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Someone crossed a line recently.
Not with me, but with Kathy Sierra. Death threats, fucked up photoshop shit, the usual. It hit her hard too. I get that. Not that this will surprise most of you, but I've had someone threaten my life. Not on the intarweb. I mean in real life. The most...interesting one was when, a few hours before Hurricane Andrew made landfall, my ex and I knocked on the door of the apartment across the hall. We figured Hey, good time as any to talk to the neighbors, let them know that if their place gets holed, that they can run over here, for whatever that's worth
. At worst, we figured we'd get a polite brush-off.
What we did not plan on was a cocked, loaded, 9mm pointed at my skull from two inches away. What I remember doing is stepping to the side to be out of the line of fire, and get my ex out of the way. What I evidently did was sidestep while kind of grabbing her right ribcage and flinging her about ten feet to the side. Adrenalin's a funny thing.
It turns out, gun-guy was a local gangsta, and thought I was one of the "bad" guys coming to make a hit. In a fucking hurricane. Evidently, clear thinking was not big in the gangs of Kendall at the time. Well, as it further turned out, the guy was probably a wanna-be. The big clue was hearing him about an hour later screaming and crying I'm leaving and going home to my mommy!
Kinda lost him some street cred.
That's not the only time I had a flash of OHFUCKGONNAGETKILLED. But it's the most memorable.
Threats like that will kinda fuck with you for days.
So I'm reading Scoble's comment on it, and Maryam's, and the reaction is interesting, astounding and unfortunately predictable. Well, Scoble's is. Maryam's, I'll get to in a second.
Scoble writes some stuff about his experiences with it, and talks about taking a week off from blogging in protest of what happened to Kathy. While I understand that, it's wrong. That's what the little terrorist bastards that did this want. Yes, I specifically mean terrorist. They used threats of violence and harm to instill fear and terror into their victim to the point where she's so afraid, she can't do anything. Like leave the house without extreme worry. Or sleep. That's what terrorists do, so fuckit, they're terrorists. Maryam's response is much better, but a) she's a better writer, and b) she lived in Iran during the war with Iraq and shit. That tends to warp your reactions towards such things.
Now, what can be done about it? Well, there's all kinds of drivel about concealed - carry permits and the like. So far, I've not seen anything about self-defense or martial arts classes, but I'm sure it will happen. (Not from me. I help teach martial arts classes, and it's a far trickier thing to recommend than you might think.)
However, there's a more effective measure that's available to anyone getting death threats from grotty little goatfuckers: publicity
See, asslickers like the ones fucking with Kathy need the cover of anonymity. Not the "I'll put "bynkiisucksballs" as my name, aren't I clever" shit. But the kind of anonymity where they know the fear they're creating will keep the victim from outing them. To her credit, Kathy isn't allowing that to happen, at least not completely.
When someone threatens you, out them. Publish the comment, with IP address, and whatever other kind of information you can find. If you can dig up real names, publish them too. No, I don't have qualms about it. Fuck that, you threaten someone, you just shat on your right to privacy. True, someone can go through the trouble of pretending to be someone else. But that rarely lasts long, and face, smegma - sucking shitheads like these morons are generally too lazy and stupid to pull that off.
Oh yeah, call the FBI, the Cops, and Dear Abby's daughter too. Get the feds on their ass. I'm pretty sure that some of these dickwipes getting real time at garden spots like Leavenworth will send a clear message about such things to the others.
The point is, don't YOU be the one doing the hiding. Expose and report the little fuckers every time it happens. Don't give them the power to attack you from the safety of darkness. Make them operate in the light. Someone threatens you or your family, don't ignore it. Handle it in whatever way you feel safest doing, but don't ignore it, don't silently take it. That's what they want. Don't give them what they want. Make it so fucking painful to threaten you that they'd rather eat glass than do it a second time. Better yet, make them not want to do it the first time.
Now, to the people who are shocked by this...
WAKE THE FUCK UP.
Holy crap, did you think that the shit you read about, and hear about, and the rest was a myth? That somehow, if you kept a stream of My Little Pony thoughts in your special precious brain, that bad things would happen to others?
Welcome to reality, sorry it just kicked you in the nuts. Humans are pack animals, and vicious ones at that. People have tiny egos, smaller penii, and the rest, and will attack, viciously, anyone who dares to disagree with them, not think like they do, and the rest. This shit is not new. It's been a constant throughout the history of the internet, and to be honest, all of human history. Anyone talking about the "good old days, when people were nice to each other" should be ignored, or better still, mocked.
It is not "negativism" nor "pessimism" to say that people are vicious little weasels. It is realism. It is acknowledging all the aspects of human behavior, not just the ones you like. I almost hate to say it, but anyone who is honestly surprised at what happened to Kathy should give their heads a good shake, and start living in the real world.
Also, can we stop with the idea that this is exclusively a male pastime. On the internet, I've found that women are equally as capable of this kind of shit as men. A penis != scumbag, nor does a vagina confer nobility.
Folks, you don't have to like that people suck, but if you can't deal with that fact in an upfront, grownup manner, then how the hell do you propose to fix it.
I also completely get off the bus with the idea that women are powerless to deal with such threats and affronts. Bullshit. They may think they are, but women are perfectly capable of the kind of strength that keeps them from being victims, or allowing someone to turn them into one. I'm sure of this, I was raised by such a woman. I am still continuously astounded at how women will allow themselves to become vassals of any man in the area. Fuck that. Right in the ear.
People, no one can take power from you. They can only convince you to give it to them. The way I look at it, the only sane reaction is to make it rather painful for them to attempt. That's why I shake my head when people like Scoble react by admitting that they gave away their power, and won't blog for a week, or whatever. Shit, I'd like to see someone try to shut me up, or keep me away from Macworld / WWDC by threatening me. I don't think they'd like the reaction.
Tell you what. Anyone doesn't feel safe at a blogger event, drop me a line. Chances are, I, or someone else knows someone in the area who would be HAPPY to play Big Scary Friend. If it's convenient for me, fuckit, I'll go and play Big Scary Friend. I like that game, it's fun, and it gets the point of this is not a good person to fuck with across. It tells people this person has friends who will happily get between them and harm. You want power, that's power. Knowing that you have a friend, or friends who will stand between you and harm and commit mayhem on the harm? Hell yeah, that's power. It's nothing special or even particularly brave. As Kennedy said, we are all in this together. Watching out for each other is just a basic responsibility.
But don't stop going to events. Don't stop blogging. Because the instant you do, the fucktards win. And I have real issues with fucktards winning. Power cannot be taken away, it can only be given away. Maybe we should be more choosy about who we give power to.
Technorati Tags: Maryam Scoble, Power, Kathy Sierra, Robert Scoble, WTF?
Posted by John C. Welch at 23:39 | Permalink
Comments
Amen! Very well said!
Posted by: Rebecca | March 26, 2007 11:57 PM
Thank God finally someone doesn't give in to this mass hysteria.
Posted by: FSFunky | March 27, 2007 2:03 AM
No, I only give in to my own special brand of hysteria.
Posted by: John C. Welch | March 27, 2007 6:33 AM
Power cannot be taken away, it can only be given away.
At the risk of you telling me I am kissing up to you (what an ego you have), I agree with you John--99%. Of course, that typically gives you a rise and sets you off on some personal attack of me that I am being disingenuous. I am exhausted from your last exchange so please don't be hatin'.
Which leads me to the scum who harassed Kathy. I would not in any way call it terrorism as you do. That's as nutty as Scoble's over-reaction. Nevertheless, these idiots are getting off on the attention and their secret alleged power. Why is anyone giving it notice? It is what fuels them; empowers them. And you are doing it as well right now.--so am I! :) These cowards thrive on it. If they crossed the legal line then call the proper authorities and be done. If that isn't getting you far enough, out them as you say with unbounded glee. Still not enough, then arm yourself with big guys and those wonderful toys. Or as Sean Connery said, "if they stick with a knife, shoot them with a gun--that's the Chicago way!
Scoble's should do what he feels most comfortable with, but I think he is just caving in to a bunch of paper tigers and actually emboldening them further. Kathy is obviously scared and that is understandable. But Scoble and Co should go back her up; lift her up; encourage her; and collectively raise the middle finger at these little peckers in defiance to their fear--not run to the hills in shock that the world is freakin cruel and evil. Geez!
Sorry, but I got to say it--that is the worst outcome of the lame ass liberal mentality hard at work. This type of response really isn't that all surprising anymore. I mean how do you apply this logic let's say to Iran's saber rattling or worse--you know like taking hostages? Cut and run of course--everyone is peaceful and loving if we just give them a chance. Stick our head's in the sand. Maybe she or the blogosphere should try and negotiate with the little weasels a peaceful settlement? I am sure with the right words all this hate would dematerialize and blogging can resume without fear.
If there is one thing I agree with you intensely, is that mankind is not basically good. As the Bible says, "No, not one is good!" They are bankrupt and given the chance would do the unthinkable. If more would get that through their thick heads they might recognize there are evil SOB's waiting to pounce.
Maybe the whole fat blogger team can come to her aid so that she can get back on track.
Posted by: Jack | March 27, 2007 9:16 AM
I think someone threatening a blogger and the Iran situation are a little different Jack. Most of the fear you have of Iran and Iranians comes from total and complete ignorance and misinformation. Sure, the current Iranian leadership are total and utter lunatics, but then compared to Bush, and the NeoCons, well, it does make you think..
What is the Bibles definition of good btw? And take a chill pill Jack, it's not an invite fer a comment war today, no sir, the daffodils and sun are out ;P
Nice slashdotted article John ;)
Posted by: Asam Bashir | March 27, 2007 10:22 AM
Fucking hell, when Asam is suddenly being lucid in comparison to someone else, you know that someone else has some issues. But yeah..comparing Iran and Intarweb douches is just strawmanning.
Jack's good at that, and not much more, so you have to keep that in mind. And thanks Asam. I do occasionally try to write in a serious mode.
Posted by: John C. Welch | March 27, 2007 11:18 AM
It is amazing how the two of you focus on one small comment instead of the whole. Then butcher it. Typical. I am not comparing through the use of a strawman argument Iran terrorism and blog harassment. John, learn a new word, strawman simply is not the answer or the correct term for everything you disagree with all the time. It is tiring "some people say." I was not comparing the "instigators" of Iranian terrorism with "intraweb douches" either John. But, comparing the "response" of "running away" to the hills from a week of blogging to that of cowering from threats to the US. Not standing up to those who intend you harm was the issue. That we live in a culture that is increasingly sliding toward the denial of evil behavior--unless they are neo-cons--was in focus. Asam of course proved the point. The Iranians are our friends. They are having tea and crumpets right now with the Marines. Asam knows more than everyone. He knows everything about the US, neo-cons, the dumb south, the Bible, Islam, Iran, Iraq...all more than everyone else. Meanwhile, I am in "total" and "complete" ignorance. Thanks for reminding me of it oh swami.
Asam here you go. In response to "good." Bite hard on these words Asam.
"There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away,
they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."
"Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit."
"The poison of vipers is on their lips." "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know." "There is no fear of God before their eyes." Romans 3
Hate to challenge God, but those words don't apply to much of the middle east. They have a special exception clause. They have pure hearts.
Blessings
Posted by: Jack | March 27, 2007 1:27 PM
It is amazing how the two of you focus on one small comment instead of the whole. Then butcher it. Typical. I am not comparing through the use of a strawman argument Iran terrorism and blog harassment.
It's amazing how you continually use my posts to bring up your strawmen, (liberals, Iran, etc.),. and then get all whiny when I point it out. You want me to be nicer to you, stop being a douche. You decided to lead with an ad hominem, and then use it to try to bring up your issues with liberals and the rest.
Don't be a douche, you get a better reaction. Try staying on point.
But, comparing the "response" of "running away" to the hills from a week of blogging to that of cowering from threats to the US. Not standing up to those who intend you harm was the issue. That we live in a culture that is increasingly sliding toward the denial of evil behavior--unless they are neo-cons--was in focus.
Funny how you don't have a problem with going to war in two theaters at once, and doing so in a half-assed mode with an eye more on PR than on the long term results of the actions, and using inane assumptions to fuel that decision.
No, you only care that the size of your american penis may be threatened, and you are using Kathy's issue and reaction to justify ranting about it. Well, guess what. Everything is not exactly the same. I'm not going to hide from anyone, but you know what? Iraq's a fucking quagmire being run by insecure shithead fratboys. Getting the fuck out is the only intelligent response left, because otherwise, we're just using the Army for cannon fodder.
But NONE of that has anything to do with Kathy's problem. Either stay on point, leave your Iranian strawmen out of it, or get the asam treatment. I don't put up with his shit when he can't stay on point and is being a douche either.
Hate to challenge God, but those words don't apply to much of the middle east. They have a special exception clause. They have pure hearts.
Oh you want to start playing "who has the most violent/evil religious beliefs" now? You might want to reconsider that, because Christianity makes islam look like fucking pikers when it comes to causing pain, death, disease and grief all in the name of the magic man in the sky.
I love it when fundies of any stripe start acting like they have any high moral ground. It's fucking hilarious.
Jack, it's simple, stay on point, or you lose comment rights. Capiche?
Posted by: John C. Welch | March 27, 2007 3:02 PM
That was breathtaking.
Posted by: Sharina | March 28, 2007 3:17 AM
Oh John. Let's see. Staying on topic, you have 8 Gigantic posts at Scobleizer about Kathy allegedly(92,154,196,213,231,241,272,273) which led over here.
http://scobleizer.com/2007/03/26/taking-the-week-off/
All of which I read and then wandered as I do over to your blog. But instead, to quote you here- "Don't be a douche, you get a better reaction. Try staying on point... you are using Kathy's issue and reaction to justify ranting about it." Oh did you ever John!
You ramble on about your sorted stories of having a 9mm stuck to your head in Miami; some guy who wanted to fight you (pleeze); your sisters girlfriend who beat the hell out of a would be rapist then locked him in a car trunk and then beat his ass again in front of the cops (delicious--trailer parks came to mind on many of your stories); your endless views on man on man rape (I told you earlier all men were rapists!); woman on man rape and violence against men (hilarious--if I said any of that crap...); your struggles of being looked down as a single male parent (cry me a river); your views on posting anonymously, Google, IRC, bla bla bla bla bla.
With several hundred posters you still found a way to dominate a good percentage of the dialogue. I personally appreciate that. This is just more of your hypocrisy John that you get called out on all the time. But you were on point?
There was no ad hominem attack on you. More of your pipe dreams. I made a two sentence comparison about running away from alleged threats of our nations enemies--that's all--get over it. I was not taking up space about pushing some supposed agenda about christian fundamentalism, neo-con, pro american rants. That's you bring in crap. Your neurotic and delusional only rivaled by Asam. Proven a thousand times over here. So when you go back to the trailer and watch your buddies on COPS be sure to take the meds. I am worrying about you.
Some of my favorite quotes of John "on topic":
"Oh, and you want to talk about misogyny? Right, so tell me why men are portrayed as absolute morons on TV with regularity? Tell me why Lifetime is an entire channel of “The penis is evil”, yet that’s okay?"
So John, the threats against Kathy and her and Scoble's response to duck and cover have what exactly to do with morons on Lifetime and evil tallywackers? Funny how you can make ridiculous comparisons that are acceptable--that's the Johnny way. Be honest John, if someone else wrote that you would as a male and inherently violent rapist by dna rip them a new one good.
Just as a side note from me to you John. You're nuts (hate speech). I mean like lunatic nuts (insensitive politically incorrect hate speech). I am entertained by you like a circus monkey. But there is something seriously wrong. Listening to you ramble on about men being raped and violence against men was some of the funniest crap I have read from you. Don't get me wrong, I actually, as I tell you so often, agree with you. Yes to Dad discrimination too. But you are nuts because if I even vaguely suggested something like that (not your 4 pages of it either) in a discussion on a women being threatened to death you would attack me with such vengeance claiming that I used it for my own hate for women, and personal religious agenda. Can't have it both ways. But maybe some day, you will own up to it. Doubt it.
Here is another great one: "violence towards people is a problem period. The sex, age, race, religion, or orientation of the victim doesn’t increase or lessen the problem." followed up by "Christianity makes islam look like fucking pikers when it comes to causing pain, death, disease and grief all in the name of the magic man in the sky."
Hmmm? Which is it oh King of hypocrisy? Just staying on point here. Oh by the way, I did not bring up Islam--that was you and Asam! Capiche? Deal with it. I call that lying. I have said it a thousand times, you simply cannot read. Spew diarrhea magnificently from the mouth yes.
Oh and finally, I didn't claim any moral high ground- I leave that to you and the thought police. And while I am at it, since you claim Christianity is so evil--name for me in your phone book the 3 closest hospitals and the 3 nearest non-governemental shelters? Let me know if Islam has something to do with a single one of them! Or let me know if the Wiccans do? Or the national association of athiests. Or perhaps NOW and the ACLU--I am sure there is a "St. NOW Wiccan Hospital of Muhammad" right around the corner. There must be. If there is I will come up to your place and eat the shit you feed your family then defecate. We can post it on YouTube. Watch the alleged neo-con, fundi, pro-american rapist eat shit and die.
You tire me. Whatever you do as a response please don't threaten me or stalk me--I am easily frightened by NOW protesters, women in burkas, vegetarians, liberals and Mr. punch you in the face peaceful Sean Penn.
Posted by: Jack | March 28, 2007 10:10 AM
Jack, my comments on another blog are a strawman when it comes to THIS blog. Robert's blog runs on his rules. This one runs on mine.
As far as the rest, again, strawmanning. If my refusal to play along with your attempts "tires" you, well, not my farm, not my pig. Have a nice day somewhere else, you'll not be missed.
Posted by: John C. Welch | March 28, 2007 11:13 AM
The facts are a bitch? Beat everyone senseless "everywhere" you go, but you can't take it when they call you on it. You have proven this time and again. Sounds like your whole argument that Kathy and Robert should stand up and not run for cover was as hollow as most things you say. Obviously diversity isn't on your liberal agenda.
Posted by: Jack | March 28, 2007 7:41 PM
Who is Kathy Sierra anyway?
http://www.illwillpress.com/fm220.html
--chuck
Posted by: chuck goolsbee | March 28, 2007 9:37 PM
Jack, once again, stop bringing in your little neo-con strawman, or find someone stupid enough to fall for it, 'cause it ain't happening here. You wish to control the line of conversation, start your own blog.
Posted by: John C. Welch | March 28, 2007 10:24 PM
Kathy Sierra is kind of the female version of Scoble, who, unfortunately discovered that being REALLY popular and REALLY acerbic sometimes gets you comments from the REALLY lame. She got the usual. Death threats, fucked up photoshop.
Her reaction was what anyone's is when they discover to their surprise that people suck, and they're a bunch of monkeys: She's freaking out, because i'd guess she's in her 30s/40s and only now has made this realization.
Of course, now it's all turning into two equal lines of bullshit:
1) Women are all helpless before any man who would attack them.
2) Anonymity is the problem
the whole thing is a load of crap. I think it sucks this happened to her, but the whole "all women are victims" thing is just insulting and stupid. So is the "let's blame it on anonymous comments, because as technically astute folks like you and I know, there's a foolproof way to positively identify the sender of any message on the internets.
Posted by: John C. Welch | March 28, 2007 10:31 PM
Ha-ha, the fundy neo-cons got nothing better to do - hey fundy give us some more bible lines will yah ;)
Posted by: Asam Bashir | March 29, 2007 3:33 PM
Asam, don't be a troll either. You're not good at it, and your posting privs are SO probationary right now, it's not even funny.
Posted by: John C. Welch | March 29, 2007 11:06 PM
