I've been blogging since April of 2008. In that time I have met a lot of interesting people. I've been to many fine blogs and discussed things that they had posted on their respective blogs. But, the thing I always remember; it is their blog, not mine. I respect their blog and their right to say what they please. It is similar to coming into someone's home. You don't put your feet up on their coffee table and criticize their decor. The same goes for visiting another blog. It's called etiquette. Most people treat people in cyberspace respectively, the same way they would want in the real world. That's usually a sign of someone who is mature and sure of him or herself.

Last Friday there was one cyberspace bully who came in to this blog, huffing and blowing, wanting to let me know what a real intellectual he was on healthcare reform. Now, I don't mind someone disagreeing with me here. I would have given up blogging a long time ago if everyone agreed on everything. But, there is a difference in disagreeing and making an ass out of yourself. I know there are many divergent views regarding the healthcare reform issue. I have my opinion and I express it here. What I do not expect is to be personally attacked on my own blog. The way I look at that, would that person act that way toward me in the real world? They no doubt would say, "Yes, I would!" Somehow, I doubt that. I have discovered over the years that the biggest "internet cowboys" are only brave behind that computer monitor. I sense that is the case with the bully who came in here Friday. I regret that I lowered myself down to his level. But, sometimes you got to fight fire with fire. I deleted his replies and deleted mine also.

I guess my point is to treat everyone as you would expect to be treated. You may think they are completely wrong and out of the loop on an issue. But, when you personally attack someone, you completely lose all credibility you ever had on the issue. If you can't make your point without resorting to ad hominem attacks, then that shows just how weak your case is in the first place. I wish I had remembered that sage piece of advice last Friday.