RSS Feed for This PostCurrent Article

[Important must-read updates below the fold] Posting Comments at NoQuarter:

By SusanUnPC on February 13, 2009 at 12:29 PM in Current Affairs, No Quarter Blog, Open Thread

Update #3: If your comment doesn’t appear, do NOT (!) retype it again. It has likely ended up, by mistake, in our spam filter. The worst thing you can do is keep typing it. I can restore ONE comment but have to erase the rest. The spam filter is supposed to “learn” that you’re not a spammer, but if you keep posting the same comment and i have to erase them, the spam filter will never “learn.” Type your comment only once. If it doesn’t show up, e-mail me right away at susanunpc at gmail dot com — and i’ll fish it out of spam!) The other two updates are at the end, below the fold.

Original: A number of you are sending me complaints — one of you just called me with complaints — about a certain person. (And that “certain person” has his side of the story, which is important too. More about that later.) However, the only way I can deal with this person, and get rid of him/her, is if you send me an actual, full comment written by the person. Our comments file is so huge — with tens of thousands of comments — that if I search for the username only, I mostly get only YOUR responses to the person when what I need is an actual comment by the person. Then I can use a unique phrase in that person’s comment to search for that person. I can then obtain all the identifying information on that person, and truly help you!

So, when you see a disturbing comment, instead of replying to them, do this: COPY the entire comment (every word of it), and e-mail it to me at susanunpc at gmail dot com.

We are HERE to serve you, and we will bring to a halt anyone who’s repeatedly attacking others and making for a miserable environment. BUT (DO READ THE UPDATE BELOW):

I cannot effectively help you if you just write me a note of complaint with only the person’s name. I need the FULL MESSAGE that they wrote!

I know I’m repeating myself here, but it is critical that you give me as much specificity as possible. I don’t need to know the name of the thread, or who it was written to. I need the CONTENT of the comment by the OFFENDING PERSON.

Thanks!

UPDATES x2: Larry and I are reviewing the comments by the offender but we’re not quite seeing what those who are complaining are seeing. However, we are not as intimately involved in the comments sections as the rest of you are, which is unfortunate and solely due to the fact that we’re so darn busy running the blog that we don’t have the needed time to read the flow of comments. HOWEVER:

And Consider This Advice From Your “Dear Susan” (a la “Dear Abby”):

The one thing you all need to learn to do, imho, is to IGNORE these people when they attack you. Blow them off! That’s what frustrates them the most. And that includes every troll who comes along, or UBM, or any of those people who perturb you.

The one thing that these needy attention-seekers — which is what all people are who make outrageous remarks about other readers — cannot bear is to be ignored. Do that. It’ll work wonders. Do NOT respond!

Just continue the nice conversation you were having before you were rudely interrupted!

PatRacimora made a GREAT comment in one thread where everyone had gotten in a verbal hassle with someone who’d insulted them:

Comment by Pat Racimora | 2009-02-13 11:45:10

This was kind of fun when the issues were being discussed in a colorful way. But not so fun when you go after each other.

I worked hard on my little toon–aren’t we supposed to be talking about that subject?

PatRacimora is correct! If you ALL IGNORE THE OFFENDER, and simply continue with your rational conversation, they’ll go away, and the thread will maintain its interesting “nice conversation” that Pat mentions you were having BEFORE you were insulted. Ignore those bozos. They are not only not worth your time, but the entire thread degenerates into a fistacuffs unnecessarily!

UPDATE #2: it is also so disheartening to our writers — who work so hard on writing their stories for you to read — to find that the comments thread is full of angry comments directed towards other readers, and that the readers are ignoring the story they poured so much time and effort and imagination into. So, let’s ignore the trolls and the nasty people – for the sake of our wonderful writers!

  • beebop

    Okay. I was catching up this morning and the thread Amateur Hour starting at about midnight was just too much. I felt like I was listening to neighbors argue. It was inappropriate, rude, and sounded like one of them was drunk. If someone wants to go into a nasty tirade, they can go to HP or DK. It was not something I come here to read.

    • Winston

      Well the thread was titled Amateur Hour!

    • http://sonicninjakitty.wordpress.com Sonic Ninja Kitty

      Wow–you have neighbors like that? I’m so sorry for you! ;)

      • beebop

        No … thank God I don’t. But have you ever heard people say things in the summer when everyone’s doors and windows are open that you’d rather not hear? I felt just like that.

  • AlexisM

    I was part of that thread and completely disgusted and appalled. It belonged on a 976-SCREW blog. Not here. I already apologized to Pat for it happening on his thread about his artwork. Yes that person seemed drunk and was very abusive. Susan I sent you an email with the comments. Sorry I was part of it, but I was outraged at the accusations towards a friend of mine here, Seattle Moss.

    • Winston

      Actually all the spirited banter, well that’s a euphemism, was confined to the mid section of the thread. I missed the whole thing cause I was working near the bottom–in another zip code. Pat’s thread was great and she challenged me about a particular point (K. Parker) to which I responded and others chimed in.

      Just know if we go into battle, I want Alexis and Moss in my fox-hole. We all know what to do now, ignore drunk Obots. We can still slap the sober ones around with our rapier wit and bring others into our fold. Its all good. NQ rocks.

      • Seattle Moss

        WinstonJust

        know if we go into battle, I want Alexis and Moss in my fox-hole.

        You’re a Great American!!

      • AlexisM

        Winston…ROFLMAO…I will happily join you and Seattle in a foxhole. I agree with you that we should ignore drunk Obots. But some things get too personal now and then. No worries, slapping Bots should be a sport just like shooting skeet!

  • wodiej

    thanks Susan. I know the drill and Susan knows I use it when needed. I was not on that thread last night but read it this morning. I thought it was over the top how Seattle was being responded to also. If logic does not work w someone, it is best to just ignore them. If they get out of hand, report them.

  • Seattle Moss

    Folks,
    I was having a great discussion about the census and fairness doctrine and some other issues facing our nation when out of nowhere I get slammed about my masculinity and being called a wimp.
    I reminded the poster of some of the xenophobic comments and other inappropriate comments made in past threads and the battle went on.
    My apologies for allowing this person who is always looking for a fight to get under my skin.
    I will take Andrew191 who is very gracious advice and never respond to a person like that again.

    • AlexisM

      That person came to the thread way out of his mind, looking for a fight. Nothing anyone said to that person was going to get a rational response. Period. Next time, I too will just move on. But I couldn’t sit there watching that train wreck and not comment. Andrew is a sweetheart and 100% correct.

      • http://sonicninjakitty.wordpress.com Sonic Ninja Kitty

        That person came to the thread way out of his mind, looking for a fight.

        No he didn’t. It started out as a discussion about taxation.

        • AlexisM

          I’m going to ignore this and move on. But the fact that I said I didn’t want to pay any more taxes made this person instantly attack me and call me the “me generation.” I didn’t love that and it went to hell and got more abusive after. Please know that many people complain about this same poster and threatened to leave NQ over it. And the minute Seattle opened his mouth he got attacked too.

          Anyway, before this gets into another ugly thread, I am leaving. Discussion is discussion, then there is rude, obnoxious, insulting and inappropriate. I think I will let Susan decide that but keep her posted when it happens. Have a great day.

          • http://sonicninjakitty.wordpress.com Sonic Ninja Kitty

            People can read for themselves who got aggressive and decide what constituted an attack. It’s all there in black and white.

            For the record, I am not sure if it is fair to reference comments from previous threads. Are we all going to bring up positions from past weeks or can we just assume we are all trying to learn and grow and keep it moving forward? It is not possible for others to look up what the reference is to, so it all becomes hearsay–without context, even.

            By the way, you will never get an ugly response from me, Alexis, but we probably would all do well to examine our own tendencies to overreact.

            • AlexisM

              I’m really unclear on your point Kitty. I defended a friend against what I found to be a drunken, dirty attack. If you were my friend I would defend you too, although you’re an adult and don’t need me to do so.

              I was also defending the integrity of this blog, which I enjoy coming to. I rarely complain about what anyone posts, or if I get attacked for my POV and get called names which happens all the time. I can handle it and move on. Like I have said, over and over and over again, there are just a few things that I don’t believe Seattle needs to be attacked on. And that happens to include his sexuality, which is no one’s business, and the poster in question was lying and slandering Seattle’s desire for his “ass.” I stand by my outrage but thanks for reprimanding me.

              • http://sonicninjakitty.wordpress.com Sonic Ninja Kitty

                My point: people can read for themselves who got aggressive and decide what constituted an attack. It’s all there in black and white.

                • AlexisM

                  It was my understanding that Susan was going to remove it which is probably a good idea for all concerned. That’s why I didn’t get why you keep telling everyone to go read it.

                  • http://sonicninjakitty.wordpress.com Sonic Ninja Kitty

                    I’m not telling them to read it, I’m just saying they can if they want to. They should judge the situation for themselves if they are so inclined.

                    • AlexisM

                      Like I said, I thought it was gone. I haven’t been back to that thread and would rather move on.

  • oowawa

    I have no idea who might be ingesting what while blogging, expecially during the wee wee hours. Drinking and driving might seem like fun. Drinking and blogging may also seem exhilirating. Neither one is a good idea. Most of us who blog frequently have occasionally regretted our posts. Unless a recurrent offender really disrupts the blog, I think we need to be tolerant. I HATE to see people banned from the blog for whatever reason, and that includes the “trolls.”

    • AlexisM

      oowawa…I am the first person to know that even my comments, particularly about trolls, get a little heated. I have been patted on the hand by Susan LOL and I try to watch myself. That’s a whole other ballgame from what went on last night.

      • beebop

        I totally agree. People tried to diffuse what was going on and the offender just would hear none of it. It was an appalling display of ugly. There was no point to it other than to be as nasty as possible. I am sure that the culprit is sleeping it off somewhere. It was worse than any 0bamabutt behavior I have ever witnessed here. Period.

      • oowawa

        Yeah Alexis, I looked at the thread and am glad I was asleep having my usual O-nightmares. I feel sorry for Susan and the others who have to moderate this kind of stuff. And grateful for their efforts.

        • AlexisM

          Well, oowawa, thank God I’m not the only one having B-Crack nightmares every single night! I’m happy to be in great company, although even the strongest sleeping pills don’t cure the sleeplessness over the O Monster.

    • http://baddemocrat08.wordpress.com/ obamastolemyboyfriend

      As someone who was banned because of an inappropriate comment while drinking some rum, I will advise no drinking while blogging! And it is probably not good to blog while really pissed off either. Take a break, go take a walk and then come back. Think before reacting!

      • oowawa

        Sometimes that last split second before you hit the “Add Comment” button is like the sudden sinking realization you get as you are slamming the car door and realize your keys are inside: “UH-OH–I can’t believe i just did that!” Sudden epiphany, but too late to do anything about it.

  • The Real HC

    I am in no way condoning inappropriate posts, but dont feed the trolls by dignifying their ridiculous statements with responses. Thats the best way to get rid of them – just ignore them. They are just looking to derail meaningful discussion.

    I quite literally maxed out my personal contribution to the McCain campaign by giving $5 every time I saw a trolling comment. Thats how much they talk.

  • Elizabeth

    Yeah, just have the respect and self-restrait to ignore trollish provocations. Were it only anomalous, limited to a single situation or problem member !

    Personal attacks and raw language (STFU, kiss my ass, etc) are too often what pass for appropriate discourse around this forum most days, unfortunately. We’re all frustrated with our government. Find another way to relieve yourself.

  • wodiej

    Personally, I don’t see the harm in a little raw language if it isn’t over the top.

    On the trolls, I find making fun of them usually silences them as well as ignoring them.

    Speaking of trolls…one called into the Limbaugh show today. His name was Edwin. I didn’t catch the entire call but Rush said later, that was a leftied who had been recruited to call him and say he has been listening to his show for years. haha, Rush said, bring on more lefties, I’m ready for ya. These people really are clueless. Rush can kick their naive butts from here to next week.

    • http://americanpumainitaly.blogspot.com/ sarainitaly

      i think the best way to get them to shut up is to ask them a serious question.

      the only sound you will hear is *crickets*

  • Strawberry

    Thanks Susan. Fair and just as usual. It was a slugfest last night but flaming cowpies were hurled by all three sides. Hey, if you can’t stand the heat, don’t chuck cow poo. But whining bout banning someone just because you got you’re feelings hurt…geez. Grow up and and grow a set. Now changing your ID every other week and thinking you’re clever was, I thought, a banning offense. Nevermind I just scroll through her posts as per Larry’s suggestion.

    • AlexisM

      No, Strawberry, none of us got our feelings hurt. We just don’t think that accusing Seattle Moss, a straight man with a wife, of “wanting another mans ASS” belongs at NQ. We can all take your cowpies, etc. No problem there. But there just seems to be a point where it needs to stop. We crossed that line last night. And I don’t know who you think you are talking to, but it seems that every time I post you accuse me of being someone else. Oh well.

  • http://sonicninjakitty.wordpress.com Sonic Ninja Kitty

    You know, every once in awhile, a so-called ‘troll’ makes a very valid point. Please don’t ban anyone!! We need people who disagree to throw cold water on us occasionally!

    I’m tired of the belittling done to anyone ‘we’ don’t agree with (and I don’t like to be lumped into the ‘everyone here at NQ thinks such-and-such’ category). They are human beings too. If you feel disrespected, just move on. Thread readers can make their own judgments.

  • Ellen D

    I stopped by before and was horrified at the xenophobic comments the other night. As a naturalized citizen it touches a nerve when someone attacks anyone for not being born in the USA (Obama excepted). I said at the time I didn’t believe I was at NQ.

    And, as someone running a company about the size of Seattle Moss’ I felt a bond when he spoke of the current problems and layoffs (if you/ve never had to do it, it is absolutely soul-destroying). He also spoke about having a great female plant manager – way to go SM!

    So I’m with Seattle Moss and Alexis M. It is difficult not to respond when someone is so crude and in-your-face with personal attacks. I hope this is the end of that kind of trash.

    • Seattle Moss

      Ellen..Thanks for the nice comments!
      I posted under the O’Reilly thread my post on sexism in the work place and how my company deals with this.
      I was a Hillary supporter and was appalled at the sexism this past year. Guy’s need to make room for women and understand that they are unique creations of God and have so much to contribute if given the opportunities.

      • Ellen D

        I’m not sure about “unique creations of God”,that may be more elevated than I ever thought of myself, and my mother would laugh at that, but I appreciate your actions, SM.
        All I ever wanted was to be given the same opportunities as males and treated fairly – a tall order in the 60′s when there were no labor laws.

        As I tried to help one of my layoffs lately apply for unemployment, I told him that as a married woman in the 60s, when I applied for unemployment they sent someone around to check that I wasn’t pregnant because pregnant women weren’t elegible. I had to prove I was seriously looking for a job.
        My layoff looked at me like I was from Mars.

        • Seattle Moss

          Ellen,
          maybe I should have said that women work hard and go the extra mile with attention to detail and quality..All of us if you believe are unique creations of God and demand the opportunities that should be all of ours in this life.
          Having Liz as our plant mgr has been the best move this company has ever made!

          Going forward we all need to be vigilant in the advancement of women’s rights and prevent what we saw happen to both Sarah and Hillary this past year.

        • Ellen D

          Lovely post Seattle Moss on your company policies. It sounds like a happy place to work.

          When there is a woman at the top it is somewhat different. My experiences have toughened me and God help any male who tries sexism around me.

          I’m a little bit older than Hillary, hence my identification with her, but, like her, I grew up a young blonde trying to prove I had a brain in a sexist time. That’s why what goes on now in the press with Hillary, Sarah Palin or any other capable woman makes me mad as hell.

          • Seattle Moss

            Ellen,
            As a result of having women in charge of the shipping dept and plant management I have learned much on how to relate with women in general.
            This is important for guys to understand and I believe that a lot of them just don’t get it.
            What was interesting about last year is that almost everyone in the plant voted republican last year despite the fact that most like myself had been democrats. This company rallied around both Hillary and Sarah and bumper stickers could be seen throughout the plant.
            My employees realized that Obama was bad for business and his class warfare rhetoric and defeat in Iraq talk was a major threat.
            I’m glad to see my fellow workers involved politically in the campaigns.

            • Ellen D

              Interesting.
              I was surrounded by Obama T shirts but then the business I am in is populated mostly by twenty-somethings. One of my guys even went to the inauguration.

              Your business seems more sensible and down to earth blue collar (my background). My business is artist and programmer heavy. They don’t know what’s going on in the world except what the media tells them.

              I instituted the same policy here that I had in our company in Ireland. No political or religious arguments on company time. It’s worked out well. There have been some general discussions but nothing heated.

              • Ellen D

                BTW – Our workforce numbers are about the same but there are only 3 women besides me. And they are young twenty-somethings. I presume your staff has older demographics.

  • mountainaires

    Thanks for the rational response to the complaints about commenters, Susan. I just quit reading the threads that dissolve into yo-mamma-yeah-well-yo-mamma,too. It’s mindless drivel.

    I appreciate that people get annoyed at commenters; but really, the most valuable part of this blog is that dissent is allowed. In the end, it’s what makes it most interesting, dynamic, and enlightening. I sincerely hope that No Quarter doesn’t begin to limit opinion through dailykos’ cult of community censorship tactics.

    Just walk around them, and continue on…or respond and tell them what you think. But don’t go down the slippery slope of silencing others, because in the end, you only silence yourself along with them.

    • beebop

      Free speech isn’t free. Lots of people died to bring this nation kicking and screming out of the delivery room. I am not for banning thought but when Moss was repeatedly bashed last night by someone with no thought as to any sort of consequences, it was difficult to watch. Just one woman’s opinion of course. You’re right. You can walk away. That’s why so many of us are no longer at the Giant Orange Huffing Poop. :) There is a lesson in that some where.

  • Tess

    Some of this reminds me of the shirt my husband wears on Hallowe’en:
    “You can’t scare me; I have children”.

  • kat in your hat

    I post comments at NoQ less often because it takes a long time to leave a comment. I thought maybe it was just me, but then I read someone on another blog complain about the same thing concerning NoQ.

    Maybe there is something I can do to speed it up?

  • Chris Martin

    One problem with some of these threads is that both sides of a debate feel they are entitled to the last word. I’m not a lawyer, but I like to practice the point-counterpoint-rebuttal-closing method. If it takes you more than two times to get your point across, then you need to work on clarity. When people like to repeatedly extend debates beyond the four responses then they are either full of themselves or being deliberately disruptive.

    One argument style I see used a lot is to change the subject, or to address an unrelated topic which may be of importance, but irrelevant to the current debate. A lot of times folks will engage these comments and the thread gets lost. People intentionally try to disrupt debates using this method, typically when they are losing the argument (it happens in real life as well and you can tell when I’m being serious in an argument when I have a single mindedness on the debate topic).

    The big point is that it may feel good to respond and put the disruptive people “in their place”, they go to threads specifically to get a response. You let them win when you engage them because they have little interest in real engagement.

  • Seattle Moss

    I have a feeling that this blog is going to get really boring soon!

  • http://noquarter foxyladi14

    thanks for the update susan.
    i guess i missed the fireworks.
    peace love and good wishes to all.

  • FembotsForObama

    Good advice Susan.

    In responding to trolls, I try to just make one remark to them, then ignore away. NO ONE should take remarks from a troll personally. It’s like dealing with an idiot on the street you wouldn’t have the time of day for. Make your point and move on!

  • Sassy

    I saw part of that thread, and I don’t really care who started the fight.
    It was insulting to Pat’s work and the effort she made!
    Perhaps we should all respect those who are contributing their writing, and stay out of brawls!