Free Speech and Trolls

I enjoy the forum of open minds and ideas.  I learn from it.  I have limits on what I will listen to, but even then I try not to shout down another's point of view.  From time to time, I am offended by something another blogger posts or think another blogger is wrong.  For the most part I stay quiet.  During the election cycle I offended two people, one blogger and one friend on Facebook.  I am sorry, I should have let them say what they believe.  I have taken another blogger to task over the years about seeing things through the eyes of a loving spouse, I hope the blogger was not deeply hurt by what I said, I do believe the blogger and spouse are deeply in love.  If I did hurt your feeling, I apologize, now hug that dear one - he adores you and will for the rest of his life.  

I don't restrict comments on my blog.  I occasionally get insulted in the comments.  Once in a rare while by a regular reader - we are all entitled to our moments.  More often by an unidentified person - a troll.  I have a policy, I don't feed the trolls.  Trolls feed on being argued with, or pushed back against.  If I do it, it only makes them stronger and bolder.  I do appreciate it when other come to my defense. I have considered blocking anonymous comments. The anonymous insults are frequently the deepest cuts.  

Some people need to be negative, to find fault, to belittle others. It makes them happy. When I encounter those people, I ignore them. Trolls have a right to free speech, I don't have to listen or respond, to trolls and I choose not to.   


How do you deal with trolls?