Yesterday what I thought was a jokester posted a comment on my blog maligning me for having a button soliciting contributions on my blog. I deleted his entry and did not expect to hear from him again.
Today he has posted an entry on his own blog, the Millhollin blog, accusing me of "soliciting funds under false pretenses."
Frankly, I didn't post the contribution button expecting to make money. The "Help Keep This Weblog Online" line was boilerplate from what I've seen on other websites.
A few minutes ago, I left Michael a comment on his website indicating that I thought some people might think that the time and thought that goes into this blog is worth a contribution. To make my point, I told him that if I don't receive any contributions in the next three days, I'll pull the entire blog off the internet.
Michael might be doing me a favor. This blog does take up a lot of time and energy. Perhaps I should do what Michael suggested in his original comment on my blog -- "Get a real job!"
What do you think? On this one you'll have to vote (or not vote) with your pocketbook.
For those who would like to vote but don't have a paypal account, you can send a check in the mail made out to "Mainstream Baptist Blog" P.O. Box 6371 Norman, OK 73070. Just post a comment below by Tuesday to let me know that your check is in the mail.
I'm not looking for large contributions. I promise to put anything I receive into something that will improve this blog -- software, artwork, images, books to read and review, etc.
Also, note that these contributions ARE NOT tax deductible. This is a personal weblog. I am not expressing official opinions of Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists or of the Mainstream Bapist Network on this blog.
Those who would like to make a tax deductible donation to the official work I do at my current "real job" can contribute through the Mainstream Baptists website -- which does cost money to operate. Those without a paypal account can send checks to the above address made out to "Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists."
For the record, other than posting a contribute button, this is the first time that I have ever solicited funds for this blog. I DO NOT forsee any need to do this again.
I'll post an entry recording the total amount of any contributions I receive, if any, on Wednesday morning.
13 comments:
Thought I'd check your blog before I shut down my computer for the night. I made a donation.Your blog is worth it to me. Will, FYI, donations to Mainstream Baptists are tax deductible. This is the personal blog of Dr. Prescott. I thought he made that clear. Thanks Bruce for all you do.
Will, I responded at your comments page.
You do make a good point in distinguishing the "Website" (and it's tax deductible donations) from the "Blog" (donations not being tax deductible, as they are for Dr. Prescott's personal works). But in making the point you argue against your own initial argument. As you say "any donations made are made directly to Mr. Prescott for his time publishing his thoughts"; what he was saying with the donation link was simply that...if you find the content of value, keep the content coming by donating to help with the expense of creating the content (in this case, the expense is his time/effort).
The wording of the PayPal link could, I suppose, be interpreted as "I need money to pay site costs", but given that Blogger is a free service I don't see how the majority of people would have taken it that way. Before even reading of this "controversy" I saw it as "if you like what you are reading, please donate". I believe that was how it was meant.
Please refer to Dr. Prescott as Doctor. Mr. Prescott can refer to his son, his father, his brother, his nephew, and maybe even his great nephew. I have been amazed at the time Dr. Prescott spends on this blog. It is time he takes away from his job and family. I for one will be sending a check by mail.
Mom
Michael,
FYI...Bruce knows who I am. It's his blog. Let's let him decide whether my opinion holds any value here, blog or no blog. I never felt coerced to make a donation to this site, but you opened my eyes to how valuable it really is.
Michael,
If you think I've violated bloggers rules, why don't you file a complaint with blogger?
I'm going to leave your last comment on the blog.
In the future, any personal attacks will be deleted. Post them on your own blog. There's plenty of shameless self-promotion there, but few readers.
Electric Fox,
It's good to hear from my good friend Phillip (now a college student) and his parents, Sue and Israel, who I had no idea were lurking on these pages.
Please sound off again whenever you see a topic that interests you.
Michael apparently can't take what he dishes out.
Senora, I posted a comment on your blog, I'm also in Hawaii and Navy. Howzit, siatah?
Michael, try Haloscan. You can manage comments better (i.e., banning perpetually offensive users, etc.)
Though I only have deleted one comment from my blog ever...it was a spam comment (which are getting more popular, sadly), hawking Viagra or cheap mortages or some such.
Personally, I can handle offensive, rude, even threatening. It doesn't bother me...nearly 15 years of submarine duty has really thickened the skin, so to speak. As to threatening, if someone wants to come all the way to Hawaii to yell in my face, it's their $ on the plane ticket...
Michael,
If I had known you would pull your blog off the net, I would have printed a copy of your post to save for posterity.
To date, it was the most slanderous assault I've received in public. Though I have grown accustomed to hearing worse things about me from people who spread gossip privately.
Bruce
Sorry to disappoint, but my Blog is alive and well... I only removed the post concerning your situation, for 2 reasons:
1. It was attracting ugly and, at times, threatening comments from your family and friends.
2. Frankly, I was getting tired of eyeing your photo.
You say that my comments have been the most slanderous so far. Well...
Definition of Slander:
1. Law. Oral communication of false statements injurious to a person's reputation.
2. A false and malicious statement or report about someone.
Not once, in any of my comments, did I utter a false statement or make any threats against your person. My original comment called you on your statement to solicit donations and instead of just leaving it at that, you decided to release the hounds. It escalated from that point. If the "commercial link" reference was considered slanderous, I've already admitted that I might have misread the TOS or misunderstood a paragraph in the TOS.
I never questioned your right to maintain a Blog, as your daughter alluded to, and your friend Phil, well he is young and has a lot to learn about life, as he thinks he knows everything and feels threats are the answer to issues.
And then there's Rob, who sort of agreed with me, but didn't feel it was a big deal. Well, that's his opinion and mine is mine.
And then there is your lovely Mother, and she is, well, being a mother protecting her son. I can respect that.
If your money coffers overflow as a result of this, than more power to you, but somehow I don't think that is the case. If they do, I want my 10%.
Have a nice day
Michael,
Perhaps you need to go to the home page of this site and read it again. The donations are for the Mainstream Baptist WEBSITE, and they ARE tax deductible just like it states. There are no solicitations of donations for this blog on the homepage. It seems there is more than one person out there who simply have a problem with the English language.
God Bless,
TammyJo58
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