Thursday, April 10, 2008

The Devil's Advocate

Polemic
–noun
1. a controversial argument, as one against some opinion, doctrine, etc.
2. a person who argues in opposition to another; controversialist.

I have had reports of several people who have expressed concern that Sam Redman was somehow wresting control of the LCF Fascination with Kimmer threads away from the long time residents and making it his own personal soapbox. As a result people were retreating into their corners, vowing not to post so long as he darkens our doorstep.

Part of me finds that very funny and part of me simply shakes my head in disbelief. I am not shaking my finger at anyone here, so try not to take offense. I find this reaction quite amazing, though.

Sam stated his agenda very clearly early on. He told us exactly what he is about.

“So, there you have my musings. Realize that one of my hobbies is to launch polemics, such as this one, on internet forums... I do it for fun and I have posted on every subject imaginable and on multiple sides of the political spectrum (I'm often called an equal-opportunity offender). I love pursuing the the art and practice of disputation and debating in forums where controversy exists. So, either take what I have to say to heart, ignore it or respond if you like (and in any way you like). And yes, as one poster pointed out... I am the same Sam Redman, who is a writer of light (sometimes called "pulp"), hopefully entertaining, fiction (but, that doesn't mean everything I write is fictional). I'm honestly happy with any reaction anyone has... hey, I'm just doing it for the fun of internet conversation.”

His hobby is polemics. That is a controversialist - not a conversationalist. He seeks out emotionally charged topics and enters into the conversation with the express intent of stirring it up and creating lively debate.

Unfortunately for Sam, rather than find the well reasoned debate he was thirsting for, he was met with steadfast conviction that the case against Heidi Diaz is cut and dried, safely placed into the very trustworthy hands of the very capable John Tiedt. I doubt he realized he was walking into the gathering spot of the very people Heidi Diaz had defrauded. He has come face to face with the victims themselves. Who can debate the victims, if for no other reason than they are too emotionally involved to give him the type of debate required to satisfy his passion.

Thanks for responding to my earlier blog, Sam, and for answering the question. At this point in time I'm willing to accept that you are telling the truth about not being in contact with Heidi when I evaluate your comments in light of your stated objective. I also see where you can and do change with the wind - that transition was apparent when you started posting about her fraudulent business practices re: lifetime memberships and ongoing staff expenses. That trait is very consistent with your stated agenda. I recognize it because I do it myself, though not in this particular case. Nothing like a good fight to get the blood pumping, eh?

As much as you have been around, however, it is unlikely that you don’t get the interest in Sam Redman. You have to be aware that much of this case focuses on the fact that Heidi Diaz has assumed many different personalities, both male and female, over long periods of time. Many of her staff members and several forum members have been conclusively proven to be nothing more than creations of her twisted imagination. She certainly has the basic skills to be a writer herself, though in her drive to deceive she is sloppy and inconsistent. She has made appearances on the boards and blogs of all of us likely at one time or another. It is very conceivable that she would take on the persona of Sam Redman and make yet another grand appearance. (As a side note, one of her admins, known as SingingLass, appears to be her understudy. Unfortunately for her, it will likely be to her own detriment.) For the record, I do NOT think you are her - you are far too articulate and your writing belies the fact that you have likely penned those many articles you lay claim to, many of which I have read. You also stay on a very even keel emotionally - something she is simply not capable of doing for any sustained period of time.

Additionally, she has manipulated others into doing her bidding for her. She has proven herself capable of being very charming and credible sounding, as well as very persuasive even while that very writing is fraught with unbelievable claims. I could easily understand someone like yourself taking a literary interest in this ordeal, and can imagine her approaching someone to write "her story", if you will… or to act as editor of her own attempt to immortalize the Kimmer.

Sam, should you decide that the entertainment value of this particular exercise has waned for you and you move on, I’d like to say it has been stimulating. In another setting, you would make a most worthy opponent.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Prudentia,

I believe you have come to the correct conclusions and show your intelligence with your most recent post and any real connection between this Mr. Redman and Heidi.

Having long been part of this unsettling situation with Heidi and reading so many of her posts and also her way of assuming other personalities, there just is no way that this Sam person would be in any way part of a Heidi conspiracy. We have been around the block too long and perhaps our fatigue has caused some to just have knee jerk reactions.

I for one see Redman, as the polemic he professes to be. And reading some of his words on the "net," he seems to be a highly intelligent poster, on a wide variety of topics. and even has some nice country tunes to throw in the mix.

I would imagine by now he is sorry he found this topic of interest, especially the way some have unfairly attacked him.

I will be glad when we can put this behind us, and hopefully win our lawsuit.

Wonder what topic Mr. Redman will find interesting next, I might just occasionally "google," to find out.

Anonymous said...

As veterans of the primordial BBSes & as fans of quasi-semi-pseudo-intellectual flame wars on topics ranging from politics & theology to cabbages & kinds, we at Team Yucky would enjoy debating all things Kimkins with Sam He Am, on condition that he ask The Man Behind The Curtain for a heart & refrain from so casually -- and so callously -- dismissing the antiKimmers as "haters" and whining about the heat here in the kitchen he won't stay out of.

We ourselves were fortunate to not be among the victims of Kimmer, but what we can do, and will probably enjoy doing, is try to help this particular Horton hear the Who, see the light, and eat his Grinchy words.

Who knows -- he might even decide to take arms against a sea of Kimmers, and by opposing end them.

* This comment brought to you by the good folks at Yucky's Pizza Repair & Mixed Metaphor Shop.
"We Take Koopunz"

Medusa said...

Brilliant post, Prudentia!

You have such a way with words.

Anonymous said...

As one who took high offense to Sam's presence at FWK, it really had more to do with some of his "other" work elsewhere that made my skin crawl.

While you have characterized SamIam as a "master debater" I beg to differ. Many made attempts to learn more about him by asking him direct questions, which he would ignore, then make sweeping accusations against anyone who said anything even mildly negative against him. As he presented himself in the FWK threads, he is both a coward and a bully. I'd like to suggest that he get a new hobby.

I love to debate. I however will not tolerate being harrassed and disrespected without cause. - Mayberryfan (having trouble signing in, but didn't want this to be "anonymous")

Anonymous said...

LCFSam says "I'm honestly happy with any reaction anyone has... hey, I'm just doing it for the fun of internet conversation.”

? W'huh? He's "honestly happy" with "ANY reaction"?

Prudentia said...

Mayberryfan, in light of the seriousness of the charge, or the charge that is implied, it would be most helpful if you would post the "other work" that concerned you - please be sure to site your source! It would also be helpful if you would post examples of how you have been harassed and disrespected.

Thank you so much for sharing.

Prudentia said...

Actually, if everyone would post the information they are referring to I would really appreciate it. Thank you all.

Anonymous said...

I don't think Sam Redman is Heidi. I think he is someone that has a lot of time on his hands, and simply enjoys getting "reactions" from people on the internet . The more intense, heartfelt, irrational, etc. the better. The more response he can illicit.. the more fun he has. I think its his way of controlling people, sort of like Heidi...

Did anyone read the dribble on his website (the list item listed in his kimkins posts) where he claims Jeanessa is soliciting people to join the lawsuit by fraud? Give me a break!

If people just ignored him, I think he'd leave. But it's harder said than done.
-CONCERNED

Shelby said...

I dont think he is Heidi, but I think he is connected. He knows a LOT for someone that just stumbled across this? I dont buy that for one minute. I have been reading the fascination threads, blogs, etc since Day ONE. there is SO MUCH info, that you cant just stumble across by happy accident and make any sense of it. NO way. i dont buy it. he is shady as they get.