How to Piss Off a Blogger

Those of us, who are old enough to have been part of the scene when Westerns were the most popular fare, on both TV and at the movies, are sure to remember the key words used by the “bad guy” to provoke the “hero” into a gun fight. “You’re a liar”, was the phrase which most often led to the climactic scene in which the “good guy” disposed of the “bad guy.”

An unwelcome experience with a comment this past weekend, in which the writer inferred that I was a liar, brought to mind this old fashioned, but common movie scenario.

I keep reading that rude, aggressive and disrespecting comments are to be expected if you are a Blogger. Fair enough; the world is full of socially inept, aggressive, and marginally functional individuals – but, to be called a liar, either directly or by implication, takes rudeness and aggressiveness to a new level.

Whether its social conditioning, or an evolutionary throwback, being called a liar almost always leads to an inevitable stress response in which discussion, civilities, and good manners, are replaced by an overwhelming urge to deal with the accuser face to face. Not reasonable, not responsible or practical, but nevertheless a common response, it seems.

For the most part, comments, on this Blog, tend to lead to interesting discussions which adds value for the reader. In almost every case, these comments are polite, civil, and non-confrontational.

Occasionally, readers will disagree with either a previous comment, or take issue with the content of an article. Again, even these differences in opinion are generally expressed in a civil manner and are likely to be non-confrontational.

Of the 4,000 + comments received on this site in the last year and a half, I can count on one hand the number that I have found to be offensive; comments that attacked me, or a previous commenter, on a personal level.

Frankly, the hallmark of those who launch a personal attack on an anonymous basis, without a physical presence, is that of a coward. Despite the assurance, readily given, that they would repeat the offensive comments, face to face; I think not.

This Blog serves as a reasonably accurate representation of who I am on a personal level. What warts I have, tend to be reflected in what I write about, and how I write.

This is my home on the Internet, albeit a public home, and just as I wouldn’t allow someone to call me a liar, or to be personally offensive to me, in my own home, I’ll be damned if I’ll allow someone to call me a liar, or to be personally offensive to me, in a Blog comment.

Reader dissent, or personal perspective, is not stifled here. This Blog has an open invitation policy for those who disagree with any content published here; in the form of a guest writer page. Dissenting opinion and diverse views, based on experience, are not only welcome, but encouraged.

Drama is best left to the movies, or the theater. I have neither the time, the patience, nor the interest, in becoming involved, at any level, in the skewed lives of those who think that aggressiveness, rudeness, or the lack of good manners, is an alternative form of expression.

Personal attacks aimed at me, guest writers, or previous commenters, have been in the past, and will continue to be – deleted.