So, I go through the World Events/Politics gallery, and leave comments like lots of people. Opinions get testy, but no big deal, right? No, some feel like they have to invade my gallery and leave nasty comments just to get even. This is not something I do, because I think is shows no respect for others. If you post a POLITICAL image, expect dissent, but if you post an image that is meant to convey beauty, should that be fair game for some just out to get back at you?

It's obviously stupid and childish for them to do that, but bad behavior is the norm for the lunatic fringe.

If any member posts something that is not within our TOS, please let any of the mods, coords or admin know so we can deal with it. Thanks Spike

Thanks Spike. I have read the TOS, but I don't remember there being anything in there covering grudge comments. Seems to me if you get several comments that are all positive, then one that is very negative, seems out of place.

"Member/User Conduct: Members and users are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is constructive and respectful of others at all times....."

OK, I remember that part. I just got another one for one of my images. Seems some of the nastier people from the World Events/Political gallery are coming in trying to drive down my rankings.

Send me the links and I will look.

You might consider just permitting them to rant as much as they like.

In this way, they reveal themselves.

It's totally in character, and to be expected.

We are looking into this matter now.

Hi Tim! Sorry some people got to stoop to this level! Such low lifes! Don't worry, narrow minded, hot headed, nasty people don't usually stick around long! take care, Rhonda

Sometimes it isnt even about political views. One of my military images was knitpicked by someone who was just being a jerk. I posted after him trying to give an honest explination of his "issues" with the image and his cronie came along later and just started being stupid and contentious. It may have been motivated by hate for my country/branch of service (assumption based on origin of poster) or by someone that needed to feel better by destroying someone else for the day. Who knows.

I have seen that kind of thing. I find it interesting that many of these people have no gallery of their own. I have looked at the "artist"ages of many and found they just seem to show up to have an argument. That's unfortunate since the purpose of this site is art, not debate.

Often ppl with no galleries do that sort of thing... but when I saw this thread I knew I remembered your username and checked and I IM'd you over a comment you'd left on a poem of another writer here on the site. That's the proper way to address it when someone is being a wank... not slamming their work or trying to decrease their rankings.

So, even though I now recall that I was not impressed by what you had to say in the least, I think it is unfortunate that ppl are dealing with you in the way that you say rather than just IM'ing you.

cara *edited for one of those I'm barely awake typos

Message edited on: 11/19/2004 09:47

Cara, all I have to say is that everyone who has done this shares your particular political point of view. I am glad that you have distanced yourself from these people. I respect others, and their point of view, and although there are disrespectful people on any side of an issue, this does not speak well for those who tout themselves as open-minded, compassionate, and caring. I see a lot of hate from them, to the point of hysteria.

I do have to comment on one thing... my political POV re: the USA may not be all that relevant since I'm Canadian ;> (I vote for the Green Party) but I do notice tons of hysteria and poor behaviour from both Republicans and Democrats in many of the online places I frequent. I know it's not everyone, but there are a lot of angry, angry people who lash out emotionally and/or turn everything into a mock political debate. Good luck with the sh*tdisturbers and try not to let them get to you. cara

@wizardtim: IMHO, any gallery called World Events/Politics is bound to generate holstility within the masses when a controversial image is posted; they become forums in themselves. It's human nature. This is why we have wars, because people can't agree on anything other than the fact the suns rises and sets each day.

Above, you wrote: "Opinions get testy, but no big deal, right? No, some feel like they have to invade my gallery and leave nasty comments just to get even. This is not something I do, because I think is shows no respect for others."

Now while I can agree with that statement and it's certainly a personal policy of my own, I took the time to search for a comment left by you within that gallery and found the following left by you for the image titled, "LITTLE GEORGIES' BEDTIME"

"Yeah, sore loser. Doesn't look like W. "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." --Ben Franklin My guess is you don't know who Franklin was."

Now my simply being a visitor to that image and reading the comments left behind, reading your particular comment left me with the following conclusions: you personally attacked him out of rejoice that your candidate won the election and you decided to rub your victory in his face by referring to his persona in a derogatory fashion; you ridiculed his artistic abilities by saying the caricature didnt look like Bush; you quoted Ben Franklin and then as a follow-up insulted his intelligence by claiming to him that you have your doubts that he even knows who Ben Franklin was.

With that being said, I can deduct the following verdict out of the evidence gathered: your comment was not of a political nature, it was a personal attack upon the artist.

There was another comment left in there, that being by the artist himself

Thanks to all for your comments, positive and negative, I've enjoyed the debate this has stirred up, unlike certain Bush supporters who can't take a joke even in victory.

which brought me a warm, fuzzy feeling by realizing there are still reasonably rational people on the planet. While I find it unfortunate that somebody left unsavory comments within your own gallery, I also have to feel sorry for the other guy here by seeing your comment within his.

Just my two cents worth is all; just IMHO, and in a non-partisan fashion.

Message edited on: 11/20/2004 10:06

Well, you've taken sides, so you are NOT non-partisan. But, I don't have a problem with partisanship. Isn't that what politics about? My comments you've quoted have been taken out of context, and you fail to also research the comments that have been aimed at me, which sometimes get much more personal. I've been told that I am not an artist, that I am a racist, to shut up, among other things. So, before you pass judgement, you should look at the whole picture. And the bottome line is what this thread is about: is it proper to invade someone's non-political gallery to make political comments or leave negative and hateful comments to get even for comments made in a different place? I think not. Have a nice day.