A Note To Readers
We’ve been growing increasingly suspicious about the authenticity of a series of negative comments in last Friday’s Open House Picks thread. So earlier this evening, we went back and examined the IP addresses associated with these comments. Turns out they were all from the same address. It also turns out that, viewed in their totality,…
We’ve been growing increasingly suspicious about the authenticity of a series of negative comments in last Friday’s Open House Picks thread. So earlier this evening, we went back and examined the IP addresses associated with these comments. Turns out they were all from the same address. It also turns out that, viewed in their totality, the large majority of this commenter’s other contributions were clearly written with the intent to do nothing but disturb the peace. We have no problem with dissenting opinions (actually, they’re generally good for business) and are willing to live with the occasional sharp elbow and rude remark that comes with the anonymity of the medium, but, as we’ve said before, we’re not going to tolerate someone who’s purposefully trying to stir the pot, especially when his/her actions involve personal attacks. As a result, this commenter’s IP address has now been banned from the site. What’s interesting to note, now that we have deleted all of the comments by this person, is the number of positive comments in defense of Mary Kay Gallagher, the broker who was attacked in this case.
G’night.
Mr. B
Same here, lost in brooklyn. And not to get into that mess again, but CHP and I really got the brunt of it , especially when the troll posted links to those awful photos. I always wondered why the troll kept coming back after Mr. B blocked the IP address. I know there are places you can look up the provider and they can trace the poster but it’s a lot of work- I doubt brownstoner can afford to devote hours everyday to tracing malicious individuals.
I first met Mary Kay’s granddaughter, Alexandra, when my wife and I were buying a place last year. She is delightful. We later met Mary Kay at a cocktail party and found her to be a genuine, engaging, extremely knowledgeable person. Frankly, it boggles my mind that anyone could harbor a grudge against her. I’d do business with her again in a heartbeat.
For what it’s worth, we’ve never met her. As for the references to royalty, it’s called hyperbole.
I knew MKG back in the mid-70s when she represented Prospect Park South on the old Brooklyn Brownstone Conference–haven’t seen or spoken toher for well over 20 years. She was a really formidable figure then–I recall undergoing a grilling from her as to why I wanted to buy a book about PPS that the Prospect Park South Assoc. had published. I evidently passed muster because she sold me the book and, as I got to know her, I grew to appreciate what a gutsy lady she was. As she started to sell RE in Victorian Flatbush I got to appreciate her even more–had there been someone like MKG selling houses in VF when we were looking we might well have bought there instead of in PLG (the ineptness of brokers dealing with Flatbush homes in 1974 was beyond belief). I’d imagine people look up to MKG because of her continued devotion to revitalizing VF and her loooong tenure of having done so.
I third the wondering aloud thing about Mary Kay G… she’s always referred to as the “queen of victorian flatbush” or something to that affect. it doesn’t seem as though b’stoner is as indifferent about her as the other brokers. what makes her so special? obviously its not necessary to point out the fact that its your blog and you can do what you want but I guess its a fair to question the loyalty and why.
I also am wondering why Mary Kay has an informal gag order against negative comments on this blog? Full disclosure!
“are those comments above bob marvin’s somehow from the wrong comment thread?”
I think they were from some creep trying to demonstrate how hard it will be for Mr.B to keep out b.s. posts. I know it’ll be a PITA, but I hope you keep trying, Mr. B.–Illegitimi non carborundum!
Agreed with all the IP banning nay-sayers…It will not ultimately work. Go back to the registration system (which I use, and continue to do) for posts.
This alone will knock out some (not all) of the BS you removed.
My 2 cents.
geez, I’m sorry I missed those comments. Is there a way to flag ‘news articles’ that have inflammatory, spicy comments. Sometimes it makes for a good read/chuckle. Most of us ignore those trolls anyway.
But there has been other negative comments in the past. What made those so special. Could it be that they were about mary kay gallagher. I don’t know her or have an opinion either way but it does appear that she holds some sway/power over this blog. Just wondering out loud.