I’m still standing

I may still be standing but I have changed my approach because I don't want to host a WWF like blog. I'm not trying to change opinions anymore because it's useless, but it took me a few years to realize that. I will continue giving my opinion on the issues based on what I have read, heard, or viewed. I started going down this path after the 2008 elections knowing full well that my opponents would always try to lure me back to the “politics of personal destruction." For example,I was so relieved to hear the answer from our county democrat chair, Kelly Gill, on its role in a dispute over the UHV fiasco saying “We have no official position on the bill. Education should not be a partisan issue." There are a lot of issues that should not be partisan. I have not changed my opinion on social issues, political parties, and ideologies but it's not that difficult to know where I stand.

The VA blogs have changed from its initial format of only having a few bloggers state their views. It is my understanding that the original bloggers had to submit their initial writings before they were accepted as full time bloggers. The initial bloggers were exceptional and their blogs were a joy to read, but, unless you were interested in the topics they chose to write about; it was a quick read and back to the comment section. That’s where most of the viewers were. I would've never submitted a sample of my writing because I knew that I would be rejected. I was happy when VicAd started offering blogging privileges to everyone with an account with the ViCad on- line forum. It offered a lowly poster like me a chance to write about my passion," national politics."

Yesterday, I received a couple of emails from some old friends,  telling me what I already knew. They told me that Roy Mark (mightyjo) was picking apart my last blog...  I know a lot of you probably think that I could change all that by confronting him on my VA blog or his.  I know better, I've tried but he just wants to start his silliness of exaggerating the context of  my sentences.  If you don't believe me ask born2Bme or pay closer attention to his tactics.  Pretty soon, you've wasted about 3 hours and your blog will have about 30 incoherent responses from Roy Mark.  In the old days I might have retaliated but that is what he wants. Roy Mark needs two things to keep him satisfied. It’s same for all trolls. He needs constant attention, so my reaction would supply him with that. He also needs to marginalize "Mike and his message" but since I'm still standing, his job is not done. He will use the comments of someone like rollingstone as proof that I don't know what I'm talking about. The troll will throw out the bait every day, hoping to lure someone new. He's trying to get me to say something where I will get deleted; he doesn't worry about his admonishment or banishment because he knows the Advocate will reinstate him. He might even argue about his first amendment rights or a member of his family rights to own an account. He uses a questioning like approach that is never-ending; to irritate a poster. In my last blog, he is questioning my reasoning for questioning. I still don't know why other posters are not reinstated since the most notorious troll is constantly being reinstated..... I will reiterate, I will continue to delete the comments of Roy Mark and his associate because their comments are intended to marginalize me, distort the message by using unsubstantiated references, and to start a fight in order to divert attention away from the subject......I don't need that... I'm fully aware that I could get a lot more hits by allowing them to comment, but before I know it, my blog about "gasoline prices" turns into anything but. I'm too old to be engaging in childish behavior....I might change my mind(for 1 day) if Roy Mark would dare face me over here where I don't have to fear deletion...I wouldn't mind if someone were to put a bug in his ear because I'm not going to email him,write on his blog,or acknowledge his comments but it would give me closure..We have a 6 year history...It's personal.

Now, I would welcome a credible poster submit a blog that is contradictory to my views. I would look forward to posting on that blog and perhaps having a civil debate such as the ones between Kyle and maryann.

I guess I'm lucky because I only have to contend with two local right wingers; I would come unglued if I heard a comment like the one Laura Ingraham made. She criticized President Obama for drinking beer in Ireland while a tornado was destroying Joplin, Missouri....  Do these people stay up that night waiting for a disaster, so they can think of something stupid to say about the president?