February 04, 2022, 01:22 PM
parabellumFor all forum members: An email exchange I would like you to read
Most regular forum members know that it has become necessary to carefully screen all registration attempts for the forum. Primarily, this is to keep out scammers, with which we have had ever-increasing problems.
All registration attempts display an IP address. If, when I trace this IP address, it shows as coming from an anonymizing VPN, or from certain locations outside of the United States, these registrations are deleted.
Though it was not my original intent, I do see from time to time, registration attempts coming from government networks- all sorts of agencies. These registrations are, as a matter of routine, deleted. I imagine most of these registration attempts are from individuals simply wanting to access the forum, but because there is no way for me to know the intent of these attempts, I delete them. I imagine most of those people understand in the aftermath why they didn't get through, and on occasion, I see the same username registering that evening or some time after, from their home network, or their phone provider's network, and these registrations are always approved.
A couple of days ago, I received one of these registrations from the network of the Department of Homeland Security. The chosen username lead me to believe that this was perhaps a Border Patrol Agent. Now, when I delete these attempts, I never get an email asking me why they weren't approved; that is, until this week.
I received an email inquiring about difficulty registering, and since the email was polite, and since I had thought perhaps this was a Border Patrol agent attempting to register, I responded. Though I was under no obligation to explain or respond at all, I did so. In the email exchange posted below, you will see that I attempted to ascertain intent. In return, I was threatened with him "spreading the word" to all his colleagues and to other "gun blogs"'
Like most men, I do not take kindly to being threatened, so I told him that I would be happy to publish this email exchange. All he had to do was say the word. I made it clear- or thought I had made it clear- that should I do this, I would omit this person's personal information but you will see that I had difficulty getting this through to him.
More than once in this exchange, this guy has said "this is my last email" but it's not true. He just keeps emailing me, so, this is why you see the following. All personal information- name and email address of this person, has been redacted.
In addition to taking the time to read this exchange, I would like for anyone who cares to comment on what you're about to read, to tell us the following:
What is SIGforum's official position on law enforcement and what do you find to be my personal position on law enforcement?_____________
>>>> Hello
>>>>
>>>> I am having problems with the email verification process. Can you
>>>> please help with this. I am trying to join as (redacted).
>>>>
>>>> (redacted)
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy A51.
_______________
>>>> From: (redacted)@sigforum.com <(redacted)@sigforum.com>
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 2:24:57 PM
>>>> To: (redacted)@hotmail.com <(redacted)@hotmail.com>
>>>> Subject: Re: Email Confirmation
>>>>
>>>> (redacted),
>>>> I nuked your registration. You were connecting to us via the DHS
>>>> network. I am not inclined to approve any such registrations.
>>>> Tell me something- in what capacity are you employed by the DHS?
>>>> Depending upon your answer, I may let you in. If you find this off-putting, I am
>>>> sorry, but these days I am wary of any registrants coming to us via any Federal network.
>>>>
>>>> The username you chose leads me to believe you're one of the good
>>>> guys, but I do need a bit more information.
_______________
>>>> I am sorry to bother you but I thought your site was inclusive for Sig
>>>> owners and did not realize certain people were denied access. I was
>>>> signing up during my free time and was not part of any special
>>>> operation. My position has nothing to do with your site as I am merely wanting to
>>>> connect with other Sig enthusiasts to talk about Sig products which I
>>>> currently own several types. I am sorry my so called position makes
>>>> you feel threatened Is this rule inclusive for this site or is other gun
>>>> forums also controlled by you? I would like to know so I can pass this
>>>> information to all my friends and coworkers and associates who work in
>>>> the same field as I am. I will also be sure to pass this information to
>>>> other gun blog sites.
_______________
>>> From: (redacted)@sigforum.com <(redacted)@sigforum.com>
>>> Sent: Thursday, February 3, 2022 12:55:20 PM
>>> To: (redacted). <(redacted)@hotmail.com>
>>> Subject: Re: Email Confirmation
>>>
>>> Well, how about this, (redacted)? How about if I publish this email exchange
>>> in my forum? Say the word and it shall be done. You have my word on it. I
>>> have nothing to hide.
>>>
>>> If you didn't wish for your registration attempt to be associated with
>>> your employer, then why did you attempt to register while on the DHS
>>> network? Do you normally use your employer's network for personal
>>> business? After all, you said you were doing this during your "free
>>> time".
>>>
>>> You behave as if Americans- especially gun owners- have nothing to fear
>>> from the government. You behave as if forum administrators should think
>>> nothing of it when they see a registration coming in from a network
>>> operated by the Federal government. I responded to you and explained
>>> the situation, even apologizing and telling you that your chosen username
>>> lead me to believe that you are one of the good guys. I took the time when I
>>> was not obligated to do so, and your response is to threaten me with
>>> "spreading the word". Spreading the word about what? That I am careful
>>> and screen all registrants before letting them into this forum? That you
>>> received an response you weren't really due, consisting of an apology
>>> and an explanation of my actions?
>>>
>>> So, you needn't bother with threats. I'll be happy to share this
>>> exchange for all the world to see. Don't misunderstand me- I would not publish
>>> your name or your email address. You see, unlike you, I am not making
>>> threats; I am simply telling you that you have misjudged the situation, and if
>>> you think this needs to be made known publicly, I'll be happy to do it.
_______________
>>> Okay see you are anti government. I signed up as private person and
>>> have internet access which I can access gunsites for informational purpose
>>> meaning we use Sig guns and wanted any news and information on the
>>> basis of Sig information but you feel threatened by me. It is you that has
>>> misjudged the situation. I never threatened you since I asked if you do
>>> not want certain Sig owners that I can pass the word out. I would never
>>> venture anywhere I am not welcomed or feel discriminated. Anyways this
>>> is not going anywhere and I do wish you the best. I will use other sites
>>> for Sig information. Please destroy all my information.
>>>
>>> Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy A51.
_______________
>> From: (redacted)@sigforum.com <(redacted)@sigforum.com>
>> Sent: Thursday, February 3, 2022 3:17:48 PM
>> To: (redacted). <(redacted)@hotmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: Email Confirmation
>>
>> (redacted), let me ask you- if you had signed up from your home internet, do
>> you think we would be having this conversation? The people who egsiter for
>> my forum- I do not know, nor do I care, what they do for a living.
>>
>> You say you signed up as a private person, but you are ignoring the fact
>> that you did so from a government network. That is the crux of the
>> matter. Routinely, I deny any registration coming from government networks. Stop
>> and think about it for a second, will you? How in the world could I
>> possibly know the intent of someone connecting to my forum form a
>> government-owned network? You're a gun owner, apparently. Are you going
>> to tell me that gun owners should not be concerned about contacts from the
>> US government? I find that quite difficult to believe. And to be clear, no,
>> I am not anti-government; it is the reverse. The government is
>> anti-citizen. I am not some hyper-paranoid jackwagon who thinks Big Brother is out to
>> get him, but the Biden administration has made their stance on gun
>> ownership crystal clear.
>>
>> My forum fully supports and endorses law enforcement, and that includes
>> Federal law enforcement officers, which you seem to be. Border Patrol,
>> yes? You think I don't support the men and women of the Border Patrol?
>> We need you now, more than ever. But, the DHS has other departments, don't
>> they? How am I to know just who you are and what is your intent for
>> registering.
>>
>> So, normally, when I see such registrations, I simply delete them and
>> that is all there is to it, but you emailed me and asked politely, and
>> therefore, I responded, politely. You also seem to be forgetting that I
>> tried to make it so that you could still get in. You could have said
>> "I'd rather not say" or you could have re-registered from your home network.
>> You're not the only one who has borders to guard. I guard the borders of
>> this forum.
>>
>> You're asking me to destroy all information about you. Well, when I
>> deleted your registration, there was no information at all being
>> retained. It was all gone. But, I'll retain this email exchange, because if you're
>> going to threaten me with "spreading the word", then, I need to keep
>> these emails. I'll not have you or anyone else making accusations about me or
>> my site and not have any evidence as to what actually transpired. If you
>> want this to be over, then, it's over, but if I get wind you're making claims
>> which are distorted or outright untrue, then I'll have evidence of what
>> really happened. I wasn't born yesterday.
>>
>> Now, barring any such public accusations coming from you, then all of
>> this is nothing but history, never to see the light of day. It's up to you.
_______________
>> Okay based on what you are saying I should not open an account from
>> computers operated by libraries, schools, FedEx Kinkos office, Starbucks
>> wifi etc. I have signed up with many sites using all of the above with
>> no problems and issues. I understand you have trust issues and do not wish
>> to sway from it which is why i stated I will tell my friends and coworkers
>> to avoid your site. I do not see this as a threat since this is what you
>> are asking. You can do whatever you want but I ask is please do not post my
>> personal information as I am now fearful of your anti Government/law
>> enforcement views.
>>
>> Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy A51.
_______________
> From: (redacted)@sigforum.com <(redacted)@sigforum.com>
> Sent: Friday, February 4, 2022 11:35:07 AM
> To: (redacted) . <(redacted)@hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: Email Confirmation
>
> You actually want me to believe you are that dense? I told you the
> specific problem with your registration attempt and now you want to behave
> as if you just can't comprehend. Let me tell you something- if you are
> fearful of my posting anything about this, you are doing the exact
> opposite of what you should be doing, which is just walking away.
>
> Furthermore, my previous comments abut law enforcement should have made it
> clear to you that I support law enforcement, and law enforcement receives
> a full and enthusiastic endorsement in my forum, but you want to behave as
> if you can't read and comprehend plain English, and you know, I'm
> beginning to think that may be true.
>
> Something else I'm beginning to think is that while you may be a DHS
> employee, you're not a law enforcement officer because I find it very
> difficult to believe that a federal LEO would be as dense as you appear to
> be. Frankly, you sound like a college-age kid. You sound like someone with
> little to no actual life experience. I have been forthright with you, but
> you behave as if you don't get it. All this crap about how you're
> "fearful" of yadda-yadda. Ridiculous.
>
> Now, I've already told you that all you do for this to be a thing of the
> past is to just leave it alone, but you keep coming back. Keep it up and I
> may very well publish this entire email exchange. Go play in someone
> else's yard.
_______________
> You can believe what you want and that is your right. I am just amazed
> you made me feel like a second class citizen but you are correct that we
> need to move on. I cannot control your next action nor can I accept you
> support Government employees which you made it clear you do not but I
> support your beliefs. Take care and this is my last email to you
>
> Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy A51.
_______________
No one can make you "feel" like anything if you don't allow it. That's on
you, not me.
And just so there is no doubt in your mind, I'll tell you again what I
told you at the outset when you threatened to spread it around that I am
anti-law enforcement, which is completely untrue- I may publish this email
exchange, but I would not under any circumstances reveal your name or your
email address. Does that ease your fears? I have no desire to cause
trouble for you or anyone else, but I do not care for being threatened, so
if you want to say you'll let everyone know about this, I'll just do it
for you, but none of your personal information would be included. I can't
make it any clearer. You speak of "trust issues" but you behave as if I'm
out to get you. It's ridiculous, man.
.