25 Comments
deletedJun 16, 2022Liked by Ramona Grigg
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Jun 15, 2022·edited Jun 15, 2022Liked by Ramona Grigg

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?

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Don’t feel you have an obligation to care for and feed the trolls. Hatred and ignorance are corrosive and pervasive enough without weaponizing them. We try to reach people and inspire them through our words; when that fails, sometimes we have to close the gate.

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You go girl!! People like that who are clearly doing this to stir up trouble, don't deserve to be here. They all live in the FOX bubble and can't see beyond the end of their nose. :)

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Put simply there are reasonable limits to as to how far you should accommodate a rude and duplicitous guest.

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Don't feed the trolls. Ban, if needed, and move on. Have a crumpet and some tea; it's a beautiful day outside.

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I agree with your decision to ban him. It appears that what began as a civil interaction devolved into a case of bullying and trolling. When it gets to that level it's time to disengage. In the context of writing a newsletter I think a ban is certainly an effective way of doing that.

Take care, and I hope this the last time you need to ban someone.

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Jun 16, 2022·edited Jun 16, 2022Liked by Ramona Grigg

I think his words had an undertone of complete disrespect and aggression. He could have spoken in a far less confrontational and mannered way. Besides, 'your party, your rules.' As moderators of our own accounts, we get to decide who stays and who goes. I don't blame you or cast aspersions at you - you did what is right for you. As he obviously did for himself.

That said, I'd love a lesson in how one bans someone...

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Ugh. That had to be a hard decision. It's the thing that I'm struggling with on Twitter. I want to have a positive experience there but I'm afraid that too many people just prefer to be negative. If it helps, I think you did the right thing.

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