This is a joke...But it could have happened to the disorganized preacher.
A southern Baptist minister was completing a temperance sermon.
With great emphasis he said, "If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river."With even greater emphasis he said, "And if I had all the wine in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river."
And then finally, shaking his fist in the air, he said, "And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river." Sermon complete, he then sat down.
The song leader stood very cautiously and announced with a smile, "For our closing song, let us sing Hymn #365, Shall We Gather at the River."
It saddens me to report that the Blog Bullies have won. The Inquirer is shut down until furthur notice because of the spirit of unrest that lays over the Stream these days. Bloggers are afraid to be interviewed because they have been or are worried they might become targets of the Bullies of the Stream. If there is anyone who hasn't been interviewed by the Inquirer and aren't targets of the bullies or afraid they would become targets, please contact me by pm.
Did I expect this to happen? No...but at the same time I'm not totally surprised. I've been part of the Stream since March 2006 and have seen these brouhahas happen many times. Blogs are deactivated....or become targets for a small minority of abusers. They're hassled in the comment section, by getting clique together to attack someone over a mistake, a real or imagined slight or a difference of opinion.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised. The Stream is a microsm of society. Each one of us have strong feelings...unalterable beliefs...that we will debate anyone over. In polite company, I was taught growing up that you don't discuss religion or politics because arguments will break out and the polite company becomes impolite.
I'm reminded that my teacher wife does not want to teach the little kids. She likes Middle School on up because the young kids don't always get along. He's LOOKING at ME!!!! SHE TOUCHED ME!!!! And the petty squabbles don't seem to end. That's what happened this week and all the other weeks that Blog Wars have waged.
My philosophy of blogging is as follows:
I may say anything I want on my own blog that does not violate the agreement we made with Blogstream when we signed up. (No profanity, spam, threats or hate language.
Treat my fellow bloggers with respect and listen to them even when I disagree with them.
Post my comments respecting their right to disagree.
Do not become involved in a Lynch Mob mentality.
If I feel, someone is abusing me or threatening me on my blog, I have the right to block them, ignore them or in extreme cases report them to Pioneer.
My basic philosophy is summed up in the phrase my practice wife's grandmother used: "BE SURE THE WORDS YOU SAY ARE SWEET; ONE DAY, YOU MAY HAVE THEM TO EAT.
Blog unto others as you would have them blog unto you.
In the course of my time on the Stream, many bloggers have deactivated because of the bullies. Don't let them drive you off the Stream. We're richer and stronger because of our diversity.
Many Blogstream members are there
already! Quotes from members: "It's like blog lite!" -- "I like the instant
gratification!" -- "Stop spectating, get in the game!"
If you have not joined in, you are really missing out!
