What is going on at Spartacus?

[Peter Lemkin]

In short, moderator Burton and the entity known as "Colby" - whose shiftworker status is exposed by frequent changes in speech patterns and literacy levels (one version can spell hypocrisy, another renders it "hypocracy" etc) - repeatedly disrupted serious informed debate in the Political Conspiracies section.

Techniques utilized included, but were not limited to: making posts invisible and inaccessible to the original poster; placing posters on moderation without seeking agreement from other moderators; diverting threads into blind alleys; engaging posters in endless debate on tiny, irrelevant points; baiting posters; trolling posters; and abusing posters.

Simkin was, as accurately described by Magda, routinely missing in action.

As were nearly all the alleged moderators and "forum leaders" whose virtual permanent absence left "moderation" of the board to Burton.

The Political Conspiracies section of the EF is now a deadzone.

Mission accomplished, Burton and "Colby" have now parked themselves in the JFK section - despite acknowledging zero knowledge or expertise regarding the subject in question.

The EF's treatment of Peter Lemkin, and destruction of his posts, was a disgrace.

At the time of the recent addition of new moderaters at the EF I was diappointed in one of the choices -- someone who has dogged me for years with innuendo and misinformation.

I emailed John Simkin who had once said something to the effect that he was afraid CIA was trying to infiltrate the EF. I told him that with this action, it seemed they had succeded.

If it has been penetrated, it was more by Walker than the moderators. His single-handed removal of me would be my prime bit 'o evidence. Simkin's refusal to back me up [he and I used to exchange significant information and emails off the forum] was a shock and smack in the face. The putsch to remove me was one year ago today. I was the only moderator to mention that I felt 'Mockingbird' actions were ongoing at the EF....so had to be done away with.

I am so sorry for what happened to you there, Peter. It does seem as though Simkin has lost heart and does not have perhaps the time or energy to face the problems on the board and do the right thing for the members.

Thanks. While it was Walker 100% who done the dirty deed, it was Simkin who asked him back and backed him up AND SIMKIN WHO erased all of my POSTS! He is not as 'innocent' of not minding the ship as many here are making him.......IMHO. It was also Simkin who called for a vote on my being dismissed as Moderator [no such rule existed - as they are appointed and serve at the Administration's pleasure]. Further, they did this while I was gagged, blocked and unable to explain my side of the story. A false story of my being inappropriate toward some woman on the Forum was floated; withdrawn by the woman - who happened to be used in a similar way to get rid of another member and who's real photo is not the one shown on the EF. It was a set up and he knew it, even set it up...to finish the lynching Walker had begun when Simkin was at his wife's funeral. I'll have more to say on all what happened at some future point. I have proofs as to other lies and crimes they committed and that many there are not who they claim to be. How Burton got to be 'super-moderator' is a story in and of itself.

Walker did the exact same thing to me - blocked my IP. Burton swore up and down it was not blocked. I can prove it was and still is - but I can see their site now again...ah, the wonders of the internet. He also told me a vote [unbeknown to me] was taken some months later to let me back in, but that it was not to be implemented, I think because they knew my condition was all my posts back.

Its pretty ugly over there, any which way one cuts it. :loo: That Simkin played so very unfair, by rules he made up as he went along so as to bias the vote [which never should have been taken] against me - to a former friend and confident on and off the Forum, speaks volumes. If that is how he treats friends and moderators, imagine how he'd treat others. They have no honor there...and are IMHO FULLY penetrated - were when I was there and I was removed for speaking to it. [and for speaking to 'unapproved' conspiracies, such as 9-11 et al.] Walker believes the last conspiracy was the murder of Julius Ceasar; Simkin has his own 'approved' list of conspiracies and none other dare show their heads, without consequences.

[Pamela McElwain-Brown]

At the time of the recent addition of new moderaters at the EF I was diappointed in one of the choices -- someone who has dogged me for years with innuendo and misinformation.

I emailed John Simkin who had once said something to the effect that he was afraid CIA was trying to infiltrate the EF. I told him that with this action, it seemed they had succeded.

If it has been penetrated, it was more by Walker than the moderators. His single-handed removal of me would be my prime bit 'o evidence. Simkin's refusal to back me up [he and I used to exchange significant information and emails off the forum] was a shock and smack in the face. The putsch to remove me was one year ago today. I was the only moderator to mention that I felt 'Mockingbird' actions were ongoing at the EF....so had to be done away with.

I am so sorry for what happened to you there, Peter. It does seem as though Simkin has lost heart and does not have perhaps the time or energy to face the problems on the board and do the right thing for the members.

Thanks. While it was Walker 100% who done the dirty deed, it was Simkin who asked him back and backed him up AND SIMKIN WHO erased all of my POSTS! He is not as 'innocent' of not minding the ship as many here are making him.......IMHO. It was also Simkin who called for a vote on my being dismissed as Moderator [no such rule existed - as they are appointed and serve at the Administration's pleasure]. Further, they did this while I was gagged, blocked and unable to explain my side of the story. A false story of my being inappropriate toward some woman on the Forum was floated; withdrawn by the woman - who happened to be used in a similar way to get rid of another member and who's real photo is not the one shown on the EF. It was a set up and he knew it, even set it up...to finish the lynching Walker had begun when Simkin was at his wife's funeral. I'll have more to say on all what happened at some future point. I have proofs as to other lies and crimes they committed and that many there are not who they claim to be. How Burton got to be 'super-moderator' is a story in and of itself.

Walker did the exact same thing to me - blocked my IP. Burton swore up and down it was not blocked. I can prove it was and still is - but I can see their site now again...ah, the wonders of the internet. He also told me a vote [unbeknown to me] was taken some months later to let me back in, but that it was not to be implemented, I think because they knew my condition was all my posts back.

Its pretty ugly over there, any which way one cuts it. :loo: That Simkin played so very unfair, by rules he made up as he went along so as to bias the vote [which never should have been taken] against me - to a former friend and confident on and off the Forum, speaks volumes. If that is how he treats friends and moderators, imagine how he'd treat others. They have no honor there...and are IMHO FULLY penetrated - were when I was there and I was removed for speaking to it. [and for speaking to 'unapproved' conspiracies, such as 9-11 et al.] Walker believes the last conspiracy was the murder of Julius Ceasar; Simkin has his own 'approved' list of conspiracies and none other dare show their heads, without consequences.

I am puzzled and sad. It sounds like you have the makings of a tell-all article on the decline and fall of the EF. But then, perhaps it is commendable if an environment can be maintained as an open forum. Wih aaj I never had any hopes; with the EF I did. Wherever we are, it seems that there are rivalries for power that usurp any noble intentions of finding answers to issues of the assasination.

I wonder if it might be possible to have some sort of pledge people could take to set aside personal differences and work in tandem to share information and resolve the remaining issues?

In addition, how can new voices be heard if they are being drowned out by the repeated bullying of those 'in charge' in a closed forum? Who in their right mind would want to set foot into an environment whose only objective was to play underhanded tricks on you and call you a liar? hock:

[Peter Lemkin]

If it has been penetrated, it was more by Walker than the moderators. His single-handed removal of me would be my prime bit 'o evidence. Simkin's refusal to back me up [he and I used to exchange significant information and emails off the forum] was a shock and smack in the face. The putsch to remove me was one year ago today. I was the only moderator to mention that I felt 'Mockingbird' actions were ongoing at the EF....so had to be done away with.

I am so sorry for what happened to you there, Peter. It does seem as though Simkin has lost heart and does not have perhaps the time or energy to face the problems on the board and do the right thing for the members.

Thanks. While it was Walker 100% who done the dirty deed, it was Simkin who asked him back and backed him up AND SIMKIN WHO erased all of my POSTS! He is not as 'innocent' of not minding the ship as many here are making him.......IMHO. It was also Simkin who called for a vote on my being dismissed as Moderator [no such rule existed - as they are appointed and serve at the Administration's pleasure]. Further, they did this while I was gagged, blocked and unable to explain my side of the story. A false story of my being inappropriate toward some woman on the Forum was floated; withdrawn by the woman - who happened to be used in a similar way to get rid of another member and who's real photo is not the one shown on the EF. It was a set up and he knew it, even set it up...to finish the lynching Walker had begun when Simkin was at his wife's funeral. I'll have more to say on all what happened at some future point. I have proofs as to other lies and crimes they committed and that many there are not who they claim to be. How Burton got to be 'super-moderator' is a story in and of itself.

Walker did the exact same thing to me - blocked my IP. Burton swore up and down it was not blocked. I can prove it was and still is - but I can see their site now again...ah, the wonders of the internet. He also told me a vote [unbeknown to me] was taken some months later to let me back in, but that it was not to be implemented, I think because they knew my condition was all my posts back.

Its pretty ugly over there, any which way one cuts it. :loo: That Simkin played so very unfair, by rules he made up as he went along so as to bias the vote [which never should have been taken] against me - to a former friend and confident on and off the Forum, speaks volumes. If that is how he treats friends and moderators, imagine how he'd treat others. They have no honor there...and are IMHO FULLY penetrated - were when I was there and I was removed for speaking to it. [and for speaking to 'unapproved' conspiracies, such as 9-11 et al.] Walker believes the last conspiracy was the murder of Julius Ceasar; Simkin has his own 'approved' list of conspiracies and none other dare show their heads, without consequences.

I am puzzled and sad. It sounds like you have the makings of a tell-all article on the decline and fall of the EF. But then, perhaps it is commendable if an environment can be maintained as an open forum. Wih aaj I never had any hopes; with the EF I did. Wherever we are, it seems that there are rivalries for power that usurp any noble intentions of finding answers to issues of the assasination.

I wonder if it might be possible to have some sort of pledge people could take to set aside personal differences and work in tandem to share information and resolve the remaining issues?

In addition, how can new voices be heard if they are being drowned out by the repeated bullying of those 'in charge' in a closed forum? Who in their right mind would want to set foot into an environment whose only objective was to play underhanded tricks on you and call you a liar? hock:

Well, more than many, I had access [off Forum] to JS and of course was a moderator for over a year and exchanged PMs and emails with the lot of the moderators. I posted on this Forum one foul and slanderous message [PM] of many I had gotten from Herr Walker....so yes, I saw much other than what was there to be seen by everyone who watched the EF as a member or just as a lookie-loo. It is NOT a pretty picture. There are some heroes and there are several villains. I've not told the full story and the Forum here prefers I not start an inter-Forum battleground. I've been meaning to start my own blog and I have software working to recover all my lost posts....they will be posted there along with [once private] PMs and emails from the villains in this piece. They think they buried the 'incriminating evidence'...but I have it all! Sadly, there are many good and a few great minds and posters on the EF.....I must say every last one of them who interacted with me on the EF or privately via email uniformly stopped contact when I was falsely accused and lynched/silenced/mutilated/et al. A few who promised to post for me reneged when JS in Stalinesque style said anyone who spoke for me or even in support of me would suffer the same fate as I had. That I was booted out and the likes of Walker, Colby, and many others I could name who's prime objective is to keep certain issues from being discussed are still holding forth shows, to me, the hidden agenda there..... :loco:

Sunnstein warned us all what they'd do with 'conspiracies' that were verbotten....and Mockingbird has long, long been active...both certainly are sub rosa on the EF! IMHO

NB - the EF is FAR from the only Forum in which these techniques and faux posters [some even only electronic, not even human] exist. It is however one of the more prominent - especially on the JFK case and related issues. TPTB fought tooth and nail to keep 911 to a minimum [read nearly zero], as well as other such conspiracies not on the approved list, or spoken about in the approved way.

[Magda Hassan]

So pleased to hear that you are recovering your old post with that software. Wonderful news

[Peter Lemkin]

So pleased to hear that you are recovering your old post with that software. Wonderful news

It is called Warrick, and is VERY difficult to set up properly. In fact, I was unable to get it to work well in Windows, so build a Ubuntu [Linux] system in which it works much better. As the EF is a very large site, it takes a long time for the program to assemble all and pieces, and the pieces together in the correct order, cutting out any overlapping portions, plus dealing with deletions, changes, etc.

[Charles Drago]

I might add that at least one provocation which targeted Peter was aimed at me. I believe it was the same "trap" that provided FALSE cause for his banishment.

How did I escape? Why did they back off?

Let's just say it's because I don't live in Europe.

Just a guess.

That plus the fact that I'm no turkey.

[Peter Lemkin]

I might add that at least one provocation which targeted Peter was aimed at me. I believe it was the same "trap" that provided FALSE cause for his banishment.

How did I escape? Why did they back off?

Let's just say it's because I don't live in Europe.

Just a guess.

That plus the fact that I'm no turkey.

Thanks Charles, for mentioning that publicly. Of course, from you, I knew that privately for a year, but was not going to name names unless you did. Even she retracted her 'complaint' against me [without coercion], although Walker claimed I must have privately threatened or bribed her to recant - as did Colby, that creep drunkard from OZ and others. Not so. I think she was used as much as many others have been for DEEP political purposes on the EF.

Anyway, thanks for that 'outing' of an ugly fact of the way things are sometimes 'done' on the EF!

Simkin was proud of always rating one or two on Google on most 'inputs' and with that kind of attention, brings the attention of the 'masters of propaganda' and 'control'. There was, is and will be much more deep political SHIT going on on the EF that most naive members would ever imagine..... While I do NOT know, I think Simkin, rather than being the nexus of the problems, is an intelligent, yet naive and pliant as putty [in name only Captain of the ship 'o state at the EF. The Propaganda ministry, some of whom are moderators, administrators and members are one step ahead of him, sadly. I still believe that in his naive innocence [and great knowledge] he is under their control.

PS. Glad your 'turkey' wasn't 'basted'.

[Dean Hagerman]

Peter

Every day that goes by I feel worse and worse for what happened to you at the EF

I should have done more to stick up for you

[Peter Lemkin]

Not to fret, Dean. Many others also either feared loosing their memberships or felt that I just must have done something wrong to have deserved what happened to me. I lost a large chunk of the researchers I worked with - off the Forum. This was the real aim, IMO....a smear campaign.

On another matter, related, software such as below might explain some of the strange members we see on political forums. While the article says the software is only for 'social media', I'd bet my life it can [or a version of it can] also create 'member avatars and posts' on political Forums!

Revealed: US spy operation that manipulates social media

Military's 'sock puppet' software creates fake online identities to spread pro-American propaganda

Nick Fielding and Ian Cobain
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 17 March 2011 13.19 GMT

Gen David Petraeus has previously said US online psychological operations are aimed at 'countering extremist ideology and propaganda'.

The US military is developing software that will let it secretly manipulate social media sites by using fake online personas to influence internet conversations and spread pro-American propaganda.

A Californian corporation has been awarded a contract with United States Central Command (Centcom), which oversees US armed operations in the Middle East and Central Asia, to develop what is described as an "online persona management service" that will allow one US serviceman or woman to control up to 10 separate identities based all over the world.

The project has been likened by web experts to China's attempts to control and restrict free speech on the internet. Critics are likely to complain that it will allow the US military to create a false consensus in online conversations, crowd out unwelcome opinions and smother commentaries or reports that do not correspond with its own objectives.

The discovery that the US military is developing false online personalities known to users of social media as "sock puppets" could also encourage other governments, private companies and non-government organisations to do the same.

The Centcom contract stipulates that each fake online persona must have a convincing background, history and supporting details, and that up to 50 US-based controllers should be able to operate false identities from their workstations "without fear of being discovered by sophisticated adversaries".

Centcom spokesman Commander Bill Speaks said: "The technology supports classified blogging activities on foreign-language websites to enable Centcom to counter violent extremist and enemy propaganda outside the US."

He said none of the interventions would be in English, as it would be unlawful to "address US audiences" with such technology, and any English-language use of social media by Centcom was always clearly attributed. The languages in which the interventions are conducted include Arabic, Farsi, Urdu and Pashto.

Centcom said it was not targeting any US-based web sites, in English or any other language, and specifically said it was not targeting Facebook or Twitter.

Once developed, the software could allow US service personnel, working around the clock in one location, to respond to emerging online conversations with any number of co-ordinated messages, blogposts, chatroom posts and other interventions. Details of the contract suggest this location would be MacDill air force base near Tampa, Florida, home of US Special Operations Command.

Centcom's contract requires for each controller the provision of one "virtual private server" located in the United States and others appearing to be outside the US to give the impression the fake personas are real people located in different parts of the world.

It also calls for "traffic mixing", blending the persona controllers' internet usage with the usage of people outside Centcom in a manner that must offer "excellent cover and powerful deniability".

The multiple persona contract is thought to have been awarded as part of a programme called Operation Earnest Voice (OEV), which was first developed in Iraq as a psychological warfare weapon against the online presence of al-Qaida supporters and others ranged against coalition forces. Since then, OEV is reported to have expanded into a $200m programme and is thought to have been used against jihadists across Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Middle East.

OEV is seen by senior US commanders as a vital counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation programme. In evidence to the US Senate's armed services committee last year, General David Petraeus, then commander of Centcom, described the operation as an effort to "counter extremist ideology and propaganda and to ensure that credible voices in the region are heard". He said the US military's objective was to be "first with the truth".

This month Petraeus's successor, General James Mattis, told the same committee that OEV "supports all activities associated with degrading the enemy narrative, including web engagement and web-based product distribution capabilities".

Centcom confirmed that the $2.76m contract was awarded to Ntrepid, a newly formed corporation registered in Los Angeles. It would not disclose whether the multiple persona project is already in operation or discuss any related contracts.

Nobody was available for comment at Ntrepid.

In his evidence to the Senate committee, Gen Mattis said: "OEV seeks to disrupt recruitment and training of suicide bombers; deny safe havens for our adversaries; and counter extremist ideology and propaganda." He added that Centcom was working with "our coalition partners" to develop new techniques and tactics the US could use "to counter the adversary in the cyber domain".

According to a report by the inspector general of the US defence department in Iraq, OEV was managed by the multinational forces rather than Centcom.

Asked whether any UK military personnel had been involved in OEV, Britain's Ministry of Defence said it could find "no evidence". The MoD refused to say whether it had been involved in the development of persona management programmes, saying: "We don't comment on cyber capability."

OEV was discussed last year at a gathering of electronic warfare specialists in Washington DC, where a senior Centcom officer told delegates that its purpose was to "communicate critical messages and to counter the propaganda of our adversaries".

Persona management by the US military would face legal challenges if it were turned against citizens of the US, where a number of people engaged in sock puppetry have faced prosecution.

Last year a New York lawyer who impersonated a scholar was sentenced to jail after being convicted of "criminal impersonation" and identity theft.

It is unclear whether a persona management programme would contravene UK law. Legal experts say it could fall foul of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, which states that "a person is guilty of forgery if he makes a false instrument, with the intention that he or another shall use it to induce somebody to accept it as genuine, and by reason of so accepting it to do or not to do some act to his own or any other person's prejudice". However, this would apply only if a website or social network could be shown to have suffered "prejudice" as a result.

[Jan Klimkowski]

The US military is developing software that will let it secretly manipulate social media sites by using fake online personas to influence internet conversations and spread pro-American propaganda.

A Californian corporation has been awarded a contract with United States Central Command (Centcom), which oversees US armed operations in the Middle East and Central Asia, to develop what is described as an "online persona management service" that will allow one US serviceman or woman to control up to 10 separate identities based all over the world.

Charles stumbled upon the classified name of this operation some time ago.

To honour its fundamental objectives of spooky propaganda and Boys from Brazil noise generation through synthetic replication, the codename is Operation Leni Colby....