Due to a small but steady stream of very nasty anonymous comments I am having to reassess my blog. I have several options, including taking the blog private but that would limit it to about 65 people (although Google says 100.) That would mean that many of you would no longer be able to read it. I don't want to do that.
I can continue to delete comments, I can take the blog private, move it to another platform where I can see i.p. addresses of commenters, stop blogging entirely and who else knows what? I even toyed with the idea of not allowing any more online comments and asking you to mail me your comments privately and I will post them accordingly.
The reality is that I hate to provide photo and literary content for anybody that would resort to such nastiness. But my hands are sort of tied with a public blog. There are always going to be toxic asshole "dobadders" lurking around. But out of sight is out of mind and it will be easier to pretend they are gone if I don't have to see their vile comments denigrating me and my family.
What I have decided to do, as an interim step, and we will see if this works, is to only allow comments from people with a Google account. This will be inconvenient for some of you, those of you who maybe are still on AOL, for instance, but should not be too much of a hindrance for a healthy back and forth. If you can't navigate the Google authorization process, simply drop me an email comment. It is better than pulling the plug on the blast and giving in to the deranged sickos.
As of now, anonymous comments will no longer be accepted on the Blue Heron Blast.
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Postscript: Ralph called to tell me that when he tried to sign in and comment with Google, the blog comes back up. He has a gmail account. Will some others of you try to comment and see if you are also having problems?
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Several friends have suggested that it might be a good time for a refresh and a sabbatical. It might at that. I probably will take a break for a couple of weeks at least, we will see. Keep it fresh, try not to be too reactive.
I got this note from a dear friend of the conservative persuasion:
Take a long break. I’m sure it’s stressful to you feeling like you have to constantly meet a deadline.
I also think that stopping the blog would take a lot of negativity out of your life with all the energy you put into so many republican hating pieces.
I would like to say something in my defense here. My blog is an open book. Search for Obama in the sidebar. I was very critical of him, often. I am an equal opportunity hater. See Obysmal. Barack and Hugo. Sterile Cuckold. Thank you sir, may I have another? Four more years? Nahash Sefta. There are so many more. In fact, it is hard for me to find something positive in my writing about Obama.
The difference is, my differences with him were based on positions and performance, not his party or the color of his skin or where he may or not have been born. I also disagreed with many or most of Trump's positions but mostly because he is an unethical prick without a shred of decency or honesty. I can't say that about his predecessor.
I was actually pleased to see that Larry Hogan, the ex Governor of Maryland, is thinking or running for President. That is a Republican I could actually vote for and I haven't seen one of those for a long time. An independent person who believes in bipartisan solutions.
6 comments:
There is nothing wrong with curating comments via e-mail if the Google account requirement doesn't work.
This is a perfect illustration of the old saw, "one bad apple..."
Hard to understand those cowardly weirdos who get their kicks from anonymous crap-slinging - as if the world cares...
Readers write:
Great solution! I can closely identify with the problems you’ve been having. Comment systems have been abused regularly by the angry, jealous people who only want to vomit up hate. I do believe what goes around comes around. These are people who have no life of their own to focus on. It’s sad and another indicator of the mental illness problems that abound in our culture.
Rock on, Rob! Thanks for not letting the haters stop your amazing blog!
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Yikes, what is going on?
I guess this is the age we live in but this makes me sad.
Love your blog!
I saw Leslie on the news the other night.
Do not let the haters stop you from doing something you love.
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Hi Robert, I will never understand why people feel the need to be so cruel. I suppose they have been treated cruelly, so instead of saying, that sucked, I'm never going to treat people that way, they perpetuate the fucked up behavior. But I guess some people just don't see themselves, so we're left with the pain. I'm sorry to hear this is happening to you. I want to say don't let the bastards win, by taking you away from sharing the awesomeness of your photos, music and perspective. I admit I don't always have time to enjoy your blog, but when I do it's always a real pleasure. I hope you find a way to keep doing it, but I am amazed you've kept it up for so long, it is truly a labor of love!! And I love you my friend!
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Hi Robert,
Keep up the blog.
Remember water off a duck.
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Try not to let one hater ruin it for all of us who appreciate all your efforts 💕love ya Rob .. so sorry this is happening .
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I would hate to think that I might not be a recipient of this wonderful piece. The dilemma is real, but I think I would close the blog to anyone but your closest pals. Your writing is supposed to bring you joy, and if it isn’t doing that, you should stop putting it out to people who may not appreciate you, your wife, or what you represent.
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Do not stop writing. THAT might kill you. And we, your dedicated listeners, number more than 100. There are some horrible people in this world and our job, in order to stay happy, is to push them to the side. Ignore them. If the comments begin to be hurtful, try to not finish reading. Most of us love and respect you and love hearing your very talented voice, seeing your incredible photos. Don't let the assholes rule. Let love prevail.
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What a sad, hateful, disgusting person. One that does not deserve your angst or thoughts. PUSH them aside. You know what you have in this life, with Leslie. Cherish it and let the haters burn in their own sad hell.
Before the internet, many people lived lives of QUIET desperation. Now they have a way to get cheap thrills and the dopamine rush of feeling like their existence means something in the world since they can fart on the internet.
Too bad, they still don't have lives and are just as insignificant and alienated as they ever were. Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke.
I love that cover image.
Block anonymous comments and move on…
Those bad apples will meet karma all too soon!
And that we can rejoice in!
“If you’re not pissing someone off, you probably aren’t doing anything important.”
The more meaningful and moving work you put out, the more people will come out of their troll holes to bash something you say. Unfortunately, that is the case for many people who create content or express their ideas online. When you put yourself out there and share your thoughts and creativity with the world, you open yourself up to criticism, including from people who may not even be interested in engaging in constructive dialogue.
It can be challenging and discouraging to receive negative feedback, especially when it comes in the form of trolling or hateful comments. However, it's essential to remember that these individuals do not represent the majority of people and that their opinions do not necessarily reflect the value or impact of your work.
It's also important to take care of yourself when dealing with criticism. Don't internalize the negativity and try to focus on the positive feedback you receive.
Ultimately, the decision to create and share meaningful and moving work is a courageous one, and it can make a significant difference in the lives of others. Don't let the trolls discourage you from continuing to make a positive impact on the world.
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