Uh... I'm sure we'll get this all worked out, folks.

Phew, *.

I understand where you're coming from. I'm not sure that the internet, as a forum for political debate, will ever foster mature and honest back-and-forth discussion.

But that being said, and with all due respect, if you can't take the heat get out of the proverbial kitchen. Shut off comments or something. Stop blogging. It seems like every time things get a bit contentious over here on INDC Journal (I'm reminded of abortion debates from a year or so ago) you put up a post like this.

People disagree with you. Sometimes they're going to use sarcasm and condescencion in their criticism (things you've done in your posts). Sometimes these people are going to be dishonest in their arguments and obtuse when it comes to understanding the points you're making. So what. This is politics and, even worse, politics argued over a largely anonymous medium which seems to encourage rudeness and flaming.

"Suck it up" is what I'm trying to say, I guess. Though again, all due respect as a long-time lurker at INDC Journal and appreciator of your thoughs and opinions.

I'd be more interested in a "gerbil" themed blog. Er, cause, you know, I just swing that way.

Plus, if you do go the gerbil route, you could write under the pen name of "Perrywinkle".

It seems like every time things get a bit contentious over here on INDC Journal (I'm reminded of abortion debates from a year or so ago) you put up a post like this.

Really? "Every time?" "A bit contentious?" Please do a statistical analysis of that. I'd love to see it! The search function is over there on the right.

I recall getting through the abortion debates rather satisfied with the intelligent discourse, actually.

Terri Schiavo and the recent Muslim controversy were the only exchanges that specifically inspired me too blow off steam with a whining post about annoying discourse in the past, oh, 1.2 years or so. (2004 was certainly different)

And again, such throwaway vanity posts draw the helpful criticism of a constructive citizen like you to tell me what I'm doing wrong/incorrectly/"all the time"/what the REAL nature of blogging is, suck it up" in response to complaints about the negativity and misrepresentation in the 'sphere.

Advice/perspective which again, is very appreciated/helpful. Because sometimes I forget how much time I spend putting up posts complaining; all day, really. Did I mention how helpful your opinion is? How clarifying, soothing? Just wise, really?

Btw, I'm not merely reflecting on my experience with this blog, I'm talking about all blogging. It's not a mature medium, as you state. Politics itself is not a mature endeavor. Let's face it, it's crap.

But that being said, and with all due respect, if you can't take the heat get out of the proverbial kitchen.

I hadn't thought of that!

(FERRETS FERRETS FERRETS FERRETS FERRETS)

Ummmmmmmm......I’m partial to the squirrel blogging of awhile back myself but I’ve yet to meet a ferret without potential.

If you do go the ferret route, you might consider a Ninja ferret post or two.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eArPma1e7i8&feature=Views&page=4&t=t&f=b

Anyway, the key to keeping sane is the occasional "lesbian blogger" post. That helps me.

Clearly you need to contact Richard Bach.

I see. You're embarrassed about sending me the "f-you" email. Don't want anyone else to know about it.

This is total horse crap. If another blogger acted this way toward you, you'd be all over them. I gave you two cents worth of criticism (and some polite words of praise) and all I get back if "f-you" and having my comments deleted.

Real nice, Bill. Real nice.

"The mark of your ignorance is the depth of your belief in injustice and tragedy. What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly."

Well, I wonder if I've commented maybe once or twice here, even though I check in almost daily.

I think you're an engaging and thoughtful and entertaining writer. Here's something that helps me (though your ferret idea sounds just as good) when other people/bloggers get to me even after I've made an honest and intellectually rigorous attempt to make myself clear, I repeat this over and over:

I am not responsible for other people's (fill in the blank).

It helps. Thanks for all your work.

Bill, just saw all the posts on the front page have disappeared. While I'm certainly not fond the way you've treated me today, I hope my comment wasn't the reason you've quit/taken a break.

I, like Nancy, have long been an admirer of what you post here. I think you are a fantastically talented person. Just the other day I was reading Thomas Friedman's The World Is Flat and saw you mentioned in it. I was going to email you a digital high-five. What a cool thing.

It was not my intent to "get" to you. I was offering what I thought was honest, helpful criticism. Could I have been more tactful? I thought I went through a great deal of effort to be that, but looking back maybe I should have kept my opinion to my self.

Whatever. Good luck with work and life in the mean time, and I look forward to your return to blogging.

A Ninja Ferret...now there's an idea as they are tough little buggers. Personally I’ve seen a Ferret fly through a room at a devastating velocity, hit a wall, free fall 8 feet only to tumble down a stairway another 10 feet then run up and bite me again. I have to confess, I was the one responsible for the “accident” after the original bite.

love the pic on the main page now. more more more please.

"Politics is not a mature activity"

Well said.

Ferrets!
PGE