Sometimes it is worthwhile to call out bullies, even relatively harmless internet bullies. So, since this particular bully finds himself unable to allow the entirety of this exchange to post on By Common Consent, I post it here, if for no other reason than to show that he doesn't intimidate me. In fact, I find the whole thing pretty funny.

My comment was made on a thread unfavorably comparing Mormon service to Pentecostal service. Normally, I skim over those kinds of posts but don't bother commenting because they are all too common and all too typical. But this one had a really good message, I thought, behind the dig at the Mormons and how we aren't good enough. It was contrasting service as a duty and ministry, which I feel is a powerful and poignant lesson. Unfortunately, because of the way it was framed, it almost immediately devolved to the plebeian and predictable critique of Mormons and how we're not charitable enough. Because of the good message, I thought I might say as much and counteract the trend by mentioning that Utah is known for generosity.

SilverRain on February 25, 2014 at 5:47 am

And yet, there is a thriving business of street beggars shipped in from neighboring states, even as far as California and Texas, to beg in Utah because it is so lucrative.

The analogy would have been so much more powerful if it hadn’t been used as a dig at the Mormons.

Well, several someones, also predictably, fixated on the worst possible meaning of what I said instead of the actual point. I find some people do that often, I can only imagine because it is easier to ignore points that counteract your preconceptions than to address them.

Steve Evans on February 25, 2014 at 7:02 am

“a thriving business of street beggars”

Yes I am sure they are living the sweet life. I hope you aren’t giving any money to them! That would be terrible. Also, you’re repugnant.

Steve Evans on February 25, 2014 at 7:03 am

PS I agree with your last sentence.

I decided to respond one more time to clarify my point. I assumed he was being flippant. Who seriously calls someone "repugnant" on the internet? It's a joke, right? I thought (probably unwisely) some return flippancy was justified.

SilverRain on February 25, 2014 at 8:48 am

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Steve Evans, being repugnant to you is a compliment. *LOL* It probably doesn’t surprise you to find out I don’t hold your opinion in very high regard.

Tracy M, yes. There was an article on it recently here if you want to read a bit about it. Several years ago, when I lived downtown, I occasionally struck up conversation with several panhandlers, a few of which admitted to being out of state and coming here seasonally. They aren’t all in the business, which is why I don’t balk at giving money occasionally, even though we are advised to rather donate to the local shelters such as the Road Home. My personal opinion is to give money when I’m moved, time and attention when I can, and let it be between them and the Lord what they do with it.

Yep, you'll notice that there is a "Your comment is awaiting moderation," in that. It was published at first, but "someone" really couldn't eat their own dish. Which leads me to think that he wasn't being flippant, he was just being a jerk. That doesn't surprise me overmuch. He is known for being a jerk.

SilverRain on February 25, 2014 at 8:50 am

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

And my comment about digging at the Mormons was more to point out that the Mormon vs. others dichotomy is distracting from what I find to be a very good point about how we should minister.

And I find that a pity.

SilverRain on February 25, 2014 at 10:05 am

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Look, folks, my only point with the business of panhandling is that Utah has a reputation of generosity. Good grief.

Trust me, I’m much more blunt when I “cast aspersions.” I’m not one of those folks with enough time on my hands to shroud my meaning with unrelated words. Or, for that matter, to dream up meanings that aren’t what the speaker intended. Rather than lobbing over judgments while pretending to look the other way, I try to go to that person and straight up ask them if they meant what I think they meant.

Yeah, though it had been published at first, he moderated everything I posted after this. The big, strong, tough intellectual.

I was inclined once again to ignore it, because it really doesn't matter to me, but I decided that BECAUSE it doesn't really matter to me emotionally, it was a good chance to stand up against a bully without being engaged by him.

SilverRain on February 27, 2014 at 4:54 am

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

And that, dear Steve Evans, is why I don’t hold your opinions in high regard. You think it is perfectly okay to call someone you don’t know and don’t bother to understand repugnant, but you not only can’t handle them telling you that they don’t care what you call them, you try to silence even their clarification of their meaning.

Bullies do that, and I have no regard for bullies. They don’t frighten me, nor do they matter to me. And while I don’t doubt you will find yourself unable to publish or even respond personally to this very mild response to your tactics, you will nonetheless see it. And that is enough for me.

So there it is, my highly offensive comments that can't possibly be published because they "attack" a moderator. And of course, the poor abused dear had to write a follow-up post about how we should be merciful to the whiners because they are providing such a necessary service for the Church. I don't have a particular problem with moderation, I know full well I occasionally let my irritation cross the line. In fact, I have been known to moderate myself, but always with a discussion and a warning beforehand. I believe in the humanity of the people on the other side of the screen, and try to give them a chance to moderate their tone, if they choose to take it.

But either way, as someone who generally tries to please everyone, it's a nice little score that I have the courage to face even this sad attempt to bully head-on. Even if this *gasp* results in further bullying. I really don't care. There's nothing of value to me that this particular person can hold over my head. Fortunately!

And now, for me, this matter is over.