Internet Feud Sparks Violence

In this idiot filled world which spills over onto the internet, feelings run deep as JohnG.Anderson learned. Anderson 59, an ex Marine and Viet Nam Vet, joined an innocuous sounding picture sharing website, where he expressed his views and artwork. Finding the net is often filled with morons hiding behind monitors, he felt the need to block some people for foul language. The blocked no doubt feeling the unfairness of it all, retaliated by posting obscene photo shopped pictures of him. One of those blocked was 27 year old , highly decorated Navy man Russell Tavares. After trading barbs, Anderson as “Johnny Darkness”, and tellingly, Tavares as “Pyro Dice” things escalated. Anderson called Tavares the worst thing possible. Cover your eyes if you must, Anderson called Tavares a “nerd”.

Thus began Tavares’ 1,300 mile trek from Virgina to Elm Mott, Texas , marking his progress by posting photos showing the welcome signs at state borders for those following online to see. Upon arrival, Tavares did what apparently made sense to him. He burned Anderson’s trailer down. Showing no remorse though sentenced to seven years in prison, Tavares stated that Anderson had spread computer viruses and insulted his friends for too long, according to James Pack who investigated the case.

Anderson, an ex Marine lost everything in the fire, and now suffers harassment that he’s certain is related to the incident. People knock on his trailer late and night and have shot holes in his business. He claims that “No one used to mess with the haunted house guy”. Haunted houses were a major hobby of Anderson’s, lest you think only one side of this wagon is wobbly.

He plans to install $30,000 worth of Fencing topped with barbed wire. “He lost everything - over an internet squabble”, the investigator said. The irony? “Nerd” is one of the least offensive words this writer has seen in an internet squabble of any size.

Read Blow By Blow Here Chronical.com AP 7/30/07