Tris and I have been Skyping back and forth about the latest post by Kathy Sierra where she discusses death threats among other things that have recently surfaced.  At first I was so shocked I didn’t have words, then I was pissed, and yes I don’t often get pissed.  As I read through the post, I saw some familiar names as Kathy continued to pour out her fear onto the page I was reading.  I went to each of the bloggers’ blogs mentioned. 

Chris Locke, Frank Paynter, Jeneane Sessum, and Allen Herrel,

After a good look around, I found no responses from any of these bloggers.  I can only assume that this means they are in custody and being questioned for their involvement in something so heinous. I hate making assumptions.  I try very hard not to judge people and I always thank people that give me the benefit of the doubt before making judgments.  I want to give these bloggers that same benefit, but the fact that they are associated in any way with this behavior makes it difficult to overcome my anger at not seeing a statement from them.

Other links associated with the post are also barren of any mention about their own thoughts on the issues at hand.  The people at BlogHer, an organization I support financially as a sponsor and as a evangelist has no response to one of their prominent members being named in the scandal.  At the time of this post, I could not check one last time whether they had a response to the article.  It could be they are down as a result, with all of their other readers wanting to know what they think.

Doc Searls was mentioned more than once in the piece and after a visit to his blog, I see no reference to the story nor that he has in any way reached out to his co-author for a statement.  I too would ask that Doc give us some help in determining the nature of Chris Locke’s involvement and what he intends as leader in this community to bring this to a close.

At the time I post this, not a single response in the comments from anyone that might shed light on this for the rest of us.  That is a poor PR move.    I invite all of you to give me just a note that you are doing your own investigation and that this transgression will be met with the full power of your own abilities.

UPDATE (5:36 MST):  This comment I found from Frank Paynter.  Scoble is taking a week off from blogging, and that in itself is sad.  I am going to take the other approach, I will post about this until the matter is resolved.  I will not turn my back on this despicable act until it is finished.  I’ll keep updating as I find information.

UPDATE (7:43 p.m. MST)  Stowe Boyd posts while traveling that Jeneane Sessum contacted him to say "she is sick with concern about her incidental involvement in this mess. She is heartsick about this turn of events."  At the time of this updated post Jeneane’s concern is still absent from her blog.  I can only think that she is at a loss for words.  Even that would be something she could tell us. 

UPDATE (8:18 p.m. MST)  I think that we should allow for a reasonable time and not rush to judgment in hanging the parties named.  Shelly Powers has a good post, and I appreciate some of the comments.  I liken the this to the short story by Ambrose Bierce, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.  Let’s not hang the innocent just yet. 

Jon Husband refers to an update to a post by Jeneane Sessum in my comments, but I did not see it on her site.  I did ascertain further Jeneane and is afraid of the legal ramifications of posting at this point.  At this time, that fear is realized, and the mere mentioning about it is good enough for me.  I consider the rest of them in the same boat with the problems of lawsuits and anything at this point becoming evidence.  I would like to know about the other evidence we know of at this point.  I will keep posting as I learn of other developments.

UPDATE (9:58 p.m. MST) Frank Paynter has now posted about his thoughts on this issue.  As I also suspected, Kathy Sierra responded in the comments with graciousness and understanding.  This is how blogging should be. 

UPDATE (10:23 p.m. MST) Robert Scoble also puts to bed his thoughts to Frank which is heartfelt.  Do you think it would be possible to actually have the parties involved in this to all have a moment of nakedness to allow themselves to shake hands and walk away with understanding?  I am always an optimist but I think that with these people it’s possible.  These are leaders in this industry and a Blogger Gone Bad scenario is trumped by Bloggers Gone Good! 

UPDATE (10:37 p.m. MST) Jeneane’s comment on her blog for whatever reason is now visible to me and I want to point out her response.  I only had Update Number 2, but now Update Number 3 is visible.  I would say Jeneane should make a statement on her on blog much the same as Frank has done.  I don’t believe that she is the one that is behind any of this.  I also have taken note that "Joey" is now working on damage control on Kathy’s blog in the comments.

UPDATE (11:38 p.m. MST) Joey is now wanting to turn himself in as a fugitive in the comments at Kathy’s post.  Not sure why he would do that at this point, but in the comments section, he has asked that he be allowed to turn himself into the authorities.

UPDATE (8:15 a.m. MST 3/27/07)  After trying to get a little sleep last night, which turned out to be futile due to sick children, I am going to try to catch up on the latest in the blogosphere about the above.

Lisa Stone of BlogHer.org, responds to the being discussed in Kathy Sierra’s post, and provides BlogHer’s position on the matter.  As I expected nothing less from Lisa and her group, it was handled with class and professionalism.  I too would look to the folks of BlogHer to be the voice of all women in Kathy’s position and would look to them to carry the banner here.  Great Job Lisa.

Doc Searls responds with an answer to my call for his help and leadership.  As is predictable from Doc, he is level headed, transparent and very intelligent in his response.  That is why I believed him to be a leader, and why I called out to him for his guidance.  His wisdom includes:

It will be easier for everybody if those involved disclose what they know.

My last post before this one was a pointer to the new Principles of Citizen Journalism site. The first principle is Accuracy, and it begins, Getting your facts right isn’t always so simple. No shit. But that’s what I’m trying to do right now. I suggest the rest of us do the same.

I have been following this as much as anyone and trying to keep my own facts straight without adding my own emotion is difficult.  Thanks for the pearl Doc.

Last night I left Frank Paynter’s post open about Mere Anarchy, The reason is, it looked as though he was beginning a decent conversation about what he knew and about what he felt.  In the comment section, Robert Scoble left a comment giving kudos to Frank for coming forward with the post, and I commented right after him with this comment: 

I think all of the named parties involved could post a comment here and have Kathy address them…it could show just how rational people work. Good exchange Kathy and Frank.

When I rushed into my office to catch up with the conversation there, Roberts comment had been deleted and m ine is still awaiting moderation.  Just when I thought the proper route was gaining traction. 

I do want to touch upon why I would have an emotional response in my own thoughts about this terrible situation.  I have met both Maryam and Robert Scoble and consider them to be friends.  They are gracious, intelligent, and very people oriented.  They have also been nothing but the best from the moment I met them.  When I read the things about them, it caused me to be somewhat enraged.  I think Robert is now feeling that more than ever, as I have seen that he is calling for a public apology, and rightly so given the comments made.  I’m merely trying to report an aggregate of information I can find here, and if I tend to get heated in my own thoughts, I wanted to explain my not so objective reporting.  I would love to see this all resolve with handshakes and hugs.

UPDATE (8:54 a.m. 3/27/07):  Chris Locke has a response to the Kathy Sierra post.  He is interviewed by Liz Tay of Computerworld Australia, and published his response to her questions.  I have never met Chris, and only know of him as an author of a great book.  After reading the responses to the questions posed, I must say I am at a loss for words. It is obvious that he has a distaste for Ms. Sierra, and I’m not exactly sure why, but nonetheless, I cannot help IMO but see the dichotomy of his responses.  The first try at a vitriolic site was not enough, a second was started to continue the one that was taken down.

UPDATE (9:16 a.m. 3/27/07) Shelly Powers updates that Allen Herrel, The Head Lemur (the link appears to be broken) has ended his blog after 7-8 years.  His thoughts are that he is guilty until proven innocent, which is a travesty in itself.  I would ask that he provide us with more of a statement than:

character assassination by image and psedonym (sic)

believe what you will

get some help

goodbye

Let’s not compound the problems here by making others quit the blogosphere.  Turning your back now will only cause more people to be part of the mob and cement their own opinions of your guilt.   

UPDATE (10:38 a.m. MST 3/27/07)  I have been waiting for Tara Hunt to make a statement that I could link to given the fact that she was also a person singled out in the Mean Kids.or case and part of the reason they called the site "mean Kids" in the first place.  It seems that Jeneane Sessum was instrumental in taking down the sites after being asked by Kathy in the instance of Mean Kids.org, and UncleBobisms site in reference to an email from Tara.  As we know Jeneane was hospitalized until recently so it is unclear if she received the email while in hospital and was directing others to take down the site.  She brings up an interesting point about Mena Trott that I had forgotten about until her mention of it.  Thanks for the post Tara.

UPDATE (8:29 p.m. 3/27/07)  It has been more than 24 hours since I began posting about this incident and I am no closer to solving the issues as I was when I started.  I have learned of a number of new people I have met and spoke to and I have seen some things I found interesting and things that made me shudder. 

Doc Searls has been great at updating his own look into what he knows and has found.  I have read literally every post I could find on this, and as part of that I have read every comment.  Yes, I have been doing a lot of reading.  I do intend to add my own opinion when the dust settles and I’m actually able to spend a moment of my own time reflecting on all that has transpired.  I know that this incident has caused a number of people to sit back and stare at their computer and wonder about their own situation, their safety, their part in what we call our blogosphere.  What I can’t seem to nail down is the one true path that is the perfect path.  There are as many opinions and thoughts about this as there are blogs.  I have learned this today. 

The people I believed to be good and the people I look to for mentoring and leadership were nothing but stellar.  People like Lisa Stone of BlogHer, Doc Searls and others have all made me feel proud that I had them identified correctly–to you folks I applaud you.  To those of you that have not yet made any statements, apologies, or otherwise, I ask you apologize where necessary, take ownership of responsibility where needed and be sure to make clear your thoughts if you are in no way involved.  I will be the first to stand shoulder to shoulder with you in any of those circumstances.

UPDATE (9:07 a.m. 3/28/07):  Jeneane Sessum has made a statement about Kathy Sierra’s post and is obviously not able to make any further statements at this time.  Thanks for the post Jeneane.

UPDATE (12:23 p.m. 3/28/07)  Doc Searls has posted an email from Alan Herrell regarding this matter.  As we can now plainly see, this has been more than just about a death threat and fear.  The storm that has hit, has hit everyone, real people with real feelings.  All actions have a certain reaction I suppose and this is unfortnate.  It looks like most of the people named have come forward with some type of statement.  Where do we go from here?

Tags: Kathy Sierra, Chris Locke, Frank Paynter, Jeneane Sessum, Allen Herrel, BlogHer, Doc Searls