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).
I'm Jay Thompson, and I have a little blogging problem... Welcome to The Phoenix Real Estate Guy, or "TPREG" as I fondly refer to it.
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