Foundation officials complained in February that the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation was violating patients' privacy rights by requiring them to sign "an overbroad, irrevocable" consent to disclose their test results "to whomever AIM deems appropriate, in perpetuity" in order to be tested.

On Friday, Myers received a letter from federal officials saying the foundation had provided sufficient evidence of privacy violations to merit an investigation.

From AVN (couldn't attach link, for some reason doesn't work)...Full story is there...


"In fact, none of AHF's claims about the AIM Authorization is true.

"A number of experts in federal privacy law have vetted all of AIM's procedures," stated Jeffrey Douglas, attorney for AIM, "and we are extremely confident that AIM complies with or exceeds all federal and state HIPAA medical privacy standards."

Douglas also affirmed that the Authorization to Release Test Results currently being used by AIM also meets or exceeds those same standards"....

Sorry, but I disagree... as do many attorneys who are "experts in federal privacy laws" AND a former NJ Supreme Court judge (retired).  

One of the things that people don't get about our legal system is that it's an adversarial system.  You'll find lawyers on both sides of the issue.  Until it's decided in court, all you can say about it is that some claim AIM violates privacy rights while others claim AIM does not.

I get tested by my own doctor since I've read AIM's "consent" and believe that if it ever goes before a judge, AIM will lose since they are clearly violating the spirit, if not the letter, of the federal privacy laws.

I hope and pray that AHF takes the matter to court...

You make an excellent point about the legal system being adversarial, i didn't even look at it that way....And similairly, all judges see things differently, if they all saw the law the same way, all Supreme Court decisions would be 9-0...You never know what you're what's going to happen in a courtroom..

I to get tested by my MD, but i need an AIM test, so i will continue to go there....With regards to privacy, mishaps can occur anywhere, weren't several employes fired & the hospital (UCLA Medical Center) fined for releasing records after Michael Jackson's death last June...

But i still respectfully disagree about AHF, i DO think they have an agenda...Not a great week for industry last week w/the AHF thing along with the anti-porn group speaking on Capitol Hill (link below)...

When you think about it, the consent form REALLY applies to adult industry performers and is ABSOLUTELY necessary. I remember when Marc Wallace falsified his HIV test results and continued to work - infecting Brooke Ashley, Trisha Devereuax and approximately 5 other female performers. AIM was started BECAUSE the industry needed 1) more accurate HIV testing, 2) a central database so that in the event a performer tested positive a quarantine list could be put together so all potentially infected partners could be immediately tested and avoid further infecting of the talent pool. The outcome of AIM was simple, a switch from Elisa to PCR-DNA testing, which closed the window of error from 6 months to 2 months allowed for more accurate testing which has prevented many infrequent performers from infecting the rest of us, including the most recent patient zero last fall.

AHF DOES has an agenda against AIM. They are hell-bent on getting the government to order the porn industry to become all condom. Without a central testing database that prevents performers from working after testing positive for HIV, Gonorrhea or Chlamydia, the number of infected people would skyrocket and would only justify their push for condom only porn. Were the fans to be more accepting of condom only porn, companies like Vivid and Videoteam would have STAYED condom only instead of becoming Condom-Optional. The reality is that condom use is a personal choice but they aren't the only preventative measure towards health and safety.

Testing your partner SHOULD be a primary measure in protecting yourself. While HIPPA is absolutely necessary for protecting your personal information from your neighbors and co-workers and the media and everyone else... in OUR industry, it is equally important to know whether someone has tested positive for something to keep everyone else safe.

In the past, AIM has certainly made SOME mistakes. Darren James' name being released for the media to make a frenzy of him was ill handled. (No one is talking about Variety magazine stealing his photo from a PORN SITE in order to run his picture on the cover of their magazine.) HOWEVER, in the case of Patient Zero last year, her name was not released, but in fact it was REMOVED from AIM's database so if someone was to look her up in order to hire her, there were NO RESULTS available. In addition, over the last several years, there have been so many people that either don't work on a regular basis and only test if someone wants to shoot them or someone new trying to get into the industry that have tested positive for HIV or Syphilis that never made it into the talent pool with the rest of us.

Personal responsibility aside, there is a need to know when you want to have sex with others on camera. As the Marc Wallace incident has taught us, we can't trust that just because someone tests positive, that they will stop performing and not risk the lives of others. In fact, in Clark County (Las Vegas,) Nevada, and many other states, if you are arrested for solicitation, you will be subjected to an HIV test. If you test positive, and are arrested again, you could be subjected to criminal charges! Is anyone coming after the LVPD for violation of HIPPA by maintaining records or providing these records to the court?? I realize they are not maintaining a website with these records, but the principle is the same. Sharing medical records for the safety of the whole.

I should note that with my history in the porn industry, I have witnessed the following:

1) Savannah's suicide
2) Cal Jammer's Suicide
3) Alex Jordan's Mysterious death later ruled suicide
4) Marc Wallace's HIV infection & spread to 7 female performers due to his false test results
5) Tony Montana's HIV infection
6) Jordan McKnight's HIV infection
7) Tori Cocoa Flame's HIV Infection
8) Darren James/ Lara Roxx et al HIV infection
9) The most recent patient zero's HIV infection (last year - of which the ONLY male performer on her quarantine list tried shooting content with a fellow female performer since his name was NOT released as a quarantined person. Fortunately, since AIM removed him from their database, she did NOT work with him.)

I should note that through all of these major infection, I have been fortunate to have NEVER have been on a quarantine list. NOT ONE. However, last year, I stood beside Belladonna, Trisha Dvereaux and tons of others in the industry and helped raise over 30k for AIDS Walk LA as a part of Team Evil Angel, the first hardcore adult industry presence at AIDS Walk which helps raise money for AIDS Project LA and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation which is currently attacking our industry. We are raising money again this year and hope to have an even BIGGER presence this year.

For more information check out my page below. Feel free to join us for the walk or donate for the cause. It goes straight to AIDSWalk LA and is tax deductible.

Sure, mishaps can happen anywhere and even your primary doctor can make a mistake and release records.  But, that's a very far cry from giving out medical information to anyone who asks as a policy and requiring people to sign documents that waive all of their privacy rights.

And, you're right.  AHF may have an agenda.  But, guess what?  So, does AIM.  Listen to Sharon Mitchell talk sometimes... look at their policies and practices.  They clearly have an agenda too.

I'm sorry but AIM has been propagating a lot of misinformation.  One of the biggest bits of misinformation is that the Elisa test is less accurate than the PCR-DNA.  Here's a shocker for you: it's not.  

The major difference between the two tests is in what the results can tell you.  That's it.  They are both reliable in terms of testing for HIV, and they both have the same two month window.  The ONLY difference between the two tests is that the PCR-DNA test can tell you HOW LONG you've been infected whereas Elisa only tells you that you are infected.  So, for example, the PCR-DNA test can tell you whether you've been infected for 2 months, 6 months or 3 years.  Elisa can't.

Knowing how long a person has been infected lets you (if you care) figure out who has worked with the infected person in that time frame and narrows the number of possible people who could have infected you, or been infected by you.  THAT's why the PCR-DNA test is useful for the porn industry.  You can't get that with Elisa because Elisa only says you're infected.  But, other than that, both tests are the same.  

Oh, and here's a shocker for you: if you test positive on the PCR-DNA test, they re-test the blood with the Elisa test to confirm the result.  If the Elisa test gives a negative reading, then they assume that the PCR-DNA test yielded a false-positive and they'll report a negative result.  How's that for a shock?  

All of that aside, what bothers me about AIM isn't that they release the info to industry people.  It could be argued that your employer (the person who hired you for the film) could require you to waive your HIPAA rights and release the test results because it's relevant and necessary for the job.  AIM just makes that  process more reliable, more uniform, and easier to deal with.  No, my problem with AIM is that ANYONE can get your test results.  If I know your real name, I can call up AIM and ask for your results.  And, because you sign a blanket waiver that removes any rights you might have had under HIPAA, you could not sue them for releasing the information to me.  What's worse is that I believe I can get your results just knowing your stage name and, they'll give me your real name if I ask.  

I could go on but there's no reason to.  In my opinion, AIM does a lot more harm than good.  You could accomplish the same goals by going to your own doctor, maintaining your privacy, and still bringing copies of your results in when you do a scene and showing them when asked.  And, demanding to see your co-stars' results too.  Do you do that?  I know several actresses who've told me that they don't check - they assume the director or producer saw the results and that if their co-star is on the set it's because they've been cleared to work.  Now isn't that special?

Finally, as to your point about being arrested for prostitution in Nevada.  There's a HUGE difference between providing medical records to the court as part the evidence in a trial, and giving the information out to the general public.  You can bet that if the LVPD ever gave out the medical tests to the public, they WOULD be sued and they would lose.  (It happened in NY, if I recall correctly).  

From my understanding, PCR-DNA testing is extremely expensive, thus most, if not all hospitals/medical centers use ELISA...And you're right, ELISA is very accurate...When i test at home, ELISA is what's used...If AIM didn't have the large pool of people (talent, civilans) coming in to test, that standard civilan panel that i pay $175 for would probably cost 3x that...

"I could go on but there's no reason to.  In my opinion, AIM does a lot more harm than good.  You could accomplish the same goals by going to your own doctor, maintaining your privacy, and still bringing copies of your results in when you do a scene and showing them when asked.  And, demanding to see your co-stars' results too.  Do you do that? "

That is exactly what Marc Wallace did, got his own test results and altered them and infected 2 ladies.  Humm, let history repeat itself to protect my privacy. good idea.  

If you don't like AIM, then use the other company.
AIM may not be perfect but it is better than nothing and serving the industry where no other medical group would serve.

Sorry but that story just doesn't hold any meaning for me.  Here's why:

I don't know that Marc did that.  He may have.  Or maybe the story has been befuddled.  However, I've gotten an AIM test.  i've gotten their little certificate with the supposedly random characters generated on it.  I've gone to the website pointed to by those characters to view what was there.  You know what?  I could fake that easily too.  So, even if Marc did fake the tests, so what?  The same can be done with AIM...  especially if the people in the industry aren't going to VERIFY the information they're given.

AIM, makes it easy if you wanna play with PSE's out in Los Angeles, you can call about them, and they can call about you if they got your name to check if you're current. You pay 130 for the talent level test and i think it's 175 if u want ur privacy intact and then nobody can check on you. it's more designed for the industry. The government's always breaking their balls and this is just another attempt. If you're super rich and famous and wanna be anonymous, pay the 175.

Just an FYI, When I started in this industry, I was a freshman in college. I later transferred from SMC to USC and graduated with a Bachelor's in Nursing. I worked at King-Drew Medical Center and later at Hudson Comprehensive Health Center in the lab as a Phelbotomist AND a Lab Technician. All while working in porn. Something I learned over the years that might shed some light on the mis-information you just spewed:

First, there is a HUGE difference in the Elisa and the PCR-DNA. The Elisa test has a longer window of error for 1 reason and 1 reason alone... it does NOT test your body for the HIV Virus. It tests for antibodies produced by the virus. Depending on how strong your immune system is and how long it takes your body to begin to produce antibodies to the virus will determine whether or not you show positive on an Elisa test in 2, 3 or 6 months. This test can produce a FALSE NEGATIVE if you are tested less than 13 days after infection.

In fact, if you test positive on an Elisa test, you are then retested with a PCR-DNA test. The "Polymerase Chain Reaction - DNA" test takes a look at pieces of your DNA directly. The HIV virus attaches itself to your DNA within 2-3 days of infection, and the PCR-DNA test aka Qualitative PCR can detect if the virus is present in the DNA of a person's body even if antibodies are not. If they are, a Viral Load Test aka Quanitative PCR test is performed to determine how much of the virus is present.

Some links for you to view:
http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/HIVtests_4717.shtml

International Organization on AIDS - AVERT:
http://www.avert.org/hivtesting.htm

The PCR-DNA is used in blood donor screenings and in newborn who may be born in HIV infected mothers where the viral load may not be elevated yet. It is HIGHLY recommended for those that are considered "High Risk," of which adult industry performers ARE.

At your own admission, you don't have information about "The Marc Wallace Incident." I do. I lived through it. At that time, the majority of HIV testing was done through a testing center on Washington Blvd. in Culver City. The doctor's office was a plastic surgeon who also had a walk-in draw station for a 15 min blood test that they would spin down in the office while you wait. The test was $40. The staff did not check your ID when testing you, your stage name wasn't associated with your test in any way. Marc Wallace tested positive for HIV and for changed the dates on an old test to reflect a negative result so he could continue working. It wasn't until several ladies tested positive after working with Marc that he ADMITTED to falsifying his tests.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Wallice

AIM was founded because the industry needed a way to prevent such an outbreak and a way to protect its participants. To answer your question regarding verification of testing, when we are on set, production managers generally pull up tests online if talent does not bring them with them in order to share with their co-stars. Often, instead of pulling up tests online, a simple phone call to the AIM office, where talent can provide their legal name over a speaker phone and their co-star can hear the person at AIM say their status results and the date of their last tests. Personally, I always ask for voice confirmation because my safety is paramount to me.

You are also wrong that you can NOT get a person's test results with their stage name. You actually need their legal name AND their date of birth to get their results. Much like with any other medical office. I can't even get my own test results from AIM without both pieces of information.

Its interesting to me Ken that those that would balk at the idea of privacy protection vs. safety of performers are usually the same people that would balk at condoms in porn as well because it ruins their fantasy in watching porn.

We release our medical records all the time... worker's comp, insurance companies. Just sign a little piece of paper and someone can gain access to your records, with your permission. AIM serves this same purpose but for a larger subsection of people.

What do you mean you don't know where I got my information from? I provided links for you. Show me where on the CDC's website where it substantiates your claims: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/testing/qa.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/testing/resources/qa/index.htm

Here is basic information on the CDC's website regarding HIV testing. This information is in layman's terms and doesn't give the specific names of tests. It does however mention a few things that I mentioned in my previous post: 1) antibodies, 2) window of accuracy and 3) restesting with a more advanced test. It also mentions that the "most common" test only tests for antibodies. To your own admission, the most common test used in an Elisa test.

I know that because I'm "just" a porn star and I only have a nursing degree and worked in a lab and ER that can't possibly compare with the information you've received from family members that are doctors and microbiologists, but perhaps you may want to forward this information to them.

By the way, to others reading this, Don't forget to support myself and Team Evil Angel in this year's AIDS Walk to benefit AIDS Project LA. You donations go directly to AIDSWalk, not to myself or anyone else and is tax deductible.

Luke Ford broke this story many years ago and he got a lot of heat within the industry for reporting this story.

There is a lot of hearsay and speculation of how or what happened but what is known is Marc used an non-adult industry approved clinic for testing and all he had were paper test results that were not verified. We will never know if this happened because he was not aware or he did it on purpose but we do know 5 ladies were infected.

You are right, ANYTHING is possible. Are you testing as an adult worker or as an ordinary person? It might be the same place but 2 different types of procedures.  People in the industry know that some or all of their info will be available within industry. There is verification going on in the industry. Ids are logged for scenes and test results verified through AIM.  Errors can happen but not wide spread as you assert.

What is your problem with AIM?

Sinnamon, remember that kidney you donated me at UCLA hospital last year. I found out last week that someone sold my info to telemarketers, so now I am getting calls to extend the warranty on my new kidney.  
Privacy issues can happen at ANY medical facility.

Yes, Sinnamon it sure does interests me.  It is usually the same people that say in the heat of passion, Oh baby, I am clean, we don't need a condom.  

Next time I see you Sinnamon, I'll have my test result in crayon.

You know, the one thing about privacy issues is that it only matters if you have something to hide. Personally, my off camera time is not wild in comparison to most of my cohorts. Sure, I gave my boyfriend a handjob under a blanket at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery last night while watching Invasion of the Body Snatchers.. and yes, I gave him head and he tried sticking his cock in my ass in the back of a taxi last week.. but I'm not one of those that's hanging at swinger parties and taking random guys home from night clubs. In fact, our 3rd night together, I brought along an OraQuick HIV test, quickly swabbed his mouth and tested him before slipping on the condom. (I later requested a full panel and a PCR-DNA test just to be safe and sure. We've been together a year as a result.)

I'm a safety kind of girl. I like fucking as much as the next person.. and I enjoy the idea of wild, kinky, dirty sex.. but in my personal life I just don't think risking my life and my job is worth picking up some random dude to fuck. I wish I could say that for everyone. But unfortunately not everyone thinks the same way. I don't care about people knowing my HIV & STD test results when I shoot - because I really am clean.. and have the results to back it up.

when i go to AIM, I fill out the paper work, show my DL, pay the fee, get tested...Just like when i do lab work (be it for STD testing or routine metabolic profiles, CBC, lipid profile, etc.) at home, (insurance covers those, so it's just matter of signing papers) the thought of privacy issues is a passing thought...I never dwell on it..

As i mentioned, i have no problems w/AIM & will continue to go there without question...

I don't know where you got your medical information from but the CDC and well as most medical personnel disagree.  I have several family members who are doctors and researchers (i.e. they're microbiologists), and I've spent time on the phone with folks from the CDC discussing several of these issues.  What I said earlier is correct.

And, what you said about AIM not giving out information is wrong too.  i've done it.  I've called up, given the name I used for my test, said I was performing with actress so-and-so and wanted to know her results.  They told me.  This happened twice.  So, I don't believe you need the real name and the birth date to get someone else's test results.  Maybe it depends on who answers the phone, or the time of day or something but I know it's possible, or at least has been in the past.

Well, aside from the privacy issues, my problem with AIM is that well, using them is far more complicated than just going to my doctor.

The couple of times that I was tested by AIM was as an "adult worker".  That is, they took my real name and my pseudonym and I paid the industry price.  They don't check to see if I'm actually an industry worker, btw.  And, I read through all the papers and they really did say in the papers that ANYONE could get the information if they knew the "stage name".  They might have changed those though.

Anyway, they only have one blood draw place in the area - in upper midtown Manhattan (mid-70s, I think).  It takes me 2 hours to get there.  Here's what happened for 1 test: they drew the blood.  It gets shipped to California for AIM to test.  It got lost on the way.  I had to spend another 2 hour trip to get blood taken again.  The next time I tried it, the blood was spoiled by the time it got to California and again I had to make a second trip.

Compare this with my doctor.  They do THE EXACT SAME TEST.  It gets paid for entirely by my insurance.  The blood draw place is 5 minutes from where I live.  And the blood testing place is local too - about 10 minutes away.  Far easier.  Far cheaper.  

I feel you Ms.Sinnamon on fucking,just like me but keeping yourself clean and safe.Which everyone should get a checkup regularly and I believe you when you say that your HIV/STD results are negative.Someday I would love for you to have your way with me.You know what I mean?You're such a sexy lady and oh,that voice of yours makes me melt,too!

Sure, your doctor can test you, its cheaper, and  he'll protect your privacy. But if I want to know that you are who you say you are, and you tested negative for HIV with your doctor before fucking you on camera without a condom... he won't tell me shit. Not unless you walk into his office and sign a form releasing your records to me. So guess what... it really doesn't mean shit to me that you know you're negative if I don't know you are negative.

Aim used to have more than one draw center in Manhattan. One on the UES and one in the Village. I lived in Murray Hill for a year and Brooklyn ofr 2 years and never had problems getting tested through AIM when I lived there. You comment about "checking to see if you are an adult industry worker" is benign as there are new performers entering the business every day - considering that there are 18 year olds entering porn every day.

Blood getting lost or spoiled? Doubtful. They ship overnight tests via FedEx from the doctor's office to the lab.. not to AIM. Sounds to me like you are reaching babe... unless you simply have your facts misconstrued once again.

I didn't respond to your post quickly last night because I was doing other things.

This morning, when I sat down to reply, I suddenly had the realization: who cares?

I mean, let's look at it this way: the thread started with a claim about whether AIM maintains client's privacy.  I don't think they do.  Others agree, some disagree.  Some say it doesn't matter because it's necessary.  This is something that is going to be resolved in the courts, not here.

The discussion degraded into an argument about testing.  You get tested.  I get tested,  We both get tested via the PCR-DNA test so, what difference does it make whether it's better the ELISA or not?  You have your opinion, I have mine.  

I could site here and post how documents at the CDC website support my claim.  I could provide you with articles from medical journals available on the net.  We could argue back and forth - you're not going to change your opinion and I'm not going to change mine.  So, let's just agree to disagree and, since it doesn't matter, let's move on.

Ok?

I didn't write that response last night, I was off at Julia Ann's Summer Food Frenzy dinner party with about 60 adult stars. I wrote that response immediately after the others yesterday morning. What difference does it makes? LOTS when you are spreading misinformation based on assumptions and negative propaganda designed to dismantle the only real congruent testing system that has eliminated the rapid spread of a virus that could easily destroy my industry. Yes, MY industry. Because regardless of whether you test so you can fuck porn stars, I test because its my life, my job and my friends that are are stake. Its not about "the hobby" for me. You are right, we won't be able to agree, primarily because my answers are based on facts and research and not speculation. You are 100% WRONG about the Elisa test being used as secondary screening for the PCR-DNA. You completely got your information backwards. In addition, you ASSUME that porn stars don't verify their test results. Why do you think AIM has us sign the waiver in the first place?? So that if I'm on set and about to work with another performer, we can not only view one another's test results at present, but we can call AIM to verify that those results are valid.

Last year when Patient Zero's positive status came to light, I was on set for 40OzBounce.com about to work with Sophie Dee's husband Lee bang and a young black female performer. I received a text from Luscious Lopez with the news. I pulled out my iPhone and checked AVN.com and XBiz.com for confirmation. I then told the director and my co-stars what was going on and we stopped taking pretty girl photos, called AIM and verified all of our test statuses right then... to insure that everyone's test paperwork was indeed valid. This happens EVERY DAY on set. Marc Wallace DID have test paperwork that was valid and with the help of a scanner and a computer he falsified his results. Some really amazing women were infected by him. Some great people were out of work for months while they waited to be re-tested because he blatantly infected other people. Fuck anyone else that argues that a positive test result shouldn't be shared in our work environment simply because it violates HIPPA. If you don't want your info available, don't pretend to be talent. Pay for a non-industry test. If you want PSE's to be able to check your results to know that you are tested so you can enjoy your hobby to your satisfaction, so be it.. but don't get pissy about the way the industry works in the process.

Ok, since you want to continue the argument...  Here is what the CDC sent me.  Admittedly it's not much, but I *love* their comment about the PCR-DNA test your industry relies on:

Thank you for your inquiry to CDC-INFO.  In response to your request for information on the difference between the ELISA and PCR DNA tests for HIV, we can provide you with the following information.  

Enzyme immune assay (EIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests are commonly used HIV screening tests. They look for HIV antibodies. EIA stands for Enzyme Immunoassay. ELISA stands for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and is a type of EIA. These tests can be done using:
* blood,
* oral fluids, or
* urine.

EIA or ELISA results are either negative or positive. A positive result should be followed-up with another test to confirm the result. The Western Blot is often used to confirm results.

EIA/ELISA tests are over 99 percent accurate.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is not the recommended screening test for HIV. It is limited in its ability to diagnose HIV in the first weeks after infection. PCR is mostly used for screenings in people who have already tested positive for HIV using the recommended tests.

PCR tests are used by doctors or healthcare providers to monitor HIV infection in a person. The tests results help the doctor or healthcare provider figure out whether treatment is working or not.

And it isn't just something you typed up? How can I "verify" that you didn't just "falsify" this supposed email? This doesn't look like a copy and paste from an email with time/ date stamp and email address that it came from... Oh wait, you're one for privacy so you wouldn't dream of being able to PROVE your argument. You just want all of us to go one your word and good faith that what you say is true. Much like your argument about privacy protection regarding HIV testing in the adult film industry.. Hmm... Seems like you are full of it and facts aren't your strong suit. What's your name again? So I can add you to my "no-list." lol!

Very common debating technique: claim that the information that hurts your argument was falsified and therefore isn't valid.

Right.

I had enough of that in high school.

But, you have PM.

Actually... the best debating technique I learned in high school was to provide information to back up your statements so they can not be refuted. Captain of the debate team, Flint Northern High School C/O '91.

Sorry, I don't check my PMs here. Those in the know, email me.

I can see your skills at debate.  You stick your fingers in your ears and go "la la la la la - I can't hear you because I don't read PMs".

Right.  Got it.  

When the original owners of Big Doggie were arrested in Florida for pimping and pandering for running their site. One of the owners had been a client of mine and lots of board members withdrew their memberships for fear of LE maintaining control of the site. Maybe you weren't on the site then. Maybe you are relatively new to the hobby so you wouldn't have known this. A few months ago the site made all provider profiles free.. so I answered a few emails but noticed there were about 2 years worth of PMs that I had no clue about.

I know, you want to believe that I would run from a debate with some dude on a message board that gets to hide behind the anonymity of his keyboard. Dude... seriously? You must not know my reputation.

(a) Not new to the hobby.  Been in it for about 30 years

(b) Not new to this site.  Been a member since, i think, 2001

(c) I know your reputation.  It's one of the reasons I never tried to book you.

Have a nice day.

If you've been around awhile then you'd understand my reasoning for not having a paid membership to this site, (or any others,) and you'd understand why I can't/ don't check PMs. You know my reputation & that's why you have never booked me? I find that interesting.. Especially since my reputation is stellar.