Idle Threat

A while back I got an angry message via the rox.com website. The writer demanded the immediate removal of “my image and any mention of me” from the website, and threatened legal action. The message was not signed, and the return e-mail address was obscure.

I wrote back and said I was sorry to hear it, but who are you anyway?

Shortly I received confirmation of the sender’s identity. I don’t want to tell his name, but it starts with Russ.

So, after consulting with J, I wrote back:

Sorry for the delayed response. I’ve been busy gutting my flooded home here in New Orleans.

I wish I could say it’s good to hear from you, but obviously you’re mad at us and that’s not good. I’m sorry that you feel that way.

However, upon reviewing the whole situation, we don’t really understand where you’re coming from. Quite simply, there’s nothing objectionable in your appearances on the ROX television show or on our website.

To the contrary, I really get a kick out of what you contributed to the whole project. You have a dynamic, charismatic personality and it really comes across.

Anyway, legally there’s no case here, and we remain committed to maintaining a website that accurately and completely indexes the content of the TV series, including all the dramatis personae, and that includes you.

Perhaps you would like to add some production notes to the site, regarding your ROX experiences? I have set up an account for you with username **** and password ****. Feel free to login to the rox.com site and add some production notes.

Now I’ve gotta get back to fixing up my house. We are just now getting electricity turned back on after almost four months. Hooray!

I sincerely doubt he could get a lawyer to pursue this. He appeared in the show of his own free will, we simply presented him “as is,” and that was over ten years ago.