Good Riddance to Mr. Anonymous
What ever happened to good manners? In these days and times it is common for people not to agree. I would argue that a differences of opinion are healthy. Even though I sometimes poke fun at the likes of Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh because I don't like what they say, I'm happy that they are around. It's proof that freedom of speech is alive and well in this country.I have the same attitude when it comes to our visitors. I'm glad we don't receive just left leaning people. I'm happy to hear from Republican voters. If the discourse is good then I think we both walk away with learning something. At the very least we get to further formulate our opinions. It's a win, win situation.
If the discourse becomes riddled with personal attacks, then I have to ask: "Are you debating the issue or attacking the person?" Tom and I have no problems when people attack the subjects of our posts or the issues we are debating. Heck, I hate all famous people including politicians, actors, actresses, millionaires, CEOs, etc... But, we feel a bit differently when visitors start attacking other visitors on this blog.
For the record, it really does not bother me much when people insult me. I've lived through worse. I can handle it. Don't elude yourself though. There is no way you are going to get either one of us to drop down to your level. I may not be the nicest guy in the world, but I'm not an uncultured ass.
The point to this post is that we want you to feel free to disagree/comment all you want. However, do not resort to bullying tactics. It makes us feel embarrassed for your lack of good manners. Also it has a tendency to make people not like you. We won't kick you off, but we might call you a bully.
Tags:
* comedy * humor * funny * silly * politics * president * george bush * republican * democrat
* conservative * liberal * congress * entertainment * pop culture * Riddance * Anonymous * blog
* blogger * Ann Coulter * Rush Limbaugh * freedom of speech * politician * actor * actress
* millionaires * CEO * hollywood * bully * good manners
posted by Mike K at 6/29/2006
8 Comments:
Perhaps I'm living in my own bubble here, but it seems to me you guys are pretty thin skinned.
In a typical Anonymous post, I will strongly disagree with the position stated, but almost always make an effort to inject some humor to lighten the tone and keep it friendly. I have NEVER 'attacked other visitors' and challenge you to cite where this has been done. I have gone out of my way to compliment Tom several times, before going on to ridicule his POVs. I meant those compl,iments sincerely not as smarmy sarcasm. It honestly baffles me that either of you guys would construe my contrarian posts here as 'venomous' or meanspirted. Heated or excited at times - perhaps even outrageous - meanspirited? Please. This is politics for crisakes.
Sure, sometimes my 'attacks' on a certain view expressed are coupled with 'attacks' on the person who expressed them (eg. calling Tom 'politically naive' for equating Republican with conservative). So are many of your 'attacks' on the right and prominent rightwing figures - most are lightened with ameliorating humor, like my posts. I have never viewed them as 'hateful'. Geez.
Stop hurling stones from your glass houses and calling the Kettle African-American, for crisakes. Nobody's been 'mean' here. No one's on the high horse here.
Thanks Mike...people were purdy hard on me.
It made me sad to see the personal attacks, such as the one in the above comment section.
I think you cats know where I stand politically...somewhere on a fence. I like different points of view, I am obviously not democrat, and if anonymous ever comes to my log, bully won't be the word.
Everyone knows from a few select posts that I can really embarass people, but it takes alot before I get to that point, and would never do it on your log. Mine is mine though.
I don't think you are the anonymous anyone was referring to anonymous...it's all so anonymous.
There was an Iraqi here that caused an uproar of anonymous posts.
"The Guilty Man Fleeth when no Man Pursueth."
(why did you assume you are the anonymous silly?? haha)
anyway, thanks to the crapspot for letting everyone be...well...everyone
Melanaise-
I'm confused now -I thought I was clearly identifiable as THE anonymous dude (aka - the guy that argues with Tom).
Damn, I REALLY do live in a self reflecting bubble, don't I?
Would saying "I am the Anonymous dude who quarrels (good naturedly, I claim) with Tom" make me any more distinct?
This can get pretty weird. Who is who? Who does 'I' refer to in a post labeled 'Anonymous', after all?
Perhaps I am Anonymous amongst the anonymous. OK - I thought my style was pretty distinctive.
And now if I get nice, I'll REALLY be invisible. Oh what a web we weave when we decieve....
I think I'm gonna quit harassing innocent bloggers and join a monestary....
no. no monestary, I am catholic and need a booty call.
the problem is that with all the anonymous hateful posters, it's hard to tell who's who.
just make up a name something like "opinion R" intead of going anon.
that was aimed at a different anon. blogger. the personal attacks.
Tom and Mike are the Jon Stewarat of bloggers.
Which means....you never know what they are thinking, they are both still formulating opionios.
If you continue to post anonymously, then people will assume you are the Iraquie anon.
So do your self a favor, please, make up a name...even if it is somethin' whack...then you won't feel attacked for being anonymous.
I am just sayin it wasn't you tihry were reffeing to.
I have put in my two cents, and T-Nome (and mike the psych will copy? prbably retrn
sp O cm fo;; everupme om or ;eave or upi to readers.
If ou thing I should w/
I need
I agree, a name would definitely help. We like to know who we are addressing.
I received a couple of complaint emails that someone was being abusive on the blog and he/she was posting as anonymous. I don't have time to research what post it was. I don't want to single out anyone. I'm not going to tell who made the complaint.
Later,
Mike K
Yeah, our concern is not so much with how we are treated. We are not thin-skinned, regardless of what you think and were not thinking about ourselves (for once). It's our blog and we expect people to not only have opinions on what we write but also on ourselves.
The concern was that some readers felt they were being attacked personally. It's one thing to attack someone's POV but when you attack them only, that's not right. And I'm not even sure who was at fault or whether it was even legitimate. We just wanted to point it out so we could have civil discussions and leave out the name calling. At the end of the day we're not going to censor anyone, but we also need to ensure readers will want to return and contribute to the dialogue without being afraid of being attacked.
But as Mike said, feel free to do whatever you want to me. It's no skin off my back.
whoa, why were there so many typos in my post. Weird.
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