Ban without compunction, Ramona. It would be one thing if he was engaging in civil discourse with you -- which he appeared to be doing in his first comments, here -- but another entirely when it just becomes vicious.
I had to ban someone a few months ago and it was so hard for me. I left their comments up (one is on my About page, right …
Ban without compunction, Ramona. It would be one thing if he was engaging in civil discourse with you -- which he appeared to be doing in his first comments, here -- but another entirely when it just becomes vicious.
I had to ban someone a few months ago and it was so hard for me. I left their comments up (one is on my About page, right there for anyone to read, including my response, as well as the response of another reader who came to my defense, which was a huge surprise) but I banned them from subscribing and commenting. My feeling is that my newsletter needs to be a safe place for me. That doesn't mean I'm never uncomfortable, that doesn't mean I don't have hard conversations, but that does mean that I don't have to willingly take abuse from any random person on the internet, about anything. I might let someone stand in my yard and yell about how much I suck and how much better they are than me, but I'd close the window, you know?
Not too much to ask at all. You absolutely did the right thing. His opinion was appalling. Can't imagine the women in his life listen much to him and for good reason. Scary how these types have been stoked by we all know who.
I deleted a comment he made here after I wrote this. Just 'congratulations', but it unnerved me, since I thought I had him blocked. I went back and tried blocking him again. I hope it worked this time.
Well said, Sarah. It’s completely fine to have a nuanced political discussion when you disagree with a person’s viewpoint, but that clearly wasn’t the case here.
Yes to everything Sarah said. Having a difference of opinion, of course. Spewing bigoted venom, no, never. You did exactly what you should have. That guy earned that ban as much as anyone's earned anything.
Ban without compunction, Ramona. It would be one thing if he was engaging in civil discourse with you -- which he appeared to be doing in his first comments, here -- but another entirely when it just becomes vicious.
I had to ban someone a few months ago and it was so hard for me. I left their comments up (one is on my About page, right there for anyone to read, including my response, as well as the response of another reader who came to my defense, which was a huge surprise) but I banned them from subscribing and commenting. My feeling is that my newsletter needs to be a safe place for me. That doesn't mean I'm never uncomfortable, that doesn't mean I don't have hard conversations, but that does mean that I don't have to willingly take abuse from any random person on the internet, about anything. I might let someone stand in my yard and yell about how much I suck and how much better they are than me, but I'd close the window, you know?
If it was a one-off it might be different, but he left five ugly comments within a few minutes, which told me he would never let up if he got noticed.
Yes, I always want my newsletters to be safe places, and while opinions may differ, I expect them to be civil. Not too much to ask.
It's not. You did the right thing.
Not too much to ask at all. You absolutely did the right thing. His opinion was appalling. Can't imagine the women in his life listen much to him and for good reason. Scary how these types have been stoked by we all know who.
I deleted a comment he made here after I wrote this. Just 'congratulations', but it unnerved me, since I thought I had him blocked. I went back and tried blocking him again. I hope it worked this time.
No, he's one of the good guys!
I deleted the comment because it's not fair to reveal someone's email if they desire privacy.
Good idea. Thanks.
I agree with Sarah entirely here. He wasn't interested in conversation, just vilification. No one is required to make space for that.
Well said, Sarah. It’s completely fine to have a nuanced political discussion when you disagree with a person’s viewpoint, but that clearly wasn’t the case here.
Yes to everything Sarah said. Having a difference of opinion, of course. Spewing bigoted venom, no, never. You did exactly what you should have. That guy earned that ban as much as anyone's earned anything.