Mysterious people on the list (long)

[Bill Lifford]

Hello everyone!

This whole situation is most unusual.  However, I can assure you that
"outing" any individual who is masquerading as an amputee (I don't want
to mention names) is in some way giving them the attention they seek.

It is also very odd that this person can answer posts very eloquently in
July and then sound/write totally differently in August.  The whole
writing style has changed.  Bizarre, huh?

Just remember:  PT Barnum used to say that "There's no such thing as bad
publicity".  To an individual such as this, I think the same idea rings
true.  This is some sort of cry for attention, and the list is the venue
they use to elict that attention.  Chastising them publicly or privately
just "rewards" poor behavior.  It's not exactly the sympathy they were
craving, but the chastising is attention nonetheless, and they'll take
it if they can get it.

What should be done about these people?  Dunno.  It's really up to
Wayne, I guess (he's the list administrator, right?), and I'm sure any
decision he makes will be reflective of the group's collective opinion.
On the blues music list we had to unsubscribe some people who were
constantly disrupting the list with flame wars, ridiculous off-topic
posts, and other offensive or insulting comments.  This (unsubscribing
the offender) is a harsh option, but it may be one to explore further.

As a Certified Prosthetist, and a T-A-B, I subscribe to the list for two
reasons:  1) to learn from the people whom I serve on a daily basis; and
2) to be able to offer my insights as a professional in the field to
those who have questions or need advice.  I'm sure other guys like Mark
Benveniste are here for much the same reasons as me.  I find it sad that
our learning and helping might be skewed (is that a word?) by the
ravings of some "masquerader" who might be better off in counseling.

Just a thought.

Bill Lifford, CP