Story Theft - An apology to badandy2

Somtimes life hits you in the gut when you least expect it. Several weeks ago I posted a message stating that badandy2's story, Neighbors Ballteam Party, was stolen from Blairbrek.

As hard as it is for me to believe, badandy2 has provided sufficient proof by means of dated posts to Darkwanderer from 1999, and corroboration by a second author, that the story is indeed his - not Blairbrek's. This is not only embarrassing, but a very sad day for me, as Blair and I have been friends for 5 years. In addition, I have potentially damaged the reputation of an innocent author. For this, I am very, very sorry.

Badandy2, please accept my sincere apology for this mistake. I have contacted Laurel and asked her to return your story to Lit under its rightful title. I also wish to thank you for your patience and calm cooperation while all this was sorted out.

-NW

Admitting that you've made a mistake is brave and honest of you. Kudos.

Yep

Svenskaflicka said:

Admitting that you've made a mistake is brave and honest of you. Kudos.

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Here, here Well done for owning up mate, but don't feel too bad, mistakes can be made in all manners of life.

Besides, you were sticking up for your friend, whom you thought was being robbed. You may have made a mistake, but your intentions were noble.

I'm glad badandy2 has been so cool about this whole thing. Nice to see that a nasty situation has been handled maturely, and without any bleeding.

Just a post to say I recieved your noted information. In a way it is nice to know there are honest mistakes made and people who are willing to say they made a mistake.

Phildo

This is probably why conclusion jumping is not an olympic sport.

Gauche

Svenskaflicka said:

Admitting that you've made a mistake is brave and honest of you. Kudos.

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Echoing these comments and others. This is most admirable to not only admit the mistake, but try to make it right as well.

I wish more newspaper journalists would consider your example.

Hi Night,

That's courageous to admit an error. It's in fact quite hard to just look at two stories and tell which is the rip off. As you see, outside documents from *both* sides are necessary. I--and you--can see that you overly relied on a friends 'word' where that isn't sufficient. Think of it as a compliment you paid him, to believe him unquestioningly; it was an error but reflects trust and esteem.

Arguably your friend owes several folks an apology since it appears that he did a number of maneuvres, as far as I can see, including perhaps 'using' you as a pawn and publicist. But I don't know the facts, and whether you volunteered for the battle, etc.

Again it's good to see your honesty. I'm especially glad if it's the case that Laurel believed, initially, the wrong side and pulled the wrong story.

J.

Admitting you were wrong is admirable. Going the extra step and trying to make sure that the person you accused of wrong doing is publically exonerated and apologized too is rare indeed.

It isperhaps the greatest proof of your own integrity and honesty and says a lot for you.

-Colly

PS.

In my opinion, you should use the edit function to delete your accusation from the original thread. That would be good. In its place put [Added: this was a false accusation against Andy]

Further, insert your apology at the beginning and ending of that thread. At the beginnning, by 'edit' of the original message.

PM those who quoted your accusation in the thread, to delete the quotation, if not their whole message.

Just my opinion.
J.

Added 10-26
I've added this thread url to the original thread.

Respect. That's all I have to say. Respect to you.

Swallowing your pride is bitter...

But a good exercize in humility....

I think everyone here respects your honesty.

~WOK

Although i admire and respect a person for admitting their wrongs and trying to undo them, perhaps this shows that caution and a certain amount of care must be taken in determining if someone has in fact been plagiarised...and not, instead, dragging a poor innocent bastard's name through the mud before knowing whether or not they have in fact copied another's work. You can't just go off half-cocked and point fingers at people, it doesn't matter how right you think you are you just can't do it.
Surely contacting Laurel would be the best course of action instead of publicly trashing someone before proving it...

Stefan_J said:

Although i admire and respect a person for admitting their wrongs and trying to undo them, perhaps this shows that caution and a certain amount of care must be taken in determining if someone has in fact been plagiarised...and not, instead, dragging a poor innocent bastard's name through the mud before knowing whether or not they have in fact copied another's work. You can't just go off half-cocked and point fingers at people, it doesn't matter how right you think you are you just can't do it.
Surely contacting Laurel would be the best course of action instead of publicly trashing someone before proving it...

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The problem with wise and sage advice is that it is usually rendered by an observer and often after the fact. Having had something of mine pirated I can tell you that you don't think very rationally. It hurts, and it can even move someone as doormouseish as me to want blood.

In my case, I wrote the story so I knew 100% who was stealing and who was the victim. In this case Nw was acting on behalf of a friend and while he was probably 100% sure in his mind of who was in the wrong, he couldn't know. I didn't know about the forum when it happened to me or I would have been here screaming bloody murder. For those who don't know to go to Laurel the boards are the most logical option.

While his original statement could have been worded in a less inflamatory manner I think it pretty much expressed the outrage any of us would feel if someone posted one of our works and claimed it as their own. Coming back and apologizing as well as working with Laurel and the author to get things returned to where they should be, in my opinion showed a lot of courage. To do so when the whole episode exposed someone he considered a freind for five years aa a fraud is little short of amazing. How many people would have just gone, ooops, my bad and let it go when the real author provided proof of ownership? I dare say many more than would act as uprightly as NW did.

Going to Laurel is best, but for those who don't know who to go to the boards are sometimes the only option. I think it is kind of a stand up thing to note that at least four or five people directed him to Laurel with the problem.

-Colly

A simple thanks!

I've been away all weekend, thus the reason for such a later response to Night Writers post. I am glad that I plead my innocence to Night Writer when his original post was listed. I am also glad that he took the time to check out my plea. I appreciate it greatly.
Badandy2

A simple thanks!

I've been away all weekend, thus the reason for such a later response to Night Writers post. I am glad that I plead my innocence to Night Writer when his original post was listed. I am also glad that he took the time to check out my plea. I appreciate it greatly.
Badandy2

A simple thanks!

I've been away all weekend, thus the reason for such a later response to Night Writers post. I am glad that I plead my innocence to Night Writer when his original post was listed. I am also glad that he took the time to check out my plea. I appreciate it greatly.
Badandy2

Re: A simple thanks!

badandy2 said:

I've been away all weekend, thus the reason for such a later response to Night Writers post. I am glad that I plead my innocence to Night Writer when his original post was listed. I am also glad that he took the time to check out my plea. I appreciate it greatly.
Badandy2

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Well said Andy. I applaud your generosity.

Gauche