I must say, I'm flattered by your assiduous pursuit of my identity. Such
diligence should not go unrewarded.

You have, by the way, proven my authenticity without any room for doubt.
Anyone perpetrating an internet scam would go to great lengths to mask his
or her identity. My transparency is testimony to my honesty. Clearly I have
nothing to hide from this forum, and so I'll respectfully request your
indulgence while I spell out a few facts (by the way, this is not an
"advertisement," but thanks for the plug in your post.)

1. I am a graphic and web designer, with 23 years IT experience. Divorced,
with a 20 year old daughter.

2. I have suffered the pain of arthritis, coincidentally, and a mutual
friend introduced me to Sonia.

3. I did design Sonia's website, as well as the cover for her paperback
book.

4. I believe that everyone deserves a fair go, so I did not bill her for any
of my work. Ever.

5. I purchased her book when I was testing the PayPal "Buy Now" button after
publishing her website. I also own a [signed] copy of her paperback to show
others.

6. I have found the information in Sonia's book to be most helpful. Her
story, I feel, will touch the heart of any fellow sufferer. Heck, even Movie
Stars write their life stories and sell them in (a much more expensive) book
form! Are you suggesting that you want to deny people that right?

7. I still think it was the best $25 I ever spent (although, the $25 I gave
a waitress down at McGinty's Bar was pretty good too; but this is an
inappropriate forum to discuss my sex life). Besides, $25 is not in my
opinion, a "rip off." At today's rate, that's less than US$20.

8. I enjoy my job as a Southnet Agent, but I wasn't able to give Sonia the
hosting package for free... one of her close friends gave me the money for
that.

9. Sven is my nickname, given to me when I was IRB Team Manager of the
Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club, one of my many charity and
community commitments.

10. You may feel that I have provided too much information in this post, but
I'd prefer this any day to your postulating an incorrect theory and then
publishing it here, as you appear to have done already.

Look Paul, it's a pretty safe bet that more internet scams come out of the
US than Australia. I heartily applaud that you are the self-appointed
watchdog of the alt.support.arthritis newsgroup. You can even play "chicken
little" or claim that the world is flat for all I care.

But please, please, if you're going to do so, try to apply the same level of
diligence to all comments about posts like mine. Remember, the key word in
this newsgroup is "support." In all honesty, I thought my contribution was
worthy... obviously my intentions were misguided. If it is in your nature to
engender a caustic or cynical attitude among the newsgroup where I fear that
you may have been eminently successful, then I'll pray for you.

I promise you... my intentions are all honourable. Remember this: Everyone
deserves a fair go. Anyone is allowed to write a book about their life and
share experiences. Obviously, Sonia is barking up the wrong tree with you.

Have a nice day. Meanwhile, I'll live on... drug and pain free.

STEVE

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