I don’t know if this is ironic, funny or pathetic. Probably a combination of all of the above.
Today I get this via email (name/email changed to protect the “innocent”):
On Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 9:06 AM, “Joe” <”joe”@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject: please remove
This comment comes up very high on google searches of my name and I am hoping that you would be so kind as to remove it. I am not sure why I would have used my last name – not a good move on my part.
http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/housing-panic-keith-vs-the-hound/#comment-39500
Thanks much,
”Joe”
My first thought was, “Wow, that’s an old post. I wonder what this guy wrote that he doesn’t want people to see?”
The post was written in November 2006.
Here is the comment in question:
Joe’s Full Name August 27, 2008 at 11:04 pm
This is utterly hilarious to read. My favorite part is Jay constantly trying to deflect the criticism of a post from 2006 – because it’s SO OLD.I guess there really isn’t anything to be learned from history, at least not for the shallow.
Really, a simple, “We were wrong and should be much more responsible in the future and maybe even buy a calculator,” could have ended this thread months ago. But I guess that’s what Phoenix REALTORS are good at, deflections and blame shifting. Good luck everyone.
So approximately a year and a half ago, “Joe” writes a comment on my blog, personally attacking me. Now he doesn’t want people to Google his name and see what he wrote.
Why not? Afraid people will find your snarky attack… stupid? Afraid it demonstrates to anyone who should happen across it that you’re an ass?
Joe writes, “I am not sure why I would have used my last name – not a good move on my part.”
No Joe, what was not a good move on your part was being a jerk on the Internet.
You see Joe, Google never forgets.
One basic rule of humanness I abide by is, “If you are not willing to put your name to it, then don’t say it”. Joe apparently feels differently.
I was tempted to reply to Joe and say, “You attack me on my blog and now you want a favor? Why I’m just a irresponsible and shallow Realtor that is only good at deflections and blame shifting. So uhm, no. Your name stays.”
VERY tempted.
But I chose to take the “high road” and delete Joe’s name and avatar from the comment. There’s really no redeeming value in stooping to a troll’s level. I’m sure some out there will chastise me for removing Joe’s name. But hey, people make mistakes and it’s my blog so the name is gone.
I told Joe the comment would stand, but I’d remove his name.
His response to that was interesting:
Thanks I appreciate it. I run a blog that I get attacked for a lot too, so I know how you feel. I appreciate you taking the high road. Removing my name will be just fine.
Joe might want to take a gander at The Golden Rule.
There are lessons here
- Don’t be a jerk.
- Google never forgets.
- If you’re not man enough to stand by your statements then perhaps it is best to just keep quiet.
- “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt” (usually attributed to Abraham Lincoln).
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“One basic rule of humanness I abide by is, “If you are not willing to put your name to it, then don’t say it”. Joe apparently feels differently.
A good rule to live by Jay. One of my pet peeves is the “VENT” column in newspapers. People who are obviously bitter or angry and unwilling to sign their statements should not be allowed a forum. It is cowardice in pure form.
That vent column, though often humorous, is a great example Jim.
That’s hilarious! I had a person keep showing up for my keywords on google analytics. I emailed him and notified him.
All he was doing commenting on my blog and those comments were showing up when his name search just like “Joe”. Thankfully, they weren’t attacking comments.
I made a comical post about it: http://subject2.com/internet-stalked/
Do you ever have that happen Jay?
Nick@Subject2.com´s last blog ..I Dedicate This Video to My Mother
Happens frequently Nick. You wouldn’t believe some of the search terms people use and wind up here. My favorite is “sexy Phoenix realtor” for which I proudly hold the #1 spot on Google (last I checked).
I can only imagine that person’s disappointment though when they get here from that search.
Impressive, I’m sure it’s your wife googling ya to make sure you’re still #1
If you google “have affair with realtor” you’ll see I got that spot
I’m not even a realtor
Nick@Subject2.com´s last blog ..I Dedicate This Video to My Mother
I have never understood those that want to be anonymous in their posts, comments, complaints, or whatever. Seeing an anonymous anything diminishes the value of that content to just about zero to me! Certainly, they are entitled to their opinion, but if they are not willing to put their name AND reputation behind their opinion, than I for one, do not find any value in that opinion.
For what it is worth Jay… I think you did the right thing!
Coming from a man of your smarts and character Duane, it’s worth a lot. Thanks!
So Jay… did you Google the guy???
Irene´s last blog ..What goes into creating your FICO Score?
Of course I did!
I once was attacked in the local newspaper for my position on a particular issue by an autonomous poster that on one was going to ever sell their house with me or the company I worked for because I dare speak out. I replied that I was an independent contractor and my opinion has no reflection on the company since I do not need nor seek their permission to voice my opinion. The whole thing was rather lengthy but I closed with my view on the cowardice of autonomous posters.
Later others joined in and the autonomous post was gone. To everyone that came after me I looked kind of nutty talking to no one. Life is funny.
At least in out local papers, the anonymous comments (and attacks) are *completely* out of control.
I’ve got no problem, at all, with people disagreeing with me or debating issues or my stance on them. But personal attacks are just silly.
I think “Joe” may be the owner of chutzpah.com.
Craig Mische´s last blog ..Le Homme Dieu, Andrew and Lobster
I does take a big load of chutzpah to ask the guy you attacked to delete your comment!
HA! I had to use google cache to go see who it was, lesson to Joe, Bob Steve, Ross or whoever you were, don’t get all scared and Tremble, just think next time before you post
Dean Ouellette´s last blog ..Top 10 real estate posts of the day for 1/27/2010
I knew someone would do that…. that is was you Dean doesn’t surprise me.
It’ll be interesting to see how long it takes Google to flush that out.
This is hilarious. Google can find anything and we all have to be careful posting stuff all over the internet. Now he will probably never ever use his name again!
I think we’ve all had some pretty weird blog experiences for sure. I had a ‘blog stalker’ once and my blog geek permanently redirected him to Disney’s site.
BawldGuy Talking´s last blog ..Blog Update – Transition To Multi-Author Format
You’re right, there are lessons to be learned here. Has “Joe” learned them? Probably not, he seems to be operating in a world where double standards are fine. All I can do is shake me head in amazement. BTW, love lesson #4 “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” (#1 was nicely said too.:-)
Just another example of why Jay is the type of Realtor other Realtors look up to. 99% of people would have said no!
Wow- I am glad I work for a company that never gets attacked like that!
You’re right to take the high road because things usually do have a way of working themselves out. Heck – maybe one day you’ll even up selling this guy a house and laughing about this at the closing table!
Thanks for the smile (again) today.
Just like the old saying, measure twice, cut once, think about what you just wrote before hitting the publish button.
Well I guess he learned a lesson by all of this. It does show real character on your part Jay for removing his last name and not going down to his level.
Wow, classic. Not sure what I would have done, lol. I surely would have made him squirm a bit with an “I’ll think about it…” before taking his name off
Justin Dibbs´s last blog ..Significant 2010 FHA changes for Home Buyers!
Jay,
I really think you did the right thing (although you can still find his name through google cache). Hopefully he’ll learn something from your compassion.
I was going to mention this at CenPhoCamp (but didn’t) at the 3rd place discussion, but there really is a lack of etiquette and respect online sometimes. It’s a relatively new frontier with no real adherence to civility, sort of like the wild west. Do you think we should be making some sort of concerted effort to educate people that you should treat others online just as you would treat them if you met in person? I mean we (parents/teachers) educate kids to respect each other in public forums from birth and for the most part, we all are agreeable and respectable in person. Any thoughts here?
Doug
>Afraid people will find your snarky attack… stupid? Afraid it demonstrates to anyone who should happen across it that you’re an ass?
>No Joe, what was not a good move on your part was being a jerk on the Internet.
>But personal attacks are just silly.
But… um… I’m confused.
Anyway.
You did the right thing for this reason, Jay: Sounds like the guy grew up, learned something, and is trying to change his ways. You just helped him along that road, and that’s just plain good karma.
LOL… I’m not sure that guy grew up so much as he found out that when he Googled his name he looks like an idiot. When you make personal attacks on people and then you find out that potential leads could see this info via google… You end up with no other choice then to “grow up”
There are a lot of haters out there. Don’t worry, it means you are on top. This article is hilarious. He doesn’t want his post to be “googled”.
lol that is funny. So he doesn’t mind being an ASS as long as he is incognito..lol
Lile I tell people,, watch what you say it will bite you in the butt one day.
John Paul Aguiar´s last blog ..Just Released: New Twitter Dummy Guide
Sexy Phoenix realtor huh? I just had to check. Yep, still number 1. Thanks for the chuckle (of course I’m referring to Joe and his foibles).
I think you should of dropped the whole thing. I am sure he does not like this page either!
Andy –
He probably doesn’t like this post either.
Oh well. Perhaps he should have thought about that before he came onto my blog and attacked me.
This post incidentally, because of the link to the original comment, helped tremendously in getting this guy’s name out of Google. The original comment has now been re-indexed and re-cached and is no longer displaying his name.
Which was exactly his goal in contacting me.
I could easily have left his full name on the comment, or put his name into this post and gotten ranked even higher in the search engines for his name.
Re: “If you are not willing to put your name to it, then don’t say it”.
Sounds like a good rule to follow if you ask me. Especially because Google NEVER forgets. Usually, when I feel like venting over something, I keep it to myself rather than throw it all out there.
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