You heard it here first, folks...I am boycotting "Anonymous". Banned. Bye bye.Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of "Anonymous" posters that are civil.
I've had "Anonymous" posters that are kind, loving, thoughtful. People with great hearts and great intentions, just no blogger "profile".
I've had "Anonymous" posters that completely disagree with me but are respectful enough not to be nasty about it. We have agreed to disagree and are able to respect each others differences. I don't agree with every other blogger, but I don't go there and publish rude comments.
However, as I've been in and out of "Blogville" for almost 4 years now, I have come across a lot of "Anonymous" posts that are so mean-spirited and hateful, judgmental and opinionated, accusing and hurtful, that I'm just not going to stand for it anymore...not on this blog, anyway!
Recently on a friend's blog, "Anonymous" pulled the "Freedom of Speech" card. There is a difference between "freedom of speech" and "freedom of thought"...that is where anonymity on this blog is being cracked down upon and coming to a close.
We are all free to think anything we want and we are all free to disagree. However, mean-spirited people who "exercise" their "Freedom of Speech" by posting as "Anonymous" are abusing a right that was both fought for and came at a great price. Historically, let's study for a moment the whole concept of "Freedom of Speech" and our rights to be heard.
"Freedom of Speech" is not an American thing. However, being an American and having studied our history some, I know that all of the "Freedoms" you and I enjoy and take part in on a daily basis were given to us as a result of those who have gone before us. And of those, we can name names...there are hundreds and thousands of "Freedom Fighters" that include, but are not limited to: brave ancestors who left their homelands to live here in liberty...Patriots like General George Washington who led our country to freedom from British monarchy...our first governing boards...men and women who fought physically for our freedom from other governing countries...and those in the service who still do...politicians who study the law and work diligently for the people...risk takers like Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass who made war on slavery...people like Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, Jefferson Thomas, Terrence Roberts, Carlotta Walls Lanier, Minnijean Brown Trickey, and Gloria Ray Karlmark, who weren't going to be told they couldn't get an education because of the color of their skin...names...there are many, many names...you have a name, your spouse, your children...
Our whole lives we are told that our names are important...yet why in "Blogville" do so many naysayers hide their opinions and bullying behind "Anonymous"? The bullies who tortured Phoebe Prince all have names...but they abused their "freedoms" and will be losing them shortly. Our faithful military, politicians and freedom fighters did/do not sacrifice their time and lives in order for the rest of us to abuse those rights but instead to be grateful for them and use them wisely and with respect.
Did you know that "Freedom of Speech" has limitations? It's true:
"In practice, the right to freedom of speech is not absolute in any country and the right is commonly subject to limitations, such as on "hate speech". "
"It is different from and not to be confused with the concept of freedom of thought."
Here is the wording of the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights, for clarity sake:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
So, the key above is "peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
The last I checked, judgmental "Anonymous" posters are not "peaceable". And, the last I checked, personal, private Blog authors are not the "Government".
So, for anyone caring to comment here in the future, you don't even have to have a full length profile. You can simply use your first name. But use your name and be proud of who you are. And whether you agree with me or not is not the issue. I don't write a blog for people to agree with me. I write a blog in order to get my guts out and live in honesty.
But before you head to another blog and "exercise" what you think is your civil right to be a mean bully and "tell it like it is", think again...that's not your right...and we Blog authors all have the right not to listen anymore.
So, go away "Anonymous"...go far, far away.
And, to any of you Blog authors out there that are over mean-spirited and ugly comments from "Anonymous", please feel free to add my "Anonymous Schnonymous" button to your blog, too, as well as disable capabilities for "Anonymous" posters. Now we'll see who truly cares about their rights to freedom of speech...
Ade,
ReplyDeleteI am SO with you on anonymous schynonomous (or however you spell it!) it makes me so sad to see how these people leave such mean-spirited comments. it's hurtful.
also, i am SO for you doing the Bolder Boulder! Last time I did it was in 2006, and it was awesome!
Continued love and prayers, my friend.
xoxo,
Victoria
I check in on your blog daily, and have for the most part enjoyed what I read here - both what is posted by you and the comments left by readers. I never leave any comments, but I just feel I need to leave a comment today regarding this post and the previous post.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is your blog, and you have a right to post whatever you want. As a blogger, you also open yourself up to your readers stating their piece of mind also. It would be nice if everyone was civil and kind in what they have to say, but that isn't how the world is.
I am NOT the anonymous commenter from your previous post, but as I read you treadmill thoughts, I was taken back a bit. I "thought" to myself - "Wow, this person calls herself a Christian". I was HURT when reading your post that you would criticize people for what they wear. I am not an advocate of suicide bombers - not at all. But I have done research on these people and as the poster commented, some of them do it because they feel that is what their religion is asking of them. Does Christianity call us to do that? No, but some feel that their religions do call them to do that. I think we can condemn the act but calling the actors "stupid women" was something that also hurt me as your reader - a reader that thought you were better than that. Would Christ be proud of any of us criticizing what people wear? Would Christ be proud of us calling people stupid just because they are doing what they believe their God has called them to do? I doubt He would. Thinking something is just as bad as saying it - at least in my humble opinion.
So when I read that you are blocking anonymous comments because people should not be ashamed to put their name to their thoughts and words, I wondered if that was the real reason. I am not trying to judge you, I am just trying to understand. Are you blocking anonymous comments so that you have an email address that you can write to them and cus them out in private so your readers won't see your harsh words and think less of you? Are you blocking these comments so you can block them from leaving further comments - comments that you don't like? Why block anyone from leaving comments? If you know yourself and your motives, then just delete the comment and go on with life.
I'm not trying to judge - I really am not. I'm asking these questions to challenge you and get you to really think about what would please Christ. You are too good of a person / woman / Christian to post comments about others clothes and to resort to calling people names just because you don't agree with their acts. Raise up to a higher standard - I think that's what Christ would want, but that is just my view. We all should be able to agree to disagree, and I love you as much when I disagree with you as I do when I agree with what you post. Rise up and conduct yourself in a manner that would be pleasing to Christ. That's all that matters.
anyone notice that "Jonnie Who" and "Anonymous" have the same writing style??
ReplyDeleteThis is the author's blog, she can write what she sees fit to write, and Jonnie Who, if you don't like the blog, DON'T click the link and take the link out of your web browser favorites.
What's that you say?? it's like a train wreck......you can't help but look at it?? Do this blog's author and all of us a favor and keep your comments to yourself.
"Jonnie Who" you are busted. You don't fool me with your writing style.
Yeah, I will sign my name.
----Keely in Atlanta
PS....Adrianne, I am thrilled for you and your family on the arrival of that new baby!! It is such great news!!
Sorry, Keely in Atlanta, I am Jonnie Who, but not the Anonymous poster. If you don't like my comments, you can also keep it to yourself.
ReplyDeleteKeely, it's okay. Please don't feel the need to defend me or go mother bear :) . Jonnie Who and I are good. I am not offended. But in all my time of blogging just felt it was time to ban "Anonymous" and address the "why?" I'll be moving on to more of the regular old me posts soon.
ReplyDelete