What Really Happened Between Me and Ross

Unfortunately, Ross Boomer's post today on The Forum in which he called me "pudgy" and "questionably evil." (He subsequently changed the post to what is written here.)

As several of my friends have been harassed by rumors on campus that I threatened to blackmail Ross, I have no choice but to respond to these untrue accusations. I had previously said that I would not put the email chain out of respect for Ross's privacy. I am keeping that promise, but I will provide the email chain to anyone who wants it.

This is the email that I sent to Ross. You'll noted that I never threatened him. It makes no sense for me to harass him because if I had, the blog post would still be easily accessible.

Dear Ross,

We have never removed anything from the Claremont Conservative in the year and several months that we have run the site.

I think it's disgusting and extremely immoral for you to have censored me on the Forum website.

I frankly don't want to get involved in your private life, but you ought to realize that if you run a website or make public decisions, those who oppose those decisions won't be as charitable as I am. And I can't say I'd blame them after you threatened my right to speech, with your capitalized "EVER."

Nevertheless, I'm willing to take the higher ground, even if you are not. I still expect an apology, even if it is private, and a revision of the policy towards censorship. My parents and I sacrifice a lot to be able to attend Claremont and $300+ (student fees) is no small amount of money. I expect to be able to participate fully in all things that receive my money.

Don't take this as CC policy; take it as a personal favor.

Best,
Charles

The Forum Changes Hands

Correction: I was mistaken when I suggested that the process for selecting Abhi Nemani as editor of The Forum was opaque and corrupt. Now if only we can get their budget and spending and allotment of spending to reflect same level of transparency...

Luckily, Ross Boomer, the Forum's Censor-in-Chief, is now gone. You might remember when he said that criticizing him was "b----ing" and attacked me personal again on the Forum website and when he deleted my completely appropriate comment against homosexual marriage.

I thought that this matter was settled, but Ross referred to me, sub silentio, as "pudgy" and
"questionably evil" in his missive from The Forum. He suggests that I tried to blackmail him. (I'll have you know that there's nothing "pudgy" about me. My last BMI analysis suggested that I was at "normal weight." As for "evil," I think that ad hominem attack speaks for itself.)

Ross is now starting this rumor that I threatened to out him as a homosexual, in some kind of sick retribution against his censorship of my views. Nothing like that happened and I'd be more than willing to share my entire correspondence with Ross with anyone who would like to see it, just email me. What actually happened was that he demanded that I take down a blog post about him on this site and got all of his friends to call my friends and tell me to do it. I left the blog post up and told him that I would leave it up until he restored my comment, but I eventually took it down after trying to be the better man. He responded by spreading rumors about me.

So long, Ross, don't let the door hit you on the way out.