# Let's talk about etv78 **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 13, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622 "2012-09-13T18:57:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/1 "2012-09-13T18:57:48Z")
I honestly don’t know what to think. The guy has admitted trolling other boards, and he has posted about his medical issues here in the past. I’m no longer sure the guy even _does_ have spina bifida. This is his OP quoted from [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=665178) in its entirety: > [@etv78](#): > > Ever been banned for trolling > I “troll” couple boards (NOT here). Just got banned from a board. I was there 2 weeks, they could’ve banned me immediately if they had just traced the e-mail addy. (I assume that’s how they did it) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/2 "2012-09-13T19:15:52Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > I’m no longer sure the guy even _does_ have spina bifida. How would you know one way or the other unless you know him in person? The staff has been discussing that MPSIMS thread and the related Pitting of **etv78** , which was revived by someone from one of the boards he admitted trolling. **etv78** appears to have made an ass of himself, but generally we don’t sanction people for what they talk about doing on other boards- just what they do on the SDMB. You’re free to keep **etv78** ’s statements about himself in mind when you deal with him in the future and the staff will, too. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/3 "2012-09-13T19:16:04Z")
I’ve organized Dopefests in Boston, met several in Dopers in person. So I AM who I say I am. If I so offend you, do put me on ignore. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/4 "2012-09-13T19:34:22Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > …So I AM who I say I am. And that is why this thread exists-because of your own claims as to what you are elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/5 "2012-09-13T19:36:33Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > I’ve organized Dopefests in Boston, met several in Dopers in person. So I AM who I say I am. If I so offend you, do put me on ignore. Could some of those Dopers verify? I really have no dog in this fight, and i dont care one way or another but there is one thing that gives me pause: soon after I first joined the board here, you PM’ed me, telling me you were an author and you wanted to get some ideas about life for a handicapped person. Care to explain that one? ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/6 "2012-09-13T19:39:08Z")
Whoa, let’s keep on topic here. Ambivalid, if you have personal concerns with etv78, you should have these discussions outside of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/7 "2012-09-13T19:43:26Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Whoa, let’s keep on topic here. > > Ambivalid, if you have personal concerns with etv78, you should have these discussions outside of this thread. Huh?? I’m ONLY bringing it up _because_ of this thread; like I said, it’s not important to me at all. I thought it was possibly relevant. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/8 "2012-09-13T19:43:58Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Whoa, let’s keep on topic here. > > Ambivalid, if you have personal concerns with etv78, you should have these discussions outside of this thread. Huh? This thread is about etv78 possibly having told a very elaborate lie about who he is. Ambivalid seems to have evidence that that claim may have some validity, communicated to him via this board’s PM function. How in the world is that a) not on topic or b) a personal concern that should be dealt with off-board? ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/9 "2012-09-13T19:45:13Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Whoa, let’s keep on topic here. > > Ambivalid, if you have personal concerns with etv78, you should have these discussions outside of this thread. I think the point is that if **etv78** _is_ handicapped, then why would he need to do research about what it’s like to be handicapped.. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/10 "2012-09-13T19:47:00Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Whoa, let’s keep on topic here. > > Ambivalid, if you have personal concerns with etv78, you should have these discussions outside of this thread. How could his post have been any more on topic? > [@etv78](#): > > I’ve organized Dopefests in Boston, met several in Dopers in person. So I AM who I say I am. If I so offend you, do put me on ignore. You are an admitted troll. It’s natural to wonder if you are trolling here too. I am sure that you swore up and down that “I AM who I say I am” at other places too. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/11 "2012-09-13T19:47:49Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Ambivalid seems to have evidence that that claim may have some validity, communicated to him via this board’s PM function. How in the world is that a) not on topic or b) a personal concern that should be dealt with off-board? Because an ATMB thread is not the appropriate venue for accusing a poster of fraud or combing over **etv78** ’s posting history and demanding he explain everything he’s ever said about himself. That’s not what this forum is for. And second, [**etv78** has described himself as handicapped user for pretty much his entire time on this board.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=2151533#post2151533) ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/12 "2012-09-13T19:51:06Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Whoa, let’s keep on topic here. > > Ambivalid, if you have personal concerns with etv78, you should have these discussions outside of this thread. With all due respect, **Tuba** , I think **ambivalid** is very much on topic. **etv78** has a history of trolling other boards regarding medical issues. We _know_ that. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/13 "2012-09-13T19:52:07Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Because an ATMB thread is not the appropriate venue for accusing a poster of fraud or combing over **etv78** ’s posting history and demanding he explain everything he’s ever said about himself. That’s not what this forum is for. And second, [**etv78** has described himself as handicapped user for pretty much his entire time on this board.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=2151533#post2151533) I think Jamie’s point point isn’t to question whether etv78 is in a wheelchair or not, but to point out that etv78 was lying to him over PM about being an author. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/14 "2012-09-13T19:52:50Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Because an ATMB thread is not the appropriate venue for accusing a poster of fraud or combing over **etv78** ’s posting history and demanding he explain everything he’s ever said about himself. That’s not what this forum is for. And second, [**etv78** has described himself as handicapped user for pretty much his entire time on this board.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=2151533#post2151533) He described himself as a butch lesbian for his entire time at the board he has admitted to trolling. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/15 "2012-09-13T19:53:19Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Because an ATMB thread is not the appropriate venue for accusing a poster of fraud or combing over **etv78** ’s posting history and demanding he explain everything he’s ever said about himself. That’s not what this forum is for. And second, [**etv78** has described himself as handicapped user for pretty much his entire time on this board.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=2151533#post2151533) How is **Ambivalid** ’s post more an accusation than the OP? ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/16 "2012-09-13T19:57:12Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > And second, [**etv78** has described himself as handicapped user for pretty much his entire time on this board.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=2151533#post2151533) Wait, what? This is the quote you linked: > [@etv78](#): > > On the show “Family Ties” (a US show BTW), I’m convinced that at one time the baby that grew up to be Andrew was originally a GIRL! Am I completely off my rocker (or wheelchair)? Huh? You did a search for “wheelchair”, didn’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/17 "2012-09-13T19:58:20Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > I think Jamie’s point point isn’t to question whether etv78 is in a wheelchair or not, but to point out that etv78 was lying to him over PM about being an author. [I’m not sure about that.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=578410) > [@hajario](#): > > He described himself as a butch lesbian for his entire time at the board he has admitted to trolling. If **Ambivalid** thought that perhaps **etv78** was asking for help so he could represent himself as a handicapped person, it’s worth noting that **etv78** was doing that 8 or 9 years before **Ambivalid** joined this board. > [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > How is **Ambivalid** ’s post more an accusation than the OP? I was making a general observation, not a comment on **Ambivalid** ’s post in particular. > [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > You did a search for “wheelchair”, didn’t you? Yes, I did. And he makes a reference to using a wheelchair. [I could’ve grabbed this one instead.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=2618877&highlight=wheelchair#post2618877) My point is not that I know he’s telling the truth, but that he was saying he was handicapped long before **Ambivalid** was around. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/18 "2012-09-13T20:05:33Z")
Ambivalid and I don’t often get along when it comes to “handicapped” stuff… but I must say I think his post here was reasonably valid (heh : ) ). Now whether its important or whatever is whole nuther issue…but I don’t think he should catch shit for it either… Just sayin. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/19 "2012-09-13T20:11:07Z")
I’m not giving **Ambivalid** any shit, and I don’t think **TubaDiva** was either. The point here is twofold: the private message doesn’t necessarily mean anything, and this is a forum for discussing the rules and how situations like this should be handled, so it’s not the place to ‘make a case’ that **etv78** might be a troll. So this thread should not go in that direction. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622/20 "2012-09-13T20:12:31Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > [I’m not sure about that.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=578410) > Yes, I did. And he makes a reference to using a wheelchair. [I could’ve grabbed this one instead.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=2618877&highlight=wheelchair#post2618877) My point is not that I know he’s telling the truth, but that he was saying he was handicapped long before **Ambivalid** was around. OK, that one is pretty convincing. However, when there is smoke there may very well be fire. Like I said in the first sentence of the OP, I don’t know what to think. We have mods from other boards chasing this guy down, but I haven’t personally seen anything _here_ that violates the rules. I’m not asking for any SDMB mod action, but I am suggesting that y’all watch this guy like a hawk. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-etv78/634622.md?page=2)