How Not To Get Your Comment Posted

I posted the following response to a confused and unhappy Monona Doug poster (former poster?). I think it's worthy of it very own post rather than being hidden in the comments section of Hickory Lanes Cleanup . Follow these simple guidelines: show a little patience, don't dare me to do something, and don't call me names. And if you want to make personal comments about me or others, try signing your name.

The gentle reader to whom I responded seemed to be confused over our respective roles - especially my role as the unpaid author and editor of this humble project known as Monona Doug. Without further ado-doo here is my response (with minor editing for clarity and spelling):

So, Mr. or Ms. Anonymous, the one who posted the June 19 comment about the mayor's new house - the comment I called dumb - sent a comment this morning. The comment was over 600 words long, quite contentious, and double-dog-dared me to post their comment.

Well, I wanted to wait until I had a chance to think about my response to their new comments. I figured I would get to it after work or over the weekend - I've already put in a lot of blog time this week.

This evening I checked my email after a nice bike ride over to the arboretum and Mr. or Ms. Anon has already submitted another comment. This one says “Didn't think you would post my response...YOu have the ultimate censorship...Crumb...”

Pal or Gal,

I don't get paid for this blog. I do it on my own time and in my own time. This is NOT my job. Declining to post a comment is not censorship. I'm not the government; it's called editorial discretion.

And daring me to post your comment usually backfires; I can be contrarian. Calling me a name, especially a lame one, pretty much guaranteed I would not post your first comment. And really, if you want to get personal in your comments about me or the mayor or anyone else, have the small courage to sign your name to your beliefs.

Wiener.

Friday, June 27, 2008 9:33:00 PM CDT