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If you don't like my political posts Hector and "Disgruntled Reader", please do me a favor and unsubscribe to my blog instead of posting bullshit comments. I am happy to hear that you disagree with me and why, but whining and complaining isn't allowed in my house or on my blog.

Comments

[Charlie O'Donnell]

Agreed. You can't seperate this stuff out. Dan Primack in his daily Private Equity Week Wire writes about politics all the time--because politics effects every aspect about the ecosystem that companies, private and public, have to live in. Investors need to have an opinion about this stuff. Healthy discourse and even attempts to influence others are all fair game, as is everyone's right to ignore it. However, no one has the right, nor should they want to, to quiet those taking an active role in what has become a national referendum on a lot of issues. Not enough people take a stand on what they believe, and I applaud Fred's activism, even though I ever so mildly disagree with its content. So take part or fek off. :)

[dinesh vadhia]

First, my political philosophy is definitely way left of Bush. However, irrespective of the comments from Hector et al it is extremely unfair to censor in this manner. Any person who makes public opinions on politics and religon must expect emotionally charged feedback. People have exceedingly strong views (rational and irrational) on both these areas.

It is dangerous for people to make public opinions on areas that are outside of their profession. If I want to know about the latest blog thinking in politics I'll turn to someone whose day job is in the political arena.

As an aside, Hector et al make a very interesting point which is the value of VC's on boards. The success rate of VC-funded companies is a miserable 1 out of 10 and some put it at 1 out of 20. If VC's are so smart then why isn't the success rate much higher? There is a school of thought that says VC's should stay off boards but appoint an experienced board member on their behalf.

[Mark Frisk]

Did you even read the first comment to this post, Dinesh? Why shouldn't an informed citizen -- Fred, say -- whose entire life, both personal and professional, is affected by politics feel free to engage in political discussion? To say that he shouldn't seems un-American and ridiculous on its face.

The whole idea of leaving political discussion up to the "experts" is absurd. This is the same crew that manages more often than not to get things so stunningly wrong, whether through ineptitude or by design (see Sinclair Broadcasting). Would you suggest that I get my political news from Mark Hyman, the political "expert" at Sinclair? No thank you.

If business is the lifeblood of this country, then I damn well sure want to know what business people like Fred think about politics. Their input and opinions could not be more relevant. Fred is living in the real world. He's not a wildly overpaid media hack who spends the majority of his time in a television studio taking dictation from Bush and Kerry spinmeisters.

Fred is not censoring anyone. He's just sick of whiny, obnoxious BS, as are many of us. If you've got a point, make it and leave off the invective.

It's been said a million and one times, and I know it's really difficult, but the best way to deal with obnoxious people who are unable to make a contribution without insulting someone is to IGNORE them. They live to push buttons, and responding to them only feeds the beast.

[billg]

Mark....my first take on what Dinesh said to Fred is 'if you are going to dish it out....be prepared to take it'. After re-reading her comment she also states 'It is dangerous for people to make public opinions on areas that are outside of their profession".

Her first point is valid. Blogs are, by nature, interactive/social mediums. People read blogs to not only see what the blog author has to say....they are often equally interested in the give/take dialog each post generates. And, yes, sometimes this interaction gets a little messy....this comes with the territory - after all it is a public site.

As for Dinesh's point about it being dangerous to voice opinions 'outside' one's own area of expertise...not sure what she means about dangerous.....Fred can say whatever he wants to say. Fred is also a big boy and knows he's subject to criticism if/when he takes a public stand on any subject.

The bottom line(s) are:

-- its Fred's site. He can say what he wants, do what he wants with it including but not limited to: voicing opinions; chastizing people; censoring people; limiting access to his site; limiting comments to his posts; or shutting it down.

-- as long as Fred keeps this a public site anybody - be they friend, foe, nut, whacko, kook, looney, ditz, jerk, creep, snob, douchebag, nimrod, or any other name you want to give them - can leave any comment they want.

bg

[Andy Sack]

I read in a news article about blotgs endorsing presidents that you endorsed a candidate for president. -- You've inspired me to do the same. Excellent blog Fred. I'm adding you to my blogs to read.

Let's grab a drink next time you're in Seattle or I'm in NY.
andy

[G]

You are effectively a columnist. If it's that annoying / offensive just delete the posts.

[billg]

G,

Deleting posts is a bullshit / pussy way to handle this.

This is what Mark Cuban does on his blog - he edits outs dissenting opinions, in a lame attempt to hype/promote his point of view.

The problem is people see what's posted before Mark clips the dissenting posts. The net result - he look defensive and paraniod...the Net is too real-time, too fast, even for him.

If you want to blog in public, be prepared to take the feedback...good and bad. If you can't handle the feedback...don't blog. Deleting posts you don't agree with is not the answer.

bg

[jackson]

I sympathize, you want to do something, but you can't without coming off like the oposition..open mouths and closed ears. My way of handling it was to stop blogging politically, I haven't heard from Hector since I chose the Replacements over politics. I'm not suggesting you do the same, I'm just saying it's a shame.

[Hector]

And if you didn't get your way growing up did you tell the other kids you'd take your football and go straight home?

I'm glad you wrote this because it is indicative of a chilling trend of censorship by the left. Sinclair Broadcasting - Bad! Michael Moore - Good! Swift Vets - Bad! MoveOn - Good! The DNC has thrown lawyers at the Swift Vets and Sinclair not because they violated any law, but because they disagree with their message. This isn't censorship, this is where fascism begins. Kitty Kelly gets her libelous message out on the major networks, but god forbid the Swiftvets should get a fair hearing. If you don't like opposition's ideas, then rebut them with logic. For someone who dislikes whining and complaining, you sure do a lot of it. If you're going to write provacatively, expect to provoke people. But don't expect the provoked to sit idly by while you and other leftwing writers spew ad hominem and irresponisble invective.

And I'm saddened that Jackson has discontinued his political blogging as I miss having comments from the pro-Stalin wing of the Dem party. Joe Stalin, we barely knew ya ...

[Grant]

Hector, the cliff is to the right. Follow faster.

Fred's blog = Fred's property = Fred's rules.

You're free to get your own blog and post your rebuttals, go nuts.

What part of the foregoing is complicated?

This has nothing to do with censorship or free speech. The former is legal in too many contexts to list and the latter is only protected from the government, not a private individual on their private property.

Besides, in practical terms, you're just noise. Yada yada yada... chilling... Stalin... msm bias... DNC lawyers... pinko... taxes.

We get it, you're like a little Tucker Carlson. Totally cool, get a bowtie, learn some manners.

[jackson]

Censorship from the left, that's a good one! Though I don't find anything that Move On or Michael Moore have said to be a lie, I can't say that about the Swifties, or you Hector for that matter. I see you're still holding onto that Stalin bit too, just like your buddy G.W., same lame soundbites over and over without any understanding of human nature, gee that's sounds just like Uncle Joe. How does one become such a miserable excuse for a human anyhow Hector?

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