Beware those Buzz comments

It has come to our attention that someone on Dec. 9 posted a comment critical of Charlie Crist and Jim Greer ("I'm through with Crist & Greer") under the name Linda Ivell, who is president of the Florida Federation of Republican Women. Mrs. Ivell tells us she did not post that comment, and we deleted it. We also have blocked the IP address of the person who posted it.

It's a reminder, for those not already aware, that the anonymous Buzz comments on the site reflect, ahem, not necessarily the gospel truth. They should be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism. And while we encourage free-wheeling participation, we do periodically delete comments and/or block IP addresses.

How about some new year's resolutions that 2009 will be a year free of abusive or bogus Buzz comments?

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Comments

[Adam Smith]

agreed

[terminator]

Adam,
bogus yes
abusive no
that would take a lot of people out of the mix who want to impart valuable information.

after all don't many politicians abuse their citizens?

what's good for the geese is good for the gander.

didn't Harry Truman say: "if you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen"?

this applies to all public servants. if your skin is that thin you can't handle criticism you probably shouldn't be a public servant.

[Clyde]

Blocking the address of those who post over-the-top abusive missives is probably they only way you will be able to stop them. I'm a regular Buzz reader and I'm often astonished at the level of partisan bile posted here. However, please consider that you are providing a (relatively) safe means of venting to some. A great public service...

unless you have a static ip address you can't be blocked permanently.

[Ministry of Truth]

We stand behind your intitative 100% and will limit our comments to approved propaganda only.

Can't we all just get along?
Yea right!!!
Jeb gets in and Charlie is out-follow the $$$$$$$$

Real GOP

[Gilbert Ford]

I was just wandering, when some of the comments were going to be carefully scrutinized.

What a beautiful thing "tact and diplomacy"! The ability to tell someone to go to hell, but you dress it up so good they look forward to the trip!

The lefties on here make some of the most hate-filled, vile comments I have ever read...

Can't you little peons grow up and post a rational thought? Like, ever?

I mean, really...did your mother not read to you when you were little or something?

[Nancy]

Thank you Adam and Alex!

[THE Obtuse Norquista]

4:22 Here's what I do: I make up about half dozen IDs, then I post my vile hatred under one ID, my racist spew under another, my heartless anti-government spin under another, and finally I blather my hypocritical diatribes against the cruel lefty bloggers under an anonymous one. Works like a charm!

hey 4:22.. yes, but you have to admit some of these comments(ers) are pretty darn funny. Whenever I need a laugh, I just head over to The Buzz and start reading the comments. No matter the subject I'm sure to find some chuckles. My favorites, of course, are about Charlie and Greer.

So... Adam, St Pete Times, please please don't delete the funny ones. In these hard economic times we all need a laugh and a smile. Have you ever thought about publishing "The Buzz Funniest Comments Ever"...

Here's to more bonehead moves by Charlie and Greer!!!!

4:33-

Look, we all know you are a moron...you don't have to prove it to us.

Let me give you lefties a piece of advice...

It's better to be quiet and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

4:33 - between your identities and my multiple personalities... think we may be the only ones posting....

[Boca Grande]

Termie: go look up abusive.

Can terminator be blocked from posting based on his lack of intelligence and cluelessness?

Perhaps they should stop worrying about blocking comments and UNBLOCK all the news on Obamagate! Doesn't anyone wonder why the SPT hasn't provided any coverage of the biggest scandal since Watergate?

[Gator(R)]

4:51

Made me laugh. I guess there are three of us posting then. Well... it depends on how you count each of your personalities.

Terminator - seems to me you can impart useful information without being abusive.

Personally, I am rarely abusive, of course, I never post anything useful either.

[Bleat!]

8:18 I the Buzz knows a "non-issue" when they see one, Toady. BTW, how's that swiftboating gig working out for you? Not like the Kerry days when you caught the media by surprise, is it? Hey I just saw my first copy of "Obama Nation"; today, more than a month after the election! HAHAHAHA! Time to find a new job, slick.

[Gator(R)]

Bleat - may be a non issue as far as Obama is ultimately concerned, but national press is all over it.

I don't believe Obama is involved, or that his staff did anything more than blow the Governor off. The only thing that could get them in trouble is continuing to dance around and contradict themselves. So far, Obama's staff have not done him any favors.

This is a pretty big story regardless of the party. In affect trying to 'sell' a Senate seat is big stuff. I imagine he will join his predecessor in jail soon. Since he was a Republican they can have some interesting policy debates.

[expat]

As a poster who has been deleted, I promise I'll try to be good in 2009. Sometimes the nasty goblin of gossip gets out front and takes over.

[Bleat!]

8:51 Gator(R)- Obama denounced the Scum(D) immediately, and as an innocent bystander, that's really all that's called for, in my opinion. I've haven't seen "the media" all over Obama about possible connections, but then I don't consider Rush, Sean, Karl, and the GOP echo chamber to be legitimate media sources.

[Abe Lincoln]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Congressman Ron Paul
Date: Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 12:03
Subject: Mark Cross for Florida GOP Chair

What a year this has been!
And what achievements we have had. This Revolution is permanent. It didn't end at the Republican convention. It didn't end on November 5. It will not end until we have won the great battle on which we have embarked. Not because of me, but because of you. Millions of Americans have dedicated themselves to the principles of liberty: Freedom, Peace, and Prosperity.
An important next step toward fighting for our ideas within the Republican Party is the establishment of principled party leadership. In Florida there will be an election for a new state chairman on January 10, 2009. Only the State Committee will vote and only members of the State Committee can run. The elected State Committeeman from Osceola County is Mark Cross.

Mark Cross served as my Florida Coordinator for the Presidential campaign and was at my side for every debate and event scheduled in the Sunshine State. Mark helped establish an informal network of support across the state and I know that he has the integrity, leadership, and resources that would ensure a successful term as Chairman.
If the Republican Party is going to once again flourish, it is imperative that we restore honesty, integrity, and commitment to Liberty in our party. We need principled leadership, and I believe Mark Cross is the candidate to provide that leadership.
That is why I am endorsing Mark Cross for Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. Please join with me in helping Mark become the next Florida Republican Party Chairman by giving a generous donation to his campaign. I have personally made a donation and urge you to do the same. We need principled party leadership in Florida and Mark will make that happen. Thank you.
In liberty,

Ron Paul

"We encourage free-wheeling participation"

Don't you mean you encourage irresponsible and amateur journalism?

What a joke. The comments on this blog have always been ridiculously out of control and irresponsible. I think it's amusing that you have comments that would never ever be allowed to be printed as a letter to the editor in the actual newspaper. I can tell you one thing though--this certainly isn't journalism and Adam you are a poor excuse at best for a journalist. This resembles tabloid media more than actual news and Adam is the gossip gal columnist in charge of all the "free-wheeling."

One day, the Times and/or Adam will be sued for slander by someone targeted in the comments section and I will gleefully be there to witness.

[Gator(R)]

2:17 Didn't mean to imply media was all over Obama on this, but all over the Governor. Maybe that's what you were referring to when you said a non-issue.

My right wing talk show hosts are beating this to death, but they are dancing around Obama's involvement,at least during the hour or so I listen while commuting. Are gigging his chief of staff pretty good.

The Governor's actions are bad news, don't know why they arrested him before money exchanged hands - may be that a crime wasn't even committed yet - that would be a kick in the pants.

Obama's staff just appeared to have mishandled this, not a non-issue to me as a result, but no big deal in scheme of things compared to what we've been seeing from the last two presidents (I'll concede Bush beats Clinton in this regard).

But I am curious about who knew what and when, more importantly why it is taking so long to clear up what was likely a miscommunication. Worst case, his office was contacted, they blew him off, but if his actions was illegal maybe they were obligated to do something.

Is it just me or does it sound like Jim Greer gets helium out of a tank before giving a speech? Jim Greer should have an easy re-election because only nuts from the Ron Paul goon squad run against him.

Is it just me or does it sound like Jim Greer gets helium out of a tank before giving a speech? Jim Greer should have an easy re-election because only nuts from the Ron Paul goon squad run against him.

[Juan]

You could be like the high school sport blog and require registration in order to post. However, you will kill the blog like they have. People need to remember that posted comments are are just opinions and most times than not, made without knowing facts. Just read them and have fun.

when was a blog ever supposed to be about journalism? Somebody needs a major cyber-lesson.