Blog Victimization: Political Trolls

I saw a news story lately about liberal blogging and what in-roads they are making on the polls. That said, according the Washington Post, only 2 percent polled read political blogs. Hmmm... Makes one think how desperate the news is for stories and what their agenda is. Ahh, splediforous thoughts to ponder instead of moping about the sad demise of goldfish of yesteryear. I was still pondering as fast as my pinup head would ponder when, with much surprise, I discovered an unrelated and unsolicited comment on a family members blog about attacking the Fox News Station. Now, if the post had been at all about politics, I would have said, well, maybe. However, the post was about ZIPLOC BAGGIES. What in all Hades!?

So, as a curious little monkey would do, I followed the link and watched the silly video. It was pretty lame. Then, I went to the comment source. That's when I realized this political troll was deliberately collecting local blog addresses like a telemarketer and cold-commenting on all local blogs. How fucking annoying. Here is the dialogue that ensued:

Scout's Honor (that's me) said:

"Why are you leaving unrelated comments on people's blogs? It's a bit rude, especially when they don't necessarily share the same views. It's like putting grafitti in a park or littering. I'm sure Fox Attacks means something to you, and it's entirely your own prerogative to post/blog all you want on YOUR OWN BLOG. Just have some taste and courtesy and ask permission before posting willy-nilly on other's blogs such links that have NOTHING to do with their posts. Please be a good blog neighbor in the Northwest. Thanks for listening.

Her response was:

Communicating on a grassroots level through blogging is a beautiful thing that the Internet makes possible to anyone. What I have been doing in my spare time is something akin to the mass mailings I used to do in AZ to pump up business and create buzz. Except now, it’s about defeating (insert local politician here-see I won't pander to her tactics) in the upcoming election.What I’m doing is collecting all the local blog addresses in my immediate area. (People who take the time to blog are generally the thinkers and communicators in their immediate social sphere.) The next time (local politician) uses his franking privileges to send out blatant campaign propaganda for himself, I’m sending a comment/message to every blogger that I can find in my town.From what I know of direct marketing (which is quite a bit more than the average person — because my economic life depended on it for 15 years), this gambit will bypass all established media and create an immediate negative buzz for (local politician).

A local blogger that I sent an "unsolicited" comment to concerning Fox News had this to say:

(See my original comment above)

She then went on to say:

"Unwittingly, Scout's Honor hit the nail on the head about unwanted communication -- except, I did not illegally use public tax monies and the U.S. Mail to promote my own personal political agenda. So, all I can say to Scout's Honor is that I'll stop doing it when local politician stops doing it."

Note that I fixed all her mispellings! See I'm nice. I know it happens to us all.

Scout's Honor (that's me) said:

"Well that's a shame. Using the very methods you criticize others using really doesn't give you much credibility does it? I think you are mistaking any attention as positive, when really your methods and the negative attention it will receive will discredit your cause. Bloggers in the Issaquah and Sammamish area will just have to start moderating comments.

By the way, with a Political Science degree from Cal Berkeley, no my dear, franking is not illegal. I find it obnoxious too, but both sides of the aisle do it. It is the privilege of the incumbent, whether s/he be Democrat or Republican. I think it is part of what makes our political system so stable. We generally keep people in that are well-versed in the ropes of the job. Truly, it takes clear bad moves, criminal activity, or incompetence, to remove an incumbent.

That said, it used to make me nauseous thinking of the tax dollars spent on letters and photographs I received in the mail during the Clinton administration. It still annoys me when I see blatant tax dollars used for "public information" or better yet "a constituent service," as it is called in the House Ethics Manual, when they are so clearly campaign efforts on the taxpayer's dime. Again, sweetheart, it's not just (local politician). I have gotten my fair share from Maria Cantwell and Christine Gregoire. It's the system, not (local politician) alone.

So, if it bothers you, write about franking. Don't however, think it's okay to victimize others' blogs. That would be like American troops torturing and dragging bodies through the streets because Al Qaeda did it first. It didn't really work out in Abu-Ghraib, did it? That's about the same premise as you are doing here! Or more truly, it's really like a petulant, child-like mentality. He called me a name so I called her a name. It's so petty and ridiculous.

I'm sure, in the end though, it must violate some Blogger user agreements, so you really should stop. I would suggest that people start flagging you if you continue your silly campaign. I'm all for freedom of speech and love blogs that are controversial whether liberal or conservative, just keep my blog and my husband's blog, and my son's blog OUT of IT. Get some manners!"

So, the original comment from the political troll has been since removed from the family member's blog. I decided she would get no linky love from me because that would just pander to her methods, which I think Blogger might find illegal. In the end, it left me annoyed enough that I wanted to bitch-slap some sense into her. I was super peeved, and then I realized why? It was like dealing with my 10 year old bickering with my seven year old. She did it to me first, Mom! So childish, political troll. You turned me into a frustrated Mom schooling a petulant and recalcitrant child. Grow up! You'll stop victimizing local blogs when he stop using legally methods at his avail? Lord, woman, get some manners.

So does your logic follow that if someone vandalizes or graffitis my neighborhood then I can come to your home and drawn a big, fat Republican Pink Elephant on it? Can I glue a life-sized effigy of Arnold Schwarzenegger in Jelly Bellies on the side of your house? Can I tattoo a picture of Condi Rice on your forehead? Yeah, I didn't think so. But, that's how I view my blog. It's my home. It's an extension of me! Respect me and respect yourself!

One final thought, if you truly wish to advertise on every local blog your opinions, then do the right thing, become an ADWords whore, and purchase ads to put on those bloggers sites who would be okay with taking your money.

'lisciously scribed by Scout's Honor @ 10:52 AM