Personal Attacks/Flaming
Pioneer brought up a point in another thread that personal attacks are becoming numerous enough to where we might be numbed to them. It was an excellent point. I took it to heart myself. Recently I wrote what was to be a sarcastic blog and it turned out to be one that others considered inflammatory. I reread it several times, and while I still agree with its basic contents, the method of delivery was improper. For those who I inflamed, I apologize. For those who thought it was sarcasm, no apology is needed. If you took offense, please accept my apology. I realized how I irritated people when people who normally write excellent blogs, took aim with their shotguns to me. Comments included "lower than a snakes belly", "moron", "crass", and "get your medicine regulated." I didn't get called a "zero" though. The blog was written after I looked at all the other "suns" and found that Clay Sun was basically about politics, political entities and that was about it. I won't say none of the other "suns" don't have political threads, but nothing like on our sun. I have noticed on occasion that Clay Sun staff will write blogs on other subjects, but they seldom have more than just a few posts. I also notice are usually 10 times the number of guests online than users. That means only 10 percent of the people could blog if they wanted to. I offer these questions. Why do only 10% of the people who visit our blog post messages? Could it be that they just don't care to comment on political issues? Do our posts bore them? I do wish there were a more topics on the Sun that did not deal with politics. Many people are apolitical. They could care less about politics. They are occupied with other interests. Maybe they are just sick of politics. I heard a comment the other day that made a real impression. The person was talking about the upcoming election. They commented, it makes no sense to vote for a particular candidate and expect them to change things. No one should expect one person to change anything. Wrapping up this blog. We all, including myself, need to be mindful that people who have an opinion we don't share, or even disdain, should be treated with respect. We should always keep that in mind. The sharing of ideas is the important thing. In several instances my opinion on a topic has been changed by ideas presented in these postings. Sometimes I am bored by the fact that we discuss the same old topics over and over. That was not an attack on any thread, or post. Once again, if my sarcastic, or rabid blog offended you, please accept my apology. The Islander
Submitted by Marsha on Mon, 01/21/2008 - 6:23pm.
First off, I am glad to see that you've made an apology over your name calling blog. However I would like to point out that you took it far beyond being sick of the same old topics, you called names. You called us all a bunch of phoneys and something in the neighborhood about anyone who may have some measure of success in life materially has no grip on what is going on in the world and our priorities are all screwed up. Once drug across the carpet for what you had done you attempted to shift the intent to something else that was not quite so insulting and told us all "I fooled you" more or less. Around my house that is called Tap Dancing or Changing Gears. Other words that come to mind are "displacement","divert" "regress". I'm not going to sit here and justify my worthiness to exist in this world to anyone. The term "affluent", if you read the definition I know I certainly don't fall under that category and what financial success or comforts I have affords me to be able to share support for my Parents with my siblings. Being able to help my Mom & Dad is an honor and a priveledge that I will apologize to NO ONE for. I work full time, I live on a budget the same as everyone does. The only trips I have taken in the last five years have been to go see my Parents so I'm not off jet setting anywhere either. I drive a car that is over ten years old and I still drive it because it works and it's paid for and a vehicle is a means to an end not a status symbol. I didn't care for your blog or any other blog that is written poking fun at the bloggers, putting them into little sarcastic and unflattering categories. Rather then reading you the riot act over it I realized some find the same humor in it as you did so I just opted to not comment. People complain that no one is involved in what's going on, no one votes, no one cares, we all deserve what we get. Last week we all got slammed for discussing it and caring so just how does one win? The battle over trying to protect the value of my home and the community where I live, operating within the system and it gets reduced to "soap opera drama" but if it were any one of you would you still feel the same way? The last paragraph of your entry is spot on, but it's something you forgot it last week. I get bored of some of the topics as well but I just move on, I don't attack. Probably the reason most people don't actually blog here is because of the juvenile behavior that goes on reguarly. I may be many things but phoney isn't one of them. Submitted by Sunflower on Mon, 01/21/2008 - 7:19pm.
Islander - I was rather surprised at your blog defaming the MCS bloggers...yes, defaming. I know sarcasm when I read it, hear it, and am a frequent user. That blog of yours was NOT sarcasm - it was anger, frustration over something and I questioned your mental stability when I read it. It was rather astonishing and mean! And then, as Marsha pointed out, when you realized how your rant sounded to the rest of us (more the others than myself as I am not a frequent blogger, but more of a reader), you pretended you didn't really mean it. Baloney. I read the MCS blogs every day, and am very glad to have the opportunity to learn about our county, its government and my fellow CC citizens, and it's also good to know that there are so many knowledgeable and diverse people who give their input - feelings, facts and opinions. I have learned through this blog that there are others here Clay County who feel as I do about issues, politicians, the environment, and daily life. The other Sun blogs are boring and totally out of date...most of them anyway. With the MCS blog, there's a daily and often several times daily input from someone with informative, often amusing responses from others. MCS Bloggers - you ROCK!!
Submitted by islander on Mon, 01/21/2008 - 7:57pm.
Maybe I reread it and even I didn't like the sound of it. The tone that is, the message I stand by. We have it so good here in Clay county, that many of us don't seem to appreciate how good we have it. All you here is complaints on the government of Clay county. If this place was so corrupt, how does it continue to prosper and be such a desirable place to live. I will readily admit that calling the MCS bloggers phoneys was over the top, and I do regret writing that. But honestly, I wonder if I hit close to home on some of the bloggers. I know when I am wrong, and what started as sarcasm, ended as anger. Not a pretty thing.
Submitted by Marsha on Mon, 01/21/2008 - 8:58pm.
Islander as a Nation we live the "Good Life". America isn't perfect but it's the best there is so your mantra does not apply to just good ole Clay County. Not just our freedom, but running water, being able to take a hot shower. The reality that although you may struggle to buy food, the food exists. There are people we can call who will respond if an emergency arises, ambulances available to carry us to Drs etc. I don't believe there is a "bad habit" in Clay County that does not exist across the country. We are all guilty of not appreciating what we have sometimes, with our Spouses, our Neighbors, our Children, Parents. The list can go on and on. It's easier to tear something or someone down then to uplift and support them, again, a human failing we are all capable of feeling and acting upon. I don't know if there are phoney people here or not, I know that I have too much to do to keep myself in line to be putting my nose in someone else's personal life. I know there are mean, hateful people here, it gets displayed nearly everyday. Not that you're holding your breath over it Islander but I accept your apology, I hope it doesn't happen again because I generally just tend to cut off or ignore the existence of people who just get off on being mean. I can't change them so the only other choices are to ignore or open a can of whoop*** and that doesn't solve anything.
Submitted by smunsey on Mon, 01/21/2008 - 10:03pm.
Islander you zero.......(didnt want to be left out....hehe) luv you guys....uncle R too..... Steven P Munsey A+, MCP, IASO Orange Park | Green Cove Springs munsey13@comcast.net
Submitted by Baxley on Tue, 01/22/2008 - 10:58pm.
Islander - you went and started a different topic; congrats. To me, personal attacks diminsh the value of the message and the messenger. I've stepped off in it a couple of times, and always am embarrassed I let my emotions get the best of me. Fortunately, the bloggers as a lot are a forgiving bunch and as long as you "come correct" (Jim Rome), life goes on. No doubt we have a few knuckle-heads who seem to think a cheap personal attack actually has any merit amongst this group. Slow learners maybe. As far as limited topics - apparently politics, especially local politics interests us, or we wouldn't keep blogging about it. Or, maybe we're the slow learners. I still enjoy the site after nearly a year, and yes islander, REALLY enjoy it when we can discuss a new topic. Submitted by winn1955 on Wed, 01/23/2008 - 12:03am.
I can remember slamming a few people pretty hard in the past; but I can also remember the apology letters that I sent back. With a passionate topic it isn’t very hard to let the emotions run a foul; but when it is a frontal assault on a fellow blogger with out provocation. Well that’s a whole other frog in the frying pan. I don’t remember ever doing that, but I will admit I could use a better choices of words when I respond too one of them frontal attacks. About political topics I like to read them, but not really respond to them. I wouldn’t say that the site is boring; but I must say I wish it were a little more diverse. As you can see by my former writings I like to write about things that have happened to me, or things I think of off the top of my head. I tend to censer the stuff off the top. (probably a good thing) I was kicking the idea around about writing a blog about the anarchy thing. When Islander made the comments that he did, I decided to throw it down and see what kind of response I would get from it. I figured Islander would have at least acknowledged that a different topic had been written. What do you got Islander, how about you coming up with one of them different topics you were talking about. Let’s hear your story, or topic. If it sounds like I’m calling you out; yup! I sure am. Submitted by ClayCountyCurmudgeon on Wed, 01/23/2008 - 9:01am.
Just for the record - the "get your medicine regulated" comment was mine, and oh yea - it was sarcastic. Glad to have you back Islander
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Know the feeling about getting called out for that. I'm hoping I learned not to do that anymore after my turn in the barrel.
We do discuss a lot about politics. Is it just the time of year or will it always be like that? I don't know. I'll just have to wait and see. Only 10% log in and comment sounds about right. I think in Clay we probably have a better turnout than that for voting, but generally speaking that would match voting numbers.
What I don't know is how that guest number is generated. Until I do, I don't put much stock in it. As to the other Suns, I've looked at them too. BORING!!!!!
On some of them the 10th oldest comment might be 3-5 weeks old. Could it be that there are a lot of people from outside Clay looking at MCS because they can't get theirs going on anything?
Whatever the subject, I read it and the comments. If it interests me and I think I might have at least a semi-intelligent comment that might add something to the discussion, or I have a question I'll log in. If not, I just read. Or I'll hit my mouse and go to a different site.
MikeH