Usenet is probably the most interactive part of the Internet. It consists of tens of thousands of individual newsgroups. Think of them as thousands of cork bulletin boards hanging on a wall, each with a different theme and each allowing anyone with Internet access to post what ever messages they please and you get the idea of newsgroups. Some are moderated, i.e. someone decides what will and what will not be allowed, along with baring individual posters who's contributions are deemed inappropriate. Most newsgroups are not moderated.

Any interest you might have can probably be found in a newsgroup where you can share that interest with others. My news server has fourteen newsgroups about Las Vegas (alt.las-vegas, vegas.bi, alt.vacation.las-vegas, to name a few, along with several more about casino gaming (rec.gambling.craps, rec.gambling.blackjack and even more of corollary interest). All one needs to access these groups is on-line capability and either a web browser (e.g. Netscape or MS Explorer) or a newsreader (e.g. Agent, WinVN); all of this software is available as shareware, may be downloaded and used for a trial period for free. Now, you are ready to have a pleasant exchange of ideas, ask questions and post your opinions in the newsgroup of your choice. It should work this way but often does not.

As with any other group of people gathered for similar purposes, civility and respect for others and their opinions is the fabric that keeps the group from fragmenting. Newgroups that start with the purest of intentions often degenerate into free-or-alls, side choosing and name calling. The newsgroups that involve interests in Las Vegas are no exceptions. Most are in the process of being taken over by those who make life so miserable for others that the newsgroups might as well change their names to alt.full.of.jerks.who.will.bad.mouth.you.

Why is this allowed? Most Internet service providers (ISP) have rules called Terms of Service (TOS); these list actions that will not be tolerated. All ISPs do not have the same list. The most common violations of TOS are: profanity, racist comments, abusive, insulting posts that serve not purpose other than to be inflammatory or disruptive, off subject posts such as news about soccer scores on the alt.sewingcircle.no.sports.talk newsgroup, SPAM such as chain letters, scam gambling systems for sale, or promoting illegal behavior, etc. Some ISPs rigorously enforce their TOS, some do not. When you sign up and accept the ISP's service, you agree to follow their rules even if you have never seen them. If you are not familiar with your TOS reading them on your ISP's web site might prevent future problems. Most ISPs have a way to gather information on those who are in violation by inviting information via E-mail about the offenders; these email addresses usually consist of word abuse followed by the domain, such as abuse@aol.com. The ISPs have the absolute right to terminate anyone found in violation of their TOS. Whether or not they exercise that option is up to them.

Participating in newsgroups can be a fun and enlightening experience. Friendships and associations formed. This has been especially true in the Las Vegas and casino gaming themed newsgroups. People monitor and post in these groups for different reasons. Some are requesting information on airlines, buffets, hotels, , shows, best slots and table game rules, etc. Others do their best to provide the requested information. Some just lurk, enjoying Las Vegas and gambling vicariously because they can not be there in person. Some just like the camaraderie found by the friendlier members of the newsgroup. These demonstrations of good-fellowship have resulted with in person meetings, usually in Las Vegas, leading to lasting friendships, although some did not turn out quite as well.

These groups have been hit hard by childish posters who do not play well with others. It only takes a few people to be disruptive, cause bad feelings, reducing the enjoyment level for others. These people have no respect for free interchange of information or any opinion that differs from their own. They are nothing more than the cyberspace version of school yard bullies. Being anonymous is one of their protective tactics but even when they identify themselves, who knows who they really are?

The cyberbully (cb) pathology does not differ much from his school yard cousin. It is all about power, ego and getting even for real or, more likely, imagined slurs; the only way the bully can feel important is by denigrating others. Certain vocations seem to attract this type of person, as they seem go into fields that allow them to exercise power over others so they can get back at people for all the times they were picked on in the past. It has been my experience that these vocations usually include, but are not limited to, the legal professions and government, in minor functionary positions.

A cb will search posts for any spelling or grammar errors and rake the poster over the coals because of it. While correcting errors, it won't be a simple, "You spelled to fer on cupon incorrectly; it is spelled two for one coupon". The cb would say, "Hey, you idiot! If you can't spell, get the hell out of the newsgroup because no one wants stupid people here, I don't want to see any more of your posts until you learn how to spell and don't write me any email. Besides that, your wife is a fat whore, your mother is ugly, and you obviously have an incestuous relationship with yoursons". Notice, all this over a simple spelling error, the personal attacks that have nothing to do with the error, they represent everyone's attitude, and telling the poster he not worth talking to. All are attempts to control the poor poster by reducing him to an object of ridicule. Of course, the cb hopes others will jump in and lambaste the guy so he can sit back and beam "Look what I started".

A typical cb will claim to be a person of power with an impressive occupation and the ability to harm his enemies. This boast of self importance in itself shows the cb for the pathetic, small minded, ineffectual person that he really is. When the cb comes in conflict with another poster, this claim almost guarantees that the poster will remain the focus of his wrath long after anyone else cares or even remembers what the original dispute was about; this shows all of them just how powerful the cb is, at least in his eyes.

The cb will attempt to overpower and browbeat with multiple posts, take things out of context to prove a point and nit-pick. Logic is not his strong point but he will boasts of his examples of it. The cb will never pass up a chance to say "No, no, this is what really happened" or "Any of you would defend yourselves under these circumstances" or when criticized for his behavior "Someone else did the same thing and no one cared so it's OK" or "you are treating me unfairly".

The cb will often offer to make what appears to be simple wagers. After the bet has been accepted he will put so many ludicrous conditions that they cannot be taken seriously. The cb takes the other person's refusal to bow down to these ridicules rules as a reason to say he won by default because the other person backed out of the bet because he knew the cb would have won. When both parties to the wager are a cb it can go on and on for quite a while.

Should the cb be caught, exposed, found to have been wrong, caught in a lie, etc., and left with no wiggle room, he will offer self serving, conditional apologies that seem to shift the onus to the person supposedly receiving the apology. When such a insincere offering is rejected, the cb says Hey, it's her fault now. I tried to do the right thing".

As if this behavior is not disruptive and upsetting enough, other people get sucked into the controversies on both sides. The cb loves this, seeing it as justification that he is acting properly because, "Look at all these people who agree with me so I must be right".

Usually these flame wars lose sight of what the original debate was about and get into personal attacks using the cb's tactics. After a while these usually lead to seemingly endless posts of the "Am too, Am not" variety that I have noticed recently on alt.vacation.las-vegas. These hanger-oners do not seem to have what it takes to be a full fledged cb so they hang on the coat tails of a real cb.

Most people who do not want to get involved in this sort of thing find it very annoying and some, very upsetting. Some people leave the newsgroup and head for greener pastures but you can find a cb in almost any newsgroups at one time or another. So, what is the answer? The easiest way to deal with the problem is set your newsreader to filter out the offender's posts. This may not work because of the ease of changing identities by the cb. The other problem with this is that a cb might post requested information in a particular newsgroup. Although informative, these posts are usually very long and include minutia to the point of being absurd, along with details the poster's personal life, relationships and friends. Any suggestions of ways to make the posts easier to read or any critical opinions of these posts will be met with the wrath from the cb; this will be taken as a personal attack and, of course, justifies another series of tirades. One war was started over a reader's objection to an in depth description of how well his hotel bathroom's toilet paper worked. There must have been at least fifty posts expressing displeasure over it while the TP poster was probably smiling and basking in all the attention.

If you feel the cb has violated his ISP's TOS you can E-mail a complaint. The ISP can do nothing, issue a warning or terminate service. Even if this works it is not a permanent solution. These people come back again and again as others identities. One cb used as many as one hundred identities from places such as DejaNews, using return E-mail address from places like Hotmail (instant Usenet and E-mail accounts and access). If terminated by one ISP it is easy to get back into Usenet.

The most proficient way to get these people to leave is to ignore them, denying them the attention they so stridently seek. If no one responds to their bluster they would have no reason to continue and, in all probability, would move to an different venue to spew forth their venom in order to get more responses off of which they feed. It sounds easy but it is not due to human nature. Most people are brought up to be polite and not ignore others trying to get their attention. It seems to be the same type of compulsion as running to the phone when it rings. it is difficult to not pay attention to someone who is clamoring for it.

Well meaning people leave posts that tell the cb to go away, that he is not appreciated or wanted and may include threats to notify the cb's ISP. This approach only provides more reasons for the cb to stick around, especially when a couple of hundred people think, I'll let this guy know how inappropriate his behavior is. It's just one post. Look at all the attention he is getting.

Occasionally, someone will post, "If we ignore this jerk he will go away". Truer words were never spoken. However, I have seen responses from more than one cb, to the effect "Hah! They can't do it. They just can't ignore me. They have to respond. I'll stick around as long as I want and there is nothing anyone can do about it". Most of the time the jerk is correct. It is difficult to ignore people who are talking to us or those who make a point of pushing our buttons with insulting or make demeaning statements, especially if it is about a loved one or some principle that is held dearly. It's not easy but it can be done. I do it all the time, although sometimes I do not take my own suggestions and tell the offending poster that he will be filtered out and I will no longer read or respond to his posts.

Would you invite a man into your home or engage that person in conversation when you know that he constantly uses profanity, is rude and disrespectful, all of which you find offensive? Of course not. In responding to the cb or discussing him on your posts, that is exactly what you are doing. Try to exercise some self control and avoid giving these idiots the attention they crave. Either that or learn to enjoy the strife, discord and discontent they spread.