Anything constructive to add?

“Joseph” responded to my posting ‘I don’t follow the logic” with what appears to be nothing more than attacks on myself and George Flowers’s partners. Here is the complete comment from “Joseph”, then I’ll examine it in detail:

Joseph

If your going to tell a story, that’s fine, tell the whole story. But why lie?

“The people I know who dated him never mentioned it” ?
I thought you said you knew him? Bullshit or I would know you. “Cat”
ALL these girls knew what George was about. Knew he was married. Knew he had multiple partners.
What did they think the end result would be when they go clubbing and drop their panties for everyone that asks, AND to not even use protection.

For the benefit of those who haven’t read “I don’t follow the logic” (why haven’t you?) the second sentence refers to some alleged charity work George did.

What you’re saying in that third sentence is that you know everyone George has ever met or had business dealings with, is that correct? Sounds kind of creepy to me – almost stalking. Obviously your statement is incorrect or you would know where and under what circumstances I met him. So that would also mean you are aware of every time George dropped his pants and the name of the person he was with at the time.

That would also mean that you knew Lisa – his first wife – and wife number 2, and that he on occasion had as many as three women on the side, both before and after he married. You would know then that he was diagnosed HIV positive in 1996 and had long-term, intimate, loving relationships in 1997 where he did not disclose his status.

I know three people who had long-term relationships with him after 1996, so it wasn’t a case of going clubbing then “dropping their panties” as you so crudely put it. These women all dumped him after they learned of the existence of the other two.

“Joseph”, does this sound like the dirtbag you know? I got this story from two different sources, so I’m more inclined to trust them than someone who calls me a liar and doesn’t provide proof of their claims.

I hope I’ve enlightened you a little more on your long-time friend.
Cat.

I don’t follow the logic

I received the following comment today meant for “Never going to happen”, but decided not to approve it for two reasons. First, it doesn’t advance the discussion and second, it is an ad hominen attack rather than a comment on the posting.

Joseph commented on Not going to happen

Your a coward. That’s why you won’t identify yourself. Plain and simple.
As for you knowing George, I don’t think so. Just because you met someone doesn’t mean you know them. I’ve known him for 31 years.

Why did you not disclose the work he did at the Hospital for Sick Kids. Charity concerts he did.???
Because you didn’t know him.
If you did know him you would know he was a good guy that made some bad mistakes.
What’s in your past. Bet I could find something on you if you identify yourself. Coward
P.S. That’s my real name

First, the grammar cop in me noticed the writer used the wrong “your”. It should be “you’re” meaning “you are”.

As for his charity work, save it for the judge. The people I know who dated him never mentioned it. They commented on his ego and his habit of constantly trying to borrow money from them, but never his charity work. And it was never mentioned in any interview of him that I saw or heard.

Your a coward. That’s why you won’t identify yourself. The last time I checked, “Cat” is a perfectly acceptable diminutive for my name, so this claim is baseless as I have identified myself. But since you cannot accept “Cat” as being a real name therefore I’m hiding behind an alias.
If you did know him you would know he was a good guy that made some bad mistakes. Let me get this straight. You claim he’s a good guy that made some bad mistakes. Yeah, you could say that. Deliberately (yes, “deliberately” because he failed to disclose his status) infecting some of his partners with HIV, or at least putting them at risk of contracting HIV is much more serious than a “bad mistake”. Especially when he repeated this “mistake” for several years.

What’s in your past. Bet I could find something on you if you identify yourself. Coward. Funny you should say that. I’ve held several positions that required criminal background checks from the police. My background check always comes back clean, so I doubt you could find anything.

Joseph, a bit of advice. Launching personal attacks on a writer with whom you disagree is never smart. If you have valid points of contention, that’s one thing. But calling me a coward for not identifying myself without doing any basic research casts doubt on the veracity of the rest of your comment especially when I have used my name.

Let me get this straight. You’re (note the spelling Joseph) calling me a coward because I used my real name on a post yet you, whose comment is basically an attack on me, are not a coward because you used your real name. Is that it? Can you say “double standard”?

Cat.

Stupidity reigns supreme

It’d obviously been a long hard winter in more places than southern Ontario judging by some of the articles in various publications recently.  I say that because sundry politicians, would-be politicians and ordinary citizens seem to have taken leave of their senses and
aimed their paranoia at the LGBT communities.

Where to start?

I suppose overseas is as good a starting point as any.  Today I read an article in Pink News UK about a caller to a radio show somewhere in England.  This person is of the opinion that bisexual people are giving people HIV/AIDS with the aim (intended or not, he didn’t say) of destroying the white race.  Umm, I have several problems with this pronouncement.  First is the assumption that all bisexual people are positive.  Second is the supposition that only white people would be affected or would be involved with someone who is bi.  As any intelligent person knows, HIV/AIDS knows no racial boundaries; respects no variations of the gender rainbow.  It seems to be a case of someone adapting an unusual and unpopular stance strictly for the attention. He can’t really believe that crap he spouted, can he?

And now we call the bathroom police.  I think it is Texas that has passed, or is discussing, a bill that would make it illegal for a trans* person to use a washroom that differs from their genetic gender.  So even though all my documents show me as “female” I could be charged should I go to the ladies’ room. And apparently the building manager could be fined and jailed if they permit a trans* person to use the restroom agreeing with their presentation. Since the L and G part of the LGBT acronym appear to have won some major victories, it seems to have become open season on trans* and bisexual people.

Finally, California (where else?).  Some lawyer has filed papers and the $200 fee, and is now trying to get the 365,000 signatures needed to have added to the ballot a proposition that homosexuality be banned and punishable by death.  According to this lawyer, doing so would avert God’s wrath from the state of California. I think that last statement is very telling of this person’s views and a good indicator of from where this idea sprung.

As much as I try to stay positive, I must admit I despair of ever seeing a day when LGBT people are treated as people, rather than aberrations or freaks.  And the more I see of things like the three incidents I mentioned above I feel that day may never happen.  In today’s society, we have freedom of expression and can express ourselves in any manner we choose, within legal limits of course.  Only the small-mindedness of mainstream society prevents us from so doing.

Cat.

I don’t believe your name is Barbara

A couple of days ago I posted a piece titled “Hey Barb! (part of “Bring him to Justice”)” in which I rip into three messages sent by someone using the name “Barbara”.  These three messages were intended as comments on an earlier piece (June 2013) called “Bring him to justice – CAPTURED”.

Some background before I continue.  The “Bring him to justice” series deals with the Toronto Police Service search for one George Flowers, aka “Mr Flowas”, who is, in my opinion, a not very good rapper.  He is wanted on multiple charges of aggravated sexual assault for failing to disclose his HIV positive status to his partners – for at least fifteen years.  Some of those partners are now positive themselves.  Currently he is in a Jamaican jail while he exhausts all avenues of appeal against his extradition to Canada.

It was the first of the three messages that raises the most questions, not only my own, but from others who have read it. I’ll copy it here:

Barbara
10 minutes ago
You know nothing and this blog is discrediting his reputation as any logical person would know they have to prove that he gave it them and that can not be proven so… , your friends were so quick to bus it open and now that have something you want to call him a monster no one told you to have sex , he is no monster he made mistakes and will get the proper punishment most of these woman are just spiteful that they were fucked and dumped , watch what you say about a man that you know nothing about

Obviously, from my perspective, the writer hasn’t read any of the previous posts from the series or else they would have known that I state I’ve met George Flowers and actually know a fair bit about him and also state I know some of the people he’s dated.  And as a  writer, I also find the lack of punctuation disturbing.

Some people who have read these messages made the observation that if they – particularly this first one – were in fact written by a woman, then she’s gone off her anti-psychotic meds.  They further state they cannot believe any woman could come to the defence of this man knowing what he’s done. One person wrote the following:  I can’t even begin to go there with this lunatic bitch… obviously she is under some kind of fairy tale spell.

Other people believe this was actually written by a man.  They feel the word choice and that they open the message with a defence of Flowers indicate more of a male mindset since it seems the writer is blaming the women for what happened.  That may be for it seems to be more of a male attitude to blame the victim.

Whether it was written by a man or a woman is immaterial.  What matters is that some deluded soul is defending George Flowers. You must ask yourself would they feel the same if it were their sister; girlfriend, or just a friend who was now HIV positive after dating George Flowers?    I strongly suspect they’d be searching for the highest tree from which to lynch him.

Cat.

Hey Barb! (part of “Bring him to justice”)

You don’t mind if I call you Barb, do you?

This is about the three comments you posted on “Bring him to justice – CAPTURED!” last night.  Before I start, just so you know, I began writing about the charges against, and the search for, George Flowers on August 14, 2012 and the piece you commented on was written June 11, 2013, so my question is “Where have you been hiding for the past two-and-a-half years?”

Now, your comments.  First, this one:
Barbara
10 minutes ago
You know nothing and this blog is discrediting his reputation as any logical person would know they have to prove that he gave it them and that can not be proven so… , your friends were so quick to bus it open and now that have something you want to call him a monster no one told you to have sex , he is no monster he made mistakes and will get the proper punishment most of these woman are just spiteful that they were fucked and dumped , watch what you say about a man that you know nothing about watch what you say about a man that you know nothing about

This is so full of inaccuracies, probably including your name, I don’t know where to start.  To use your own words, “any logical person would know” the Toronto Police Service must feel they have sufficient evidence to lay those charges.  “He is no monster he made mistakes”.  That must be some great ganja you’ve got.  The Oxford Dictionary describes a mistake as “an error in judgement”, among other things.  That for fifteen years he failed to tell any of his partners he was HIV positive takes his actions far beyond the “mistake” range and puts him squarely into monster territory.  Another inaccuracy (don’t worry, I’m almost done) is your “fucked and dumped” comment.  At least two women I know did the dumping, not him, which is the complete opposite of your claim.  Finally, in what moment  of clairvoyant clarity did you determine I know nothing about the man.  I’ve met him and spent time in his company.  I know he’s married and has kids and I even know his wife’s name.  I also know that rather than cross the street to hear him perform, I’d cross the street to avoid hearing him.   By the way, out of curiosity, should I consider your “watch what you say about a man that you know nothing about” a threat?

Now, your second message:
Barbara
9 minutes ago
where are you getting your information

Sorry Barb, like any respectable journalist, I won’t reveal my sources.

And, your final message:
Barbara
8 minutes ago
lastly if he is found guilty he will get less than 10 years and then be free now tell me would you be scared of a man you just convicted

No, I wouldn’t be scared.  Actually, if it were up to me, I’d have charged him with attempted murder, not aggravated sexual assault, and if any of his victims have passed on, I’d charge him with first degree murder.  Yes, first degree, because he made a conscious decision not to reveal his status.  And Barb, consider this: People convicted of the crimes he is charged with, especially if they are HIV positive, are not among the elite in the prison hierarchy.  He can expect to have a very rough time in prison.  Things happen in prisons so he may not make it through that sentence.

I hope I answered your questions and concerns.

Cat

Bring him to justice – CAPTURED!!!

An elite squad from the Jamaican Constabulary Force has arrested George Flowers aka ‘Mr Flowas” on Canadian warrants of aggravated sexual assault. This happened about 1 pm Toronto time June 4.  At the time of writing, Flowers is in a Jamaican jail awaiting an extradition hearing.

As with all cases involving someone captured in a foreign country, the person can either waive or fight the extradition order.  In this case, waiving extradition would mean Flowers could be returned to Canada post-haste or, if he fights it, he will spend time in a Jamaican prison.  I must admit I have mixed feelings about this situation.  As I wrote in the original posting “Bring him to justice” I know people who dated this man.  Yes, I’m glad he’s finally been detained.  It’s about time this piece of garbage was off the streets so he can’t infect anyone else.

This is good news, but it is tempered by this: if he waives extradition, or the Jamaican courts reject his arguments, he will be returned to Canada to stand trial. While the police investigation and search have awakened memories in his victims, the worst could still be ahead for them.  It is my understanding Mr Flowers now has AIDS and is extremely ill.  Given his condition, I would hope there is a possibility he would plead guilty.  If he doesn’t, then his lawyers will do their best to discredit his victims.  These victims don’t need to relive that part of their lives again; nor do they deserve to have their reputations dragged through the gutter, neither should they have the lives they’ve carefully rebuilt destroyed, yet this could happen under our system of justice.

One victim has told me that in hearing of his arrest she feels she has received some justice and is very elated at this news.

As more information becomes available, I’ll report it.

To repeat what Detective Johnston wrote earlier,    His non-disclosure actions are criminal whether or not a sexual encounter resulted in HIV infection. A lot of people are under the impression that if they DIDN’T contract HIV, that they have no criminal claim and that is false. The charge is for the “threat” of contracting the virus at the time of sexual contact if they were NOT advised of someone’s HIV status PRIOR to any sexual encounter.  If the fact George was at large has kept you from contacting the police in the past, now that he’s in custody, I urge you to please contact Detective Nancy Johnston, Toronto Police Service, 55 Division at 416-808-5505.

Cat.

For those who are interested, following is a chronological list of the complete series dealing with George Flowers:

Bring him to justice
Bring him to justice – followup
This and that
Bring him to justice – echoes from the past
Bring him to justice – updated photo
Bring him to justice – reaction
Bring him to justice – update
I guess the answer is “yes”
Bring him to justice – silence
Bring him to justice – stop the nonsense
Blogs: Opinion pieces or news reports?
Updates and comments
Bring him to justice – media questions
WordsupPressed
Bring him to justice – my perspective
Bring him to justice – nationwide
Bring him to justice – a victim speaks
Bring him to justice – more media questions
Honestly, I don’t care
I can’t do that
Bring him to justice – recap
Bring him to justice – CAPTURED!!!

You sir, are dangerous

A friend posted a photo and two quotes on Facebook yesterday.  The photo is of an American senator and no I won’t tell you who, or his party affiliation, or what state he represents, purely to save him any further embarrassment.

His comments referred to AIDS and were both uninformed and highly inaccurate.  There were no dates or places attached to these quotes, so I don’t know how old, or new, they are but they would have incensed me anyway.

Here’s his first comment: Most people realize that AIDS came from the homosexual community.  It was one guy screwing a monkey, if I recall correctly, and then having sex with men.  It was an airline pilot, if I recall.  Senator, you are so far off-base on this you aren’t even in the ballpark.  A while ago I read an article, probably on the Toronto Star news site, about research that had been done on the origins of AIDS in humans.  I do not recall the author of the research nor the institute that conducted it. If anyone knows, please tell me so I may amend this posting and give them proper credit.

According to this research, poor tribesmen would capture, kill and skin monkeys in order to sell both the meat and the hides.  If you’ve ever worked in a kitchen preparing food, you know how easy it can be to cut yourself.  No different in this case.  They would cut themselves accidentally and then come in contact with the monkey blood.  If the monkey was infected, the virus would transfer to the human.  Some of these tribesmen would also sell their blood to augment their income which is how AIDS made its way into the blood supply.  No bestiality has taken place Senator, except in your tiny mind.

The person referred to as “Patient Zero” was a steward for Air Canada (sorry Senator, not  pilot – your memory is wrong).  He was involved in a crash of some kind in one of these African nations and required a transfusion.  Unfortunately, the blood was tainted.  Being gay, when he returned to Canada, he engaged in sexual activity with other men, which spread the disease.

The senator’s other comment is equally stupid – and that’s the only word for it.  My understanding is that it is virtually, not completely but virtually, impossible to contract AIDS through heterosexual sex … very rarely.  Senator, you are a complete ass.  Senator, I suggest you read my series of postings under the heading “Bring him to justice”, then explain to the ten victims of George Flowers who are now HIV positive how it is “virtually impossible” for them to have contracted HIV/AIDS from Flowers.  I’m sure they’ll give you a proper hearing before they laugh you out of the room.  By the way Senator, George Flowers is now wanted by the Toronto Police Service on at least ten charges of aggravated sexual assault related to these women.

Surely, as a senator in the Government of the United States of America his office budget would allow for a research clerk.  Before he opened his mouth and proved his stupidity, couldn’t he have asked someone to get him some factual information on AIDS?

I’m not sure which I find more frightening, that people actually elected this man or, that since he is a senator, they will accept his pronouncements as gospel.  As I wrote in the title, this man is dangerous.

Cat.

**Since posting this, I have learned this foolish, foolish man is a state senator, not federal. C **