When I first started this blog, I was very passionate about my opinions. I talked candidly about how I felt about certain topics especially the politics of the Middle East. Of course, the outcome of this was nasty comments posted on this blog mostly by anonymous readers. I was called many names and I was attacked personally. In one instance I was called a "Christian bitch." I deleted improper comments and banned users, but that never stopped the flow of nasty comments. At first, these comments used to get to me and I even lost some sleep just thinking about some of them.
Now, since my blogging is becoming less and less, the number of comments in general (along with the improper ones) are decreasing to almost zero.
However, the other day I got one of those comments. It was in reaction to a post that I wrote years ago about statements made by a Jordanian member of parliament. Here is the post. And here is the comment that I received last week from someone with the alias "me you us."
Middle eastern tyran in a bloggers outfit. Same old tyranny but new style of wording. Why are you so upset about what she says; right or wrong. Has none to do with you. STOP MEDDLING WITH OTHER’S BUSINESS. SHAME ON YOU!
I’m not sure what’s happening to me, but frankly, I did not lose sleep over this or get upset and bite my nails. I just brushed it off and even laughed. Am I becoming less passionate? Or is it because I have been away from the Middle East for almost three years now? Or is this is one of the hallmarks of being thirty and jaded?
I’m not sure. But I will continue to blog. Things are settling down now in my life now and I have time to jot down my thoughts like I always did. Blogging for me is therapeutic and I do not think I should give it up. However, with blogging comes mean comments like the one above. I’m ready for them, and no, I will not lose sleep over them.
Perhaps all that sand in the Mideast is there to absorb the tears and blood of people who will not understand.
Its funny you chose to post this comment which is really not that insulting rather than amusing since it makes no sense. I think all you are trying to do is give yourself more credit than you deserve.
You are not famous journalist. Or maybe you are trying to become famous by following the same shameful approach that your role model followed (Mona Tahawi) which is trash Arabs, make fun of their thinking, and I”ll be come loved and famous in the west.
What a joke
Here is what I like about your posts CONCISE and to the point. You can tell it comes from a professional. I do like reading your blog and yes you are not writing as much as you used to.
I can’t understand the profanity of some people’s comments but it exist and we can’t eliminate it, unfortunately.
Actually you did lose sleep over it, to the point that you had tom come and blog about it:)
Nasty comments are not right, but with all due respect your style of blogging is very provoking because it shows your resentment (don’t wanna used the word hate here) specially when it comes to certain topics (which I will not go into). This is just my opinion and if you consider it a nasty comment then honesty is a bad thing.
It’s difficult to completely ignore nasty comments especially in the beginning, and almost every blogger gets them. As long as you discuss something controversial, you’ll always get them unfortunately.
However if there are threatening comments, learn how to track their source. Some people spend time in jail for threatening others on the internet.
You were one of my first main blog reads, too, Natasha. Miss your viewpoint!
I get nasty comments too, and I’ve learned now just to delete them. Then I pray for the person,since they are obviously either very troubled or don’t have much of a life.
Don’t worry about them. They just can’t handle any kind of truth. I am also sure that they are very jealous of your blog and your outgoing personality. There will always be someone who wants to put you down just to feel better about their miserable self. Best of luck!
You shouldn’t lose any sleep over these idiots. They’re all over. They have nothing, no point and absolutely no idea what they’re talking about.
It’s not like someone disagrees or something like that. It’s someone there to insult and spread some more spam and junk
I hope you return to us again, as passionate as before. You’re the very first blog that I ever read, and made me want to blog too.
I don’t think you didn’t lose any sleep over it because you became less passionate, but you’re just growing a thicker skin so it’s harder to upset you.
By the way that comment is pretty polite compared to some of the ones I get. I had people say they want to hang me from a tree upside down 🙂
I wouldn’t let that kind of nonsense get to you. All bloggers get their fair share of unpleasant comments (and nice ones too) But please continue posting…I love your blog!