UPDATE (see end of post)
~~~~~~~~~~
As Festivus is my favourite yearly celebration, especially the Airing of Grievances, I’ve decided to move the celebration up a few months and address a recent occurrence which shocked myself and my fellow bloggers, Prudentia and Yust Yucky.
Before I go into details, I wish to make one thing perfectly clear. Prudentia has been publicly keel-hauled by many of those involved in taking down the Kimpire over her "Friendly Fire" post she made months ago to Martina’s Martini. She has kept her counsel and never defended herself. That blog post was made for a very specific purpose, which I’m not about to reveal.
At the time, Yust Yucky (Mimi) and myself were sounding boards for Prudentia, who had an onerous task on her shoulders and was being hit by unfriendly-fire shrapnel left and right (and still is). The post "worked" and Trista was extremely grateful for Prudentia putting herself out there and helping her. And Martina’s Martini crawled back under his rock.
Recently on the Fascinated board, Mayberryfan got her knickers in a twist and left the board. On July 18th, 2008, Mayberry posted the following in the comment section of her blog:
"Mayberryfan said...
Yucky,
I appreciate your thoughts and thank you for sharing them. I have NO intention of endangering anyone involved in the previous group. I am not out to HURT anyone, well except for Heidi Diaz, and only by legal means. I understand the need for the blogger in question to be hidden. I gave you my word that I will not reveal what you revealed to me, and I won't. You can bank on it.
As for the comments you list here from Jo, it has been explained that she made them in an emotional state. There are more issues there than you know and they have absolutely NOTHING to with any of this. They are personal. Please do your best to understand and let it go. I've said before, this wasn't intended as a pejorative against all the anti-KK bloggers. After all, I happen to be one of many in that group. Perhaps you don't consider me as part of that group, and you have a right to your opinion.
I will take your word that Prue is a good person. I didn't realize who she was at the time, but she sent a nice comment to me when my uncle died recently. We just see this particular issue differently.
In PM's to you and on your board, I have said that there are no hard feelings. It's time to let this go. Best of luck with your group. I hope you dig up some great stuff that can be used to get Kimkins closed down forever and protect people from the likes of Heidi. That is what were all working for, after all.
As for what v0x meant, you'll have to ask v0x.
Thanks again and let's let this go, okay?
July 18, 2008 8:38 AM"
(bolding and underscoring mine)
(Link: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7143106320768014700&postID=5284039244817757767&pli=1)
Well, imagine our surprise when, on July 24th, 2008, Mayberryfan contacted Trista, one of the lawsuit principals, with this charming missive, which I am posting here with Trista’s consent:
"Dear Trista,
First of all, I want to assure you this information is not meant to be hateful towards anyone. You may or may not be aware that I had a falling out with Mimi and Medusa recently over some of the activities going on at their forum. They have a right to run things there the way they see fit. But, ethically, I disagree with them, so I left of my own accord. I have no hard feelings towards them. We are just very different people. I am also not trying to stir up any drama. My only reason for coming to you is out of a sense of obligation. As such, I would ask that what I'm going to say to you here be kept in confidence.
In any case, I know from working with Mimi and Medusa for months behind the scenes that they have gathered info on anyone and everyone who's even remotely connected to the Kimkins scandal. (Witness what happened to Christin at Mimi's blog concerning Christin's post-wreck fundraiser and the LC cruise Christin is putting together). In any case, I have NO proof that they contacted your ex-husband, but I believe they did. I firmly believe this is how he learned of LCF and posed there as Martina, several months ago. One of the issues with me choosing to leave their forum was a little brouhaha that involved how Prudentia handled the Martina episode. Something does not wash with their story. Pru is claiming it was a "friendly fire" incident which makes absolutely NO sense to me!
Prudentia, Mimi and Medusa are all very tight. But, Mimi has been pretending for months that she didn't know who Prudentia is. In fact, Prudentia got mad at me for some unknown reason and Mimi contacted me to ask what was wrong. It was around the time that the Martina stuff happened. Mimi's asked me several times over the past few months why Pru was mad at me, all the while pretending she didn't know Prudentia's real identity. When Mimi let it slip to me in a pm who Pru really is, I started to put things together. Mimi begged me not to tell her identity because Pru is afraid of your ex after the Martina debacle. I understand that and promised not to give her ID to anyone. However, all this leads me to believe Mimi, Medusa and Pru were in on trying to learn more about you and contacted your ex. After all, Pru hadn't been blogging long when she was contacted (as she claims) by your ex. It seems more likely to me he would've contacted some other blogger if that's how he found out about your involvement in the KK scandal. Do you know of any other way he could've gotten involved?
I want to be clear that I'm not accusing them of purposely trying to hurt anyone. But, I have witnessed their wreckless behavior before and feel strongly they are only involved in all this in order to write a book or get a movie deal. I don't believe now, as I once did, that they are working for "the greater good" as I believe most of the Ducks are!
If I'm right about this, then I thought you deserved to know. From what I understand, your ex is a scary guy who shouldn't be messed with. That's why I felt I had to share my suspicions with you. I fear in their zealous pursuit of information, they may have put him on your trail, so to speak. Then again, I guess it could've been Heidi. But the whole thing with him contacting Pru just does NOT make sense to me, unless THEY contacted him.
I know this is all complicated, so if you have questions feel free to ask and I'll do my best to clear things up. I've learned in the past few days that many people in the Ducks are wary of Mimi and Medusa, so I don't think my suspicions are unfounded at all. Otherwise, I wouldn't have ever mentioned this to you!
Take care! [Mayberryfan's real first name deleted]
P.S. if you know or even believe that I'm mistaken about this, please tell me! I'd actually really like to be wrong on this one! "
Mayberry, your contacting Trista at this time with this heap of garbage is not only mystifying but outrageous.
For someone who states she has "no hard feelings towards them," you’ve done a pretty good job at casting aspersions on our characters.
And because I am adverse to having misinformation circulating out there, I would like to address some of your false suppositions and accusations:
(1) "I know from working with Mimi and Medusa for months behind the scenes that they have gathered info on anyone and everyone who's even remotely connected to the Kimkins scandal."
That is complete and utter hogwash.
(2) "...I have NO proof that they contacted your ex-husband, but I believe they did."
You are not only incorrect in your supposition but delusional if you believed this for one second.
(3) "However, all this leads me to believe Mimi, Medusa and Pru were in on trying to learn more about you and contacted your ex."
More hogwash.
(4) "But, I have witnessed their wreckless behavior before and feel strongly they are only involved in all this in order to write a book or get a movie deal."
Are you out of your mind? You truly believe Pru, Mimi, and I are blogging our asses off and working behind the scenes so we can write a book or get a movie deal??? You really are delusional, Mayberry.
(5) "I don't believe now, as I once did, that they are working for "the greater good" as I believe most of the Ducks are!"
You have got to be kidding.
(6) "P.S. if you know or even believe that I'm mistaken about this, please tell me! I'd actually really like to be wrong on this one! "
You are wrong on all counts.
Although many will no doubt feel this matter should be dealt with behind the scenes, the fact that Mayberry is spreading such irresponsible rumours about Prudentia, Mimi, and myself leads me to believe that Trista may not be the only one she has contacted with this tripe. And that is why I am going public with this.
Mayberryfan, your past actions have raised eyebrows within the anti-KK community, but your contacting Trista with this reprehensible hogwash goes beyond the pale.
UPDATE:
The following comment was made by Prudentia this afternoon on this blog post:
"Prudentia said...Medusa, first of all, let me say that I'm sorry that your friendship with me has resulted in MBF's guns being leveled at you as well.
Also, just so no one wonders how Trista reacted, I am going to post part of her reply to MBF here. Please note that I have done a bit of editing [as noted] to prevent personal information from being broadcast on the blogs.
From Trista to MBF:
Here is how I think John found out. He wanted [what he believed were legal remedies to be happen] so he could be rid of his financial obligation. He googled my name, and up pops paperwork on the Kimkins lawsuit. He said to me that when he found out about Kimkins, he researched ALL about it. Knowing him, he read EVERY post on the boards and every blog. He knew more of what was going on than I did. I fact he kept making little comments about ducks, and saying quack. I thought he was just off his rocker (not surprising) making these comments. I hadn't been following along at LCF in months. Anyways he was trying to get me to agree to [what he wanted], which is what we wanted anyway, and had already begun paperwork. He was a pain in the butt until [this business] was final, and I haven't heard from him since. I don't really care how he found out, or who gathered info. There is nothing about me, that I'm afraid for people to find out. I don't believe that Prudentia, Mimi, and Medusa contacted him. I mean why out of the blue, would they get the bright idea to contact him? Why? It's not anything that would help or hinder the case. No info about any of us, has any bearing on the case. KWIM?
............
So, as you can see, Trista does NOT believe what MBF had to say. She is fine, and she is in this fight against Heidi to the bitter end.
MBF's attempts to stir up a public outcry against us failed - IN THIS CASE. I don't fear Martina's Martini. I fear someone running around, half-cocked, trying to create drama for their own sake, regardless of the repercussions and consequences.
July 28, 2008 4:29 PM"
~~~~~~~~~~
LINK:
http://prudentiablog.blogspot.com/2008/07/message-for-mayberryfan-imagine.html
IMAGE LINKS:
http://victoryaog.net/images/wolf_in_sheeps_clothing.jpg
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=648482
Medusa, first of all, let me say that I'm sorry that your friendship with me has resulted in MBF's guns being leveled at you as well.
ReplyDeleteAlso, just so no one wonders how Trista reacted, I am going to post part of her reply to MBF here. Please note that I have done a bit of editing [as noted] to prevent personal information from being broadcast on the blogs.
From Trista to MBF:
Here is how I think John found out. He wanted [what he believed were legal remedies to be happen] so he could be rid of his financial obligation. He googled my name, and up pops paperwork on the Kimkins lawsuit. He said to me that when he found out about Kimkins, he researched ALL about it. Knowing him, he read EVERY post on the boards and every blog. He knew more of what was going on than I did. I fact he kept making little comments about ducks, and saying quack. I thought he was just off his rocker (not surprising) making these comments. I hadn't been following along at LCF in months. Anyways he was trying to get me to agree to [what he wanted], which is what we wanted anyway, and had already begun paperwork. He was a pain in the butt until [this business] was final, and I haven't heard from him since. I don't really care how he found out, or who gathered info. There is nothing about me, that I'm afraid for people to find out. I don't believe that Prudentia, Mimi, and Medusa contacted him. I mean why out of the blue, would they get the bright idea to contact him? Why? It's not anything that would help or hinder the case. No info about any of us, has any bearing on the case. KWIM?
............
So, as you can see, Trista does NOT believe what MBF had to say. She is fine, and she is in this fight against Heidi to the bitter end.
MBF's attempts to stir up a public outcry against us failed - IN THIS CASE. I don't fear Martina's Martini. I fear someone running around, half-cocked, trying to create drama for their own sake, regardless of the repercussions and consequences.
Prudentia, thanks so much for your comment. No apologies necessary at all.
ReplyDeleteBecause your comment is so important, I will add it to the body of my blog post right away.
{{Medusa and Prudentia}} Thank you both so much first of all for the work you do, much of it behind the scenes and much of it unappreciated by people who see only a part of the whole.
ReplyDeleteThanks also for letting us read Mayberry's actual words to Trista.
Re-reading the pasted copy here of the communications exchange between Mayberry and Trista.
Mayberry tells Trista:
" My only reason for contacting you to tell you my suspicions was so that if these bloggers DID bring him into it, they may've revealed some of your personal info to him, which I was afraid could put you or your family in jeopardy. "
and
"My only reason for coming to you is out of a sense of obligation."
and
"If I'm right about this, then I thought you deserved to know. From what I understand, your ex is a scary guy who shouldn't be messed with. That's why I felt I had to share my suspicions with you."
So, when did all that Martina's Martini stuff happen?
February.
Four and a half, nearly five months ago now.
Mayberry felt such a "sense of obligation" toward Trista, and felt Trista "deserved to know" and Mayberry was so "afraid" that what John Essex knew could put Trista or her family "in jeopardy", that Mayberry doesn't say a word to Trista for nearly five months?
pfffft!
Mayberryfart says " Mimi has been pretending for months that she didn't know who Prudentia is. In fact, Prudentia got mad at me for some unknown reason and Mimi contacted me to ask what was wrong. It was around the time that the Martina stuff happened. Mimi's asked me several times over the past few months why Pru was mad at me, all the while pretending she didn't know Prudentia's real identity. When Mimi let it slip to me in a pm who Pru really is, I started to put things together. Mimi begged me not to tell her identity because Pru is afraid of your ex after the Martina debacle. I understand that and promised not to give her ID to anyone."
ReplyDeleteAnd now I see I had good reason to pretend to not know what Prudentia's real name is. I was trying my best to protect her identity, and by protecting her identity thereby protecting her children, from Trista's scary ex, and when I realized I had slipped up and used her nickname instead of her screenname, I told you specifically I was afraid for her and her children.
So being the good "ethical" "Christian" that you are, what do you do? You turn right around and contact Trista -- the one person who might know how to contact the scary ex.
Way to go. I'm sure the G.O.P. and the God you "claim" to pray to are real proud to have you as a representative.
And just a little FYI, I did NOT know why you were so hostile to Prudentia. I asked her, and I asked you, several times, because none of it made any sense to me.
And by the way, as everybody knows by now, Mayberryfart did NOT leave my board. She logs in there every day, sometimes several times a day. She was never banned, never moderated, never censored, never edited, and she never deleted her membership.
ReplyDeleteI feel it's necessary, at this point it time, to quote the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, who proclaimed, "Tauros kopros!"
I guess I have been asleep at the wheel because I didn't know you had posted this, Medusa, so here's my take on things.
ReplyDeleteI have had the occasion over the last several months to really get to know you, Yucky, and Pru. As for Prudentia, some people must not be the sleuths they would like to be because I had figured out Pru's identity months ago, although it didn't really matter, except for the fact that I like to solve a "mystery." I passed it on to HoneyBee who is someone else I have learned to love and trust in this whole saga. Of course, HoneyBee probably already knew who Pru is, but she never said. I didn't expect her to.
As for the "Friendly Fire" post. I had the common sense to know during that whole episode that there was more going on than meets the eye, but I also had the good sense to know that if it was any of my business, someone would let me know; otherwise, I would just read along for my own entertainment factor and be satisfied with that -- I did and I was.
I'm really sorry that Jo's feelings were hurt at Fascinated. I really like her, but I can't say that with all the explanations back and forth that I can see a reason for all this turmoil. I won't rehash it here, but some say Fascinated is a public place which is true. If you don't want it told or copied, then don't post it there. We all knew that. Then, some say that wasn't the reason for the dust up, the reason being that they had done all this work digging up information from KK's and then, Pru copied it without permission. It all seems so childish in the scheme of things which is to bring Heidi down.
The situation with Jo is another instance where there is probably more than meets the eye. I know that she has health problems, and I'm not speaking for her, but that sometimes clouds your feelings on other issues. It makes things upset you that normally wouldn't bother you. I also know that for myself, my emotions have been all over the place during this KK's uproar.
I really can't explain what it feels like to be losing weight, to think that you have a "safe" haven to interact with others who are on the same mission, and then to find out that the person who has led you to believe that she has gone through all the same emotions over the hold that food has on you, is nothing more than a big fat lying con artist. Heidi has taken millions of dollars from people who are struggling with weight loss by telling them that she knows how they feel and if they follow her, they will lose massive amounts of weight with no consequences. Whether it can be proven or not, it IS about the health issues that come about with the rapid weight loss, but more importantly for Heidi -- it IS about the fraud.
I'm sorry for the people who are still at KK's who think that the banned members are just troublemakers. They have no idea of the real KK's -- the one before the Woman's World magazine was published. The one where it was like a competition to see how little you could eat in a day's time. Then, the less you eat and the more you lose -- the more good reasoning goes out the door. Like the times I couldn't sleep and would have to get up over and over because of the leg cramps that wouldn't go away. We were told to take this supplement and take that to make them go away. We knew what was causing our problems, but the enticement of fast, steady weight loss was clouding our good judgement. I didn't even go as low as most, so there is no telling what type of damage some people have done to their bodies.
I know that the people at KK's have been called cult followers, but there is something that happens to your thinking when you are losing weight fast and consistently. I can even remember getting up during the night to see if I had lost. Now, how "sick" is that? It has taken me a year to get my emotions under control and feel like "me" again. I have gained a few pounds back, but I have had to watch every bite I put into my mouth. I am hopefully at a place now where I can lose the pounds I have regained and continue to lose until I reach my goal.
I appreciate Medusa, Yucky, and Pru for their blogs which I started reading some time after I left KK's. I read for a long time at LCF's, but the posts seemed so harsh towards KK's members at the time, and I didn't feel like I could/should participate. Then, some of the sniping stopped and LCF's became a friendlier place to be for banned KK's members, but after a while, it seemed that you had to be very careful about what you said there. That's when I started following the blogs and "met" Yucky, Medusa, and Pru.
Maybe, I should have said something publicly sooner, but I guess I took the easy way out by doing it in pm's, etc. Let me just say this, I trust what these people have to say, and I consider them my friends. We may not always agree, but we find a way to deal with it. When they are wrong, they have the courage to say it.
I appreciate Trista for fighting to take down KK's and for facing MM head on and dealing with it. She has also continued to show what she is made of when approached with this latest nonsense by not letting it get to her, but answering it with dignity.
P.S. As for the incident with Christin at Yucky's blog. The thing about Yucky is that she asks the tough questions -- the questions that other people might like to know the answer to, but are afraid to ask. I think that Christin will even tell you that she is a stronger, better person for having gone through that. I think that she would also tell you that she has learned a life's lesson on how to respond to the kindness of others. Christin is a wonderful person who added to her strength of character by respoding to the questions about her at Yucky's blog. She elevated herself even more in my eyes.
{{Rebel}} You and the others here have been such a blessing in my life. That's the good thing that has come out of the Kimkins mess -- people have discovered real friendships that have affected their real lives in a positive way. The "getting there" hasn't been easy, and I regret my part in making it not easy. Thank you and all the others who have hung in there through thick and thin.
ReplyDeleteReb, thank you so much for your wonderful, insightful comments and the support you have given Yucky, Pru and myself over these many months.
ReplyDeleteI truly hope that after Heidi is behind bars and Kimkins is shut down that we will all be able to get together and finally have the chance to meet each other, face to face.
Again, many thanks, Reb.
And Yucky...your comments, as usual, are spot on.
Just a quick question: Your Socrates quote...does that translate to "bullshit"?
:^)
I really don't get it. I don't understand how suspecting a post was copied turned into what it has. Anti-KKers have been copying posts and blogging about them all along, trying to get the word out and give those that may not know what's truly going on proof of the dangers and lies. That's so important, IMO. I could see concern if it was a matter of protecting the source but it doesn't seem that's what's behind this.
ReplyDeleteI'm shocked by the email to Trista. Really shocked. I don't know any of the behind the scenes stuff that's gone on but I can't even imagine that scenario happening. Thankfully Trista was already aware of what had gone on and knew the truth.
Mrs. M said:
ReplyDelete"I'm shocked by the email to Trista. Really shocked."
Well, beings how it's Sunday and all, I think it's appropriate to quote some Scripture. :-)
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. ~ Matthew 7:20