On Censorship and Comment Moderation

NaBloPoMo #23

To ice the cake, I awoke Thanksgiving morning to another message from the infamous "Anon": a note explaining to me a few reasons why we will never be lovers. As if I'd imagined that His or Her referring to me as "Sweetie Pie" was indicative of a possible love connection. Jesus.

I deleted the comment, figuring I'd set myself up for a future onslaught. I couldn't care less about the odd accusations of my so-called political diatribes, but I've removed other vile comments from the same person, referring to my sex life, my boyfriend, my son, my family, and entire races, each with an accusational pro-war signature thrown in.

This morning, another comment came in which read, in part:

Silenced? Censored?? Oh tell me why, GnightGirl!

Of course, this is your blog, and you’re perfectly entitled to permit or deny all posts by any criteria you like.

However, you’re never going to learn much by silencing anyone who
disagrees with you. I did not stoop to vulgarity. I did not get fresh with you.
I only offer brief and very occasional perspectives that you’re very unlikely to
otherwise read.

Oh well, my gentle liberal friends, I will move on; hear from me again you will not.

You can resume your dialog only with people that think like you and, quite frankly, continue to view much of the world from a blissful state of ignorance.

It's still in the Tell Me entry, if you're interested.

So, since Anon is Anon, and I can't e-mail him/her, or address him/her in person, the time has come for me to do it here.

Dear Anon:

I will gladly tell you why I "censored" you. It's not because you intimidate or annoy me. It's that you're condescending and disrespectful. You're believe that if I walk away from your table that I'm too stupid to grasp what you have to say. Respectfully, "Sweetie Pie," has it occurred to you that you're merely crass and boorish?

I'd actually agree that your cause is worthwhile. I have wondered though, that you're willing to do so much disservice to it with your tactics, if you believe in what you say at all. If you're after educating people to issues they are blind to, drowning kittens isn't going to convince them to consider your opinions.

I'll admit to being ignorant of a lot of political issues. I'm not proud of it, but I'm tuning in, and listening, and reading up on what's happening out there. I'm protesting through polls, writing my congressman. On issues I don't entirely understand, it's easy enough to ask someone to explain it to me. Your friend Glock21, for instance, can answer some of my questions, and explain to me his point of view without an accompanying left hook.

You backpedal about getting fresh and being vulgar. Methinks thou doest protest too much. The truth is, you have been vulgar, and you know it. And malicious. Fresh? I don't know about "fresh," but I'll tell you that waking up on Thanksgiving morning to a comment from you that finished up "...so a love connection we are not..." was more than a little bit creepy. What in the hell are you talking about?

Hear from you again, I will not? It's the best news I've had all week. But don't for a second deceive yourself that I'm talking only to like-minded people, or that I'm blissfully ignorant.

Have a little respect.

And good luck with your cause.

—Lori