I was reading a post, above about Joan Apter and her letter raving about how great the 'event' was. Then, before I read your post, I walked away from my computer to stir my fried potatoes and onions. I started thinking about what it was that bothered me about her letter. Then it dawned on me that she and the others (and me back when I was involved in intro video events) were looking for warm bodies, not interested in the unique human beings who inhabited those bodies. How many new people came was listed in numbers, not names or anecdotal info. Never, "there was this great person who came and she was so sweet. She was a grandma with 10 kids and 50 grandchildren and a bum knee." No, never. Because getting to know unique indidvidual humans is not the purpose of the cult. It is gaining numbers of people who can say they are now happy and start to repeat the same ideas and give money to support the king. What came to mind is that in my life now, getting to know unique individual human beings is such a joy. People are so incredible as they are. They don't need to be like me, think like me or act like me. L:ike my friend, who is 75 and goes out dancing and meets me for coffee and to play Gin Rummy, who bashes George Bush every chance she gets. 

Ok, the reason I am bringing this up is initially in reaction to the Joan Apter letter. But then I came back to my computer, with my plate of potatoes and onions (with cheese on top and lots of ketchup) and read your post. Great info about trolls. But then I read

And try not to turn this forum into an "all about me and my feelings" kind of place because that (and I am not speaking for the Management here) is not what it's about.  Us old timers have seen that again and again.  And sometimes of us even play that game and I probably include myself in that list.  But, I believe that these forums are for sharing information about being in Maharaji's cult and by providing that real person-to-person information and interaction people can begin to understand that they were in a cult and they can, perhaps, take the first steps in getting out.

I believe that in making this forum a personal thing where you feel offended and hurt because someone, typically a seasoned old-timer, is skeptical about some new poster that you are playing into the enemies hands where they want to divide us and pit each other against ourselves.  And that certainly has been a tactic of the premies.  Don't think they don't know about psychological warfare and all that good stuff.  I'm sure that NAR could explain the art of war much better than I can.

My reaction to the last part of your post, dissing those who speak about their feelings, distinguishing the "seasoned old-timers" vs the rest of us who are new posters who "come and go," stating what you think is the purpose of this forum, etc., was that all of a sudden I felt like I was not welcome as a unique human being to express myself as I felt and thought at any particular moment. That this was a forum of "good old boys" who were warriors in the cause and if I didn't speak the party line or language, I was helping the 'enemy' and wasn't welcome. Babalouji, I am sure you did not mean to come across like that, knowing that you have a big heart and are a great person. But can you see how, in reading that, new posters would feel unwelcome and a bit timid to express their true thoughts and feelings here. And so I ask of you and everyone. Just what is the purpose of this forum? Then I can make an informed decision as to whether I want to be here.