I normally go only tech in my blog with the exception of my rock thought of the day. But, the thread going on Scoble's blog today requires a temporary exception. Robert came out in defense of another blogger who was excoriated by some cowards because (brace yourself) she actually exhibits a genuine point of view. Her specific transgression was not upbraiding Microsoft over an issue that some felt she should. We all know that anything Microsoft does is bad, so how could she deviate from the script? The attacks upon her were clearly ad hominem and unprofessional.

Scoble wisely saw that what is at stake is even bigger: the ability of a blogger to speak freely. The thugs who make such personal attacks wish to constrain public discourse and conform it to their pleasure. His intercession in the matter was appropriate and timely. I am blogging about this because I was threatened becuase of publications I once made, and the threats started because of the publicity of my blog.

In one sense, I am glad the knuckleheads can post a comment to a blog. Ironically, bloggers like Scoble offer these cowards the very privilege that they wish to deprive him of: unedited expression of their ideas, however unpleasant or even nutty. It is this exposure, whether in a post or a comment to a post, that gives blogs the vitality and pertinence which has propelled its extraordinary influence.

 Rock Thought for the Day: Seems like a fitting day to use The Marquis in Spades as the rock thought.

Rock On