Once again, I find it necessary to clarify a policy which has been clearly stated in NOTICES on my website for decades.
I do not have a public e-mail address because I do not run an interactive site. I do not wish to receive unsolicited e-mails. The readers are free to contact me by post, which they are welcome to do, as long as they respect my policies on contact.
But I really have a hard time understanding why people are writing to me by post, sending me large file folders of pages (printed and handwritten documents) in reference to their personal legal and/or psychological issues, and apparently under the false impression that these issues have anything to do with me, and/or that I would be available to offer some form of professional assistance.
Just this week I received such a package from a woman in California, saying that she reads my website, and then outlining all sorts of her own issues in detail, also naming names of people I do not know, who have nothing to do with me or my work, whom she is accusing of various crimes.
She also made personal comments with unwarranted speculation about some issues on my site which I found to be intrusive and presumptuous, as she does not know me.
What I do not understand is this: If she is reading my website (which she expressed appreciation for), then why did she not bother to read my NOTICES and disclaimers, which have always been prominently displayed right at the top of the site? Or perhaps, she just disregarded them, who knows?
See:
LEGAL NOTICE & DISCLAIMER
https://barbarahartwellvscia.blogspot.com/2015/01/legal-notice-disclaimer-2015.html
EXCERPT:
"Barbara Hartwell does not offer professional services or consultations (pro bono or for compensation) to the general public. This includes offering advice, or discussions relating to legal (or other) issues of a personal or professional nature.
Barbara Hartwell does not run any organization, nor is a member of any organization which offers professional services to the general public.
The readers are asked to please NOT contact Barbara Hartwell for the purpose of requesting such advice, discussions or consultations.
Barbara Hartwell does not solicit comments, opinions, or advice from the readers of this site, nor from the general public."
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For the record, I am not an attorney, and have clearly stated in my NOTICES that nothing on my site is to be considered “legal advice”.
I am not law enforcement, nor have any connection to any government entity.
Aside from that, I DO NOT OFFER CONSULTATIONS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, even in areas where I am a qualified professional.
So please, please, I ask that readers respect my policies, by reading my NOTICES and abiding by them.
I do not even have time to read the material in these files, but more to the point, they have nothing whatsoever to do with me or my work as a journalist.
The content of this website is FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY, as I have stated so many, many times. The readers may make of it what they will. It is not up for discussion or questions.
My site is a closed system, not an interactive public forum. What you see is what is available and that is all there is. It is all free and always has been. I am not paid for my work and my site is not monetized. I am grateful for donations from those who find value and wish to support my site, but donations do not “buy” my time or services.
Of course, I hope that my readers find value in my work, and that in some ways it may be helpful. But that is all I have to offer, nothing more.
So, please take the time to read my NOTICES before contacting me.
Thank you for your consideration.
Barbara Hartwell
October 20, 2026
NOTE: I should add that I understand that most people who have a website or podcast do interact/engage with others in their audience, or on social media, which has now taken over the Internet. I do not use social media, but I have no criticism of them for that, it is not my business. I just don't share their ways of being on the Internet, and that is fine too.
I think that many people simply assume (falsely) that everyone is like them, seeking networking with others, one big free-for-all where anything goes. Not for me, though, which is my prerogative.
