Baskin son on why he won't reunite with parents...

[asmitty]

Originally Posted by TakeAWildGuess

I'm going to just say something here which is really a new part of my continuing therapy, healing, and self-discovery.

In the past I have made a few statements, vowed to not post again, then allowed someone to make me feel hurt or attacked by their words, thus returned to defend myself and my grandparents. I have never felt particularly upset at those who respectfully stated that they disagree, are not sure what to believe, or even don't believe me. Everyone has the right to believe what they choose, and I've always supported freedom of speech. It's those I've viewed as particularly hostile, rude, or cruel that I have responded to. As is evidenced by previous posts on this forum, I have had debates, I have met fire with fire, and ultimately fed into a circle of argument and nastiness.

Everything I have said is my truth. You each will take that for what you will. I choose now to believe that those who have illicited a reaction from me were representing their own truths. Whatever their life experiences, backgrounds, or even if they've merely followed my story for years and cannot believe a narrative other than the prevailing one, something has caused a hostile or negative response. This is their experience, and I can't claim to know, condone, or condemn them knowing nothing about them and expect them not to do the same about me.

To those I've engaged in hostilities with in the past, and to any who have felt or will feel the need to speak out against me whom I have not and will not directly engage in the future... thank you for sharing your beliefs. I'm sure it meant something to you to put your thoughts to words, otherwise you would not have done so. I maintain all statements made about myself, and my family, those things I know. I apologize, however, for any hostility I returned your way, either directly or in unspoken emotional energy. I do not know what you are going through, and if my story strikes a painful chord with you in your own life experiences that made you feel compelled to address me in a hostile or defensive way then I am sorry for what you are going through. I disagree with what you've said, and I know my history and memories. But your mind is your own.

To those who have or would come to my defense, I thank you sincerely. It means so much to me. If you feel the need to do so or continue to do so for your own reasons then I will not request you to refrain. But please do not do so on my account alone. Whatever negative or hurtful emotions that the others are going through will only be made worse by a counterattack.

Namaste.

Most definitely not the response of the "full-grown, adult brat" that the most recent attacker wants and/or needs to believe that you are.

[drew790]

Originally Posted by asmitty

Most definitely not the response of the "full-grown, adult brat" that the most recent attacker wants and/or needs to believe that you are.

I don't understand how this entire thread has people pulling this. Like we understand their entire dynamic from some internet links and 15 minutes on a show from the 80s that we know has also distorted other segments to fit a narrative, versus a person who was there and lived it.

Live your truth Jon.

[cdr369]

Originally Posted by drew790

I don't understand how this entire thread has people pulling this. Like we understand their entire dynamic from some internet links and 15 minutes on a show from the 80s that we know has also distorted other segments to fit a narrative, versus a person who was there and lived it.

Live your truth Jon.

This is frustrating to me too! I mean, we all like the show as entertainment and all, but we don't know what ACTUALLY happened UNLESS we were there. Then to have someone new come on, and post about someone being a brat, because of something they read or saw in the media, it is just obnoxious.

[Hot Jock]

Originally Posted by TakeAWildGuess

I'm going to just say something here which is really a new part of my continuing therapy, healing, and self-discovery.

In the past I have made a few statements, vowed to not post again, then allowed someone to make me feel hurt or attacked by their words, thus returned to defend myself and my grandparents. I have never felt particularly upset at those who respectfully stated that they disagree, are not sure what to believe, or even don't believe me. Everyone has the right to believe what they choose, and I've always supported freedom of speech. It's those I've viewed as particularly hostile, rude, or cruel that I have responded to. As is evidenced by previous posts on this forum, I have had debates, I have met fire with fire, and ultimately fed into a circle of argument and nastiness.

Everything I have said is my truth. You each will take that for what you will. I choose now to believe that those who have illicited a reaction from me were representing their own truths. Whatever their life experiences, backgrounds, or even if they've merely followed my story for years and cannot believe a narrative other than the prevailing one, something has caused a hostile or negative response. This is their experience, and I can't claim to know, condone, or condemn them knowing nothing about them and expect them not to do the same about me.

To those I've engaged in hostilities with in the past, and to any who have felt or will feel the need to speak out against me whom I have not and will not directly engage in the future... thank you for sharing your beliefs. I'm sure it meant something to you to put your thoughts to words, otherwise you would not have done so. I maintain all statements made about myself, and my family, those things I know. I apologize, however, for any hostility I returned your way, either directly or in unspoken emotional energy. I do not know what you are going through, and if my story strikes a painful chord with you in your own life experiences that made you feel compelled to address me in a hostile or defensive way then I am sorry for what you are going through. I disagree with what you've said, and I know my history and memories. But your mind is your own.

To those who have or would come to my defense, I thank you sincerely. It means so much to me. If you feel the need to do so or continue to do so for your own reasons then I will not request you to refrain. But please do not do so on my account alone. Whatever negative or hurtful emotions that the others are going through will only be made worse by a counterattack.

Namaste.

That is about as perfect of a response as you could have possibly written. I really wished that I lived in California so I could buy you a beer (or six) and talk about literally anything else.

[LooksLikeCRicci]

I was in a contested court case involving child abuse recently. I'll never forget the words of an expert psychologist: "You may forget the certain facts around an incident and the order in which they occurred. You, however, never forget how a person makes you feel."

Anything else I could add to the conversation, Jon has already said for himself.

[TheCars1986]

Originally Posted by Judith from Omaha

Now, after reading this whole thread and others, I've come to the conclusion that John and Jennifer are both brats. Just full grown, adult brats. They don't care about anyone but themselves.

This is absolutely, 100% false.

[freakbook]

This thread should be locked.

There's nothing else to discuss. This is a person who was directly involved in this case who said what happened to him. If you believe him or not doesn't matter. This is no longer an unsolved mystery, it's a family issue. Any opposition will just say that he's a liar, which we don't know and isn't our place.

This isn't a cold case, but a personal issue between family members. Both children were found, and no one was killed, so our involvement in this is inappropriate and not worthy of discussion.

Yes, I've also shared my opinions on this case, but now it's just a "Jon is a liar" "No, he's not" thread. I really hate to be a hypocrite as I've also participated but this really should be closed.

You're a cool guy Jon, and I hope your therapy goes well.

[Necco]

I wish you and yours healing and peace, Jon. Healing is all that matters now.

[bell83]

Originally Posted by freakbook

You're a cool guy Jon, and I hope your therapy goes well.

+1

[TakeAWildGuess]

I've been deeply moved by the recent outpouring of support from so many. I wanted to take a moment to say a so.

Originally Posted by drew790

He seems to know his memories aren't blurry.

I appreciate That, Drew.

Originally Posted by asmitty

Most definitely not the response of the "full-grown, adult brat" that the most recent attacker wants and/or needs to believe that you are.

Thanks asmitty.

Originally Posted by drew790

I don't understand how this entire thread has people pulling this.

Originally Posted by cdr369

This is frustrating to me too!... to have someone new come on, and post about someone being a brat, because of something they read or saw in the media, it is just obnoxious.

Drew, cdr, it's human nature. People tend to reject what goes against something they've believed for a long time, especially if they have something invested in the belief. Galileo spent the end of his life under house arrest because he said the Earth revolved around the sun.

Originally Posted by drew790

Live your truth Jon.

Thank you. I will!

Originally Posted by freakbook

You're a cool guy Jon, and I hope your therapy goes well.

Thanks, freakbook. The feeling's mutual.

Originally Posted by bell83

Perfectly said.

Originally Posted by Hot Jock

That is about as perfect of a response as you could have possibly written. I really wished that I lived in California so I could buy you a beer (or six) and talk about literally anything else.

Appreciate that, bell83 and Hot Jock. And Hot Jock, if you're ever in the San Francisco Bay Area, I'll take you up on that beer and conversation.

Originally Posted by LooksLikeCRicci

"You may forget the certain facts around an incident and the order in which they occurred. You, however, never forget how a person makes you feel."

That sums it up pretty well, CRicci.

Originally Posted by TheCars1986

This is absolutely, 100% false.

I'm glad you think so, TheCars.

Originally Posted by Necco

I wish you and yours healing and peace, Jon. Healing is all that matters now.

So true, Necco, and touching.

Originally Posted by Todd Mueller

I wish you continued healing and success in your life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks for the kind words Todd. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving, too.




Happy Thanksgiving to everyone on the board. I hope you all spend it with somebody you love.

[Judith from Omaha]

If I hit a nerve, that's not what I intended to do. But I'm not going to apologize either... it was a very public case and while some may consider it "over", people are still going to speculate. It doesn't matter what sides have spoken up- people like myself who have followed and have an interest in the case are still going to form an opinion. I have formed mine and I'm not going to apologize if someone doesn't like it. The response seemed a bit... brainwashed but that's just the vibe that I picked up on. I hope that "Jon' gets the help he needs and is able to move on and live with everything that has happened, including his own choices.

Anywhoo, that'll be my last comment on this case on this website because it seems to be a sensitive subject here. Just posting to say that I it wasn't my intention to "stir the pot" and on most websites I'm not as controversial. I promise!

[freakbook]

Originally Posted by Judith from Omaha

If I hit a nerve, that's not what I intended to do. But I'm not going to apologize either... it was a very public case and while some may consider it "over", people are still going to speculate. It doesn't matter what sides have spoken up- people like myself who have followed and have an interest in the case are still going to form an opinion. I have formed mine and I'm not going to apologize if someone doesn't like it. The response seemed a bit... brainwashed but that's just the vibe that I picked up on. I hope that "Jon' gets the help he needs and is able to move on and live with everything that has happened, including his own choices.

Anywhoo, that'll be my last comment on this case on this website because it seems to be a sensitive subject here. Just posting to say that I it wasn't my intention to "stir the pot" and on most websites I'm not as controversial. I promise!

The responses aren't "brainwashed", they're just in consideration of someone who went through a traumatic experience who's on this board. Whether the charges happened to him or not isn't the point, it was still traumatic what happened to them.

You're totally right to speculate, but it's kind of weird telling someone that something didn't happen to them when you weren't there and in casual conversation. "You weren't molested, stop lying" is how this is starting to look. It's achieving nothing. Again, I'm not saying your speculation is wrong, but at this point it's just calling him a liar which is pointless.

So in terms of it being "over", it kind of is. This is a personal issue between family members.

[drew790]

Originally Posted by Judith from Omaha

If I hit a nerve, that's not what I intended to do. But I'm not going to apologize either... it was a very public case and while some may consider it "over", people are still going to speculate. It doesn't matter what sides have spoken up- people like myself who have followed and have an interest in the case are still going to form an opinion. I have formed mine and I'm not going to apologize if someone doesn't like it. The response seemed a bit... brainwashed but that's just the vibe that I picked up on. I hope that "Jon' gets the help he needs and is able to move on and live with everything that has happened, including his own choices.

Anywhoo, that'll be my last comment on this case on this website because it seems to be a sensitive subject here. Just posting to say that I it wasn't my intention to "stir the pot" and on most websites I'm not as controversial. I promise!

I think it's important to remember though that we're not talking about the happenings on an fictional episode of Star Trek, we're talking about the real life experiences of real people and you can't understand those from 15 minutes on an entertainment program.

Look, I love this show and I think Unsolved Mysteries in large has done a lot more good than harm but in this case they absolutely failed this family. To hear that the sisters wanted to come on the show and defend their parents but were told (paraphrasing) "No thanks, we have the story we want" is disheartening as a fan of the show. But there's no reason to doubt it and if you re-watch the segment again (which I did out of curiosity after initially reading this thread) she admits in their interview that she's lost "their entire family" and makes an almost reference to her siblings before stopping herself.

So what you have by all accounts is apparently an entire family against a husband and wife and no attempts were made to get that side of the story because it would go against the narrative they wanted to tell to make good TV. There's no journalistic standards met here with this segment, and thus why every episode started out with "What you are about to see is not a news broadcast".

[asmitty]

Originally Posted by freakbook

The responses aren't "brainwashed", they're just in consideration of someone who went through a traumatic experience who's on this board. Whether the charges happened to him or not isn't the point, it was still traumatic what happened to them.

You're totally right to speculate, but it's kind of weird telling someone that something didn't happen to them when you weren't there and in casual conversation. "You weren't molested, stop lying" is how this is starting to look. It's achieving nothing. Again, I'm not saying your speculation is wrong, but at this point it's just calling him a liar which is pointless.

So in terms of it being "over", it kind of is. This is a personal issue between family members.

Off topic, but I just want to take a moment to respect how the tables have turned over the course of the past year. Ten months ago, freakbook would have been the one with the unpopular opinion, and someone else would be trying to talk him down.

It's a bit like the later seasons of Growing Pains when Kirk Cameron, the slacker teenager, grew up and became an effective high school teacher himself.

[freakbook]

Originally Posted by asmitty

Off topic, but I just want to take a moment to respect how the tables have turned over the course of the past year. Ten months ago, freakbook would have been the one with the unpopular opinion, and someone else would be trying to talk him down.

It's a bit like the later seasons of Growing Pains when Kirk Cameron, the slacker teenager, grew up and became an effective high school teacher himself.

Lmao.

Thanks asmitty. But I'm the same ol negative nancy