Crucial Information regarding a Ripperologist

[JTRSickert]

JTRsickert,

I realize that for you the podcasts are the ultimate, but you need to understand that this is not limited to podcasts or even primarily about podcasts. Andy Spallek has published articles in almost every Ripper magazine and has been a member of the board and community for a long time. So there is no particular onus on Jonathon regarding this situation.


As for knowing what's among us and our community, I do agree. We are entirely too convinced of the safety of the internet and the people we meet on it. Just because you've chatted with someone in the chat room or on the boards for three whole months and met them for lunch doesn't mean you know jack crap about them really.

Hi Ally,

I did know that Andy was responsible for numerous articles and what-not since I read some of them on the Ripperologist magazine. The reason I mentioned Jonathan is because I was listening to the episodes while I was at work today to pass the time. For some reason, I think it was to find any other articles about Druitt he may have written, I Googled his name and came across the article which I linked to in this forum.

I take no particular joy in bringing this to everyone's attention, but I felt it should be known. Also, I agree with 100% of everything you said.

[tnb]

JTRsickert,

I realize that for you the podcasts are the ultimate, but you need to understand that this is not limited to podcasts or even primarily about podcasts. Andy Spallek has published articles in almost every Ripper magazine and has been a member of the board and community for a long time. So there is no particular onus on Jonathon regarding this situation.


As for knowing what's among us and our community, I do agree. We are entirely too convinced of the safety of the internet and the people we meet on it. Just because you've chatted with someone in the chat room or on the boards for three whole months and met them for lunch doesn't mean you know jack crap about them really.

Quite right Ally. Jonathan does not need to apologise in any way, or make any special comment, and should not be expected to, as once that particular ball gets rolling you would have to be demanding the same of almost every editor out there, Stephen, and probably every poster who has ever said 'keep up the good work' or similar to him (if...) over the years. No one is responsible for another's actions.

This isn't exactly limited to the internet, as how many of us could say we definitively know we never worked for a week or so with someone who may have gone on to do God knows what, and maybe shared a coffee or a cigarette with them? What the internet does breed, unfortunately, is a mix of unrealistic 'familiarity' and a myriad of opportunity for devious behaviour, which is a pretty scary mix. As Ally points out, at the very least - and even if our concerns here do turn out to be unfounded, please God) - this, similar to the Griffiths case, should make us all think about that a little more.

[c.d.]

Please take this the right way...the article made no mention of him molesting children.

c.d.

[Robert]

Oh Jesus!

Well I suppose if you take a large enough sample of people engaged in just about any form of activity, you are going to get the normal human life things. like bereavements, marriages and so on, and you are going to get the odd very nasty thing too.

All I can say is, I hope it's not him.

[Ally]

c.d.,

I know what you mean and at first I thought that as well but I am afraid I just can't hang on to it. He sought out photos of it occurring which is just as horrifying to me as actually doing it yourself. He sought out photos of that kind of thing happening to children.

I can't really distance myself from the doing of it and deriving enjoyment from watching it being done. I can't find a palatable separation there.

[tnb]

Please take this the right way...the article made no mention of him molesting children.

c.d.

I do see what you are trying to say CD, and I do agree that a sense of perspective is necessary (if difficult) in such circumstances, but I think for most people what the article does say is quite enough. I am not saying that you do not recognise that, btw.

I think the crucial point is that were this man (whether he has before or not) to turn up on this site, or any I was involved in, I would not only want nothing to do with him because of what he has been proved/ admitted to have done but also because that suspicion could now never be out of my mind. To put it simply - and again, please take this the right way, there are no articles saying I have never done anything so sick as you mention, nor anyone I know - precisely because I and we haven't, and never would. But I do not feel that I need an article to say whether I have or not, as I would hope people who know me know that there would never be any question. With this man, whoever he is, that presumption of decency has been forever tarnished. Is that unfair? Perhaps, but as I say the crime he has already admitted is enough to get him little sympathy in my eyes.

[JTRSickert]

Andy mentioned also of taking holidays with his wife. God only knows what she is going through right now about this. Even worse, their kids (if he had any).

[Robert]

He posted several pictures of himself at the graves of the victims, but I think these may now have been archived to disc.

[Admin]

Please be advised: As this thread is not specifically about the Rippercast, it is being moved to General Discussion and the title being changed from "Rippercast panelist" to "Ripperologist".

We hope you understand the change.

Thank you.

[JTRSickert]

No problem, admin.

[Ally]

About halfway down:

http://www.casebook.org/forum/messages/4921/7566.html

[JTRSickert]

Looks like a match to me, only he grew the mustache a bit more fuller.

[Monty]

The sad irony....

....is that Andys great work lies with Druitt.

Shocked, saddened, disturbed and disappointed.

Thats all Im going to say.

Monty

[Natalie Severn]

....is that Andys great work lies with Druitt.

Shocked, saddened, disturbed and disappointed.

Thats all Im going to say.

Monty

Thanks Monty,

My sentiments entirely,

Norma

[Jenni Shelden]

I am, just shocked.
Upsetting
Jenni