SaltyDroid and The Naked Emperor

[ThreeFlangedJavis]

This is actually old news. It's also essential reading if you are under the impression that Boss Baboon is being unfairly treated. If you haven't read about the Anthony Navarro affair, read about it here:http://saltydroid.info/pz-myers-gasbag-bigotry/ [url]feed://saltydroid.info/category/pz-myers/feed/[/url] or here for all of the Droid's related stuff http://saltydroid.info/category/dave-navarro/.

Basically, Myers posts article titled "Anthony Navarro is an Evil Scumbag", all about supposed fundie persecuting his brother for leaving his family. Cue the frothing-at-the-mouth hating on fundies with the usual total lack of circumspection or fact checking. Turns out to be a little more complex. Dave Navarro, with a troubled history, quits his job, walks out on his family to take up with an internet marketing scamster, Naomi Dunford. Dave's family and brother Anthony are understandably worried and try to talk sense into him. Appears that Naomi enacted a smear campaign to make brother Dave out to be motivated by religious fundamentalism.

Whilst it looks remarkably as if Myers got the story wrong, that is not the point. When he was challenged, there was no "OK, I could be wrong" or "Title was a little harsh". Nope, the usual accusations of kookiness and stupidity get lobbed Salty's way and posts get deleted. Also the usual decree that Salty is persona non grata. The Droid's writing is quirky and an acquired taste, but he is a well repected hunter of Hustledorks and no loon. Myers has another post on the subject entitled "I get all the Obsessive-Compulsive Kooks", with depressingly familiar comments. It's all classic Myer's, the insults and slander without much research the refusal to consider the actual facts or apologise, deflection by calling people obsessive, stupid etc. How the fuck can the Horde not tumble to what's going on? It's as if they live in a bubble where everything is self-referrential. Pharyngula really is a cult.

[Lsuoma]

[...]where everything is self-referrential. Pharyngula really is a cult.

Self-reverential might be better...

[curious lurker]

The Droid's two pieces on the Myers/Navarro affair are excellent and way eye-opening. I'd been a sometime reader of Pharyngula, and had some mild degree of respect for Myers until I read this. I was stunned...the Droid's style might take a bit of getting used to, but I really recommend these articles to anyone who isn't familiar with the Navarro story (or even those who are are).

Definitely be sure to read the accompanying comments as well. A few stealth Pharyngudrones try to invade, with some hilarious results as several Droid regulars pretty deftly rip them some new ones.