Please Read: New Comments Policy

The excitement over the election has attracted many people who are obviously very new to politics and blogs. Unfortunately, some of the recent comments are reflective of a hostile trend seen on many blogs. I have zero tolerance for cyberthugs who feel empowered by the anonymity of a keyboard and a broadband connection. Let me let me take a moment to reiterate comment policy and also share a personal story that hopefully will explain my feelings on this issue and perhaps the election.

Rod 2.0 is a personal weblog and often reflects my own aesthetic, tastes, history and opinions. This is not Reuters or The Washington Post, so, it's ridiculous to leave comments demanding "balance" or decrying "bias." This is a personal weblog of a writer and producer with many publications and productions to his credit, so, if you're not expecting opinion, please go elsewhere. Those comments, as well as others threatening to "stop reading", are juvenile and will be deleted. Offenders will be warned/troll tagged.

It is fairly easy to comment at Rod 2.0. Unlike some blogs, comments here are unmoderated and there is no sign up requirement. The hope is that this will encourage more people to comment and real-time discussion, and, also, because sometimes it may not be possible to post for several hours. Feel free to agree or disagree with whatever you read here but stay on topic. Do not use profanity, deliberately post false information, make personal attacks or insults, personally insult the presidential candidates, post false rumors or lie about their religious affiliations, or, race-bait. Comments that violate these rules will be deleted and offenders will be warned/troll tagged. Repeat offenders will be banned without warning.

Regular commenters should feel free to remind newbies of this policy. If you feel you have been personally attacked in comments, drop me an email identifying the violator. The situation will be addressed ASAP.

Finally, a personal thought on this political season. Not everyone agrees with some of my take on the election, and, that's fine. It actually makes the discussion more lively, imho. The cyberthug and cybermob mentality that has taken over much of the blogsophere reminds me of a story my grandfather used to tell me. When I was growing up, many of summer vacations were spent with grandparents or uncles in Mississippi. They all owned land and taught me some great things, like how to ride horses, hunting and fishing, and, how to ride dirtbikes, whose noise always irritated my grandmother. In the hot summer evenings, my grandfather, "Big Daddy", would sometimes take off his shirt and showed his back which was welted with several whip marks. He proudly displayed them to the family and told the story to the youngn's.

Back in the 1950s, my grandfather owned property in Mississippi and tried to register to vote. Very few black people in Mississippi were able to do that then, and, apparently he was one of the very few in Lincoln County that was successful. But that was only after several men in the local White Citizens Council visited him twice and beat him with a horsewhip. "They covered their faces with pillowcases but I knew who they were," Big Daddy boasted, naming several prominent local businessmen. "They came after me twice but I still registered to vote." All the family children heard this story several times every summer and it became ingrained in our collective memories. Grandpa's advice has remained with me ever since: "Never let people who are afraid to show their faces try to scare you. Never let people tell you how to think. Never let anyone tell you to how to vote. Never let white folks tell you what is 'best' for you. And this is most important: Never, ever vote Republican." This is advice that I've always taken to heart. Just my thoughts.

Comments are open. Share your thoughts on comments, pro or con, or whatever else happens to be on your mind. I'll be posting asap, was tied up in a meeting all morning.

Comments

[Duwayne]

Wow thats a great story Rod! Keep up the good work! We love you!

[Derrick from Philly]

Great family story, Rod. But I am curious why your family had already become wise to Republican deceit. The 1950s were a time when Democrats were still the enemies of black folks Down South. Was your grandfather disappointed in the way Republicans abandoned black folks after Reconstruction? He sounds like a great man.

And hunting? Well, when I was a teenager, I went hunting when I visited Down South--at night. The Good Lord was with me 'cause Georgia still had sodomy laws back then.

[Mel Smith]

Rod, your grandfather was a real man. People like him motivate me to challenge injustices in society. He did something that most black 'STRAIGHT' men were AFRAID to do. My parents are from Alabama and Georgia. There are not that many strong men and women anymore in society. People are all about themselves and hurting others. Thanks for sharing that story to us.

[Mel Smith]

Rod, your grandfather was a real man. People like him motivate me to challenge injustices in society. He did something that most black 'STRAIGHT' men were AFRAID to do. My parents are from Alabama and Georgia. There are not that many strong men and women anymore in society. People are all about themselves and hurting others. Thanks for sharing that story to us.

[Duwayne]

Mel I agree with you, I see my older relatives the same way. None of the young people of today could come close to being as strong as grandma, grandma and our aunties and uncles. It is a shame that a lot of our people do not respect our older folks anymore, they are the rock to many families and communities.

[Mel Smith]

Hey Duwayne, I love 'old school' black people. I may not always agree with them, but most of them are real men and women, as compared to us young and middle age folks.

[ATL Kid]

Hi Rod.

That's an outstading story. You always have something to share.

Thanks for the clarification, but, it is absolutely not necessary. It is your site and it's a blog. Everyone knows that. Unfortunately, many supporters of one side are used to allowed to act like cyber bullies and are never called on their bs. You're one of the very few black bloggers who is open minded and willing to stand up for yourself.

But I'm glad you did. That's why I enjoy this site.

Oh yes, and crickets from the usual suspects.

[Rod Mc]

Thanks for the comments.

I was initially very reluctant to post this, but, two or three recent comemnts stepped over the line.

DERRICK: That's a very good question. I think my grandfather was just an old FDR-Harry Truman kinda guy. But you're right, the solid south was solidly Democratic but he trusted the Republicans much less.

MEL: Good point. I think the black generation that grew up under those circumstances had much more fortitude. I can't imagine being slapped or beaten over my beliefs.

[johnozed]

Well put Rod, right on. And sorry I posted and used profanity in a previous comment regarding Matt Sanchez. But in my favor, it WAS about Matt Sanchez.

[Rob]

Hi Rod.

I saw one of those really offensive comemnts the other night. If we're thinking of the same one, it was a profanity laced rant against one of the regular commneters here. Totally uncalled for.

I'm glad you say something. I read a few comemnts where people were saying they wouldn't read any longer. It's clearly a strategy to intimidate people with opposing points of views.

Thanks.

[Derrick from Philly]

Hell, for some of us more "flavorful" gay guys-- the ONLY friend you have is your grandmomma...maybe the only friend we'll ever have.

[JBK]

Rod, you and this blog are awesome.