[Vision2020] Pot Calling Kettle: Remember hatesplotch.net

[Saundra Lund]

Dear Visionaries:

I've been accused of having the memory of an elephant, but *surely* I'm not
the only one who remembers that odious hatesplotch.net!

Some of you weren't around back then (January - February 2004) and thus may
not have known about it, but some of you were, including Donovan Arnold.

I'm not exactly sure how to describe hatesplotch.net, and I hope those of
you who were around will correct my characterization if you think it wrong,
but, basically it was a hateful attempt to discredit all who took exception
to that awful little plagiarized monograph's ("Southern Slavery As It Was")
historically inaccurate attempt to whitewash southern slavery.  Anyone &
everyone who dared to speak out against SSAIW, or to report on the
controversy, or to speak/write in support of human rights was fair game for
being ripped to shreds on that aptly named pathetic web site.  It truly was
a hatefully wicked creation with definite malicious intent.

And, who was behind that nasty little piece of work?  Well, none other than
New St. Andrews faculty, as it turns out.  Does the name Ben Merkle ring a
bell with anyone?  Of course, he doesn't deserve sole "credit" for the
wicked content, but he was the "front" person on V2020 for that sick
project.  I suspect that those behind it would say they were doing nothing
more than practicing Doug Wilson's "Serrated Edge."

For those of you offended by Auntie Establishment's La Kirka Nostra parody,
it is nothing compared to the hatred and real character assassination at
hatesplotch.net.

Back in its heyday, hatesplotch.net provided many guffaws to more than a few
NSA faculty & students and Christ Church leaders.  Yes, they thought that
ugly piece of hate was all the rage, and there was a lot of back patting
over that wicked creation.

The advice for those who didn't see the humor in the hatesplotch.net
attacks?  Here's a comment from one V2020 poster:
"But you really need to let your hair down, relax... shake off that
conservative stodginess. A little sophomoric fun would do you some good.
:¬)"

Now, for those of you who object to Auntie's La Kirka Nostra parody, can you
please tell me the difference between her satire and the real hate that was
hatesplotch.net?  That's a genuine question -- please feel free to answer.

That includes you, Donovan, because you were around & posting to V2020 yet
didn't speak out *once* against hatesplotch.net or in defense of those being
attacked.  If you truly believe, "I personally would rather get hit with a
stone than be on the sharp end of some painful cruel language presented on
websites and V2020 pointed at Wilson or anyone that so much as says hi to
him. Bruises heal, but words burn forever," then where was your outrage back
then?

For those who weren't around to have checked out hatesplotch.net, the site
is gone.  However, please feel free to check out the V2020 archives for
January & February 2004 and look at Ben Merkle's posts about it -- they
should give you an idea of the kind of "sophomoric" humor and "serrated
edge" they found perfectly acceptable when directed at those who disagreed
with them.

And, Mr. Hall, I'd be particularly curious for your comments on
hatesplotch.net since, if I'm reading your post correctly (please correct me
if I'm wrong), you are a member of Christ Church yet object to Auntie's
parody as character assassination.  Do you/did you object to
hatesplotch.net?  Are you/were you "sickened" by *that* character
assassination?  If not, why not?  If so, did you speak against it?  I hope
you don't consider me asking the question "blasting" you -- it's a genuine
question on my part.

In fact, you may have an advantage other V2020 posters:  if you missed it
but asked, Ben Merkle and the others involved may still have the original
material to share with you.  If so, I'd be very curious on your take of that
nastiness.

Heck -- if the original material is still available, maybe Mr. Merkle would
share it with anyone who asked -- it never hurts to ask.  Mr. Merkle has
posted to V2020 using two email addresses:  benmerkle at moscow.com and
bmerkle at nsa.edu, so for those interested, you could try contacting him and
asking.  Or, you might try reaching him through NSA.

And, just to clarify *again* for Mr. Hall and others:  I can't speak for
anyone but myself, but I do not lump all those who know Doug Wilson or
attend Christ Church into the same category I do those within the church
hierarchy.  Nor do I lump all of those within that hierarchy together -- I'm
perfectly capable of making distinctions when appropriate.  Indeed, I think
I've tried to be very careful not to paint everyone with the same brush, a
lesson Mr. Wilson and others in the Wilson World hierarchy clearly *haven't*
learned.  Remember, anyone who *dares* to disagree with Doug Wilson in any
shape, fashion, or form has been lumped into the category of his bloated
definition of "Intolerista."


Sticking My Neck Out Again,
Saundra Lund
Moscow, ID

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do
nothing.
Edmund Burke