It's Official - I am a Bad Man

Well it has finally happened. I (apparently) posted several somethings to piss of one of my fans. If the bloggy this fan maintains is any indication, that is. This person has apparently featured me on her bloggy thingy. I figured it out when I received her delightful missive and then visited her web site.

If I am wrong, I am certain to hear from her once again.

What I find curious is how people act on a public list and how differently they operate in places they might not think some of us will bother to look. Like this writer's bloggy thingy, for example. I must assume this is the case when fire arrives in my mailbox and then my deplorable antics are mirrored on her bloggy.

People often say one thing on a list and ten they say something different on other lists, blogs, and web sites. Perhaps they do not want their odd POV discussed in a public forum?

For example, consider the partial bloggy thingy entry (In quotes way down below) for the site at the URL included with this post, as required by the terms her written agreement. (“If the comment in question is on my web site, by all means, add a link to it and quote away, since it's already out on a public forum that anyone can reach...not just the list members of list.”) The link is:

http://brennalyons.blogspot.com/

Some of what she said is news to me and she makes a few comments that do not reflect the truth of the matter in my opinion. On the list we share, I have always asked for proof I am incorrect about something when there is disagreement. All I get is zero. The invitation still stands.

I am quite likely to say anything and yes, my mother is not proud. However, and this is a big however: if anyone disagrees with my views and comments, they are free to post their disagreement for discussion and clarification. This often does not happen because I might be right. It is also quite fair.

Oh, I dun learnt me a lesson, all right. When I shred people in the future, it will be done within the current copyright laws, fair use provisions, and other who knows what. As always, there will be no names used. I will simply paraphrase and add my pissy comments. Besides, if I rewrite their words and pre-compile them, it will be easier on the K-6 through K10 readers.

The Web Master I am hated by has given me explicit written permission to quote her web site, but not her Yahoo Group posts. Apparently it is ok to quote her web site if I post her URL. The reasoning is simple (?) Her web site is public. Not a Yahoo Group, because as we all know, Yahoo Groups are hidden and not public. No, I cannot see the logic either.

What she blogged . . .

"As I said, I was given a wonderful link to see if you appear in the blogs of others. I found one that abuses my copyright, posted BY an author who screams the loudest about his own rights. He knows the laws. He quotes them, shouts them, screams them out. Then he has the nerve to take portions (ED: Perhaps Fair Use?) of list posts from other authors off of a list serve (all of which are copyright to the original author of the post) and post them to his blog. The reason? Since he's been proven wrong on many of these points on list, he just feels the need to strike back in the only childish manner he can (I would assume). Never mind that he's breaking the very laws he demands people uphold for him." (End Quote)

Interesting. As I mentioned, I am willing to retract anything I post, just as long as the people that disagree, can prove me wrong. I will invite to back up her mouth and prove me wrong. Unfortunately, she cannot backup what she says.

God, it is silly when grown men argue with presumably grown women.

So the lessons to be learned today, are these: Do not quote people. Despite the rules of law that might give you some rights to do so, do not quote people. The next thing is paraphrase, paraphrase, and paraphrase. If someone gets mad, too bad. Three, and this is the important point: If you think I am wrong, say so. I am always up for a fact driven debate. Do not simply tell the planet I am often wrong without offering proof

Bob Maxey – Salt Lake City, Utah