Reply #30: I have a small close set of political friends I met online in 97

[Carni]

There are about eight of us left and the only way a new person gets on the email string is if someone who knows them long term brings them in.

It has truly been a delightful experience knowing these people...
but I to be quite frank in 1997 I didn't know jack about the net and wasn't paranoid like I am now about fakes, trolls and repuke infilitrators.

Even our small group at one point in time had a double agent or two in our midst...money was sent by the group to help the member, eventually the *death* of the mole occurred and all sorts of other intrigue took place.

That was pretty freaky and not something I want to get involved with ever again (nothing like thinking some phony whacko has your real info, phone number, name and location)

Now I am rather leery of all online personas in general.

I've never used my real name when writing on the net about political matters, because I don't want to be stalked by some right winged nut...beyond that what you read is what you get.

You can meet someone in person and get duped so I guess this isn't any different!

In any case great post and a good reminder to us all!