to help out in the first place, considering how fucked up the economy is, and also because PZ and I have met). If you get the chance, would you be willing to read over the links I provided you? And then, if you agree with what I’m doing and that YP’s behavior is disgraceful, maybe you’d be willing to write a post for NoGodBlog letting people know that they can pitch in if they see fit? I have a deal where a $15 donation will get you a T-shirt, but if people can’t afford that, hell, even $3 and $5 donations make a huge difference. There are about 150 people on my current donor list, and it would be nice to add 200-300 people to that, just so the same folks aren’t the ones I’m always going back to. Anyway, I appreciate your time and consideration. If you decide this isn’t appropriate for NoGodBlog, I certainly understand. But I thought your readers might enjoy contributing to a little creationist pwnage!
Take to you soon,Martin
Well, I certainly think it’s appropriate. This is a form of religious terrorism. Lies to protect lies. Please check this out.
I don’t care if he wins a dime, I donated just because of that fractal wrongness picture on his blog. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time.
Yeah, I’ve been following this too. I plan on donating.
I swear, creationists have to be the dumbest fucking people I have ever met.
No other nice way to put it.
I hope Martin kicks his ass in court, if it goes that far.
lol! Hahahaha.
Martin, you can’t buy publicity like that, well maybe, but this is free advertising though.
Getting an IP to stick to an actual person, in court, may be tough. But if you pull it off, I think you got a great libel suit going. That’ll be hilarious (“Thou shalt not bear false witness..blah blah blah”).
Speaking of “bearing false witness”…
Tough times: Congress grew 13 percent richer in 2007
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/226/story/54838.html
Now who took control of congress in 2007? Which party claims the policies of the past 8 years have been disastrous? Who plays the class warfare game? What dim witted moron believes that propaganda?
Tell me again BJ how your man watches out for you…
What fools…thankfully America is understanding exactly who is running for office…
Hey phreek, don’t you read entire sentences?:
The guy is a best selling author, what more do you want?
Jesus Christ, do you fucking read, or just skim articles for what you can use in your lame arguments, to take things out of context?
You are now dubbed, ‘Out of Context Man’.
I would much rather vote for an educated, articulate man than a senile old fart and a dimwitted, politically ignorant bimbo.
I guarantee if you wrote two best selling books you wouldn’t turn down any royalties.
It’s not the processing speed of the gaming console, it’s the game being played that counts.
Boise Jim
Phreeky, that poor thing, is just really confused these days. The GOP forgot to issue a memo dictating whether the meritocracy should be promoted or mocked this political season.
OT Alert
Have there been any comments from the Obama or McSame campaigns about the Sunday US raid into Syria?
Sure BJ…keep your head in the sand…
You’re proof of America’s most expensive commodity…
OT:
Just wondering if you guys have heard some of the interesting comments from Dawkins from a debate of his last week with John Lennox at Oxford’s Natural History Museum. Here is one of the first statements he made during that debate:
“A serious case could be made for a deistic God.”
http://www.spectator.co.uk/melaniephillips/2543431/is-richard-dawkins-still-evolving.thtml
Now, I will clearly say that Dawkins remains a devout atheist, is not a deist, and still equates belief in a personal God to “invisible pink talking tea cups” or whatever he normally says.
The author of the above-referenced article is Melanie Phillips. She interviewed Dawkins after the debate. He said some even more astounding things afterwards:
“Even more jaw-droppingly, Dawkins told me that, rather than believing in God, he was more receptive to the theory that life on earth had indeed been created by a governing intelligence ? but one which had resided on another planet. Leave aside the question of where that extra-terrestrial intelligence had itself come from, is it not remarkable that the arch-apostle of reason finds the concept of God more unlikely as an explanation of the universe than the existence and plenipotentiary power of extra-terrestrial little green men?”
I hope the judge in this case can focus on the harrassment and not get tied up in a bunch of “Is there a god” BS.
YP (I dont want to use his name) was stupid enough to leave a Phone number and a E Mail address on his letter,so please be polite as the case is still pending. (You can find it linked on pharyngula )
deja vu… ~five years ago I sent in a response to a small town paper, Hill Country News, and the author of the letter I argued against called my house several times during the night. The next day I called his house back (caller ID) and said that his child his calling my house at all hours. The calls ceased. I was actually honored because the editor put my letter up as a guest letter to the editor with a special section of the paper, not just the usual letters to the editor space but a blocked off space that elected officials get to use when they have an opinion. Yes, I thank the editor for this…. Good luck Dave, looking forward to the t-shirt
of course I will send a twenty, and good luck to ya, just wish there was a god so I could pray for you.
Just a question though, have you ever seen phreedm and YP in the same room together?
Sure, and I bet you believe that Obama is a muslim, or that story about Michelle at the Waldorf.
Or that all the attention Sarah Failin’ is getting about her wardrobe is about sexism.
Face it, the GOP is against the ropes, and if they don’t straighten up, the ship will sink.
Did I just hear of another Rethug scandal?
Yep, Sen. Ted Stevens.
They just don’t know when to stop shooting themselves in the foot.
ga4ry-
Good point.
I really hope Martin can nail it to this guy (pun intended). Problem is, if he does, all those whack-job xians will cry, ‘we’re being persecuted!’.
I’ve been following this one too, for a while, and plan to donate to Martin after I see what’s left when I pay some bills. Couldn’t do it last month; maybe this month will be better.
OT-DAVE!
I saw an attack ad against Kay Hagan last night on the teevee, and YOU and Ellen were both featured in it! I think it was Ellen, I actually wasn’t paying close attention at the very beginning. But they had a clip of you, where you were asked about taking god off the currency, and of Ellen(?) stating “There is no god.” I can’t remember if they mentioned your name, or if it was highlighted on the screen below you as you were speaking.
So, how does it feel to be part of a smear campaign?
Dave
Is AA considering an official response to Kay Hagan’s religion bating ad?
Off Topic:
http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/3844708/
Yes, we are aware of the ad and are formulating a response. Please stand by on this.
Dave
Great. Is it possible that you could post the response here before issuing it officially?
Oh goody. There are links to the Hagan and Dole campaigns when you follow JustMe’s url to the commercial. Liddy has a blog you can leave comments on, and she even has a whiny post about Hagan’s campaign attacking poor Bobby V!agra Dole.
Karen-
I take it that it was you who left a very recent post on her blog condemning her actions.
If so, nice post!
BoiseJim
Yup. That was me; thanks. A few others before me had similar opinions, but not quite as wordy as I got.
Why am I not surprised. Me and Karen’s blog posts were removed.
I swear, just like religion, the greatest enemy to the Rethug’s is reason and facts.
Boise Jim
I’m sorry I didn’t get to see your post before it was removed. I just tried making another comment and it didn’t go through. I imagine they have banned me.