Oh, I am cut to the quick.

A reader alerts me that Courierwatch is no longer on dCourier's "Blogs" pulldown. This is the first I've heard about it, but since the editor didn't ask before putting me there, I don't suppose I would be in the loop when being removed, either. (Thanks, Tim, for letting me know you care.)

There was an interesting anomaly today in the 5pm hour, in which I got a huge burst of hits. Something getting around in a certain workplace, perhaps? No way to tell.

I've been holding back a little story that is likely related to this, and which holds something you need to know.

I mentioned at the end of my recent Muggs entry that I'd quit Pop Rocket. I thought that would be the end of the story, but I guess not. In any case the story begins a couple of weeks before that.

As is my occasional wont, I commented online on the paper's Memorial Day editorial. Late that evening while checking the new headlines, I looked back for new comments and found one directed at me by name. It was from the frequent anonymous commenter who styles hermself "The Rev," and it accused me of plagiarism.

That's not something a pro writer can take lightly.

I wrote Tim W directly and told him it was unacceptable, not only because the comment was slanderous, but as the Courier was complicit in the slander by publishing it. Tim wrote back, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. We have edited the offending comment."

I replied that I expected a lot more action than a ellipsial fig leaf, in detail, including at least an apology. I've  yet to hear another word. I decided I can't work with people who won't take their own work seriously enough to follow their own policies or take responsibility for the harm they cause. After a week and a half of silence from Tim, I wrote that I was done with Pop Rocket.

What you need to know in all this is that the Courier's rules against personal attack and illegal use of the comments are at best poorly enforced, therefore the comments should not be considered safe against any kind of attack. By neglect or intention the editors are enabling the trolls. Sensible people should not participate.