I started receiving complaints via email a few days ago regarding a blogger who calls themselves “Guest.” Obvious to those of us who have been doing this for a while, “Guest” is a troll and a high-ranking county employee (or former). “Guest” has been using a proxy but their writing style and obsession with the blog is familiar to many of us. Well, last night “Guest” decided to get particularly rude, and in their hurry to insult all of us, they forgot to use the proxy. Their home IP address showed up. It was easily traceable as has been pointed out to them in the past.
I haven’t decided whether or not to ban “Guest” as their writings have been a source of amusement to all of us. I will leave it up to a vote of all of you. You know, some bad apples just won’t go away even after they have been fired.
The trolls have their place. We can handle them.
Let Mark troll. He has nothing else to do all day now…. we handled him before and we can handle him again. Go for it guest!
I say let “Guest” continue posting. It makes for some interesting reading if nothing else.
Oh, just like folks that don’t like to be called out for bogus reporting to threaten to ban someone. If you have my IP address, feel free to post it. But I would suggest you do the same for every other poster on here. I for one am not shy when it comes to a fight, and if you choose to ban me I will simply find another way to call out this travesty of a blog.
And if you would be so kind as to point out in any post, in context to a post I may have been responding to, any instance where I have insulted anyone, please feel free to do that as well. I welcome the challenge.
I am continually amazed at this blog and the people I have conversed with on here. I was initially impressed with the moderator, and even commented how impressed I was that she let me freely dissent on her blog, but now I find threats to “ban” me. Well, so much for the so called First Amendment rights you so adamantly state that you are constantly owed and fight for, but that I guess you refuse to grant to anyone that differs with your views.
But if nothing else, I guess you must see little old me as some kind of threat even though I did not mean to be one, or maybe it’s that I just hit a very sore nerve. Or have the benefactors/friends gotten a little hot under the collar for being brought up in relation to your blog when they would rather hide behind the scenes.
Oh…and what might be obvious to you, is as usual, completely off base. I have never been, and am currently not, a “high ranking” employee of the County. You make me laugh.
Oh, and in reading your post again, and the attached comment, I think you must believe I am Mark Uffer. LOL. I think you bringing up the fact that you have my IP address and the fact that you insinuate that since I was “fired” that I won’t go away, would lead your readers to believe the same thing. Obviously, your threats to reveal my IP address and identity are bluffs, because that would completely ruin your charade. I can state opening and freely that I have no affiliation with Mr. Uffer, and have in fact only met him on one occasion. I am not taking sides in anything….just calling out bad reporting with a evident bias. If you are truly here to stop County corruption and bring ethics back to the County, why don’t you start by practicing some ethics on this blog, and not attempt to deceive your readers, many of whom I am sure have now come to rely on you for their information for some reason.
Whatever you say boss.
Guest, you have talked over and over about bias reporting etc etc.Rumors blah, blah, blah.
What specific information do you have to refute what has been said here?
Maybe you would like to refute or question the scandal involving Captain Gray, the cover-up of the 9 months old child who was murdered by his father.
Would you like to refute the information involving Mike Ramos and his conduct with the Deputies in Yucaipa?
Would you like to refute the accusation involving all of Mike Ramos girlfriends?
EXACTLY what is it you find false? Some of us have went out, sat down and looked at documents involving some of these issues.
Do you think our information comes from disgruntled employees, or is it possible some of our sources are higher up in County government?
Would you like the refute issues that involve Mark Uffer?
If you ARE NOT a county employee, then where do you believe you are qualified to question some of us who have observed MANY of these acts reported here first hand.
Exactly what proof do you think YOU are entitled to?
If you are Mark Uffer, YOU have proved twice over your an idiot.
The trouble is, I am not making any accusations that require proof. I am simply asking that if you are going to accuse people in this blog of things, then show some proof instead of simply making accusations and insinuations. I am the first to admit that there is corruption in this County, as well as in most of the other governmental entities we deal with every day. I am just not a fan of character assassination, especially when certain people that deserve some investigation are given a free pass. When this blog provides accurate stories with proof, I don’t bother to comment, and I respect the reporting, but when it reports with snide remarks, accusations with no proof, and simply bad reporting, I feel it is my right, and every citizen’s right to comment.
If you would all like to ban me for speaking my mind, then feel free to do so, but remember, that makes you no better then the people you seem to have problems with in the County.
Oh, and just like everyone, I am entitled to the same proof that everyone else is. If you are going to defame someone, and possibly destroy their life with petty accusations, don’t you think you would want to see some proof before you believed what was written. Show me the documents you refer to, who have you talked to, etc. You can bet that if I had evidence of corruption and/or unethical behavior I would be posting it for all to see…not simply making vague statements.
If you really want to get corruption out of government, educate yourself when you vote, don’t vote for the person with the most money simply because they had the best commercial or the most yard signs…run for officer yourself maybe. I continue to see on here promotion of the same people from the same political machine that have caused most of the corruption in this County…no questions asked.
Have an independent mind…don’t be led around like sheep. Always ask for proof. Everyone has that right. Everyone is qualified to ask for that.
lol … yes, Guest, you will be banned for expecting any measure of decency here. I’ve learned that if I expect no shame from the administrator I will not be disappointed.
Same thing with the BOS – Mitzelfelt, especially. Expect no decency, expect no shame.
But … if this blog is what it takes to keep the BOS and the other bastards a little more honest and ethical … so be it.
(Go, Sharon!)
Now these are the times the blog really shows it’s *STAR* value…when Sharon gets mad at someone, or when someone dares to disagree. Yes, Sharon may be entitled to her opinions, especially on her own blog, but if you don’t want dissenting opinion, then close all comments.
But then your fellow disgruntled citizens, mostly made up of current or former employees, wouldn’t be able to give you a sense of validation (“I am not alone!” “I am not wrong!”) I imagine it is quite the dilemma at times. Sharon changes her mind about people quite regularly, but in the end she usually demonizes all who come in contact with her (Nice to see she unbanished you Robert. She does change her mind regularly, huh? Wonder how long you will be allowed to post…)
I’m going to have to agree with guest. Sharon and her chums are downright vicious in personally attacking their enemies. Yes, enemies is the best word, otherwise how can you justify the attempted charactor assasinations that typically rise up here. What makes this blog interesting are the hundreds of claims of intentional malicious corruption, and their facsinating write-ups. What makes this blog sad is that many people believe everything they read and form hateful and harmful opinions based on the ‘facts’ presented here…and yes, Sharon usually has some “fact” mixed in or she’d have NO readers left, but the interpretation and the analysis of those facts tends to go way off base. To the casual observer, it must all be true, because “I know that part is true!” Its like saying 2 plus 2 = 22. The people Sharon attacks for the most part see her as an unstable irritation, but I fear the power of the written word does impact opinions far more then they or any of the readers here realize. It’s too bad Sharon can’t take up gardening, or cooking and aim her talented pen towards building people up, not tearing people down.
Guest and Robert, I understand your position better as you stated it.
If neither of you have worked for this County, let me be the first to tell you about character assasinations by some of those we speak of.
I can not argue that the average reader might agree with your opinion on snide remarks etc.
However some of these people are simply getting back what they have dished out to others for years, they don’t like it, and feel it is unfair.
Well maybe some of them should have thought about all that before they did what they did.
Many in power thought their dirty little back room deals and retalitory conduct would NEVER be brought out into the public forum and for years did some unspeakable things to people.
Now THEY are getting some of their own medicine and don’t like it, TOO BAD!!!!
But by all means if you see something or some specific issue that hits a cord with you, then by all means speak up.
And for the record some of these folks you feel might be being treated unfairly, have the ability to call up and speak to some of us over the phone and set the record straight.
To my knowledge, NO ONE has called Sharon, myself, or anyone else for that matter and said, HEY you are wrong, this isn’t right blah, blah, blah.
So those that have been attacked as you see it, have every opportunity to counter anything that is said here.
Some in the Sheriff’s Department that I often speak about, many were given the opportunity to meet face to face about some of these issues LONG before it appeared on this blog.
THEY declined. THEY did not respond to letters, emails, or phone calls.
As is the normal practice with many in this County when a significant issue is brought forth, THEY ignore it and hope it will go away.
Just my thoughts.
Some of what happens here makes me cringe, anticorruptionunit … but I’m onboard now.
I have my own little project going. Started with just a small – but very disturbing – story involving Mr. Mitzelfelt, his staff and one of his constituents. I’ve learned that when you get online and put out a request for information about these people it is amazing what others have to offer you.
AND … it’s funny when you find the corrupt fools trying to put up roadblocks … trying to get in the way of people sharing information about them.
So, yeah … I’m with ya.
Comedy Lover….great comment. I couldn’t have said it better myself. Hopefully we will both still be able to have a voice on here.
AntiCorruption Unit….I never said I have never worked for the County. I have, for two different departments. I don’t currently work for the County, but I know that when I did work there, 99.9% of the people I worked with everyday were people just like the rest of us, hard working, just there to make a good days pay for a good days work, supporting their families and trying to get by.
I have also worked with some of the people that are constantly targeted here. I have found them honest and hard working as well. They have before targets of this blog for simply not holding the same views as the Admin and her benefactors, which doesn’t make the person corrupt or unethical. Everyone is entitle to their own views, including everyone on this blog. Holding diverse views shouldn’t make you a target of personal attacks. Doing one’s job shouldn’t place a target on your back so anyone with a grudge can take pot shots at you in a blog with impunity.
That is what this blog has become, especially since the arrests and charges against Postmus, Erwin, etc., since these parties are clearly friends and/or benefactors of the Admin.
When that happens in reporting, you no longer have reporting, you have trash. Do you remember the movie with Jimmy Stewart Mr. Smith Goes to Washington? Remember all the slanderoud reporting that went on in that movie simply in an attempt to discredit Jimmy Stewart because he stood for something that was disagreeable to the “villians” of the movie. Well, that is what is going on here for the most part. Things are not going well for the friends/benefactors of the admin, so unsupported stories, character assinations, etc are printed with no support, simply to create a smoke screen for Postmus, Erwin, etc to hide behind.
When I see true, ethical reporting on here, I will be the first to stand up and applaud the admin, but until then, I will continue to comment, and will encourage others, like Robert, Comedy Lover, and others to do the same.
Thanks Robert. Sounds like your watching close and now seeing some of this, based on your own experience.
Comedy lover anytime you want to refute whatever is being said here as HALF TRUTHS, feel free to write your own detailed version.
I really appreciate others coming in here and giving a detailed version of whatever.
I would not say a dissenting opinion that has any value contains a, “your wrong”, “I know”, or “your lying”, “the guy is cool”,”your talking smack”.
Especially when contained in a 3 or 4 line comment put up against a several pharagraph story.
Hmm, maybe ‘Comedy Lover’ and ‘Guest’ are one in the same?
Beaufort, is there a problem with actually having two or more intelligent people on this blog? First I was Mark Uffer, then probably some high ranking official with ARMC, then probably someone with Lewis Homes….come on get a clew.
I guess you are Sharon and Paris Hilton is JLo.
Guest:
I never said I thought you were Mark Uffer. But, for someone who purports to be more highly educated, perhaps you could endeavor to spell ‘clue’ correctly?
Certainly when one criticizes, one should try to be 100% objective and accurate. But the standards proposed for Sharon have at times been a little rediculous this week.
On another thread she claimed that a county department was using needless overtime so that the employees could burn federal dollars. A commenter suggested that if she thought she could do better, she should apply and test for supervisor’s position in that department.
My final answer to all of the trolls. Please feel free to add acuracy, detail, and disenting opinion with intellectual justification. But there is a sense that if you wish to invalidate the totality of what Sharon is doing, you should show her up by creating a better website to expose and fight corruption.
Or maybe you think that things are just going fine with the Sun and the Press Enterprise keeping watch.
Those who criticize a particular posting or comment today, will be sad to read another issue tomorrow on a different topic or scandal, involving the same individual they wish to defend.
Explain that one away, another will surely pop up.
These detractors or trolls are fighting a brush fire with a squirt gun.
Their disgruntled or your crazy defense only goes so far when the fires continue to break out.
I submit, most of those who post in the manner we discuss, have never really done all out battle, it is obvious in the way they write or explain themselves.
Best example might be Ruth Stringer, not a day spent in the court room testing her ability or theory before a judge or jury.
We have seen the obvious results of all that.
All we can asked ourselves is, why is she still employed?
Guest,
Sorry I missed some of your comments answering my question.
You speak of specific people targeted here who you find honest and ethical. WHO are they?
WHO have we spoken of here that you find the attacks or comments shameful or just outright lies?
YOU have your opinion of Postmus and Erwin? Have you worked with them or had long conversations with them?
YOU seem to implie because they stand accused of crimes they are trash and anyone who speaks about them might have an agenda.
Let’s get down to the nitty gritty of YOUR beliefs and start being specific versus general as in most of what you seem to say.
Pick someone we have been less than fair too that outrages your ethical standards.
THESE are your words.
“I have also worked with some of the people that are constantly targeted here. I have found them honest and hard working as well.”
SO who are these people, and tell us how YOU see them as honest and hard working, contrary to what has been said here.
REMEMBER you used he word constantly, not me!!
It’s strange how ‘Guest’ has been silent these past few days (so has ‘Comedy Lover’).
Has ‘Guest’ been muzzled or maybe just suffering a bout of writer’s cramp?
Beaufort after Guest numerous postings telling us how one sided we are I thought we would see a long commentary about a friend.
I think Guest silence speaks for itself.
ACU:
Well, in that case, silence is indeed golden.
sorry I didn’t realize you would miss me – I thought I had completed my meager contribution on this topic and had not checked back in for a few days.
No, I am not “guest” (just to set the record on that), I am just an occasional, but long-time visitor who heard about this site a few years back and checks in every so often to enjoy the latest spin from the Sharon perspective. I don’t agree with most of it, but that’s ok, I’m sure she doesn’t agree with most of my perspectives.
ACU, I think that anyone who does not share your perspective may be a wee bit intimidated to post any names or specifics, because there really have been some very vicious responses when people disagree. Silence doesn’t always mean people agree with you, sometimes it just means they just don’t want to get in a pissing contest.
Comedy Lover:
Regarding the pissing contests; that would explain why your feet are wet. Psst….I don’t think it cures athlete’s foot though!
Himan,
This is an excellent post for such a difficult topic to talk about.
I look forward to reading more excellent posts like this one.
Thanks