Trolls

So, sometimes people who blog have trolls. I am so small and inconsequential that I have not had that problem. I once had a commenter that was so wound up over her favorite author that she read bad intent into a post, but we worked it out. There is no tone in email or posts. If you heard the words come out of my mouth you would get my attitude much more clearly than reading my words. I guess that's why I am not a famous author. Anyway, I finally got a real live troll. Geez, it's about time, I'm closing in on 30,000 visitors!

He/she/it was upset that I had not properly credited the post about "Levels of Boston Irishness". The troll was very nasty about it, bad attitude, bad language, the whole 9 yards. So I thought if I just explained my side of it, it would be over. The troll and I found out about the actual author, Jerry Thornton of BarStool Sports the same way, from an anonymous commenter. I followed the link which the commenter helpfully supplied and read the whole article, which is even funnier than the list. You should read it. I also updated the post to reflect this newly acquired knowledge.

If you read this blog you know I am all about the links. I am quite upfront when I steal stuff.......and I usually give it a title that reflects my larcenous tendencies. For example "Stealing Stuff", I think that's pretty up front. Or, "Stealing Stuff From The Castle", and "Stealing Stuff From Lex". Although sometimes I do try to sneak, as in "Shhhhh!" but I think Uncle Jimbo is ok with it.

I have never knowingly plagarized anyone, I couldn't be bothered. I'm not here to impress anyone. I write this for my own amusement and that of my friends. If you like it.....swell! If you comment, even better. If you don't..... Oh Well! I could give a fat rat's ass!

The author, Mr. Thornton, also views this matter in a very different way. I emailed him as soon as I found out about his post. I told him that I had received part of his article in an email, which for the record, I did note in my post - it was in an email from SB. He emailed back asking for a link to my blog and saying that he found it interesting when something he wrote bounces around the internet. So, unlike the troll, he understands that sometimes you don't know an actual author. It's the nature of these emails we all get. The other thing I find amusing is when I get the same email from two different people who are not connected. I am always amused when I get an email from my cousin Chrissie and then a day or two later the same email from a MilBlog friend. It's like seeing what washes up on the beach, carried by different currents from different starting places and ending up together on my beach.

So, what is the conclusion of all this? I have had to enable comment moderation. After I explained my side of things in the comments, the troll came back just as vicious. So, I erased the trolls two comments and one of my replies and now every comment has to get my approval before appearing. It's not that big a deal, I don't get that many comments.