I love writing this blog.
People ask me constantly about why I do it. They ask about the reaction to High Plains Blogger’s political tilt. I tell ’em “It’s what I like to do and the negative reaction doesn’t bother me.”
Most of the time, that is.
I got into a snit recently with someone I don’t know. I am not even sure how he glommed onto High Plains Blogger. But he did. Maybe you can call this guy a “troll.”
This fellow lives on the East Coast. He opposes my view of Donald J. Trump. He doesn’t like my constant criticism of the president of the United States.
He recently challenged a commentary I posted about Trump. I’m trying to remember the specifics of the post that got this guy’s dander up.
But he responded via Facebook to something I wrote and included in one of his responses something about banning the Muslim religion in the United States of America. I thought, “Oh man!” Then I replied, “Sure thing. Then let’s just repeal the First Amendment,” the one that guarantees — among other things — the free exercise of religion in this country.
He wrote back that we can outlaw activities that promote terrorism. He believes Islam promotes such activity. I reminded him that we’re at war already with “religious perverts.”
My critic was having none of it.
It went back and forth a bit longer.
Then he called me “stupid” and an “idiot.” Right after that he said that reading the blog was a “waste of my time.” Isn’t that interesting? I think it is.
I mentioned to my wife that this guy doesn’t want to waste his time reading the blog, but that he keeps doing it anyway. Her response? “That’s what trolls do.” Bingo!
I don’t get too many of these kinds of responses. Most critics manage to craft intellectual arguments against whatever I write. I’m fine with that. I’ve chosen over time to avoid engaging them in back-and-forth exchanges. Candidly, I don’t have the patience to spend too much time trying to finish an argument. Some critics of this blog, however, seem to have a limitless amount of (a) time on their hands or (b) intestinal fortitude. Go for it, folks!
The blog will continue for as long as I have enough of my marbles to string cogent sentences together. I welcome the criticism.
As for the guy I don’t know … bless his heart.