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Submitted by grammy on Sat, 2008-01-12 12:33.
BEAUFORT TODAY is now publishing a weekly LOCAL paper. It's published on Fridays and is available free at many locations throughout Beaufort, as well as being inserted in the Savannah paper if you subscribe to that. Here is a link to the on-line site:
Since the Gazette is now moving all the main offices to Bluffton (yes, they are - the only thing located in Beaufort will be a little satellite office), I hope that BEAUFORT TODAY will fill the void that many of us have noticed over the past several months.
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This seems to be a publication branch of the "Savannah Morning News" judging from the names of some columnists.
There for a few years we had a local division of this subscription Savannah newspaper, I think it was called "The Lowcountry News" and it had a really good online part on www.lowcountrynow.com which was cancelled and the free www.Blufftontoday.com was begun. Savannah said at the time that they would include Beaufort news in their Savannah online newspaper. That does not seem to have happened. The Blufftontoday seems worthless to me, nothing there but Bluffton.
Thanks grammy for telling us about this new online newspaper!
First the TV station and colleges leave Beaufort and now the main office of the BG? Even some fast food restaurants are leaving. Didn't I also hear about the United Way relocating and possibly the Board of Education? The empty buildings should start becoming very obvious in 2008....especially after more are built.
Now I realize that someone right away will counter these facts with something like "well more fast food restaurants are moving in," or "the colleges are still here." But the facts show a rapid decline of Beaufort. There will again be a lot of development in Beaufort County, but it will be South of the Broad. The Party's over North of the Broad and especially in Beaufort. They will finally succeed with the protectionist aspirations that have been obvious.
Some will still say that we are building because "they" are coming......but again, who is "they?" Beaufort had better be thankful that they have the Military for now at least. A captive audience/population is about the only one that Beaufort is capable of maintaining. They can't even retain teachers for very long.
Haven't been around in a while basically due to non-ease of navigation of the new design and the generalised beating of dead horses. So, has an official announcement been made as to what we've all known as far as The Beaufort Gazette really no longer being in Beaufort?
I appreciate the info. As you well know, you and I have had this discussion over the move of the Gazette for well over a year and a half now. I have been quite vocal here about it having become the Bluffton Gazette for months. Each time I have done so Steve Blust comes back with a "blustering" reply that there is not and never has been any plan to move out of Beaufort. What say you now Steve? What is the current company line? I honestly hope that someone does try to fill the void created by the departure of a once great newspaper. Someone with integrity!
And to the rest of you, send the Gazette a message, stop subscribing and stop advertising with them, and tell your friends to do the same. Beaufort money belongs in Beaufort, not Bluffton! Let's put our money behind this new paper, see if we can help them succeed!
Yes, topgunscooter, I also remember Blust's denials. Makes you wonder how much of what he has said has had credibility doesn't it?
I can't help but think about his implied threat to end anonymity on this blog when certain folks were receiving some heat in reply to their usual personal attacks.
Another discussion was about the inclusion or exclusion of certain local stories and/or names.
Without credibility a newspaper might as well fold. No wonder his seemingly favorite retort was to suggest that people were conspiracy theorists.
A few months ago we were very close to purchasing part of a new building in Beaufort that would have kept us here for decades. The owner of that building then decided to lease the entire building, rather than sell parts of it, and our corporate office decided that the smarter fiscal approach was to expand the Island Packet building in Bluffton, which will happen later this year, probably in the summer. That will provide a considerable cost savings that will enable us to keep us at our current staffing levels. Most newspapers around the country have cut staff in recent months because of a significant downturn in advertising revenue. We have not, and with this move, we will be able to keep our staff intact.
NOTHING else is changing, other than some of us will have longer commutes in the morning. We will continue to cover Beaufort as we always have. I defy anyone, especially topgunscooter, to look at this newspaper on a day-to-day basis and say there is a Bluffton emphasis and not a Beaufort emphasis. You can't. Yes, we run stories from the Island Packet, and the Packet runs stories from the Gazette. But the focus always has been Beaufort and always will be Beaufort.
Well shadows, I just did a quick count of the 38 articles that are reached just now by clicking on "Local news" in the Gazette. 19 of them originate in Beaufort.
So, it's divided half and half this week between reporters writing for the Gazette and the Packet.
There was one article that could have gone either way, it just listed by "staff reports".
... would be to actually look at the front pages of the newspaper, not simply total all the stories we run, many of which are 2- or 3-inch brief that run inside the paper, not on the cover. There is no way you can look at the front page of this newspaper, which is where we put the stories that we believe are most important to our readers, and not tell that this is a BEAUFORT newspaper.
The newspaper biz is tough, especially now. I'm sorry you're taking so much grief from these people who use your website daily as a source of entertainment and social interaction. I appreciate the good work you and your staff do. Keep it up, sir!
While McClatchy is single-handedly attempting to take over the world, (i.e., purchasing Knight-Ridder), they are leaving themselves open to local takeovers of such publications as they deem not worthy of effort such as Tri-Command, Boot, Jetstream, Jasper, etc. These actions have opened a freeway for Morris Publications. Either way, you, Margaret, are doing the right thing in the Butter Battle by keeping your bread buttered on both sides, rather than "one side up and one side down." Who knows, maybe Morris will make you an offer you can't refuse... . Play both ends against the middle, however, be wary of burning a candle at both ends.
Shouldn't we be a little more tolerant of people who are in the process of making the transition from birth to death? It begins immediately without much time in between. So much to do and so little time to do it.
Ironically, some folks get so caught up in the desire to "be someone" that they pass without ever having fulfilled their potential. While it is sometimes referred to as selling out, it is probably more accurate to describe it as making a wrong turn during the journey.
Lots of personal hardships, tragedies, and/or unexpected events, both good and bad can serve as catalysts for such changes or turns in the road. But while most of us make a wrong turn at least once during our journey, the challenge is to find our way back to the point that only we can recognize. Deep down inside each of us, we know "where" we should be.
watching the science channel today, Time, 99.9% of the species who have ever existed on the planet are now extinct. Humanity will be as well, maybe sooner than later. What really matters? That is what only you can decide for you, and I for myself.
We do the best we can on our journey. And yes, we will fall. We are, after all, human. But we do pick ourselves back up, because it is human nature to avoid extinction, even though every single one of us will end up dead. Short time, I hope I dance.
And yes, BT is sister to BT (blufftontoday) and a child of savannah morning news. Steph over at the old BT is soliciting interest in the new blogs on the new BT.
I think I'll stay here, thank you.
Karen, Andy's ^i^ Mom
www.AndrewKeithAnderson.tvheaven.com
www.s8.createphpbb.com/lethalwhiteauss/
It may surprise you to know that some of us also use it as a source of information and at times intellectual exchange. But don't worry Mr. Blust, we all "wuv" you just like margjeff.
Is this a "Hallmark Moment?"
Is this a "Hallmark Moment?"
It must be my sensitivity training taking over.
All that comes to mind right now is that old song "I'm getting sentimental over you."
On second thought it could be my advanced age.......people have a tendency to try and be nicer as they get closer to death or start a new business.
I was addressing the origin of the local stories that appeared this week in the ONLINE EDITION only.
Also, I was not counting any of articles running in the online "Briefs". Some of those would also be duplicated in the "Local News".
I buy the printed "Gazette" about twice weekly, but I find it difficult to read (maybe I need new glasses), but the paper is no longer white in color - now kind of a tan off-white, and the print ink is a bit faint.
Since you mentioned the importance of the front pages of newspapers and stories that you "believe are most important to our readers," have there been any articles about the BG moving to Bluffton? It would seem as though such a story would be important to your readers and should be front page news. Why should news have to leak out from other sources?
There are a few details that need to be worked out, and we'll be making an official announcement after those are completed, probably very shortly.
Steve,
Can you spell "bovine manure"? First it was "We're keeping a staff of reporters and ad people right here where we have always been. We aren't going anywhere!" Now it's "We were going to purchase part of a building that we lost the deal on." If your focus was to remain here you would have purchased or leased something else HERE! God knows there are many commercial buildings here standing empty. I know you answer to the company and you have to defend and try to sell the company propaganda. But, let's face facts here. Bluffton is projected to be the largest city in South Carolina within 20 years. Right now, the money is headed there, and if that projection is correct it will only get better there. McClatchy is following the dough, and that is understandable from a sound business perspective. But they are still trying to hedge their bet by stating that Beaufort will always be the focus. I reiterate: bovine manure! The point is to hang on to the proven revenues generated in Beaufort and nothing more. I don't mind you doing that as long as you do it in a straight forward manner.
The other thing that continues to damage your credibility in my eyes is another statement you made in a reply to my first diatribe about your move. I first "outed" your planned move right after O.C. Welch announced their move nearly a year and a half ago. I commended their honesty and called the Gazette out for not having announced a planned move that I had known to be fact for nearly a year prior. You said at that time that The Gazette would always be in Beaufort to some extent. You also said that no jobs were being lost as a result of that move. You lied, you flat out lied with that statement and I knew you had the moment you said it. My brother in law lost his career with the Gazette the day the Bluffton facility opened, and he already knew he had lost it at the time you and I had our initial exchange. If he knew it, so did you! You lied!
And, this whole deal creates a real feeling of regret for me. You and your rag ran a scathing, unfounded and false headline article about me in Feb of 2004. After it was proven false, when I asked for a simple retraction I never got so much as a response from any of you. The only thing that kept me from suing your backsides off was the fear that McClatchy might retaliate by firing or otherwise screwing with my brother in law's career there. In a sense, he saved your proverbial butts and then ended up losing out to your move anyway. I should have sued anyway and paid him for his present and future losses if my initial assessment had proven correct.
I think it's pretty clear that I hold McClatchy and pretty low regard. I think it's also clear that I get a little satisfaction out of coming here to pull your chain when I think you're being less than respectful to the good folks of Beaufort. I would wager that most of those of you who are still here will be moving to Bluffton in the foreseeable future. Maybe when the property values there dive just a little move than they have so far. You aren't going to commute for any longer than necessary!
McClatchy has bet on the wrong horse in my opinion. Beaufort has been here for over 500 years, Bluffton is nothing more than flagulence in the wind, and the projection is wrong. Bluffton is destined to be just another bedroom city populated mostly by retirees and part timers who don't spend money locally.
By the way, I like it when you use terms that indicate your defiance. Please continue, I'll be here until you throw me off. That would be a move that would make you look credible now wouldn't it?
Steve,
I first "outed" your planned move right after O.C. Welch announced their move nearly a year and a half ago. I commended their honesty and called the Gazette out for not having announced a planned move that I had known to be fact for nearly a year prior. You said at that time that The Gazette would always be in Beaufort to some extent. You also said that no jobs were being lost as a result of that move. You lied, you flat out lied with that statement and I knew you had the moment you said it. My brother in law lost his career with the Gazette the day the Bluffton facility opened, and he already knew he had lost it at the time you and I had our initial exchange. If he knew it, so did you! You lied!
You really need to get your facts straight, Mr. Ellis. And you need to read a lot more clearly. You're embarrassing yourself.
The deal for our building purchase in Beaufort fell through approximately two months ago. You say you know for a fact that a move was planned when the O.C. Welch property went on the market. You're wrong. Until approximately October I was looking over plans for our new building and coming up with a seating chart. If you consider that a lie, that's your choice. But you're wrong.
After the deal fell through, corporate decided that rather than purchase another building in town, we needed to find a cost-saving measure that would enable us to avoid reducing our staff. Then, and only then, is when the Packet expansion came into play. Any claim to the contrary is, to use your words, a lie.
And just so newcomers to this site are aware, Mr. Ellis' animosity toward the Gazette stems in large part from this story that ran in February 2004. And I'm not "outing" him by mentioning his name; he has done that often in previous posts here.
Artist charged in Web scam
Published Fri, Feb 20, 2004
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By GLENN MAFFEI
Gazette staff writer
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A Beaufort airbrush artist who custom paints motorcycle parts has been charged with stealing $5,317 from residents of seven states using an Internet scam.
Curtis Ellis, 55, of 2 Broad Oaks Court, allegedly stole the money, as well as motorcycle parts valued at $5,627, using online business transactions where the buyer pays up front, according to a Beaufort Police Department report and people who say they lost money to Ellis.
He was arrested Monday in Beaufort and charged with seven counts of breach of trust and one count of a second-degree violation of the computer crime act.
Police have recovered the parts and are returning them to their owners.
Ellis' arrest warrants allege seven people across the country lost money in the scam: Jon Rodgers of Terre Haute, Ind.; Ron Lilly of Des Moines, Iowa; Frank Lunsford of Spring, Texas; Shawn Brocato of Margate, Fla.; Randy Keller of Santa Rosa, Calif.; Pat Muckian of Spanaway, Wash.; and Zeca Pires of Miami.
There appears to be a longer list of victims, including a St. Augustine, Fla., man who said Thursday he will file a claim this week with Beaufort police. Some victims have united using a Web site, www.topgunstudio.com, for others to come forward and tell their stories. Several people on the site claim Ellis scammed them out of motorcycle parts or paint jobs. The site is a spoof of Ellis' site, www.topgunstudios.com.
Investigator Jeff Vortisch of the Beaufort Police Department investigated the charges for the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office. He would not comment on details of the case, including the basis for the charges, but said the investigation continues.
Reached at home Thursday afternoon, Ellis referred comment to his attorney, but then said, "I personally think that I've been victimized here." He would not elaborate and his attorney, Scott Lee, would not comment.
Muckian, who met Ellis on online auction site eBay, said from his Washington home that he paid Ellis $2,164 in mid-October to buy new equipment for his 1997 Harley Davidson Road King, but that Ellis kept giving new reasons why the job had to be delayed. Months later, Muckian went to the Beaufort police. After investigating Muckian's complaint and others, Vortisch obtained a search warrant and recovered various motorcycle parts that will be returned to their owners, Muckian said.
"What I know that (police are) going to send me is a gas tank, front fender and rear fender," he said, adding that other parts that he paid for were not found. "What I don't know is if they are for my '97 Road King."
If the parts match his Harley Davidson motorcycle, Muckian said, he's still out at least $1,498.
"If it's not mine, what am I going to do with a primer gas tank and front and rear fender that's not even for my bike? I'm out the whole $2,100."
Ken Mortimer, the 44-year-old St. Augustine, Fla., man who said he plans to file a report, sent Ellis two tanks, two fenders and saddle bags from his 1977 Harley Dresser FL with an agreement that the parts would be custom painted. When he lost communication with Ellis, he said he drove to Beaufort from Florida and retrieved his parts from Ellis' home. But Ellis still owes him $600 that he paid up front, he said.
Ellis' user name on eBay is topgunscooter. In 267 transactions since March 2003, he has 100 percent positive feedback, according to the eBay Web site.
A spokesman for eBay, Hani Durzy, did not have information on Ellis and said eBay authorities have not been asked to cooperate in an investigation.
"We have processes in place that make eBay a very safe place to do business, a place to buy and sell things, everything from the feedback system that allows you to view the reputation of the person you're buying from, as well as safe paying methods," Durzy said. He said a fraction of 1 percent of eBay transactions are confirmed fraud.
Ellis was released Tuesday on $40,000 bond from the Beaufort County Detention Center, according to court records.
"It's just a nightmare, the whole thing," Muckian said.
Contact Glenn Maffei at 986-5531 or
.
Steve,
I was referring to the move of your production department not the move you are currently speaking of. My facts regarding that first move are indeed accurate. And thanks for posting that article, it saves people from having to do a lengthy search to find it. And, I enjoy reading good fiction once in a while. As I said, it was all disproven in court, and I don't intend to defend myself on it again. Think of me what you will, I know who I am and that's all that counts. My eBay rating today is far higher than then, and it is still 100% positive....wonder how that happened?
You are correct however, much of my animosity toward the Gazette does indeed stem from this article and you lack of action after the case was disproven. And some of it stems from your statement a long time ago about no employees losing jobs over the move of the production department. I knew that statement was wrong when you made it and I knew it for a fact.
I just spoke with our production director, who confirmed what I believed to be correct: Everyone in our production department had the option of making the move to Bluffton and keeping his or her job. He said one person chose not to make the move. I don't know if this was your family member. The size of the department actually increased, as we needed more people to operate the new, larger press. But no one involuntarily - that's the key word here - lost his job because of the move.
...not so fast scooter...it wasn't all disproven in court..
Nolle Prosequi: an entry made upon the records of a court when the plaintiff or prosecutor will proceed no further in a suit or action.
BTW, "Nolle Prosequi" flows like wine in Beaufort County!
Criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, Restraining Order, Computer Crime Act, value more than $1000, up to $25,000, Computer Crime Act, value more than $1000, up to $25,000, Breach of trust with fraudulent intent, value more than $1,000 but less than $5,000, Summons & Complaint(s), Rule to Vacate(s), Judgment(s), Claim & Delivery.
"...it was "Nolle Prosequi"... " leave it to you JungleBall, to bend untruth's based on truths to suit your needs. You are no better, actually far less, than the Evangelicals who try to bend God's Word to suit their own selfish and sanctimonious purposes.
...I didn't bend anything.
It was your friend scooter who was running around saying "liar! liar! Pants on Fire!" Not to smart, I wouldn't be saying that to people who buy ink by the barrel, the (55)fifty-five gallon barrel and virtually unlimited bandwidth on the internet.
It's interesting that you raked me over the coals and in the same breath told your buddy scooter to back off all the non-sense. I am really surprised that he would call someone a liar and then turn around and start spouting off lies himself, what an idiot..."disproven in court!...disproven in court!"
Why would that surprise you. Mhammet stopped surprising people long ago.
What Would Broggi Think?
SCNATIVE: Would Carl smile on the nastiness that you spread like flesh eating bacteria here?
Is that supposed to be an issue in my life?
And what nastiness?
You liken truth to nastiness?
I liken your trying to pretend to be God-like, (which is in your life truthfulness), to all and sundry, and stalking me to be on two completely different levels. You first brought it to my attention that you felt you knew who I was, who my daughter was, and who my husband, of which I have not had one in many years, was. You even went so far as to ID supposed neighbors of mine, that they were members of LE and many other foolish, foolish actions on your part. Well, let me clue you in to a little secret, you screwed yourself.
SC a stalker? I didn't know that......I simply thought that he was the master interpreter of the "word."
Is that like a bishop or cardinal or something?
I appreciate the confirmation.
Bye now.
And neither would Carl.
S. told me you'd be the only loser he could think of that would be so low and so persistent after all these months and years to continue the stuff you've been trying to pull on me. So People. SCNATIVE is full of PODUNCK and has finally admitted it.
He hit on me one time and S. bout reamed him a new one.
But S. is much more cool than that and people of scnative's ilk don't even come within S's periphery.
S. is a winner in the Church Orchestra and in local government and everywhere else.
scnative is a loser.
And a poor loser at that.
I thought better of you than that. Read a wee bit more closely in the future. Scooter and I are not friends. Southern Scooters dude I have respect for. Not Curtis Ellis. Two totally different people. And, if you paid more attention to what your were reading, you would have realized that a long, long time ago.
I bought a bike off of Sonda Spitzer back in the early '90s. I heard about it from going by Southern Scooters, "Stitch," was his name. The '98 250cc Rebel that I bought from Sonda had been very much a part of the Teddy Bear Drive for years here in Beaufort. Randy Ramsey was Sonda's boyfriend at the time that I bought the motorcycle.
Curtis Ellis was never a part of any of that equation. And, if you have been rubber lipped and made the real "Scooter Dude" look back because of your own ignorance, I suggest that you immediately start backpeddling and correcting the errors of your ways.
wisheshopesanddreams said to Curtis Ellis aka topgunscooter:
"I really do have an affinity for your in-your-face attitude"...
I take that to mean that he's your buddy and you further go on to give him advice as a buddy would.
BTW, I think it has been established that topgunscooter aka Curtis Ellis is your buddy and by the way I don't have any plans to do any backpeddling on your account.
You're just an uninformed, unintellectual, dumbass, then, aren't you.
It really is bong night at the trap house? Buddha Buddha Buddha Buddha Buddha. Anybody got any Cheech and Chong albums? No! Snoop Dog?
A nolle is generally entered when either the prosecutor is unable to prove a case [as in when a witness from Washington or Des Moines is not going to spend MORE money to fly here to testify about losing money] or if they believe it is not reasonable, unfair or an injustice to proceed further [such as the honor student that I got off of a speeding and reckless driving charge when he passed a drunk driver who was doing 35 in a 45 and weaving, and he passed at 60mph. The drunk was pulled over by the cops partner a mile down the road].
I guess topgun can't tell us which one it was, since he cannot read a mind, but, generally in these circumstances, the complainants do not testify because they have been made whole, i.e., restitution has been paid, and there was a sufficient dispute over the content that once the prosecutor has obtained restitution for the complainants, they should not have to travel a gazillion miles to get the court to order what they already have.
So, how'd it all work out scooter? The 'you paid some money and made it go away' or the 'gee, no one wanted to come testify' path? hahahahaha
I think I may actually be starting to like you.
Shoot me, now, please.
I am the Borg, or at least closely related to the Borg. . . assimilate now.
You are not thinking like me - its just human nature.
It was a simple matter of the evidence overwhelmingly supporting the fact that no crime had ever been committed. These charges were filed by individuals, not the police. The police and the courts nonetheless had the duty to move on the case regardless of its validity. Because the Internet was involved, the Secret Service was dragged into it and three of their officers interviewed me. They laughed at the whole thing and stated that they felt sorry for the Solicitor who had to prosecute the case. I didn't pay anyone off. And I was fully prepared to take it to court to fully prove my innocence. It was the Solicitor's idea to drop it, not mine.
If the prosecutor believed there was zero basis to the charges, his is bound by the rules of ethics to dismiss the charges. Dismissal means groundless. Dismissal means that they cannot be refiled or brought again without new evidence.
If he believes OTOH that the charges may have merit but cannot be proven due to lack of cooperation from witnesses [as in getting their property back or being out of state] or some other reason, but, suspects that there may be other victims or more charges out there , or that the case may be proven based on later acquired evidence, then a nolle is the appropriate disposition. . . .
I'm not saying it is not policy to nolle everything, 'just in case' but if it is policy to do so then it is a violation of prosecutorial ethics that can be easily proven by looking at dismissals and nolles entered. . . .
I am in possession of a "Dismissal" document, and that was how it was handled. The online records do show Nolle and I always assumed that was just how they recorded such things. Perhaps I need to look into that.
The public record is how other law enforcement agencies and credit bureaus look at your record. Trust me, the fact of a dismissal in the public records has a completely different effect on your credit score than a nolle of fraud charges. Further, in the event someone else looks at the docs in the future they could decide to commence an investigation if there is a nolle of similar charges appearing of record rather than an outright dismissal . . . . you gotta make sure the public records always comport with the private ones.
Must have been some pretty heavy charges, Curtis.
Wishes,
The Secret Service is the law enforcement agency that has juristiction over the Internet. Most times when and Internet crime is alledged they have to get involved. It was a simple interview (face to face) and they quickly determined that no crime had been committed. This was 3 days after my arrest and release on O.R. (not $40,000 bail as was printed). The local case languished in the local courts for nearly a year. I think partially because they didn't know what to do with it, and also there was a changeover of the lead deputy Solicitor going on at the time. The outgoing one left it for the incoming one who dismissed it the first time I came in contact with him. One look at my defense file and he knew he had no case.
The Secret Service aka The Central Intelligence Agency has been around a lot longer than you and I have been living on this earth combined. Where did you get the whacked out idea they just came along because of the internet. Is Gore a personal buddy of your's, or what?
I said the Secret Service was the agency that was responsible for handling internet crime. I said nothing about them being new. They were formed durung U.S. Grant's administration after the lincoln assassination. The CIA may or may not be conntected, and they were chartered in 1947 to replace the OSS.
What, exactly, is an O.R.? I know a PR is a Personal Recogniscence bond, in that they think you aren't a flight risk. Don't ask, my family is loaded with SLED agents, detectives, SCHP and the like. And, if any of their relatives get into trouble, woe be unto he who is in trouble. Cops don't like it when family gets into trouble either way. They make you pay. Big Time. If they don't, they'd be considered to be "on the dole." So, Curtis, you got some 'splainin' to do'
As in no flight risk, family ties in the community, homeowner, that sort of thing.
Secret Service is part of Treasury Dept.
HuH. Speakin' of bull hockey.
UCB,
If you would like to unveil yourself I'll be happy to show you the entire case file. It was disproven, it just never got past the embarrassed Solicitor who had absolutely no evidence to support the charges. I on the other hand (knowing that "innocent until proven guilty " is a fantasy) had volumes of evidence to disprove the allegations. And as Steve would say, get your facts straight, it was seven counts of Breach of Trust! Like I've said before, I have nothing to hide. You can't hurt me, far better than you have tried!
...you have brought all of this on yourself. As I said earlier, it's a mistake to start threatening people via a law suit and more specifically the BG which buys ink by the barrel. Not only did you do that but you also called the BG a LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE! Quite frankly, that's just stupid and you are out-of-control. If I were you I would just shut up about it and all this will go away. However, if you choose to keep pushing, then people are going to push back. You are not seeming to get this concept. Take a chill pill and move on.
A tattooed self-professed biker and motorcycle gas tank air brush artist actually said, "liar, liar, panties on fire,?" Give me a break---and he was asking me if I had the gonads, (purely white male trash term), rather than cojones (purely acceptable Spanish word for the same term), Oh my God. Was he the one who earlier was asking me if I'd been around glue or gasoline? I didn't know at the time what that meant, but now I reckon I do. (Sorry, I just laughed my midnight milk out through my nose.) I love it when people are feeling backed into corners like Chows. Of course, when I raised Chows, their feelings were first and foremost...otherwise they'd chew you're freaking arm off, if you hadn't bred them from pups. At any rate, I digress, I just don't bother keeping up with the BG Online anymore, it's just too much of a pain in the ass. Plus, during the holidays, when people should have been sharing happiness, they were just getting into each others faces at the least opportunity. I'd been in the hospital for two weeks and was just disgusted with everyone. But now, I'm back, ain't nonya bidnziz if am black, aint nonya bidniz if i cracka, aint nonya bidnez if im gonna hit the firewater and come scalp you. Ain't nonya. Just ask Queen Quet. Laugh all you want. She won the game, need I say more. I don't think so.
Wishes,
I have never professed to be a biker. I ride one, but that isn't necessarily the same thing.
UCB,
I have no misconceptions about the "concept". Nor have I threatened anyone with a lawsuit. I have simply offered to prove what I have said on certain topics, but only in a court of law. I've already been stung by those barrels full of ink. It is very damaging but it can be survived. I voluntarily opened my life for everyone here to see. Why, because what happened to me could happen to any of you in one form or another, and it might be good to be aware of that. And understand, I am fully under control. I happen to love this town and the people who live here. I don't like it when anyone does something potentially hurtful to this place. I like it even less when statements about such hurtful events continue to change to suit a corporate bottom line. It was inevitable from the moment the Gazette decided to move its production department to Bluffton that the rest would eventually follow. Why not just say it openly and be done with it. I would have no problem with that, but the continuing spin is a little irritating. They act as though the readers here in Beaufort are stupid. Please understand, if I see something I feel needs a push, I will continue to do so. The mighty pen can only hurt you if you fear what it what it might write. I don't!
topgunscooter said:
"They act as though the readers here in Beaufort are stupid."
You are doing it again. Relax and move on.
My advice to you is to stay away from "Wishes", yes it's free advice and may be only worth what you paid for it, but I doubt it!
You said "but the continuing spin is a little irritating." The only one spinning this right now is "Wishes". Stay away from "Wishes" and things will get alot better.
A wee bit paranoid aren't we.
Let alone, seven counts?
Back down. Seriously. Your eBay seller account hasn't had a rating placed in years. For a long time. Please don't dig yourself into a hole out of which you can't crawl. Some old prune attempted to pull that on me a few weeks ago and was bashed. And not by me. I really do have an affinity for your in-your-face attitude, but, you've got to realize when it's time to back off. And don't forget, due to the glory of anonymity, the web is really no place to be arguing with folks of whom you know not... .
Wishes,
Refer to the other thread on this, I replied to you and UCB there. As far as the folks I don't know, to heck with them, their anonymity merely shows their cowardace. I fear no coward! And thanks for the advice, but I NEVER back down! At least Steve will face me under his own identity, I do admire that about him. He is a formidable adversary! He has more ink, but I have far more tenacity and stamina. But he still makes it fun.
Topgunscooter may or may not be offended by this but I am. You're acting worst than a second grader. And you call yourself an editor? Think I just read a blog that said something about personally attacking people....maybe you should read it too.
I have found your comments and reporting to be candid and straight forward. Keep up the good work and Thank You!
Where was your paint shop located in October? I have an interest here but I'm not sure if it's an issue with you or another custom painter.
But it is something I'd like to get resolved, amiably if possible.
Like I say I'm not sure if your shop was the one who done the work, just need to know it's address.
Give me an email addy or phone number ad I will contact you to see if I can help. I don't think it was here, I don''t believe anything of a custom nature ran though here in October. I do all of that sort of work here and I was down with pneumonia for most of that month. In any case, I'll be glad to help in any way I can.
Scooter
Disregard my last. I found out who it was. Sorry for the mix up.
I believe one may be in order.
Better yet, why not a full-color center-spread true double-truck.
If you're being serious, thanks! But I no longer want the retraction. Contrary to the stated by-line, the article was only partially written by a Gazette reporter. He added info from a couple of local phone calls the day before it was printed and ten days after I had the original press release he worked from in my hands. It was generated in Michigan and sent to me 3 days before charges were filed or I was arrested. It was generated by a man who was trying to extort money from me and he had no involvement with any eBay sale I ever made. After hacking my computer system and stealing my customer list he was able to convince 7 poor souls that he was about to have me arrested and that if they did not press charges their bike parts (which were all being worked on in the proper order) would be confiscated and lost to the police. Seven of 48 clients active at that time fell for it. Those seven got back completed or nearly completed parts which were thrown haphazardly into the back of a pickup truck by police officers and damaged severely. Funny, the guy who started it all never filed a single charge, imagine that. And wishes, you said watch who you mess with, and that's a good point. This guy threatened me on the internet and I told him to take his best shot. He did, and he did it well. He even duped the Gazette and six other publications that I am aware of into running his premature press release. I didn't back down then and I don't intend to start doing so anytime soon.
Be careful Steve, I can prove every word of this, and I will be glad to so in a court of law.
Scooter
Was directed toward adracer1 on your behalf. Reckon you didn't read it before you lit into me, but that's okay, that's what men do, act before thinking. Too bad, you've said so much more to me this evening that in my book you have gone way beyond the pale. Good luck, to you, Curtis. You're going to need it.
The comment above contained nothing that was meant with any disrespect toward you, it was intended as a genuine thank you. And the comments on the now missing other thread were drafted for the benefit of UCB. After writing them I included your name in the greeting because the way the original post was made it was confusing to as to who wrote it. If I offended you I apologize, that was not my intent.
Glad you found out who it was. I'm still willing to help if you or your friend need any.
Scooter
You never allow anyone else to speak.
...I think I see Batman!...WHAM!!!%&$@%.BANG!!!. %&$@%.POW!...POW!...
Hey look, it’s topgun laying flat out on his butt….topgun? are you alright?...topun…can you hear me?...topgun, come on get up! He is not moving!..Is he faking it?…..I think topgunscooter is dead! He is, he’s really dead!
Oh well, Batman only goes after the bad guys and the next time you see him, will you thank him for me?
Sorry UCB,
That was Batman you heard screaming for mercy!
How did he manage with those tiny briefs and tights?
BEAUFORT TODAY is now publishing a weekly LOCAL paper. It's published on Fridays and is available free at many locations throughout Beaufort, as well as being inserted in the Savannah paper if you subscribe to that. Here is a link to the on-line site:
http://www.beauforttoday.com/
Since the Gazette is now moving all the main offices to Bluffton (yes, they are - the only thing located in Beaufort will be a little satellite office), I hope that BEAUFORT TODAY will fill the void that many of us have noticed over the past several months.
Grammy, your very important information seems to being lost in the shuffle of all these comments which are off-topic.
You can thank Steve Blust for that one
I have known and worked with topgun off and on for three years. I have seen and filed all of the documents that he is speaking of. I have seen and used his ebay account (very good rating BTW) through the shop for personal and parts buying and selling. In no way was what he doing illegal. It was nothing more than him getting a skilled scam artist that was looking for a payday to avoid a scandal. He did not get what he wanted so he followed through with the mudslinging. Now if everyone would think about this for a second and answer this. How is Scooter still in business? One article with no follow up story. Even the 24 year old child molestation case got a second story. (BTW what IS up with that?? Still under investigation?) Some of us know the truth and have seen it first hand. It's all in the green file cabinet at the shop go have a look.
Personal note....
Steve,
I really think that this was dirty pool. Y'all get on us for not playing nice. Good subject change but bad tact.