« Flash the message, someone's out there... | Main | Gates stays » Housekeeping25 Nov 2008 04:15 pm If you hate discussions about blog policy, just skip this and keep moving (Hi Sarah!). This is a message to folks who regularly or occasionally comment here. The trolling is basically at a minimum, at this point, which is good. I like the bunch I've got here--you guys are great. I just want to throw out a reminder fnot to engage trolls when they show up here. For whatever reason this blog is a magnet for the sort of sad antisocialite who's whole life is centered on the machinations of the Negro race. Here's the thing, I generally delete these clowns--and fairly quickly, but I'd rather not have to. I'm fairly hard to offend, but I don't want every post devolving into a stupid back and forth over IQ scores. It makes for the most uninteresting reading on the web. Here's the thing--I believe that comments are part of the attraction here. I want comment threads that people enjoy reading. When the fools show up, I'd rather let them have their say--the very fact that there are people out there like this deserves light. But I can only do it, if I know folks are going to exhibit some self-control and not be stupid enough to get sucked-in. Sock-puppetry will still result in immediate deletion, and we have a couple people like that roaming around. But to everyone else here, I'd just say, please keep cool. Comments (38)Comments on this entry have been closed. |
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I've never been one to troll-bait, but will admit at times that it has been hard to resist the temptation to respond. This is some good advice you're provided.
I'll continue to stay cool, Mr. Coates. Those of us who adore this blog appreciate the give-and-take of the comments section that you provide. Thanks for that.
Trolling is a great way to catch tuna. Tuna makes great sushi! Don't forget to season the rice!
Shorter version: Everyone chill the fuck out. Coates has got this.
I feel like we all just had a family meeting and dad laid out the ground rules.
TNC,
Is it possible that you are trolling your own site when you make fun of my Rams? I will follow your advice and not respond next time.
How can anyone make fun of the Rams when they do such a good job of making a mockery of themselves?
From today's TMQ: "Two weeks ago, St. Louis, trailing 40-0, kicked a field goal -- and then did not even have the dignity to onside kick. A week ago, trailing 35-3, St. Louis kicked a field goal -- and then did not even have the dignity to onside kick. This Sunday, trailing 21-0, St. Louis kicked a field goal -- and then did not even have the dignity to onside kick. Here is a proposed game plan for Les Mouflons' next date, Miami at home: Try to win."
MoeLarryAndJesus (and Stacy, I guess),
I was at the 49er/Rams game a little over a week ago where the Niners scored 35 in the first half. And I wondered the same thing about the Rams. They were down by so much, but they still punted the ball and they still kicked field goals. It was like they were not even trying.
Oh, and don't get me started on the Rams calling all three of their timeouts with two minutes left in the game and down by 21. That is just wrong. Especially when you are trying to get out of the parking lot at Candlestick.
MLandJ,
I realize you're a Boston fan so its difficult for you to imagine your team(s) struggling, so enjoy it while it lasts. But yes, I fully realize the Rams are laughable.
I don't read TMQ anymore, but the paragraph you just cited is one of my biggest problems with football at all levels. Easterbrook can be a pretty logical man, although I'm sure you hate him cause he's so mean to all your Pats. When teams are losing by multiple touchdowns late in the game, and they a)kick FG's, b)kickoff like normal, or c)punt, I literally want to rip my own face off. Its impossible to comprehend from a competitive standpoint, but you'll never hear an announcer call a coach out on it. Its pathetic. I was screaming for Linehan to be fired over a year ago for this very reason. But really, all coaches do it. And its disgusting.
Anyways, I hope this doesn't constitute as threadjack, and I suppose responding to ML&J's insult doesn't really jibe with the spirit of your post. I'll shut up now.
Fighting Words,
I offer no defense.
I just love how we can turn a post on "blog policy" and "don't feed the trolls" into a football thread.
But, I hate to say this, for some strange reason I have found myself rooting for the Jets this season.
Dunno, man. For my money, the most uninteresting reading on the web has got to be what martial art is the most effective/deadliest. You may be underestimating the competition.
Some people can't recognize a troll. They just don't have the mental filter that differentiates between "foolish person who can be persuaded that their post was foolish, and whose behavior can be rectified for future generations" and "jackass looking to score a reaction for teh lulz". The best trolls are the ones who can walk the line - fortunately most of the ones I have seen here are too dumb to post anything other than obvious assclownery.
My IQ is bigger than your IQ.
Or to paraphrase "Blazing Saddles", excuse me when I whip this(My Superior IQ score) out.
Can't we just all get along?
By the way the Series Finale of "The Shield" is on tonight. Time to watch Vic Mackey meet his demise.
Next up, Dick Cheney and the rest of the Cheney/Bush administration. Can you say Spanish Judge? I knew you could.
@IrishPirate: Whatever... tonight's Season Finale of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" wins the internets. Look it up, for serious.
And, @Fighting Words... how can you not root for Brett Favre? GO JETS!
Disclaimer: I'm a Bengals Fan. Please feel my pain.
Stacy writes: "I realize you're a Boston fan so its difficult for you to imagine your team(s) struggling..."
You apparently aren't entirely familiar with the history of the Patriots pre-Kraft. Let's just say it was mostly ugly.
Moe: vast swathes of Patriots fans came on board shortly after Tom Brady came out of nowhere, and it's long been trendy - like Pabst Blue Ribbon - to be a Red Sox "fan" without really following the sport or caring. So I think Stacy can be forgiven for assuming that lots of Boston fans don't really feel the pain... (note to readers: this post is on-topic)
"You apparently aren't entirely familiar with the history of the Patriots pre-Kraft. Let's just say it was mostly ugly."
Oh, I'm completely aware. It seems like Boston fans are the ones that forgot so quickly. And by Boston fans, I mean Celtics, Pats, and especially Red Sox fans. Although 60% of Red Sox fans don't know who Mo Vaughn, let alone, Carl Yastrzemski is.
Stacy - isn't Mo Vaughn that character that Charlie Sheen played in Major League?
I actually think that was Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn. But they're definitely related.
Is a "fnot" like a "fnord"?
Ta-Nehisi, as a regular reader and occasional commenter, I just want to say that I emphatically agree that the comments are part of what makes this such a great blog. And I think you do a great job moderating ... including with reminders such as this!
jon
Is a "fnot" like a "fnord"?
It's a type of Christmas cookie. Like one of those snowball things, only green.
The first time I heard the term "sock puppet" was in a discussion about protests to support the tv writers' strike, and I pictured pro-management people showing up with athletic socks on their arms and using the sock puppets to mock the writers....
Hello there,
I agree with you wholeheartedly!! I can't believe how many blogs I visit where there are trolls diverting the attention of the blog visitors with nonsense...and there's always someone who feels it is THEIR duty to tell off a racist person or a jerk or to try and put them in their place.
Ignoring those who are seeking negative attention is usually the best route to take in the blogosphere.
On a completely unrelated note...
I hope you will join the online protest of the racist campaign by Princeton students that targeted black scholar, Dr. Yolanda Pierce:
http://blackwomenblowthetrumpet.blogspot.com/2008/11/flickering-flame-of-hipster-racism-at.html
Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa
Stacy claims: "It seems like Boston fans are the ones that forgot so quickly. And by Boston fans, I mean Celtics, Pats, and especially Red Sox fans. Although 60% of Red Sox fans don't know who Mo Vaughn, let alone, Carl Yastrzemski is."
This is utterly untrue, though I can understand how the bitterness of a fan of truly awful teams like the Rams could lead to such statements.
If anything Boston sports fans are TOO aware of the past.
So were you a Rams fan before your town poached the team from LA?
Speaking of football, what's with Bill Rhoden of the NY Times calling for the end of the era of 'new age' (i.e., black, running) quarterbacks? What a racist fool.
Boston fans as old and dedicated as you might remember the past. But not all the bandwagon jumpers. You know its true, too. I've been around too many Red Sox 'fans' who think Big Papi is the best player in Red Sox history. And sure, I exaggerate a bit, but its just to point out a larger truth. And yes, the Cardinals are my real love. I've had the pleasure of watching both of our teams win the World Series. In person.
And no, I wasn't a Rams fan when they were in LA. I was too young. By the time I was old enough to appreciate football, the Rams were moving to St. Louis. And yes, they were god awful then as well. And frankly, we wouldn't have had to poach shit if they just would have given us the team instead of Jacksonville. We then made the terrible mistake of building that hideous dome. But what am I supposed to do? There's no turning back now. You know that...
I always say that if you feed the troll you have to take it home with you.
I scored a 137 on the Intl High IQ Society test.
That the kind of obnoxious gear you were talking about ?
Sounds like censorship to me-why blog at all...I find the trolls rather funny myself, however, the best way to discourage them from such behavior, is to ignore them.
Speaking of football, what's with Bill Rhoden of the NY Times calling for the end of the era of 'new age' (i.e., black, running) quarterbacks? What a racist fool.
One of the problems with running QB's in the NFL is that the lineman and linebackers are much faster than in college and a lot of safeties can knock a QB out of the game with a good hit.
I don't mean to discount mobility or the ability to knock off a 40 yard run from the QB position, but in the long term, health is a big issue.
"Sounds like censorship to me-why blog at all...I find the trolls rather funny myself, however, the best way to discourage them from such behavior, is to ignore them."
Heh. That's because it is censorship. As for your point about ignoring, you should go back and read the post. That's the whole point.
One of the problems with running QB's in the NFL is that the lineman and linebackers are much faster than in college and a lot of safeties can knock a QB out of the game with a good hit.
Ok, but... does mobility make it more or less likely for a QB to take that nasty hit? It seems to me that I regularly see QBs that are hang-in-the-pocket types stay in just long enough to deliver a pass and get clobbered. I wish I had more stats on this, but I'm thinking of the comparison between Aikman and Elway.
Or, more recently, Tom Brady, who completed both a pass and his season in the same play. And here in DC, it seems like I saw Patrick Ramsey get crushed far more often than the more mobile Jason Campbell. Who are the guys who have lost games and seasons to that hit taken while running?
I agree, mobility is helpful in avoiding a lot of hard, direct hits. But taking off and running takes a toll on a QB over time. Especially if the guy is looking for yards and won't slide or hit the sidelines. Michael Vick had his share of injuries, though I admit I don't know if they were from downfield running or not.
@Jenjen: As a Chargers fan, not only will I NOT feel your pain, but I still haven't forgiven Cincinnati for January 10, 1982. Bastards.
elmo, don't blame Cincinnati--blame the weather. After that memorable Epic in Miami, your poor Chargers had to play in -50 windchills.
Norsecats: I can be ecumenical in my blame. I blame the city, the weather, the Cincy players. I am large. I contain multitudes.
Michael Vick had his share of injuries, though I admit I don't know if they were from downfield running or not.
I suppose this also points out that players can get injured doing things off the field, too-- and that the recent downfall of the players listed may not have had much to do with their playing style. That whole column was weird. Clearly there's more stuff going on with Young than how he runs plays.
Milord methinks the peasantry is growing restless...
Bump for paternalism. A blog is not a democracy it's a benevolent dictatorship run for the benefit of all by our WOW playing, nerd embracing, always topical TNC. Thank you Mr. Kipling I hope that together we can school the savages in the nicities of civilized behavior.
Now that I've got the jackassery out of my system I will try to follow your advice and hope that I don't fall into the troll section.