We cartoonists tend to be an unpredictable lot. People love us or hate us; it goes with the territory. We are not oblivious to our faults, as E. Segar notes here in this panel from Thimble Theater sometime in the 1930’s. The goal is to point out the foibles of human nature, and those who have been pointed at rarely appreciate the attention.
I’m used to the potshots hurled in my direction. After all, when you’ve assumed the position of village idiot, it’s only natural that those who consider themselves superior would try to portray me in a negative light to make themselves look brighter.
Some readers have become annoyed with me for moderating their comments. In this freewheeling internet world, it sometimes becomes necessary to keep the conversation from devolving into a barroom brawl. It’s easy to do when you can toss insults without worrying about getting punched in the snotlocker. And there are some who insist on having the last word, which can lead to an endless back-and-forth that ultimately goes nowhere.
So it’s my blog and my rules, as contradictory as they may seem at times. Failure to comply can lead to banishment. You can always start your own blog, and whup on me to your heart’s content. Some already have.
Just keep doin what your doin Bob…you are a class act in my book.
I agree, keep up the good work. I just stop reading the “endless back-and-forth that ultimately goes nowhere.”
Oh lord…I hope that I do not get banished the Krypton “Phantom Zone” with anyone else…that would be some tight quarters. The Phanton Zone does not appear very thick in the movies.
Fear not, old friend, I have no blog to bad mouth you, should you decide to banish me. Truth be told; nobody I know up here has any idea who you are anyway, so it would be pointless to do so.
My apologies for my lack of blog etiquette, which landed me in moderation purgatory. I thought it was an open conversation, and I did run on a bit initially, not knowing the rules. Thank goodness it didn’t effect my actual reality; everyone still seems to hear me in real-time. (Much as they may not want to.)
I do wonder though, how someone who’s job is making poignant observations about others is then so taken aback by their logical reaction, albeit sometimes harsher than the initial slight. If everyone agreed with your depictions; they would be quite boring. Yet, you seem, at times, determined to insulate yourself from the abrasive dialogue that you, yourself, have purposely started. I guess blog-damnation is your way of avoiding the metaphorical punch in the snotlocker you spoke of.
Ah well; off to the phantom zone. I hope my family still recognizes me when they come home tonight.
Cheers.
The main reason for moderation is so I don’t have to monitor this space 24/7. It doesn’t take much for things to get out of hand, and I don’t need the aggravation. Like I said, anyone who wants to take a shot is welcome to do it on their own site, and they do it quite frequently. Metaphorically, of course.
“Your house, your rules.” Besides I think many of your detractors (snipers) aren’t so interested in making any salient points, only in seeing their words in print. Found in a bathroom in ancient Greece (ostensibly) are these immortal words, “Fools names and fools faces are often found in public places.”