h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Not wishing to intrude, I nevertheless find it unfortunately necessary to correct some wilful distortions and outright lies... again.

Death-threat Della wrote: "I posted some figures on abortions in NZ, which I later corrected, and they were 2% out as it later developed."

She actually stated as fact that the NZ population was "nowhere near replacement" rate and that there were "20,000+" abortions per year.

I took a few seconds - literally, seconds - to find out that Della's knowledge of her home country is in error, and that in fact the NZ population is increasing by the minute, and that the most recent figures were of 17,400 abortions per year.

Note that the error here - between 17,400 and "20,000+" is FIFTEEN percent - not 2%. Della's maths skills match her logic and honesty...

She also disingenuously says "which I later corrected". Yes, she did - but only because I'd forced her to. Bizarrely, she then denied that my figures and hers agreed.

"Member decided there and then to start going wherever I went, and calling me a compulsive liar."

This is simply a lie. I don't have that kind of time, and in any case don't care. Death-threat Della is involved in dozens of conversations I have no interest in at all. However, if she appears in one I *am* interested in, I do make sure nobody gives her more credibility than she deserves. If she has a problem with that, then she could always try debating issues rather than attacking personalities, and not lying. She *still* doesn't seem to grasp this concept, which is why I'm having to write this message.

"(I've seen him use this harassing technique on other people since - many of whom have left"

This implies I make a policy of harassing people - "many" people, indeed. Once again, this is a flat-out lie. I do no such thing.

" - one a digibox user, so maybe that's why she left, but even so, she was a nice person - nicer than I am - she just shrugged it off.)"

This interests me, as I have absolutely no idea who she means.

"I am totally fed up with the whole issue. Member isn't even rebuked"

I'd love to know what I should be rebuked FOR.

I haven't impersonated anyone. I haven't threatened to kill anyone.

" - and I am sorry to see such partiality."

If there's any partiality at work, it is in her favour. House Rules and indeed the law seems to be optional for her family.

"h2g2 was a nice place, but since end 2003, beginning 2004, it has become a very 'hostile environment'. Apparition found that out"

Apparition MADE h2g2 a "hostile environment" for a list of researchers which includes myself, blickybadger, Montana Redhead, Sgt Flipper, Dave Obvious, Ferretbadger... the list goes on.

One might also point out that people such as Della who use racist abuse as a debating tactic, and eventually apologise only grudgingly and with a host of qualifications, can hardly complain that the forum afterward becomes hostile to them.

Sorry to bring this up with you Mel, but you were talking about me. I'd hate to see you misled by Death-threat Della's usual mix of histrionics and outright lies.

Thank you for bringing this to me *here* Member. It is so much easier to discuss these things personally than in a forum already populated by others.

I am well aware of Della's track record but to be honest it doesn't affect me. All I am/was trying to do is keep the peace, who is right or wrong has very little to do with me.

As I have said to Az, I keep an emotional distance from things online as I have seen too many problems in the past and you here so many stories about the dangers of the internet. Therefore I do not have any connection to this debate other than to mediate a little, I am not here to dish out judgement or take sides, that would defeat the object of my intervention and make the problem worse.

I hope you can understand where I'm coming from, I do listen to what you have to say and I do listen to Della, however I refuse to be drawn into a discussion as to where blame lies.

Hopefully this will all be sorted soon when the Italics start back this week, now I am going to look at what else has blown up over the weekend whilst I have been offline.

Mel