Allusion? You mean "She Who Must Be Obeyed"? Very nice, especially given the legalistic turn the conversation has taken. She was also a lawyer's daughter (as well as wife), I recall! <BR> <BR>But do you know the source of Mortimer's allusion?

Yikes, if you're just figuring out that those "support" posts are from none other than the Perp himself, than where have ya been? They're posted with fake e-mails, and yes, Perp is always johnny-on-the-spot to thank himself for his own "kind words of encouragement." <BR> <BR> <BR>Now how it would look to all those out in cyberspace if you tried to promote your tours and everyone tried to warn your potential customers about you? Wouldn't you create some imaginary testimonial friends too?

Anyone find it interesting that the Fodors nemesis and self proclaimed travel authority and know-it-all has chosen not to describe the renovation and multi-million dollar restoration of Assisi's church, nor the piazza in front of it, nor the turmoil created by opening that piazza to auto traffic nor the delights of Assisi but simply notes "a satisfactory internet place"? <BR>Were my two weeks with the nemesis going to be spent touring Italian internet cafes?

You mean like this anonymous post of coincidental praise?: <BR> <BR>Message: "I like Rex too. He has diligently tried to "lighten-up". His <BR>information seems well researched and accurate. I am also looking forward to Rex’s trip report. <BR> <BR>Best wishes to all that contribute to this forum." <BR> <BR>GEE, now WHO in the world could have posted that one?

Paster...note the similarities in Oaktown Traveler and You-Know-Who. <BR>Both gone at the same time, both striking similar in their styles... <BR> <BR>I have also thought An old "Regular" Poster may be You-Know-Who...

No, I'm quite sure that Oaktown Traveler is NOT King Whatchamacallit. She is a little edgy, but her defensiveness seems to be rationally based on factual experiences, and basically she seems to have a kind of healthy energy and bounce to her. Though I haven't exactly "studied" her. By the way, I think we're getting ridiculous here, so I'm going to stop now.

Don't forget the cut and paste jobs he does with his own topics, particularly when he is trolling for customers. If anyone tries to warn newcomers about his past and present behavior here, he copies only the promotional and self-praising posts and repastes them on another thread with the SAME heading! <BR> <BR> <BR>Then he tries to bury the old post by topping all the most popular threads that have ever existed on Fodors' -- fiction books, are we all wealthy, etc. etc. as a distraction. He wants to make it look as if Fodor's has censored any undesirable comments about him. He has also threatened "detractors" with investigation and litigation, neither of which he has the power to utilize. When all that fails, he forges editorial posts to chastise those who "falsely use the name of another." Pretty outrageous, since he himself falsely uses the names of the editors. <BR> <BR>Never contact this guy, never give him any information about yourself, and never, ever book a tour with him. You can see here what he is capable of doing.

wow... you people have waaaaaaaay too much time on your hands. you should all feel very lucky and privileged that this is the kind of thing you can spend your time worrying about. really. <BR> <BR>grow up.

Isn't this interesting! I am "bashful" and can't believe that Ed is saying I'm REX!! I will e-mail Ed directly and you will see that I am in fact not Rex but a middle aged woman who lives in Canada who is planning a trip to Italy in July. I hope Ed that once you receive my private e-mail (which I trust you will keep private), you will apologize. It's unfortunate that folks make accusations that are unfounded and in my case, a downright untruth. It's also unfortunate that because I have appreciated Rex' help in the past, you believe it is him replying to his own post. So I've said it before, if you can't prove something, please don't make awful hurtful accusations.

Rex did start a couple of threads inquiring about hotels in Rome and Assisi under the name "bashful." I don't suppose Ed meant to imply that every post by "bashful" was really by Rex.

OK now you've got me interested. I've written to Ed directly so hopefully he will confirm I'm "real". Now if you could tell me how to find the posts about Rome and Asissi that I started, I'll check and see if they're actually from me. And I'll let you know.

Do a search for "Irvin" and you'll find the ones that Rex started.

OK, I've checked the irvin posts and have found only one. First I use bashful at xxxxx.xxxx.xxx and that one uses an e-mail address of shysomething. So I didn't post that one. But how do you know Rex did? It seems like a pretty benign posting so if he did the posting as you say, what did he gain? With all the posters here, how can you be sure that one single posting under the name bashful was from him? I'd really like to know.

I only know because Rex mentioned it on some other thread. I agree--it's completely benign. I just assume that Rex wanted to get some objective advice without starting the controversy that his name sometimes generates.

To clarify: <BR> <BR>In fact the "real" "bashful" (how do we know, Fodors?) has written me privately. As I responded to her, Dr. Ego, in fact, told me quite directly that he initiated the "bashful" postings asking questions related to his trip to Italy. <BR> <BR>As jahoulih quite rightly points out I did not say that Dr. Ego initiated all the bashful postings, nor all the xxx postings, nor all the toppers, nor all the Rex postings for that matter. <BR> <BR>Bashful, your identity is safe with me. But I will not apologize, of course. And I suggest in future you not request apologies from someone in a public forum until you are quite sure an apology is required. I look forward to a note of regret from you. <BR> <BR>A note to Fodors: this just once again points out the flaws in a system with no controls on the use of pseudonyms. <BR> <BR>Dr. Ego has made an ass of us, Fodors, and the system. Isn't it time to put in a bit of control?

Ed..I've looked up all posts by "bashful" and have found 3 that are not mine "What's Outside Rome", $899 round trip" and "Comparing Hotels in Venice". While I truly do not understand this whole controversy I will say I am sorry as you requested. I guess I just don't know the rules about public forums. I am particularly sorry I got caught up in this whole thing...all I was looking for was information and seemed to get involved in a terrible battle quite by accident. I will no longer post under the name of bashful and will actually re-think posting and visiting the site at all. I have gotten some great info. from this site from you, Paulo, Rex, Bob and others and I thank you.

Imagine my surprise to drop into this (my final) cybercafe (visit) of this trip - - and see all this yammering. <BR> <BR>I would never have guessed. <BR> <BR>One quick note to jahoulih and anyone else who wants to know - I started about three or four threads as "bashful" for exactly the reason indicated above - - to get some information about this trip with my inlaws, uncle and aunt - without drawing attention to "who I am". <BR> <BR>Home tomorrow night. <BR> <BR>Somehow, I hope that I can mend all fences, and get back to just answering questions. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR> <BR> <BR>Best wishes,

Bashful : you have broken no rules.People are guessing stuff then asserting its true.Somebody made a bad guess and you were the unfortunate subject. <BR>You are caught between huge egos.Just stick to the travel stuff and leave them to their fantasy world you'll be fine. <BR>Stay on the forum, just avoid this type of thread.

REX Bickers, MD <BR> <BR>I am not a real doctor I just play one on Fodors.com!

I used to be Happy, but now all this talk about who Bashful is or Bashful isn't, and about this guy who may or not be a Doc, is making me Grumpy. Why don't we put this thread to Sleepy, because it's enough to drive one to Amsterdam for some Dopey.