Notice a few familiar faces in this photo?
On the left, we have HLN anchor Kyra Phillips. In the middle, hey, that's me! And next to me on the right is The Stir political blogger Ilina Ewen.
Ilina was one of the participants in a panel of moms at the DNC, co-moderated by Kyra and me. And while Ilina did a great job in the panel, we thought our readers might want to hear about a more personal issue for Ilina- hate mail.
Check out what Ilina has to say about mean comments and hate mail from readers -- after the jump!
Ilina has a very positive outlook on the hate mail, and I'm sure it's one that has evolved over time. I know it took me years to develop a tough skin when it came to mean and rude comments and e-mails! Now, though, I honestly just laugh at them, and I also sincerely pity the person who felt such a miserable need to write something awful.
I'm also impressed that Ilina seems to have learned not to take e-mails and comments personally. That's not easy, trust me!
I do wonder, though, why some women out there get so angry about another person's political views in particular, whether they're "too conservative" in their opinion or "too liberal." It's an opinion, you know? Get over it.
There's certainly no reason for hurling insults, or worse, threats.
Don't you agree, readers?
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Comments 23
I totally own up to critiquing Ilina, you, and the other bloggers. There is not a single one of you that I have no criticized, both liberals and conservatives alike. However, when you put your opinion out there for the world to see, especially an opinion that is bolstered by incorrect facts (the facts are incorrect, not the opinion intself), you are by default opening yourself up to criticism and even attacks. It's good that you have a tough skin, but I will not take back anything I've ever said. I'm sure other readers will stand by this.
Are you talking about "hate mail" or "hateful comments?" There's a huge difference.
You stated you were very opinionated. When you choose to write a post that you know is going to "stir the pot," just what is it you expect? You don't want to change our minds nor do we want to change yours but you put yours here for us to comment on. Otherwise you'd write in a journal. You write them because you enjoy it. If you don't want controversy, don't write controversial posts.
There will always be bumps and bruises along the way when you do something such as get paid to write at a blog like the stir.
But NOBODY should EVER send you hate mail. That's clearly unacceptable.
O Brother, fleur. Take a pill or take a nap.
The more stunning statement is that ANYbody believes ANYthing a politician says, and is SO willing to froth in defense of him/her. Just stunning.
DebaLa -- I missed the part where I was so worked up that I have to "take a pill" or "take a nap". I don't know what tone you read my post in, but I can assure you I was most certainly relaxed when I wrote it. Just as I am with with one now.
You know I will admit to rude comments to Illena in particular but I don't condone hate mail and threats. I guess I kind of think of most of her pieces sort of as hate blogs. I think mostly the stir is getting so much push back from the conservative commenter's on here is because we want more balance. Its presented as a site for women yet its as if we only have one voice or that the opposite voice is outnumbered. Maybe Jenny Erikson doesn't always get it right but she's the only regular voice for 'our team' so to speak. Also lately it just seems like an attack site for some things so you respond defensively when no ones speaking for the other side and you're acting like you speak for all women, and your not. I also do think you are putting yourself out there when writing highly critical things like this based more on your opinion than anything else. When I comment critically I know I will get push back from the other side.
Thats not to say I agree with hate mail on anyones side
I am actually stunned..........................
You have got to be kidding me?
If you want to see boiling, vitriolic HATE, try making a conservative comment.