Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Some People Care More

So, I've also been meaning to take a minute and summarize/recap our drama of last week for you all.

I will never, ever leave you all hanging with something like that. My loyalty lies with you but I know in being the awesome friends that you are, that if I need to do something that inconveniences you as readers to make life easier, you'll roll with it knowing I'll be back with the 4-1-1.

So I was posting on a drama-filled thread about Sarah Palin in an online community I hang out in. There was some good discussion happening. There was also a few passionate supporters of hers whose main defenses of their candidate ranked up there with classics like:

1.) You ASSume (fill in whatever you don't want to hear here, regardless of proof)...this is a favorite. It's so clever, calling someone an ass along with insulting them for assuming something. It never gets old, trust me.

2.) You (and/or your whole political party) are crazy/a nut job/baby killers/here's your tinfoil hat/etc. This works for just about any question or speculation anyone may have.

3.) I don't have to answer that and/or "Well, what about Clinton?"

Needless to say, it was an entertaining and lively discussion albeit a frustrating one.

Well, one of Palin's more passionate fans remembered that I had mentioned working for a newspaper  and decided since I worked for a media company, I should be neutral at all times, and that it was her personal responsibility to email my boss and let her know that I have opinions on my off time and that they are offensive to her.

So of course it became a big drama on that site, here, and on another blog about various mama drama (yes, there's enough online mama drama to fill a whole blog...and then some).

Now, the problem with debating with people who are really passionate is that they also have a lot of time to dedicate to their crusades. Like, a lot a lot. A lot more time than your average un-passionate person has to be involved in crusades. Therefore, in the interest of letting three different divisions get back to their work day, even after everyone decided that I was indeed allowed to have opinions on my own time, I decided to just eliminate all conversation about it, hopefully enabling the crusader (and everyone else) to move on to their next mission.

I hate deleting anything, particularly because it deletes your comments automatically and I don't want to waste your time by deleting your content here. Or leaving you to wonder what the heck was going on. So I do apologize for that but it was the easiest solution at the time.

Everything is fine now though. I've got to say that it was really nice to feel such support from everyone. Even people that couldn't stand me thought it was pretty reprehensible to email my boss regarding my personal political opinions and all websites involved were helpful in ending the conversation.

To prevent any further confusion, I've added the following graphic signature to all of my posts there and will probably put it up here soon too:

I think it will help tremendously. I think my intelligence and ability to properly place commas confuses people and misleads them to think that I'm the Tim Russert or Tom Brokaw of parenting forums, when really, I'm just a mom too.

And I'm allowed to be an annoying pain in the ass just like everyone else.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

I heart you Ashley. I'm sorry there was drama last week for you to deal with. That's just poo. You rock, you may be my new girl crush!

Just Lisa said...

This is exactly why I don't hang out on BBC anymore. Life's too short for everyone to get their panties in such a wad.

Kudos to BBC for defending you! And you know MDU will always have your back!

jenn said...

No apologies necessary. The woman was a wart on the face of this blog, best excised completely. :)

I LOVE the idea of using commas as a weapon.

Anonymous said...

Well, I missed the drama because truly, the Bargain Board has just gotten to be TOO much over the past few years to me. I feared that my eyes would be permanently damaged from being rolled into the back of my head at almost everything I read. In fact, it made me fear for the end of Western Civilization or at least the English language as we know it.

Susan in Texas

the mom said...

word.

Sasha said...

You know, I typically don't get in on the political debates, because I'm "Pro-Opinion", meaning you are welcome to your own opinions, and I'm welcome to mine, and I'm certainly not a missionary of my opinions and therefore, I will not be trying to change anyone else's opinion to be that of my own.

But 'ole Crazy Full Moon Lady went beyond what's acceptable in my book. Stupid bitch.

Anonymous said...

I listened to the song crazy bitch yesterday and thought of her.

I'll admit, I didn't think she really would, I mean, who does that, right?

Then it became very clear how crazy she was later that night and the next morning.

Unknown said...

I am also pro opinion and I know that changing someone's opinion on the internet is unlikely to happen. However, where else can you discuss politics if not online? And why can't it at least be a discussion?

I'll be the first to say that some VERY intelligent and well spoken women who hold completely different views than I do also shared their opinion and I found it interesting and enlightening and was sure to tell them so.

However, "Here's your tin foil hat for even questioning my candidate's validity"...not so interesting or enlightening.

Theresa said...

Ashley - I was wondering what happened to your post because I was trying to send it to someone. I'm so sorry that you had to delete anything, but I understand your decision. I am still appalled by the actions of a fellow Texan - people are crazy! I truly believe that everyone is entitled to their opinion. I don't agree with the wholesale bashing of Palin, but I thought your comments were witty and pretty tame compared to others, so I was shocked by psycho's actions. Congratulations on having a great boss - not all would be so classy. I think she impressed me the most!

Sasha said...

Oh, don't get me wrong. Part of being Pro-Opinion (the new political party I'm creating) is giving people the freedom to debate and discuss if they so choose.

Myself, I just usually don't do the whole debate thing regarding politics since I have such a short attention span that I forget to go back and read what others say after I've had my say.

But Crazy Lazy made me step up and speak.

Michelle said...

Wow. I agree that that person has WAY too much time on her hands. What did she think that was going to do? Change you political opinion because you get in "trouble"? Some people shouldn't have access to computers!

Unknown said...

Yes, because getting me fired would obviously change my political opinions. I do have to say that before I just disliked Palin as a candidate and failed to understand her logic as a mother, but now I personally HATE her puppy killing guts. Sorry to any of her supporters that are reasonable people, but the "passionate" ones had to make it personal for me.

Maddness of Me said...

There is SO much coming out on puppy killer that should shake even the hard core zombies, but we'll see. I personally can't believe what they get away with.

I hope they hit back hard today over that sick add (sex ed for kiddies). Don't people see that even in politics, they crossed the line? Do they really want a president and VP who is on board with creepy shit like that?

I love the latest defense "just because she says things like that doesn't mean she will expect the country to be run that way" (in reference to the Iraq war from God).

There are actually millions of people in this country who believe in that crap?

I'm afraid she is Dick Cheney in a Sarah Palin body suit. She will unzip it any minute now.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for acknowledging that their are reasonable supporters of Palin. We do exist, really. Its the crazies who support Obama who turned me off of him, so I totally understand.

I keep trying to sort through the insane part of politics and find some reasonable information to make an informed decision. Its tough, I tell you. This is quite the passionate election. There are crazies everywhere in it (even on the ticket).

Mel said...

Tin foil hat, huh? Maybe to protect you from people who are brick walls with zero reason, perhaps? I have different political opinions than you, but geez, why freak out over it? Too bad this woman took your opinion as a personal attack and tried to "punish" you. Perhaps she needs a copy of "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff". I'd be willing to bet she has the "Jesus loves you, but He loves me more smile". I got that a lot growing up in a very Protestant area, being Catholic. Loved those people who would inform me that I was going to Hell because Catholics "worshipped" the Pope and Mary. Nice to hear as a kid, let me assure you. It made me realize something, though. I would have my opinions about everything from religion to organic food, but I would never try to make anyone feel like less of a person for disagreeing with me. Not very nice.

Anonymous said...

I don't agree with you at least 75% of the time, but that LOON had no right to infiltrate your personal and professional life like that. She needs serious psychiatric help.

Ami said...

I'm sorry about the drama you had to go through with all of that, but glad that it is over now. I don't always agree with your political views either - but who cares? That's what makes this country great - we don't have to agree. I do have to wonder, though, has that crazy woman ever watched CNN or any of the other networks? NONE of them are totally 'neutral.' Does she e-mail all of them, too? In my opinion, it's more of a problem there because they are supposed to be news networks and it's while they're presesnting the 'news' that personal opinions are expressed. Sorry, but that bugs me. You were just an individual stating your views, which is totally different.

Unknown said...

Fox news must keep her busy on an hourly basis ;-)

I can't even imagine all of the emails she has to write their bosses in the interest of journalistic integrity!

Maddness of Me said...

I think it's MSNBC that would piss her off. Especially Keith Olbermann (I never miss it). Rachael Maddow has her own show now too. Love me some lesbian left commentary.

Tiffany said...

LMAO about her writing Fox News! I think it's sad that someone felt the need to go into your personal life all because she didn't agree with your views on a subject. Seems like the Bargain Board might not be right for her! She could have just put your on ignore then she'd never have to listen to you again. I have to say that I don't really agree with your political views but I certainly think you have the right to them and to also share them with whomever you'd like. Afterall my husband, my brother, cousin, friends and soon to be another brother all fight for that right exactly. Glad it's all taken care of now.

Unknown said...

Keith Olbermann is OBNOXIOUS. He just got demoted for it, as a matter of fact. I wasn't even sad because he's annoying. I don't think anyone took him as a news show though, I think he was along the same lines as Bill O'Reilly. Are they journalists? Objectivity in journalism is actually pretty rare these days if you think about it.

You know she's not emailing anyone at Fox News. If she's reading this, I hear Hallmark is making greeting cards for The Gays now. Can you even imagine how many people will choose to go Gay once they realize they have their own line of greeting cards now?

Maddness of Me said...

He didn't get demoted, he still has his show Countdown. They just took him off of political commentary for the coverage of the conventions, etc. (which they should, it should be somebody less opinionated).

Countdown is the most popular show on MSNBC. What is funny about Olbermann though is he used to be a right-winger. At some point he figured out the error of his ways I guess.

Scary Mommy said...

I got my first hate e-mail regarding my own Palin post. It only made me feel everything I feel stronger. Scary, scary, scary.

Mitch said...

I'm posting this vent here because, well, I'm pissed and it seems like the appropriate place.

I have seen one too many comments about fucking lipstick in this race so far. I don't give a crap about lipstick or who is calling who a pig regardless of whether its McCain, Palin, Obama or the commentator on the TV.

I want to know about the issues. I want to know who is going to fix our economy. I want to know what is going to be done to help the unemployment and housing market crisis we're in.

Sorry, but when I am stuck in a house that I am $200K upside down on (and its not big, its a 2000 sq ft 4/2 house), making less than $50,000 and my husband can't find a job, I don't give a shit about lipstick.

(And a note to the poster known as Lipstick, I don't mean you ;).

Sorry, now I feel a little better.

Unknown said...

The lipstick on a pig thing had me cracking up. First of all, they knew someone was going to go there...they were BEGGING for it.

I do love how they scream about gender discrimination and then use gender in every angle they can.

I agree, I don't give a fuck what kind of lipstick, if any, our VP wears.

Joy said...

I am voting for myself, Ash can I write you in as my VP?

Seriously it is killing me that this is all they have to offer us, does no one want the job anymore?

And even though I missed getting to read the comments, she is one crazy bitch for emailing your boss, that is crossing the line. The BBC has been pretty CRAZY lately and I have slacked on my visiting.

Mitch said...

Bring on the Debates, baby. That's what I'm waiting for.

(I've had a glass (or three) of wine and am feeling much more relaxed now...)

Haute Mama said...

This clip from the Daily Show on Palin will make you howl!

https://secure.ga4.org/01/pacforachange_stewart/nvpzomI4qngal

Anonymous said...

I'm glad I now know what went down that day...i totally missed it and my the time I got aroudn to going to MDU it was down already. i am so sorry that happened to you...mean people suck!