Wow! This is absolutely new for me so I'm gonna try my best to present this to everyone here. 1st off, know that I have not known MIB previously other than our encounters here @ OS. Out of the kindness of my heart & concern for him I've decided to post this. It seems that my initial inklings about his sudden departure were right. It just seemed so strange that a man who was able to hold his own here w/ so many people in opposite camp to his political views (including me) suddenly decided to call it quits. This is NOT the MIB I've known 'round here for so long. With that said, he contacted me via OS PM. What followed was 2 PM (as of now) between the 2 of us. I tried to nudge him to address this issue, but he felt that perhaps it would be too melodramatic. Finally I want to say that I'm hoping that all of us here are mature & compassionate enough to put aside our political views & see MIB for who he is: a human being. W/ that said here's a part of our PM that I choose to share:

QUOTE by MIB:
I had thought about posting a reply to you on the board, but feared I would be looked upon as Michael Corleone in Godfather III: "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!"

Therefore, I'm replying here. You can share this on the board if you so desire; it won't bother me.

QUOTE by SCTrojan (from another thread):
First of all MIB I want to say thank you for FINALLY being forthright about what was TRULY going on w/ you. Your other postings on the "Haggard" thread were really freaking me out (think of a Law & Order episode). Second, I'm certainly glad to hear that it wasn't anything life-threatening.

QUOTE by MIB:
Actually, it is.

=====================================================================
As a human being I'm absolutely saddened by this news. I've never known anyone via the Internet in which this issue had to be addressed so needless to say it's a bit awkward & stunning for me. Ok, I'll end this for now. The rest is up to you.

Woa! That's news to me, SC. I say this because unknown to anyone here, I had the pleasure of meeting MIB in person several weeks ago. Actually, we had dinner together at the Rosebud restaurant in Naperville. It wasn't a date, so I should make that clear up front. (He was emphatic that this not be considered a date.)

I knew MIB lived in DuPage County, so I figured I'd ask where in the county he lived. Through some PMs I had learned that he lives virtually next door to me, so to speak, one suburb away. So we hooked up for dinner. He did tell me I was the second person from Outsports whom he has met. Okay, I wonder who the other fella here is...

At no time did he appear or even give the impression that something serious was going on. I hope whatever it is turns out well for him.

I hope he doesn't mind my saying, but I have to admit, guys, he's quite the interesting fellow. We didn't agree on everything--he was as sure of himself over dinner as he is here--but he had a remarkable ability to leave me wondering about things, if that doesn't sound too stupid.

By the way, he's not hard on the eyes, either! (Did that just sound bad in light of things? )

Randy

Crap. Wish I had realized he lived in DuPage. I would have tried to call him when I was up in Naperville last week....thoughts and prayers go out to him....

Hey, what about me, Miami? I live in DuPage, too!

I feel so neglected now.

People quit -- and come back -- all the time. This is just another case, except that many of those who quit just disappear quietly instead of calling attention to it.

Also, this is someone who antagonizes many people, so much so that the vitriol isn't even contained within the P&R threads. Just look at the end of the 2006 World Series thread. It's a prime example of why I've come to think the P&R threads should be discontinued once and for all.

There's more I could say but it would honestly do no good.

Honestly, wouldn't it be a boring world if everyone agreed with everyone else? Would you not get bored if everything you ate tasted like vanilla?

MIB is someone who adds spice to that flavor of this board. Sure, he can be a royal pain in the butt. I found it best to not take it all personally. That way, I could appreciate the times he agreed with me and to find the reason why he disagreed. I find it quite laughable that some would want others to be tolerant of our deviance from the "straight" norm, yet when MIB was deviant from our norms on this board, his opinions and beliefs were far from tolerated. Thus, as he would point out to those who failed to see that paradox...

Oh, the hypocrisy!

The presence of MIB on these boards has, to me, been a most welcome one. He provided a counterpoint when there often wasn't one. He forced people to come up with compelling arguments, and oftentimes made a few of us look utterly foolish with a minimum of words. Did I agree with him? Hardly ever. Will I miss him? Most certainly.

LXN

My bad....Where do you live in the big 'ville? I grew up in Wheaton, just off Naperville Rd. We stayed in one of those hotels on Diehl Rd just south of 88...
Was surprised to see a number of cars with rainbow flags on them. Didn't expect to see many in DuPage. Worked out in a great gym there called Lifetime Fitness in Warrenville....

The truth about MIB's departure ?? I'm sorry, I think I've missed the point here.....exactly what is the reason?

He's seriously ill.

what kind of illness did he say he had?

I certainly wish MIB the best if he really is ill--and I don't want to be an a****** when I say this--but I would prefer not to read purported facts about MIB's offline life, since I have trouble believing any of them, whether they're about his kids, his federal judgeship, the dead family member whose initials he uses, etc...
Long gone Phillyfan (or gmginsfo) also provided a counterpoint and spice to the board. but I doubt anyone ever suspected them of outright lying or deception.

He never divulged details. That's his personal choice.

I don't know, he finally added a touch of sincerity to his posts in his very last one. I don't know why he would create such a swan song just to mess with us from afar with a threat to his life.


So...either he planned to do this or he really is in some lifethreatening situation.

Maybe because for the past few years all MIB has done is make posts to generate attention and create un-necessary controvery where none exists (see the global warming thread).

As Neptune pointed out, MIB is also a poster who listed "federal judge" as his occupation in his profile and then denied it when questioned. He also claimed to have children when that subject came up--which was unsubstantiated. And then he tried to tell us that his screen name (MIB- man in black, or judge) was actually the initials of a cousin of his that died 15 years ago. His list of "whoppers" goes on....

So maybe those of you who haven't been around very long don't have the same view as some longer time posters here..... (or maybe you believe people tell the truth on the internet).

However, SCTrojan, look at exactly what you wrote to him:
"Second, I'm certainly glad to hear that it wasn't anything life-threatening."
and his response:
"Actually, it is."
and your later post when I asked exactly what was wrong with him:
"he's seriously ill.

So where did you get that he was seriously ill? How do you know it is a disease? or a condition? A life-threatening condition could be that he didn't pay his debts to the mafia! What you see there is classic manipulation by MIB. HE never stated what/if anything was wrong with him. He let you do it, which of course, allows perfect denial when he returns to post again. He never gave you any details or specificsAnd notice what NCAA ref posted above: "At no time did he appear or even give the impression that something serious was going on."

And if you don't like what I just posted, well then remember you complimented MIB on challenging you and offerring a different opinion......and I'm doing the exact same thing.

Steel, MIB WAS coughing a lot. I don't know if that means anything. Maybe I should have mentioned it, but I never gave it second thought, except when I asked him once in jest, "Smoker's cough?" He said no, that he never smoked in his life. Not that this means anything, of course. Other than that, I got no unhealthy impression of him.

You were just north of me then. I live on the eastern edge of Naperville off Naper Blvd., just south of Maple/Chicago Ave.

What were you doing in town? Nothing seedy I hope.

You can choose to ignore whatever facts are presented to you. It is YOUR choice. That's what America is all about-- giving you the choice and the freedom to make it.

I, for one, will only wish MIB well. As for his "statements", I was a long-time lurker before I started posting, so I know what you mean, SR. However, I would also posit for your consideration the following. Have you not heard of a joke, even if it was as badly worded as Kerry's jab at the troops?

His message to me said it was a death sentence.

The man has been one of my major antagonists on here, but if he is seriously ill, I wish him the very best, including a complete recovery. And I say that without hesitation and in all sincerity.

That was probably his twisted "humor." After all, he is twisted.




Maybe he has a secret crush on you.

There's a difference between putting forward a different opinion or belief in a sensible, logical and thought provoking manner as opposed to intentionally posting with the sole intention of riling people. The majority of MIB's posts appear to have been posted with the sole intention of baiting or antagonising people. I found very few of his posts informative, thought provoking or, at the very least, entertaining.

Kudos to people who can feel sympathy for him. At the end of the day, my reaction is at best luke warm. Karma really if people don't feel more sympathetic. But perhaps MIB isn't looking for sympathy and doesn't care either way. If that is the case, and the post by SCTrojan is correct, to MIB I say live long, because that is the greatest revenge.

Neptune pretty much summarizes my sentiments. I do wish MIB well and certainly no harm.

However, after three years of catching him in lies and him actually telling untruths about myself on this discussion board, I am quite SKEPTICAL. Every time I caught him in an out and out baldface lie, he always changed the subject with a personal sympathy "story" on the board and PMs. He is the master of deflection.

This latest drama fits perfectly with all the interactions I've had with him over the years. There were TONS of us who actually saw with our own eyes that he put "Federal Judge" as his occupation and after changing it, he denied it and called us all liars. He's been doing that for at least two years. (Hint: I don't like being called a liar.)

Think what you will of me, but I ain't buying it for one moment. I read too many of his posts and PMs and caught him in too many deceptions to think otherwise. Like I said earlier, I wish him no harm, but I'm afraid some of you might be being a bit naive.

Horn Fan summed it up perfectly. If he is ill I wish him well. Unfortunately, his history on this board leaves me deeply skeptical about his veracity.

Does it really matter?

Look, I'll be the first to say that MIB and I disagreed on a lot (we were in line on several issues, too), but he added arguments that prevented this place from being a liberal echo chamber. He made me furious at times, but he forced a lot of us to sharpen our logic.

My heart and prayers go out to him and I wish him well.

I really like MIB. And like a lot of the guys and gals on here, I may disagree w/ him; he really is a good person.

Thank you for pointing out the obvious truth. Deep down (WAY deep down) inside, MIB is just like you and me and everyone else on this board. We are all human.

What an incomprehensible, melodramatic thread...Where's gmginsfo? It'd be great to hear his reactions to his beloved Pelosi winning Speaker?!

.....so were Mother Teresa and Adolph Hitler.....so we're all just the same.

... Idi Amin, Pol Pot, Robert Mugabe ...

And here I thought MIB was the only antagonist. As the tired axiom goes, it takes two to tango. MIB must not have been the only one spreading the antagonism.

Ah, no. damn.

Mom had knee replacement surgury, so we were up helping her recover. Also took time to go back to Wheaton and see how much it's changed, since I lived there 20 years ago....I do love going back to the Chicago area....

You can dance at the college there now! It's a different world!

what a shame-I wish him the best and I'll even say a prayer for him