Civility...it's for the other guys

The HH nitwiterati spend an inordinate amount of time talking about their opponents' lack of "civility." In most cases, this simply means they don't like that some folks have the temerity to challenge the gospel according to HHI. They want you to sit, quietly listen, and shut up.

But do they live up to this noble call themselves? Our investigation reveals they're thin-skinned and decidedly uncivil. Perusing the HH website, specifically the "Odyssey and HMS Sussex" thread, we found plenty of insults, baseless accusations, name-calling, threats, you name it. We even found a juicy posting from Sir Solomon the Angry Twit, and others who could barely contain their fear and loathing of Odyssey. Enjoy.

Doc (2/2/07): "As to your question regarding the individuals orchestrating this; I think two of the principal manipulators, let's call them Mr. A and Mr. B, are playing in so many fields with OPM (other peoples' money) that this operation is probably 'Chump Change.' They are very wealthy individuals indeed, and they have friends."

Solomon (2/6/07): "I believe that the only interest OMR has in this is to string everyone along indefinitely, whilst the directors live off the capital and make what they can from the share options. And why not? The same gameplan worked with the Republic."

We wonder: With comments like these (and others), how did Solomon manage to avoid being pulled into Odyssey's libel suit? He better thank his lucky bupkus he didn't post this garbage over on Yahoo, like his less-smart, third-rate minion, Doc.

Solomon (2/15/07): "The Blair government is and always has been a venal, conniving bunch of lying, thieving conmen. This OMR deal is all too typical."

Nice sentiments about one's own government, eh? Think Solomon has a little anger/bitterness issue? You think?

Solomon (2/16/07): "The time is not far away, I suspect, when many others will begin to trawl OMR statements in an attempt to understand how they got suckered. You are right, Doc, in saying not much has happened in the last five years, at least as far as making progress is concerned. OMR has managed, though to spend a lot of other peoples' money. On what security? Poor research and dreams of avarice."

What's that smell? Faintly has the scent of libel....

Sovereign (2/26/07): "As others have commented at History Hunters, the world in which OMR works is replete with shady people and sometimes, criminal activity including fraud...."

No sweeping generalizations here, no sir-ee Bob.

Solomon (3/24/07): "One of the reasons why I detest this thread - and all others concerning OMR - is the blatant disregard for truth shown by those supporting OMR. We have seen this repeatedly where investors have sunk their money into speculative marine treasure hunts. It reduces what we may suppose to be grown men, otherwise responsible adults, to act like juvenile delinquents…I personally have no idea how the OMR directors have the nerve to ask for others to give them millions to spend without a shred of suypporting [sic] evidence. Only the devil has that sort of nerve. The excuses - the attempts to rationalise this - are pathetic: if a public document of the 17th century, with no reference to the location of the Sussex, is made public, then others could steal the treasure. That is another patent lie, repeated here in this board. No doubt lies are all part and parcel of manipulating share prices and considered fair game by the perpetrators. Maybe. But I find their lying drivel to be an insult to the readers, members and directors of History Hunters. In real life, I would throw them out of my home by the scruff of their necks like the dogs they are."

Wow, the Angry Twit's pretty well worked up! You can almost see those red veins popping through that vast, empty territory that is his forehead. Solomon even threatens violence, though we doubt the effete former TV producer could manage even a pussycat's scruff, let alone a man's. (Regardless, we'd pay to see both efforts.)

Interestingly, Jeff K. then chimes in to question HH's chronic and baseless insulting of the Odyssey management team. (You'll see how well that goes over.)

Jeff K. (3/25/07): "I've met the principals of Odyssey, and you have not. You draw your conclusions from what you have read in the press, and your own personal prejudice. I feel sorry for people who think everybody are crooks and liars. I'd really like you to show me where Odyssey has intentionally lied, and please don't quote some erroneous newspaper article. Show me proof..."

No proof from HH was forthcoming, of course, and this challenge was enough for the administrator (who we think is Solomon or Doc or both) to respond:

Administrator (4/5/07): "The arguments have been made and until the identity of the shipwreck is confirmed, or cargo examined, there is no more to be said. I am therefore locking this thread until that time. We leave this subject with this thought: History Hunters knows more of this than has been published by any of the parties and we are quite sure of our negative position."

In other words, "we are taking our toys and going home and there's nothing you can do to stop us. Nah!" But wait, Admin boy returns, and with yet more lies and threats!

Administrator (4/6/07): "This was posted by Jeff at the Yahoo forum on OMR, on 5-Apr-07 12:38 am. Look at his above post and you will see that it has not been modified by anyone. This disproves his claim that we edited his post. He has therefore lied and as a consequence, is now banned from here. He is joining another former member, banned for lying to this board, who then went on to fabricate more lies in the Yahoo forum. This is not the first time that Jeff has told untruths on issues related to OMR. Solomon commented that he did not trust OMR on anything and Jeff repeatedly told those at Yahoo that Solomon claimed that Solomon accused OMR of lying. On that occasion, Jeff got the benefit of the doubt: we assumed that he was merely incapable of understanding plain English. This seemed reasonable at the time, as it would also explain his inability to understand any of the argument concerning OMR. However and in this case, Jeff's claim is so transparently false that he will not be forgiven. I should also advise both Jeff and others that defaming History Hunters is actionable in law. We have various actions underway regarding OMR and more will follow. Now Jeff is on the list. Maybe others will join him."

Defaming HH is "actionable in law." Really? Well then, we can hardly wait to get our legal notice, 'cause we surely been laying some strap down on that HH ass.

The HH poseurs then post a completely innocuous post by Jeff and unlocks the thread to allow members to insult Jeff without the ability to defend himself. This, of course, is how cowards operate, both online and in real life. Of course, now the rest of the HH monkeys are all worked up and have to chime in:

Bart (4/9/07): "[Jeff] needs to find a hobby, 10,000 posts all over the internet [sic] is an unhealthy life. Let's all chip in and buy him a ship in a bottle kit for him to build."

That doesn't sound like our Jeff at all, actually, but it most definitively sounds like Doc, though.

And finally, in what has to be the most richly ironic, foot-in-mouth post Doc has ever made:

Doc (4/17/07): "Members, It would appear as if the Odyssey Explorer forgot something. LOL Whatever could it be that requires leaving Gibraltar with the so called treasures of the 'Sussex' so close at hand? Did they damage the ROV again? Maybe they didn't have the money to reclaim it the last time and are hurrying back to the UK to pick it up? Just guesses on my part really. It would appear as if OMR may be cooking the stock as I can't imagine why one would pay more for a large block of stock than the closing price yesterday. Enough of this nonsense. We will just sit back and watch as this unfolds.."

Hmmmm, yes Doc: Ho-Ho-Ho and LOL. As you were gloating and undoubtedly toasting yourself and your brilliance, Odyssey was off recovering the richest shipwreck treasure ever found. Once again proving what an ignorant ass you are.

Finally, poor Solomon, no doubt feeling the sting of Odyssey's BS success, chimes in to conclude the Sussex thread, with this noble, deeply civil thought (perhaps a precursor to his "grand moral vision"?):

Solomon (1/14/08): "Britain is littered with historians, archaeologists and heritage people. We have numerous, prestigious institutions looking after these issues. None said anything that I can find about these obvious falsehoods, though they are quick enough to take our money. I have no sympathy for them. As for the perpetrators, I hope they rot where they deserve. I have no sympathy for them."

Oh, poor Solomon, but we sympathize for you. It cannot be easy to be both goofy looking and goofy acting at the same time. Perhaps this explains the origin of your deep well of anger and bitterness.

We feel for you, sir. Truly.