Regrettably, we have a person who is breaking Latte Republic commenting rules.
From this point on, all comments will have to be approved by one of Latte Republic's blog administrators. The Anonymous comment feature is turned back on and you can post anonymously. But there will be a delay in posting (because one of the administrators will have to approve the post before it appears in the comment section).
One bad apple can spoil the entire barrel...
[Note: Latte Republic will act as quickly as possible to get comments on the blog.]
Hello, this is Abe Jacobson, a real human being with a real name.
ReplyDeleteI have never understood why it is considered cool and hip to allow any entity, even one not giving a real name, to participate in blog comments. It is a well-known aspect of human behavior that the more grounded in a community, the more responsible- and considerate, courteous, etc -is the social behavior. Similarly, the more anonymous one can be, the more creepy behaviors occur.
An excellent way of tamping-down on creepy behaviors, while at the same time reinforcing community involvement, is to require a real name on all postings and comments. That way, each participant's putting his reputation on the line. (That is a good thing.)
There was a really creepy Philip Seymour Hoffman movie in which he plays a creepy recluse who assaults women verbally in heavy-breathing phone calls, all anonymous of course. I think that anonymous posts are creepy in the same way.
Best wishes,
Abe Jacobson
Bellingham
I know that there is some sort of blogger/comment history that demands the ability to post with anonymity. As tempting as that approach is, I have preferred using my own name out fear that I might develop some sort of second personality.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the trolls, and nothing will be lost with a little delay or even a lot of delay between comments sent and comments approved.
Abe and Dan,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your patience and kind words!
Is it just me or do people who choose not to use a pseudonym have a bit of a superiority complex, and are they getting like extra points or something for using their real names, and why does Eddy Haskell come to mind?
ReplyDeleteI have no problem with a delayed posting; at least that way one of us is thinking about what I write before it's posted.
I like my name, although it is often mispronounced. And I have always used it in blog posts. So have Pike, Melious, McShane, Jacobsen, Mann, Harris and others.
ReplyDeleteI don't put much value in the comments of the frequent, pompous and often smartass posters to other blogs, particularly the Herald. AFY, Dave Six and SoSad come to mind.
But I would be concerned if my name were hijacked and used in a post by someone else.
There is a great line in the new movie, "Social Network"; "the Internet is not written in pencil--it's written in pen". Once something goes out into cyberspace, it's there forever.
Need to guard against online hijacking of one's most personal possession, one's name....
John Lesow
(pronounced "LESS so"
That Apexnerd has been trolling this site incessantly.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous posters like Apexnerd are not necessary.
I remember when Ben Franklin was posting critical comments of the King. Ben and Apexnerd are of the same ilk.
Sometimes folks post anonymous comments, because of fear of repercussions, where the messenger is attacked, rather than the ideas put forth.
Unfortunately the personal attacks that are tolerated woes more to drive folks to pen names, than any other problems.
On this site in particular, there seems to be a little bit of a thin skin towards those that might disagree.
I fear sometimes the "troll" label is placed upon those who yo simply disagree with.
Ben Franklin was not stupid, and he used a pen name for a valid reason.
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteLatte Republic rules are clear and to the point.
No Hate: Disagreement and diversity feed this community, personal attacks starve it. Don't settle for trying to be respectful... succeed at being respectful. Insist on it. Demonstrate how simple it really is.
The topic of politics can be controversial. Latte Republic commenters are free to debate the issues unfettered. In fact, we believe as Thomas Jefferson did that information is the currency of Democracy.
I am under no obligation as a blog administrator to "accept personal attacks" as part of my duties.
I do not tolerate creepy posts that are blatant personal attacks against my daughters or myself. I have a long personal history of standing up for others who are being abused by government or people in power. It should come as no surprise to you that I have no tolerance for pettiness and personal attacks.
If you post trash on this site, I'll delete it and turn on the moderation feature.
I realize that this is an outmoded quality - but it's called individual responsibility. When commenters refrain from posting personal attacks, we will have unmonitored posting. When commenters misbehave, Trolcon kicks in.
Another alternative would be blocking certain commenters from participating on the blog (like Sam Taylor does).
I'm under no obligation to host a site that allows creeps and trolls to launch personal attacks against Latte writers, local politicians, administrators or commenters.
If you don't like the rules - delete the bookmark to our site. Our readership is growing by leaps and bounds. Part of it is the quality of the writing, part of it is due to the fact that we insist on civil discourse.
You want nastiness? Go back to middle school.
Elisabeth
Snarky? What do think your comment is?
ReplyDeleteListen anonymous,
I realize that you are attempting to be humorous - but as you can see, I have no sense of humor about individuals or corporations targeting me on my own blog.
You are welcome to play out this scenario with ApexNerd. Who, most likely in a better frame of mind than I am, since I'm conducting complex legal research in preparation to file a lawsuit to have my wrongfully foreclosed house returned to me.
Commenters will abide by Latte Republic rules, or comment moderation will remain in effect.
I don't believe that I targeted you at all. Read my posts, but like I said you seem to have a thin skin.
ReplyDeleteI never mentioned you or your family. Did I?
I only mentioned Apex because he also choose to post anonymous comments, and he is one of your own.
I pointed out that Ben Franklin operated anonymously under a pen name, so that folks could give some thought to the fact, that there may be some good reasons to remain anonymous.
I compared Apex to Ben Franklin so that he could puff up, and not get his feelings hurt.
Lighten up.
"No Hate: Disagreement and diversity feed this community, personal attacks starve it."
ReplyDeleteBut it's ok for the admin to make personal attacks on your community leaders?
Upon stumbling across your accusations, I offered up some respectful and reasoned comments (without any personal attacks) to get to the core of why a foreclosure occurred in the particular case where the admin attacked others in Bellingham. My comments were met with FREAKING OUT (as in shutting the comments down, new commenting 'policies', unwillingness to provide the context of the financial circumstances of the foreclosure, etc) and being told to "Get Lost".
What specific rules are being broken by my or anyone else's comments, other than those being broken by the admin?
My time in Bellingham has long since past, guess you could say I "got lost" long before you issued that command. No, I won't trouble you any more with this other than you've motivated me to forward your accusations to the judge and sheriff and others whom you accuse if I can locate their email addresses, although it's unlikely they're going to care. But it is their good name and reputations you're attacking, and apparently the only reason my name is not on that list is because I didn't offer it to you.
I don't know who you are but your victim mentality is not going to serve you well in your effort salvage your situation.
Many blogs don't allow commenting. Yours shouldn't either if you want to make unsupported accusations but then have a meltdown when those accusations are challenged.
See you in court - Expatriate.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous.
ReplyDeleteDrop it. I thought you were Expatriate, who is stalking me on this site.
But Expatriate was just kind enough to come forward and clear your "anonymous" name for you. Or, perhaps the two of you are one and the same.
Expatriate has gone through some trouble to hide "his" identity. But there are ways to trace posts and I have a good idea who Expatriate is.
I posted his last comment so I can use it in court. I want it on the public record.
So, if "anonymous" is not connected to "Expatriate." You have my apology. But get off the soap box. I have a problem poster. His post is right below yours.
Now I'm shutting down all comments.
ReplyDeleteClosing note. A "defense" to charges of defamation by a person is called "privledge." Statements by a witness in court, by a lawyer in court on behalf of a client, by a legislator or by a judge are protected forms of speech. I have not posted anything on my blog that has not already been discussed in a public court.
ReplyDeleteNow, there are many issues that readers could be discussing if the troll will stop accusing me of libel and threatening to turn me in to a Superior Court Judge or the Whatcom County Sheriff.
I'm fed up with bullies and people who attempt to intimidate me by pretending that they have influence with people perceived to have a certain amount of power in this community.
I doubt that Sheriff Elfo or Judge Uhrig appreciate being used to "shut me up"
Let's move on. As I've already demonstrated, I no longer have any patience for this kind of childish nonsense.