Comments Restored!
Last night I spent a couple of hours cleaning comment spam off the blog. The crap was everywhere, money quick scams, male enhancement scams, weight loss scams, even designer shoes and motorcycle sales. I must have had fifty comments to remove, all from the same six or seven people, scattered over all the posts that I have in my table of contents. So, without delving into the kind of psychological disturbance that drives a person to do that to a blog, I've suspended my comments, because I can't be bothered to clean this crud up every day.
For my loyal and kind readers, we've been lucky. The blog has been here for more than a year and this is the first real assault it's received. If you have something to add to the blog, a post or comment you'd like to make, some tip to pass on, email it to me. I've been attending to things better around here, and if I think your words are valuable, I'll make a post or a comment and credit you.
Sorry for the inconvenience. I'm hopeful it won't have to be permanent. Such things are like storms. They pass.
posted by Mobile Homemaker @ 12:35 PM
15 Comments:
I have a Blogger blog, too, and I used to get alot of
comment spam. You can still allow comments and prevent
spam by turning on word verification. Here's the link
to show you how:
http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=1203
Thanks for writing such a helpful blog! I know what
it's like to struggle with depression. I hope you find
your way out of it. It's worth it! You matter.
Becky
"Greetings, my friends. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives" --Plan 9 From Outer Space.
I'm sure some other helpful soul already told you this, but in the event that I'm the first: You can solve the spam problem by using word verification. Look in settings (or something like that) under comments (or something like that) and turn on word verification. That should pretty much solve your problem.
Wishing you a great day ~
Moshe
Thank you both. Your information has allowed me to restore comments on the blog.
yes.. there's been a lot of comment spam lately. I think there are automatic softwares that does that.
Anyway, good think there's this word verification feature.
Noel
yes this word verification thing is a savior. glad blogger implemented this. otherwise well have to spend time cleaning up instead of blogging.
Anonymous
in fact there are even groups of people now actively fighting splogs (spam weblogs). Which is actually a good thing for all of us bloggers.
Anonymous
I just found your blog and have spent the last 1/2 hour reading many of the posts. Fascinating stuff. It's easy to see that you are extremely bright and articulate and hopefully one day soon you will find a job opportunity that will get you piles of money. Fingers crossed.
Now I have one sort of negative comment. Your posts which discussed shelters and how bad they are took me aback. While I don't doubt the factual correctness of everything you wrote, I'm bothered by your sense of entitlement.
Sure, things could be run better. The problem is that, if I'm not mistaken, these shelters aren't operating on a huge budget. They just don't have the ability to provide luxurious, private, comfortable quarters for the endless numbers of people they must help.
There must be a good reason for all of their rules. I'm guessing that they had many problems in the past with people violating these rules, and the only way to handle the large number of people sleeping there, the only way to keep some sort of order among so many adults (some of whom may be unstable or dangerous) is to run a tight as ship as possible. Can you imagine the mayhem, the even worse conditions than what you describe, if they let everyone just do their own thing? Can you imagine the resulting chaos if there was no law and order?
You seem to be angry at these places because for their mere existence- that they are offering you charity and this strips you of your dignity. I'm sorry, but I just don't understand this attitude. I haven't been in your shoes, so I obviously can't understand, but aren't these shelters better than NOTHING? You advocate getting a car and sleeping there instead. That's fine for you, but I'm sure the overwhelming majority of those who need a shelter can't even imagine being able to afford a car. For these people, aren't the shelters- BAD AS THEY MAY BE- a lifeline?
Isn't the greasy fried chicken dinner better than going dumpster diving? Aren't hours for the hygiene area better than not having a shower at all? I'm sure those other men would rather smell people's gas and have a warm place to sleep rather than sleeping outside next to a (sweet-smelling) rose bush.
The people who run these shelters are doing this because they choose to help the downtrodden. You yourself say they are well-intentioned. I just don't think you have the right to criticize so harshly when all they are trying to do is OFFER HELP. Not force their help on anyone (OK, I disagree with making anyone listen to a sermon!) but sincerely trying to make things better for those who need it. Certainly things could be improved, but to just dismiss these shelters the way you have doesn't seem right. For 99% of these people, not having these shelters around at all would make their lives so much harder.
Having said all that, I do wish you well and hope you become a billionaire one day and open a chain of great shelters. I mean that. Good luck to you.
You asked a number of questions and I would like to address them. First, I never said shelters aren't for anyone. I said they are for someone else. For those people competent enough to benefit from reading my blog, shelters are far worse than nothing at all.
How do I get the right to criticize? Well, it belongs to all of us. That's what free speech is. How does my criticism get credibility? From my long experience walking the walk. You have never experienced these charities, by your own admission. If you had, you might know that your theory that something given without caring about the damage caused is better than nothing received, but freedom maintained, is absolutely wrong for anyone with dignity.
Do these people have a right to their rules? They have the right of power, but I believe that their activities are immoral. It is immoral to strip people of dignity, even when those people so stripped are cooperating. Would I deny shelter charities the right to exist? No, but I would encourage them to reform themselves, and the way I do that is through fierce criticism.
I'm sorry, but unrepentant, if that offends you.
I am becoming a bum, and this is awesome. Thank you sir.
i am sorry haha, I still look at this for inspiration. I am becoming a bum(or what my perception of a bum is) to add some... how do you say... spice to life.
Just found this blog, not sure where it is going yet but thought I might tag along. There is more homelessness in Australia than local councils like to admit, even here in Armidale NSW.
Primitive skills are the best to learn for survival or just living in the bush. I could never understand why anyone would choose to live in the city when it is to my mind more comfortable and safer in the bush.
People need to learn what is good and inexpensive to buy. We had one chap many years ago on the local news in the Territory surviving on cans of dog food!!! Baked beans would have been cheaper, in fact most other canned food was cheaper.
If anyone wants any advice on primitive skills I will be only too pleased to help where I can, just ask.
Regards, Le Loup.
http://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com
Neat stuff on your woodsrunner blogspot.
Mobile Homemaker said...
Neat stuff on your woodsrunner blogspot.
Thank you for saying so, much appreciated.
Le Loup.
There are also the Love truck stops with showers. They cost $9 but well worth it if you need a shower. I recently became homeless and have been reading your blog. Lots of good info here. I am traveling to see my friend and hopefully find a job so I can have a home again. I hope it works out. I am living in my car and have a terrible time finding a safe place to park and sleep. I slept by a church and went back to talk to them and offer some services but they blocked the driveway. This was in CA, Now I am headed to FL. I hope my car makes it. Fingers crossed. Oh and I thank God when I am safe. Some truck stops just dont want you to park for more then 1 hour. Mainly in New Mexico. I am headed back to familiar territory. Did you know that it is against the law to be homeless in CA? Its also against the law to sleep in your car. Soon the homeless will crowd the already overcrowded jails. Im glad to be leaving CA. What is a homeless person to do in CA? In San Luis Obispo CA they have camps hidden by the creek but it is not safe there, mostly drug addicts.
i recently went homeless in houston tx living in my car staying in walmart parking lots i secured employment and was doing good for a week until i got highjacked by a ex con trying to steal my car and had to fight for my life ,, i am now trying to recover from that traumatic event luckily i had family to help me out. just be careful
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