For the sake of all who visit, that they not be so put out, I will endeavor to restrain myself from settling into a routine of merely mocking the boorish visitors like Feodor, despite how strongly his personality begs for such a response. It won't be easy, but I think it's the better move. Of course, should it be part of a more substantive comment, then I make no committments. But as to those comments that are just mockery alone, I will do my best.
I'm not one for banning people like Feodor, or even deleting inane comments (as long as they don't cross lines of propriety). I prefer to let people make asses of themselves. I consider it beneficial for society that jackasses are easily recognized. Yet I realize that to engage in abusing them, no matter how much pleasure it brings me, is not why people come here. (Geoffrey thought he was coming here to laugh at us, but he never explained what he thought was so funny to him. I doubt he knew either.)
So rest assured that I will do less to give political/philosophical/religious opponents a reason to stay away. Blogs are no fun at all if there is no exchange of opinion. Let the debates proceed.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
30 comments:
Your First Amendment right to free speech is a privilege and comes with a measure of responsibility. You have the right to exercise that responsibility here but we reserve the right to inform you when you've used that right irresponsibly.
We are benevolent dictators in this regard. Enjoy.
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ReplyDeleteThe following contains not one iota of snark...
ReplyDeleteThis blog and its contents are not offered as a stage for the likes of some I have no need to name. Neither I nor any of my fellow contributors do this to argue with the "boorish." Whether anyone on the left understands this or not, we see a different America; one that is failing, dimming-- choose your adjective. If anyone wants to mock that, fine; but you only prove what everyone on the Right already knows... Liberals demand respect, and howl when they're mocked, yet they feel free to mock and disrespect anyone they choose. In short, they're hypocrites. And boors.
I've asked my fellow contributors in the past to ignore these people, but they have chosen not to. Perhaps now they are beginning to see what's happening here. We spend all our time, back and forth, arguing with folk who think we are fools; who will never see what we see. And if we hope to accomplish ANYTHING with this blog we have to be better than the assholes who seek (and doing a pretty damn good job of it) to marginalize our message.
Feodor doesn't want to debate. What he wants to do is mock us. Dan doesn't really want to debate either, he just wants to call us racists, hate-mongers, and demand apologizes. ER just wants to drop in on occasion and drop a short "hoot" or a "Loo Knee" without any argument to give his hoots any substance.
What do you want to do with this blog gentlemen? Argue with folk who will never see what you see? Cast your pearls before swine? Cause I assure you all these swine are turning to rend us... on a daily basis. Do we have a message to bring? A warning? Who are we trying to reach?
We can continue to waste our time, or we can get down to the business we set for ourselves at the beginning. We can either take control of this blog or we can continue to allow the "Loo Knee's" to run things.
Have you guys noticed that 12 people are currently following this blog? How often do any of them comment? Our blog is not particularly accessible to anyone the way it now is.
I will ignore comments that aren't civil, haven't some point to make, or exist only to laugh and mock us personally. I will likely delete them. You can read them in email, but I see no reason to let them clutter the playing field.
So, Mark, D, Marshall, Tug? Ball's in your court.
In closing, take a look at Feodor's second comment. He applauds Marshall for being "big enough". How does it feel being patted on the head like some obedient pup by the biggest troll this site has? He's not seeing it because he both instigates and perpetuates the bad tone here... otherwise known as snark.
Ban the Boorish? Indeed. Let's.
Eric, I've never banned anyone over at my place. But the reason I renamed it "Casting Pearls Before Swine" is because I had more commenters wanting to argue with me than commenters who agreed.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I even know how to ban someone.
That said, Feodor, Dan, and Geoffrey never comment at my place anymore, nor does the one who caused me to initiate comment moderation in the first place, a nasty little snarky troll who called himself Kevron.
Why did they stop stinking up my place? Easy. I enabled comment moderation and now reject any comment I find off-topic, argumentative for the sake of argument, and insulting.
Or it could be that my logic blows away their arguments and they can't bring themselves to admit it. You may have noticed that Dan (and Geoffrey) hasn't been back here since I blew away his arguments over evolution.
I teased Geoffrey a couple of times, (really just having some fun with him) and it got under his amazingly thin skin to the point that he de-linked us. It really wasn't my intention to chase him off, however, he had accused me of being thin skinned, but who ran?
Oh well, I don't miss him. Do you?
Anyway, I guess my point would be, if we keep presenting solid logical common sense arguments, eventually the Libtards will leave rather than admit defeat, just as John Kerry once famously said, "I can't believe I'm losing to this idiot."
Feo and Jim, and others will never admit that they could lose to we who they consider idiots, but they can't credibly counter our common sense with their inanity, so they leave without apology or explanation, and never darken our towels again.
And that is how it should be.
As far as those who "follow" this blog. I have 21 "followers" over at my place, and few ever offer comments.
ReplyDeleteSome have blogs that don't have anything to do with the content of mine. I cannot fathom why they sign on as followers, other than the possibility that they hope some of my regular readers might one day click their icons and find themselves on their blogs. Other than that, I don't know why they are followers.
I deleted one who's blog was nothing but post after post of stupid insults, some obscene. I don't need or want that kind of follower. More will be deleted in the near future.
And one more reason I reject some comments over at my place:
Some of my regular readers, who I respect immensely, have objected to the mocking comments and by these trolls, and have indicated they would comment more often but for the presence of the trolls. I'd rather have a Lone Ranger post comments on my blog than a Feodor.
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ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I've made no apology whatsoever. If any are forthcoming, they are from Feodor, who has chosen to condescend and pose as incredibly intellectual without saying anything intelligible. As I've stated elsewhere, my snark is not pre-emptive. I'm not opposed to a little fun, but what has gone on between Feo and myself is not conducive to good discussion and debate and that alone prompted this post. There's no anger within me that isn't provoked by others, and even then it requires great and persistent provocation. Boors only bore me.
ReplyDeleteFor my part, I can handle some of the liberal nonsense if it is accompanied by real discourse. I'd prefer that those who have lost their nerve to debate buck up and return. This post can survive without any discussion at all with members merely posting examples of American Descent. But I mainatain that I'm in it, both here an at my own blog, to convince as well as be convinced. Thus far, none of the libs that visit either blog have been very good at defending their positions.
In any case, I'm for maintaining the spirit of the blog and acting according the the purpose of which it was begun, trolls or no.
Whether anyone on the left understands this or not, we see a different America; one that is failing, dimming
ReplyDeleteI understand this. I know who you are. I saw you in a documentary on HBO the other night called "Right America: Feeling Wronged."
I saw you. I heard you. I felt your pain.
Marshall, if I refrain from commenting on your blog, it's because YOU are acting in a "boorish", over-angry, controlling manner.
ReplyDeleteNow, I don't like most of your left-leaning posters, because of their all-knowing, arrogant tone.
I agree with their positions more often than not, however. The way they go about expressing their views, however, is that of teacher to pupil, which is not reflective of what your blog seems to want to be about...
I really like some of your righty commenters, though, especially Mark and 4Simpsons...they come off as very grounded, and not particularly embittered, even though I disagree with their outlooks most of the time...
Marshall, you don't respond in the same respectful manner they do.
You yell, you use foul language, you belittle, you call posters nasty, false slurs, you bark "off-topic" at anyone you don't have an argument for...most of all, you seem to need to demonize your opponent, or even create opponents out of thin air, just because they disagree with you!
You seem to want to chase away anyone with a divergent opinion, just BECAUSE they differ...it's fine to set up blogs to have an "amen corner", many on both the left and right do exactly that.
But yours portrays itself as welcoming of discourse...
To me, I sometimes wonder if you just want "dummies" and "goofies" to visit you, so you can reprise a "father" role and beat your brand of "wisdom" into passing libs and check off some internal scorecard..
I find commenters like geoffrey and feodor (less so) to be very obnoxious, but they ARE calling you out on inconsistencies and contradictions on your opinion pieces and your sources...my question to you is, would you respond differently if they were to approach you with a different demeanor?
And, if you wouldn't, don't you think the time may have come to reevaluate your current MO, of hating on liberals, leftists, progressives, etc., because of what they represent to you, instead of who they are?
Just a thought...because, if you start banning half the world, it's your blog, and your ability to reason, and relate in a civilized manner to your fellow citizens...they won't suffer a bit.
And, as for Mark's suggestion about selectively banning unfavorable responses, that's not of much use either, in the long run...think of it this way, if you're critical of "cafeteria Christians" picking and choosing what they want to accept and ignoring the rest because they don't want to deal with it, what makes you think taking the same approach with other peoples' opinions would yield anything any more productive?
I am NOT writing this to be provocative and I'm not trying to aggravate what must be a very frustrating, trying time in your life right now...but, you do need to know, that a big part of the problem is what you're putting out there, not your diminished expectations of what you're getting back from it all.
Think first. Put yourself in the other guy's position. THEN go ballistic, if necessary.
"because, if you start banning half the world, it's your blog, and your ability to reason, and relate in a civilized manner to your fellow citizens...they won't suffer a bit."
ReplyDeletecorrection...
"because, if you start banning half the world, it's your blog, and your ability to reason, and relate in a civilized manner to your fellow citizens, that will suffer...your commenters who disagree with you, won't suffer a bit."
Hash,
ReplyDeleteYou've made some of these charges before and they are no more true here than they were when made at my blog. I'm not an angry indiviual in the least. But even Jesus Himself showed anger.
I suspect that you haven't gotten over being called anti-semetic and racist. But as I stated, I don't call everyone such things. Only those who make anti-semetic and racist comments, as you have recently done.
Let me go back to anger. I think you mistake my frustrations with anger. It is frustrating to try to converse and debate when one's opponents do not engage in a fair way. As I've said, I present a case and I, and my sources, get dismissed on charges wholly unrelated to the points being made. No support for any counter arguments when any are actually given, further increases my frustration.
And considering it is my blog and I am the one determining the subject matter, who better than myself to determine when one has strayed from the topic?
BTW, how can you tell if I'm "yelling" by what I print? Again, you are making judgements for which you have no means to do so. And to be more accurate, those like Geoffrey are only calling me out on perceived inconsistencies and contradictions, both of which are never proven.
"Marshall, you don't respond in the same respectful manner they do."
Hash. This is about as dishonest as one can be. I respond in kind. Period. You, once again, are likely suffering from being called out on your anti-semetism and racism. I would also remind you that your descriptions of Israel's actions to protect themselves I find to be most inaccurate and Hamas-like, so any slights as a result are justified.
What I "put out there" is my opinion, just like any other blogger. I do so knowing some may disagree and some may disagree in a nasty manner. I can handle it and have handled it. I will continue to handle it so long as I feel like doing so.
I suppose I should feel complimented by Hash's comment, "I really like some of your righty commenters, though, especially Mark and 4Simpsons...they come off as very grounded, and not particularly embittered"
ReplyDeleteBut I wonder if he has missed some of my comments. Art is much more grounded and much less embittered than I, plus, he has much more patience with idiocy than I.
See? You are incapable of receiving any sort of honest challenge in a respectful manner, once again while hurling ADL-like attacks on innocent people...no one even brought your nutty philo-Semitism and false theologies into this mix! You're just doing it, to stir up ANOTHER pot, and MAKE me accept your delusions, LOL!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't talking about your attacks on me, I was talking about your inability to successfully carry out a give-and-take discussion with anyone who doesn't toe your ideological political line!
"As I've said, I present a case and I, and my sources, get dismissed on charges wholly unrelated to the points being made..."
Well? Point THOSE out, without sidestepping THEIR issues! Only you can articulate what you've gotten out of what you read...why must your readers play mind-reader as well?
You have many "givens" that are beyond the pale of even what most right-leaning Americans hold, that you just assume everyone upholds...
you're also given to very wide, sweeping statements and generalizations that you KNOW are not automatically going to meet with universal agreement...if someone points that out, it might help if you didn't feel a need to escalate a simple query into a smackdown...
"And considering it is my blog and I am the one determining the subject matter, who better than myself to determine when one has strayed from the topic?"
Again, you need to figure out for yourself (Yeah, YOU, LOL!) whether what you really want is an "amen corner" that is apt to agree with you on virtually every post you put up, or if you are interested in stretching yourself and your patience sufficiently to engage in dialogue with commenters who have a different view, make that abundantly clear, and move forward.
What you are doing now is fundamentally dishonest, because you portray yourself as this freewheeling, even-tempered, free spirit who's running a Montessori school for wayward liberals. But the way you really feel doesn't just manifest yourself in your angry words....the contempt and loathing oozes out of every syllable.
Then you cast yourself as the wounded party, and wonder why these clowns actually feature you as the typical Rethuglican ogre on their blogs.
If you really believe in what you say you do, you should be able to be convincing without abusing your own presence.
"I would also remind you that your descriptions of Israel's actions to protect themselves I find to be most inaccurate and Hamas-like, so any slights as a result are justified."
Tough.
You're wrong.
And you're about to find out, in short order, just HOW wrong you were, all along.
Believe me.
"What I "put out there" is my opinion, just like any other blogger. I do so knowing some may disagree and some may disagree in a nasty manner. I can handle it and have handled it. I will continue to handle it so long as I feel like doing so."
So why did you post any of this to begin with?
You don't need the permission of anyone here to establish a "shoot-em-up" policy on your own friggin' blog.
Maybe consider that it's YOUR responses and the way you play keyboard commando with total strangers that might have brought about your own dilemma.
It's not all on the far-left commenters. Everyone EXPECTS them to behave the way they do.
Do your words and attitudes match up with the good, upstanding, thinking Christian gentleman you portray yourself as?
Just saying.
"But I wonder if he has missed some of my comments. Art is much more grounded and much less embittered than I, plus, he has much more patience with idiocy than I."
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong, Mark...I've read some of your stuff and you piss me off, a lot, LOL...
Yeah, sometimes I find you rigid and inflexible, but you have a quality every American man should possess in this age...you can be wry and hapless about your own life, your posts don't read like one continuous narrative, and you seem to be grateful for what you have, especially to God...I don't see the same constant entitlement issues I see on most of these blogs...
I liked your racism comment on MA's. I thought it was the most honest I saw there...
I have no intention of EVER being civil with a freaking leftist bastard.
ReplyDeletePeriod. End of story.
Has4Brains,
Your completely innacurate description of MA's comments are indication that the truths he expresses get under your own skin.
The reason leftists persist on blogs like this is specifically because they HATE what we believe and say. That should encourage us to continue documenting and demonstrating the absolute corruption of liberal thought and action!
Carry on, soldiers!
"I have no intention of EVER being civil with a freaking leftist bastard..."
ReplyDeleteWho really gives a fuck, you fat, inbred, schizoid POS?
You can go DIAF, for all I care...
"Your completely innacurate description of MA's comments are indication that the truths he expresses get under your own skin..."
Excuse me, you reeking piece of misspelling, hillbilly, scum-sucking shitbird...
Marshall has his head up Zionist terrorist ass so far up, she should staple his yarmulke on, so he doesn't lose it during his sacred journey...
He knows NOTHING about the subjects he holds forth upon, and doesn't even believe a single word HE says...and when he lies, and defames, he gets called out.
So simple even a dysfunctional retard like yourself should be able to get it. Although, I wouldn't bet on even that....
Soldiers? HA! You couldn't slap the shit out of a squirrel...
Now hurry on back to the lake of fire, you rancid, crud-infested, maggot-ridden incest victim...
Well, Hash has exposed himself after a simple comment from Al. Kinda did to Al what he says I do. Lots of anger there Hash. Not too Christian of you, since you brought that up.
ReplyDeleteBut your comment to me previous was not really accurate of what I do, though it might be an accurate reflection of your perception. You do a lot of dictating as to how I should act. Well, I DON'T seek permission from anyone as to how I do what I do. I state my opinions and then defend them. Simple.
Where YOU'RE having trouble is in how I respond to YOU. I don't jump on others like I do you and Feodor, but really, I don't jump on you except for one or two issues on which you are totally wrong. You may recall that in a few recent comments posted at various blogs that I found your comments to be unusually sound. Then we hit on those topics where you're a freaking' goofball.
I'm not trying to pose as some saint or psuedo-pious faker. I am a believer, I am a Christian. I'm not Christ, so now and again I will act like an imperfect human being. A little spice keeps things from being too boring. But there's nothing unChristian about pointing out how someone's opinion is stupid, and generally I'll satisfy myself with saying they haven't made their point or supported it well enough to persuade. Take umbrage at my tone if you like. I'm not going to walk on egg shells in order that the oversensitive aren't offended. Some are offended by the truth. They'll have to deal. You'll have to as well.
Overall, I think we've done this to death. My point of this thread was to show my solidarity with Eric's opinion regarding the direction our comments have taken. For the sake of this blog, I will temper my comments and keep them on point.
ReplyDeleteSo, I don't know how to block further comments, to close off a discussion, but I know Eric does. My thought is that perhaps we can let this ride another day or two and then Eric can shut off commenting to this thread if he indeed knows how. I've said my piece. Let's get back to real discussion.
Feel the hate!
ReplyDeleteI love it when liberL SCHMUCKS reveal their true colors!
Eric, with all due respect, I think blogs are for expressing our own opinion, not to present convincing arguments in order to convert people with conflicting opinion. In my experience, convincing a Liberal with rational thought and logic is impossible. It just aint gonna happen this side of the grave.
ReplyDeleteIf people of other opinions want to express themselves in comments, that's OK, but don't expect them to reach the same conclusions as you. You give your opinion, they give theirs, and as long as both sides stay respectful there would be no anger or derision exhibited.
However, on volatile subjects those results are inevitable.
I've never been convinced to become a Liberal or a Communist by any comments anyone has left, no matter how erudite the comment. I never will be.
I will present my opinion (or conviction, depending on the subject) and delete those who only want to argue against reason.
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ReplyDeleteMark,
ReplyDeleteI've NEVER had a leftist be repectful to me...I've ALWAYS detected underlying condescension.
Why should they be respectful? They disrespect that in which I believe.
Likewise, I make no pretense of respect to them. I certainly DO NOT respect their garbage.
They wish to come to my other blog and discuss the articles contained there...I'll show them respect. Until they show disrespect (absolutely inevitable)via interjecting their profane political beliefs and deranged world views into the conversation
there for no other reason than to be disrespectful, I'll actually be civil to them. Even if they use the same username they use here.
I promise you all...if indeed we meet our domestic enemy face-to-face in the street in the coming years to do battle, I'll not yell insults at them. I'll lob projectiles!Because I FIRMLY believe, those who think and act like Feodork, J-Off, and Danielsan are the enemies of freedom, reason, purity, and righteousness.
They are exactly who Kruschev depended on as he predicted exactly what is happening before our eyes way back when.
America's enemy within!
Respect for their arguments?
Pshaw! Better a swift rifle-butt to the brain-stem!
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ReplyDeleteFeodor pretends he speaks for me when he says, "But some are censure happy because they can't stand the heat and anger and a joy for petty revenge gets the best of them..."
ReplyDeleteWrong again.
I delete your comments because I don't like you and want you to go away.
That's the only reason.
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