“This blog sucks.”
OK, he didn’t use those words, but that was what I took from an anonymous comment left by “Droopy,” in early June:
Blogs are not supposed to repeat old news the archiac newspapers have already covered. Simply linking to the newspaper websites is not a thing to be valued.
After five years of doing this, I’m pretty used to troll comments, so I ignored it. But he came back, again complaining about links to news stories.
Taking a closer look, I found that Droopy uses the same computer as Tim, Leon, Ronald, Dino, Ken, Marideth, and Crush, who also had the same complaints.
After eleven such missives (and prompting by another reader), he finally clarified his point:
… this used to be a good blog with good writing and fresh ideas. It is not that anymore.
Ya see? This is why I don’t simply delete anonymous derogatory comments.
Some “anonymous” troll who hasn’t got the balls to leave any contact info, who can’t decide on a fake name, who claims no website (but knows what a blog should be), and who is apparently unable to express himself properly in fewer than 10 attempts, still is able to add (a small bit of) value to the conversation.
He isn’t saying that Sticks of Fire is terrible, he’s just saying it not up to the standards we once set. And he’s right.
See, I was laid off recently. And rather than worry about the direction of Sticks, my main focus has been looking for work. Accordingly, Sticks has suffered. Significantly. And I hate it.
So we’ll take this as a wake-up call, and try to make a better effort. But unless you want to help me out here, or offer me a job, Sticks will continue to be on the back burner until I find a full-time gig.
Still, screw you, Droopy. And while I’m at it, a “kiss my ass” goes out to the long-time Sticks troll that goes by the name of Steven Tamayo, who showed up out of the blue again recently, and still has not come up with anything of value (I’m rooting for you, though).
We have always welcomed anonymous (remember, they are not really anonymous) comments, and hope to maintain that stance. And we really value constructive criticism. But please at least attempt to add to the conversation, and don’t just be a jackass. I don’t want to ban anyone. Here is some help: Ten Comments You Think Are Cool And Insightful But Aren’t.
And if you truly don’t like what you read here, there are lots of other places to go.
Meredith
7 months ago
Sticks has its ebb and flow like everything else, Tommy. No worries. And remember, the fact that you have trolls at all is a commendation of sorts. If Sticks really did suck, no one would bother.
Clyde
7 months ago
Tommy,
Still enjoying Sticks just as it is. Keep up the good work (and good luck with finding a paying job in this wonderful economy of ours). I particularly enjoy posts about the local scene – after 5 years I’m still going around with the steering wheel in one hand and a map in the other. Ditto Meredith’s remarks.
Brendan
7 months ago
Great article! Couldn’t agree with you more. I have subscribed to this blog for several months and enjoy it. I wish there were more local blogs, etc. Keep up the good work and good luck on the job hunt.
Jennifer
7 months ago
Sometimes I wish all these trolls and complainers would attempt to start their own blogs and realize how difficult it is to come up with things to write about, with succinct opinions, day in and day out for such a length of time. I’ve started and abandoned more blogs than I care to admit simply because of the factors of too much time and the lack of content. Its tough, but you do a good job. Keep it up.
Darl
7 months ago
Tommy,
I’ve never had a problem with you blogging about articles in the news. Not everyone gets the paper. And still others, like myself, never get through the whole paper. So it is great when you post articles. My guess is that those Trolls are Scientologists. Bahhahahahaha BOOYA!
Tim, Leon, Ronald, Dino, Ken, Marideth, and Crush
7 months ago
Well gosh I did not mean to make you cry I just wanted you to admit your hypocrisy in attacking Ruth’s blog when you in fact have no reason to be proud of your own. It is pretty sad for you to make back handed comments at other bloggers. Oh well.
But hey, “We look forward to your efforts”.
Gena
7 months ago
You forgot to leave the link to your blog for us to read.
Tim, Leon, Ronald, Dino, Ken, Marideth, and Crush
7 months ago
Oh yeah, only bloggers can make light of facts – us mere readers, I.E. the target audience, do not have a valid opinion.
As always “We look forward to your efforts”
tommy
7 months ago
Heh… even when I do admit that the trolls have a point, they continue to say the same things over and over again.
Don’t know how I could be more plain.
Mariella
7 months ago
I don’t expect a blog to come up with stuff that isn’t in the newspapers. Sticks provides different perspectives on the news, and a forum for people to discuss current events.
Sticks is a valuable community asset. I’m really glad you keep it going for all of us, even when the going gets tough for you.
Thanks, Tommy. Don’t let the trolls get you down. (Sorry I haven’t been contributing more lately!)
junebee
7 months ago
People get too wound up. The multi-alias person needs to get a life.
I started reading here after reading occasional posts that were reprinted in the Tampa Tribune. Yeah, some posts are better than others, but hey, nobody’s forcing me to read it and for the most part it’s informative and/or fun. Give Tommy a break.
Grant
7 months ago
Tommy, sorry to hear of your job predicament.
I have posted anonymous comments in the past, but largely because I am being critical of my own profession and industry but still need to remain employed in it…..
I am stil employed but with a large pay cut and more hours to work, we just had our third round of layoffs.
I think many trollers are motivated by an easy boost to their fragile egos.
PatriciaW
7 months ago
A word of encouragement… Keep on keepin’ on! (Have I dated myself?
I enjoy Sticks of Fire. Yes, there are things that I already know about, but I often see things that I haven’t yet heard about, especially now that the two local papers are little more than pamphlets. And you “stick” with a story (pun intended), giving me added perspective that I appreciate.
michele
7 months ago
what is it that you want to do or are open to doing?
re the sybil who can’t seem to stay away from your site – congrats! now that rocks when even your critics feel they might be open to such a thing. maybe your next blog entry might cover the 70s and their prolific multiple personalities! i for one would chuckle!
stay the course.
michele
voxy
7 months ago
that’s irrelevant bullshit. Anonymity and the like are protected and CHERISHED through the greater power than TAMPUH : that venerable piece of shit: THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
You can ask Sheriff Gee about that.
L O L.
I love anonymous commenters.
It’s NOT a sign of lack of balls.
It’s a sign they’d rather not discourse with you ….
Or they have something important enough to say it needs SAID.
Justice is blind.
Anonymity is protected by the Constitution.
YOU DO THE MATH.
Because lack of awareness of the above two statements and or serial ignoring of them is what makes tampa the one cow town it will always be until we put some smart folks in charge.
awwww cause if someone makes an anonymous comment you can’t send the posse of nine million stickheads out after them.
just because there are MORE doesn’t mean it is better.
no offense intended .. but when you buck the constitution of the united states of america and then pretend to be spreading journalistic integrity … i’m calling you out.
voxy
7 months ago
oh puleeze grant. one anonymous commenter with TRUTH is worth more than eighty five fragile egos that have only other idiots to boost them up … like gangers.
Don’t try to pin that crap on me, either. LOL.
I don’t read sticks since tommy called those girls who ran across the interstate to hard rock stupid.
What’s the point?
And anyone who doesn’t notice that stuff OR pays too much attention to it and therefore calls attention to the insensitive, attention seeking blogger (not referring to tommy here) just isn’t worth talking to either.
With all the cool people in the world WTF would you want to waste your time reading garbage or talking to idiots?
Time is finite.
It’s the one thing you have to give that you can’t get back.
I’d rather have ONE person I respected jump to my defense than a bunch of people who just get in line.
But I don’t have the ganger mentality … that was brought to tampa.
I’m a stand alone kinda person.
I know where I stand.
I stand there.
More people should try that.
And stop following other people around.
You just make utter asses of yourselves. L O L
tommy
7 months ago
Hey Voxy…
I agree – which is why I have always allowed anonymous commenting.
The problem I have is when people (especially anonymous) do NOT offer anything constructive to the conversation. But instead simply want to criticize the same thing over and over again without offering suggestions or improvements. It’s simply not productive.
That’s what I wish would stop – not anonymous comments.
If you have something important that needs to be said, it is welcome here. If you want to tell me I am wrong, it is welcome here – but I will also expect a valid reason.
But if you simply want to call me (or anyone) a jerk with no explanation, I ain’t got time for you. Life’s too short to deal with people who have unable or unwilling to communicate.
Tim, Leon, Ronald, Dino, Ken, Marideth, and Crush
7 months ago
OK Construcive them – Tommy you have a huge ego for attacking Ruth and nothing to back it up. Shutup, play nice, or do better with your blog. Those are your options.
Unless constructive means I have to loudly slurp my lips across your butt on the forum like some people here.
Funny, your fan club does not post links to their blogs but you seem to not care when it is praise.
Fake name here (but just one of them)
7 months ago
“You can’t always agree with Ruth, but he certainly helps make many of our local issues quite entertaining.
We look forward to the effort.”
If you think that qualifies as an attack, I guess it makes sense that you need to pretend that you’re a whole bunch of different people to make your point. How sad and insecure can someone be?
Fake name here (but just one of them)
7 months ago
Editor,
Please remove the last comment I made (and this one too, I suppose). Upon re-reading it and, other comments in this thread, I really don’t want to add any fuel to this.
Thanks.
Carl
7 months ago
Isn’t one of the points of a blog for the owner/poster to give his/her opinion of news, local or otherwise?
By definition that means the author is just commenting on something that has been reported. Whether he links it to a news story or not, it’s a comment on something already reported.
And arguably unless you actually MAKE news, then you just report and opine.
I make news every day, but I doubt much of it is suitable for publication.
Just don’t read the blog if you don’t like it, dude. Because really, time is all you have to give? So don’t waste it.
I think the whole point of writing a blog is to have a place to speak your opinion. The readers of a blog don’t have to read it and the ones that do probably stick around mostly because they tend to agree, or at least find it entertaining.
So, it stands to reason that if you attack the owner of a blog his/her readers (fans if you like) are going to take that personally. Why?
I just told you why.
Your man 40 grand,
McLovin
Clyde
7 months ago
Way too much mental masturbation going on here.
Your blog, Tommy. Do it your way.
Julio
7 months ago
I just discovered this blog today. I think I googled “rude florida” or maybe it was “rude tampa”. Anyways, I’ve poked around a bit, and I have to see that I’ve enjoyed it. I think I’ll be checking out this blog on a regular basis. I’m new to Tampa and I think this site will help me get to learn more about it. And yes, trolls suck! lol
Clyde
7 months ago
Tim, Leon, Ronald et al:
Perhaps you could consider taking your offended sensibilities to another blog?
sheridan
7 months ago
i’ve always found entire blog posts devoted to one anonymous commenter to be the mark of a bad blog.
this article is my first exposure to your blog, and from what i’ve seen here i don’t plan on reading more.
good job alienating potential new readers.
tommy
7 months ago
In addition to the above, Droopy (Tim, Leon, etc.) left an additional four similar comments on this post. I deleted them. Any other comments from his IP address will be treated as spam.
tiny...
7 months ago
my blog sucks too.
voxy
7 months ago
call me and I can make it droopy for ya