NHdisneylover
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2007
- Messages
- 18,122
I have a friend who sends out emails (often of a political nature) to his friends and family. I enjoy his emails...unfortunately, he does not use the BCC line and his nephew (who is in his 30's) has picked up all the email addresses from the list and has started sending out emails of his own to the entire list when his uncle sends something he doesn't agree with...often inflammatory emails, calling people of my party or anyone who is not an atheist "stupid", "idiots", etc. Yesterday, I emailed him and said "Do NOT send me any more emails." He came back with, "Why...are you afraid of me?" I didn't answer....just saved the email. I'm planning to let his Internet Provider know he is sending harassing emails if he continues to email me (and I've let his uncle - who doesn't appreciate the fact that the guy started sending emails to his email list in the first place - know that that's what I plan to do.) I know I could just block him, but that doesn't solve the problem of his sending the same emails to other friends...if he gets in trouble for sending harassing emails, maybe he'll stop. Am I doing the right thing?
From the part I bolded it sounds like your friend (who is clearly now aware the nephew disagrees with his views) is still sending things to the nephew. Honestly, I would be frustrated with the friend for not using BCC now that he knows there is an issue (he can jsut quit sending mass emails until he has time to learn) AND for continuing to include the newphew on such emails while also including you and others. From what you have written (which may not be the whole story) it sounds as if the ONLY time--other than when replying to your request to stop--the nephew sends these emails to you (and the entire list) is in response to a new email from your friend (essentially any time your friend sends an email his nephew disagrees with his nephew hits "reply all" and fires off his response). If this is the case, all your friend needs to do to stop this is quit including the nephew in the email list. I would be quite annoyed with my friend--not so much with the nephew. Clearly, the "are you afraid of me" email was uncalled for. That was immature and innappropriate of the nephew. However, I think simply blocking him (or not opening his emails) is the mature way to respond. Reporting him to an ISP for harrasment seems over the top in this case (to me), largely because to me true harrassment would involve someone deliberatly putting in an email address to send something (with no provocation) to, NOT simply hitting the reply or reply all button and responding to something sent his way.