Comments on: A Sad Sight

By: Jesse

Jesse — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:27:21 +0000

Nothing like a bit of controversy to stir the comment pot

By: Pete

Pete — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:20:03 +0000

Funny to read all these posts and listen to everyone correct the blogger. I believe the site is the bloggers? Maybe I’m wrong, doubtful. Even though it states that this is a personal finance blog I don’t believe that other topics can’t be posted. I didn’t pay for information on this site, did any of you? I don’t get why the individual paying for the site shouldn’t be able to put WHATEVER thought comes to mind up here. Funny how all of the comments, for the most part, are just trying to put JLP in his place for having his OWN thoughts on a subject. I wish so badly that I could be like all the commenters, for the most part, on this site and have such great insight and wisdom!!! I bet all those upset posters would love it if someone came in and told them how to run their website/business/home/life!!!

By: Red Mike

Red Mike — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:44:55 +0000

I agree with you! School is important. Get your kids out there on time. She may have been having a bad day and she may not have been.

By: G.L.

G.L. — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:50:07 +0000

I was walking to work earlier today, and a driver who was talking on her cell phone did not yield at the designated pedestrian crossing. She just drove by and didn’t acknowledge my presence. The outrage! Cell phones should be banned! They probably don’t have that problem in China, Japan, Tunisia, or Luxemburg (insert random country here).

I was on a bus a few days ago. There were at least 20 passengers but I was the only one reading a book. Ye gods! That means only 5% of our nation are literate! Aaaaaaah! Those illiterate idiots! I bet they don’t have them in

Earlier today I walked past a young man whose shoes were untied. What does that say about our nation’s priorities? If all Americans walk with their shoes untied, there will be disasters, accidents and catastrophes all over the place! Something needs to be done now!!

…

Do you see how strange, self-righteous and borderline paranoid it sounds when other people use your line of thinking? Yes, I may have used the ad absurdo just a wee bit, but I hope I made my point. JLP, you are a good PF blogger. Please don’t switch gears and become a run-of-the-mill preacher.

By: jim

jim — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:07:16 +0000

By: JLP

JLP — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:42:20 +0000

I get it Jim.

By: jim

jim — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:37:05 +0000

I too enjoy making snap judgements based on no information.

By: Steve Braun

Steve Braun — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:14:04 +0000

Hmmmm…

Seems to me that many readers (and several respected national publications) appreciate the bulk of the personal finance material that JLP has written over several years on this blog. That’s quite an accomplishment! Then he goes off, however, and makes two mistakes in the past few weeks (i.e, “food stamps” and “sad sight”) and suddenly everyone is bent out of shape. (Yes, JLP, they were mistakes my friend.)

It’s right to point out his errors. JLP invites such feedback by encouraging comments from his readers. By all means state your opinions.

However, “listen” to the tone of the comments in these two posts and note that a fair number (but not all) of them are as harsh and judgemental of JLP as he is accused of being in these two instances. Some are even more so!

Is is possible that some of you preaching tolerance and grace (and rightly so) are exhibiting neither in dealing with JLP? I think so.

Give JLP the same breaks you expect him to give others. Consider the entire body of his work on this blog. I think you’ll see that he’s not the monster you imagine. He screwed up a few times but that’s no reason to crucify him. Point out to JLP his mistakes in the same manner you’d want someone to approach you if YOU screwed up.

Reminds me of a verse:

“Bretheren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.”

Maybe if we all took this to heart the world might be a better place.

By: JLP

JLP — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:52:04 +0000

Josh,

Thank you so much for setting me straight with that witty little comment. You really put me in my place!

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:24:08 +0000

I too make only Correct decisions in life, so I understand where JLP is coming from! My children have been attending school for 14 years and have also never been late – due to my traditional conservative American work ethic and general superiority to those who make poor life decisions. I often enjoy shaking my head in quiet judgment of people my friends and I refer to behind closed doors as “the problem” with our society! I feel secure in the knowledge that it was my hard work and determination, and by no means my class circumstances, that gave me what I have in life! We’re all on an equal playing field here right?! Whether we descend from a legacy of abuse and misfortune or not – we should all heed the story of Horatio Alger, and pull ourselves up from our bootstraps regardless of our situation! Next time I am bemoaning the welfare state this country has become, and before I change the topic to our crumbling education system(tell those inferior parents to get their children in school for Pete’s sake!)…I’ll tip a hat to this blog for having the courage to shed some light on the insecure, judgemental and constantly frightened dialouge that runs like a stock ticker through my mind! Cheers to you, JLP!