We at Rebunk are happy to introduce our newest (and youngest) blogger, Marc Bacharach, a PhD student in political science at Miami University of Ohio. Although he continues the Ohio pipeline, this is the first appointment based solely on merit and not on a personal connection to me. Basically, we’re classing up the joint.

You all know Marc, you just do not realize that you do. He is, hands down, one of the most thoughtful participants on the comment boards at History News Network. But when we changed to a more open system in which pseudonyms were discouraged, in an effort to prove a point that such a system was flawed, he posted under the name of “Adam Moshe.” He wanted to change back, but the system is a bit tricky, and “Adam Moshe” was working well enough, and since he never flamed anyone, no one knew or cared about his actual identity. All of his past comments have been changed to his actual name. For all of my problems with anaonymous blogging, trust me when I say that I have no qualms about Marc being part of our rollicking band of fun.

I asked him for a little bit of autobiographical background, and here is what I got

I was born in the big city to wealthy parents, whose deaths I spend my life trying to avenge. Once, in a prison in Asia… oh wait, that was Batman (great movie by the way).

Actually, I was born in Philadelphia, and then attended York College of Pennsylvania, where I studied Political Science and History, and also met my wife, Nicole. I went to Miami University for graduate school, where I am now, and am currently working on my Ph.D. in Political Science. My occupations have included being a waiter, a cell phone salesman, a jewelry salesman, a portrait studio photographer, and a Sunday school teacher at a local synagogue.

Please welcome him aboard.

Marc "Adam Moshe" Bacharach - 6/27/2005

Only once did I feel any sense of regret upon keeping Adam Moshe for so long, and that was when Derek addressed his e-mail to Adam, and I had to inform him of the correction.

I do believe in anonymity for those who desire it, so long as it does not become a cover for slander, or hate-speech. For myself, I stand by every word I wrote on HNN, and can assure you that I would never have wrote anything that would have required the cover of another name. I have always tried to remain civil and thoughtful to other opinions, and never have I even considered doing otherwise simply because people read “Adam” instead of “Marc.”

If anyone things less of me for keeping another name for so long, or opposes it on principle, I can only offer my sincere apologies and profess my honest intentions behind everything I wrote.

Derek Charles Catsam - 6/26/2005

I contacted Marc through the editors of HNN. I had no idea that he was posting under a pseudonym. Might it have given me pause? Sure. But while I oppose pseudonymity, I do not think it is a crime, nor do I think it is even a sin. There are lots of things that I oppose and wish did not happen. No one will ever blog anonymously at Rebunk. I am glad I was able to track Marc down and that his identity, which he never cared to have hidden, is now clear to everyone.

dc

E. Simon - 6/26/2005

is it fair to ask who contacted whom, since such an event would have occurred, presumably, during the period of pseudonymity? of course, I of all people, would have no problem respecting any potentially desired privacy in this regard and simply leaving it to the imagination - despite the fact that one scenario would seem a bit more likely than another.

Marc "Adam Moshe" Bacharach - 6/24/2005

Thank you both for the warm welcome. I hope I am able to do it justice.

Robert Wisler - 6/24/2005

My brother-in-law just left the Political Science dept. at Miami. It is good to hear it is in good hands.

Tom Bruscino - 6/24/2005

Good to have you Marc.