NOW I AM MAD !!!!
64Beyond Ridiculous !
I have been a part of the hubpages community for roughly a year now . So In relative terms I am kind of a new voice In our community . And I do not consider myself Its most significant voice by any stretch of the Imagination . I have had the pleasure and luxury of having an outlet to voice my thoughts , fears , feelings and opinions . I have had the chance to develop what can be best described as remidial writing skills at my most optimistic ! I have also had the gift of developing friendships and bonds that even though they are only via cyberspace are nonetheless are becoming meaningful to me as It brings up the primal need and fulfillment of a sense of community that I am sure many of you have also found here .
And then another of the benefits Is you get some gems here at hubpages too. And sadly some loss. And the loss Is what has me so pissed off because I find It so unessecary .
Recently one of the more prolific writers here at hubpages decided he had enough . And this man who I also call a friend decided the constraints were enough . And he left and left a large following In his wake . You may know him as Goldentoad . And now one of the by far and away best writers ever to grace this site has been flagged multiple times , because he had the nerve to quote the founding Fathers of this country what they feel was one to many times In his prolific hubs . And I am talking about James R Watkins . Who In my opinion was one of the best writers to grace this site In my short time of being here at hubpages . I guess maybe he needed to put pictures of Indian Women on his hubs In order for them to be a more valued commodity ! It does not take much to chap my hide , but even though I will probably be flagged on this one I have no problem saying that this Is nothing less then absurd !
I probably do not understand completely what criteria Is determined In order to constitute a good hub here . What I do know Is eloquence , articulation and quality must not be Important criteria , because James had all those qualities In abundance !!! So I mourn personally for this loss , and I think we just lost a substantial asset here . Did I say I was pissed !?
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Comments
eovery I could not agree more !
Tony, if you are going to write things that are controversial, then you need to be prepared for alternative thoughts and comments. Being "pissed" is not a problem as long as it doesn't possess you. I don't know what James Watkins was flagged for, but maybe he needs a tougher hide regardless of how good his hubs were.
You have right to that opinion Jack . However I see so much trash and drivel on here It astounds me that a man as articulate as him has that type of trouble . Especially when I see so much useless garbage on here !
Hello tony0724,
Okay, my friend; I've checked out some of James Watkins Hubs, and I believe I know what's going on here. First of all, chances are good that the majority of administrators for Hubpages are liberal-leaning, most publishing outlets are. Words like "God", "Founding Fathers", and "Christianity", are offensive to them. I could tell you why, but there's just not enough room in this box. Perhaps I'll really piss them off and do a Hub on it one day. For the moment though--chill out, take a deep breath, and keep delivering those fantastic Hub's. Do not be discouraged by what is happening to Mr. Watkins--I'm sure he knows the deal. Liberals believe in freedom of speech, as long as its THEIR brand of speech. You will come to see that more and more as you delve into what they consider to be "controversial" issues. You and Mr. Watkins have many colleagues on Hubpages who, although we might not agree on everything, come damn close to it. By the way, you want read something I'm sure will drive the libs crazy? Read my Hub "An open letter to our troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq".
Keep up the good work!
dean77
dean77 I will slow down and take a deep breath here . I will be checking on your other work as well .And so true liberals do love free speech as long as It Is their brand of free speech ! I believe they saw James aa a threat because he had gained such a large following In such a short time !
I miss them both as well but GT is posting elsewhere and he will let us know when he is ready to reopen the floodgates.
dori
Thanks for checkin In Dori . It Is not just about missing them for me . It Is about some of the criteria that lets a couple of quality writers slip through the cracks , while mediocrity . pics of hot Indian girls and other stupid crap are considered publishing worthy !
that I totally agree,a bunch of pictures of "hot ladies in bikinis" with no words, they should be penalized.
dori
I know, I recently saw goldens good-bye letter. : (
I have been flagged before... even had one pulled. The funny thing is, there is one specific writer on this site that I have flagged time and time again for stolen content. Guess what; her crap still remains on the site. She is scooping up google adsense, and amazon dollars for other peoples content!
Tony...I hated to see James leave.... a kind hearted guy with class. Hubpages may not be the right place for creative writing and thinking. I'm hanging around to see if it changes or they tell me to leave because I don't write "Cash cow hubs." I loved reading stuff by James, Toad, Laughing Mom, Pest, etc. All...excellent creative writers.
dori absolutely right on with that one !
mellasviews I am baffeled as to what these people consider good writing sometimes . I am not sure who you are talking about there . But writing Is an artform and art Is supposed to be original ! Thx for droppin by .
Tom my friend I agree James epitomizes both good writing and good character . Traits that few have these days ! I am mediocre at best myself . But I love your hubs Tom !
This is so very upsetting..what have we become...It is very strange....God Help Us...:O) Hugs and take that breath over and over my dear...:O) Hugs
HubPages has spider bots that crawl the pages and search the internet for duplicate content. The flagging for duplicates is automatic. I have had a few flagged myself by these bots. Anytime a hub is flagged for duplicate, you have the option to click a link to have it reviewed. Sometimes it takes a few days because staff is busy, but they will review your hub. All of mine that were flagged as duplicates were cleared. When you use quotes that are all over the internet, they are considered duplicate content. That being said, when using quotes, always put your own thoughts or write things out in your own words to keep it as original as possible.
I emailed James to tell him the same thing I posted here. All it takes is to click and send a message to staff for a review.
Another thought, tony0724: What James is doing is a good example of our free market society. For example: If you went, say, to the grocery store, and you were treated rudely by the store's management, you would take your business elsewhere, where you would be valued and treated with respect. Well, that's exactly what Mr. James is doing; and that's exactly what I'll do the very second I'm ever flagged for quoting our founding fathers.
I agree there needs to be thicker hides here and more patience.
Another thing I know is James was getting a good following and was becoming very strong. I am wondering if some of the liberals were flagging him to try to frustrate him. Trouble is it worked. We cannot let that happen. I know there are some people out there playing games with other hubbers.
We need to keep it an open system open to discussion. I stay out of forums because they are unmerciful. I have been called everything on forums by some of the prominent hubbers on ths site because I believe in Christ and I am conservative. So I just write to promote my off line website and to try to get my 2 cents in for being a conservative.
I agree that hubpages needs rules to keep the place clean. This system may not be perfect, but it is one of the better ones out there. I am glad not to see the porn on this site. I would not be here if the porn was here. That is life.
Keep on hubbing!
G-Ma I think we are all upset over what Is happening lately !
eovery I think there may be something to your theory ! But you are right at least hubpages for the most part Is pretty clean .
Sir Dent thank you so much for dropping by and leaving your thoughts . I learned some good Info .
Dean thanks again I appreciate your Insight !
And on top of that some guy just wrote a hub about how to make meth and James was flagged ? Gimme a break !
Uh-oh, I did not hear about James leaving. While we don't agree with him on religion, he is definitely a great person and writer :(
Misha If we all agreed on everything It would Indeed be a boring world ! However quality Is quality .And like I said some guy just wrote about making meth ! Simply ridiculous !
But Misha I enjoy your hubs too . And I always appreciate your feedback . Thx Buddy !
I agree Tony. I miss Goldentoad greatly...and if James leaves I will feel the same. :(
Well K@ri at least I have you !
Love ya too Tony. :) And James is back :)
Yea I got the word !
Oh no! Not James A Watkins! I hadn't heard that. Big old bummer. I didn't agree with his politics but very much enjoyed his expression of them -- as well as his music!
I was saddened to see GT leave but at least he will stay in touch so he is not really gone. HP as a biz has to maintain a professionalism as per rules of the business world. I would not be too hard on them but upset yes if they are not removing content such as how to make meth :O thats not good for the teens or young.
MM I am glad to say that many of us have convinced James to get back In our community where he belongs ! And you are so right he does express himself well. By the way I noticed you had a new hub that I have to get to. Luv ya my friend !
My dear Damescribe I understand the business concept of which you speak , but you should check him out In comparison to some of the drivel that passes for writing here . I am sure you could understand my Ire. By the way you are still my favorite teacher here too !
Tony,
Another Hubber alerted me to this article. Thank you, my brother. I have learned my lesson and I will never leave as long as I am alive—largely because of you.
Now: We need to get GT back. Where is he?
James this Is absolutely good news to me and many ! I am glad you are back ! I guess I can simmer down now . Good to have you back Bro !
Cris you always have a habit of putting a smile on my face ! And I have always thought Seal was pretty damn good !
Would have looked for something edgier like say Rick Astley or Timmy T ... guess I picked the right one, huh?
But at least you got it off your chest! Feels good afterwards! :D
Dude Rick Astley and that big red hair was just a great spectacle back In the 80s . Rick Astley 4ever ! Or Duran Duran .
Oh yeah I hear ya! We were crazy then weren't we? Btw, where's THE hub? know what, it's about time you explore the capsules when you're making a hub. And what's that space above?
Just made a quick rant to say what I had to say . I gotta get a tutor to walk me through this . But I am also gonna need to take this machine to a doctor It Isnt behavin right !
Tony - you did it! James good to see you back - now if only GT would come back - I miss him so!
You have uniqueness in your writing skill. I just wondering why you put a 'space' before point in every your sentence. I did not see in other writers. That's why I call this is a unique. Keep your great writing, dude.
Shalini I agree . By the way I read your poem good stuff !
abinavis I am not sure about my writing prowess but If you like It great . And thank you for dropping by !
Well Tony...the whole thing makes me a little aggravated, a little sad and more than a little frustrated. I'm sad to say I don't even want to put anything decent here anymore. I post elsewhere, HP has become a place for the stuff that is jsut for fun, not the stuff that has a piece of me in it. I've contemplated a leave for a while now. It's hard to stay knowing your friends (especially when they are great writers who deserve the outlet) are getting pushed out. On the other hand, we all have to decide for ourselves where our place is. I'm lucky enough to have other outlets available to express myself and that, I think, is what allows me to stay here. A part of me still loves the community here that I came into in the beginning. Sure, its changed, but I can't just abandon it. Not yet. I still think it can get back to something great. I just hate that this whirlwind of drama isn't ceasing. The waters are stirred and every time we start to settle down, they get churned up again.
Janetta I cannot say for sure whether It Is all hubpages or some other people messing with the good writers , just because they do not agree with their viewpoints . However I like you sometimes posts In other areas, but unfortunately for all of you who have to endure me this Is my primary headquarters . That being said I have probably told you so many times I luv ya and enjoy your hubs too .
Tony, are you still mad? Glad to know James is not leaving. I also don't understand a lot about flagging and all. But I have a few hubs that had the duplicate content sign because someone had copied them. But it was resolved though.
Michelle you will be glad to know I am totally chilled out now . But you dropping In will brighten anybodys day !I to am glad James Is staying . Thx for checkin In .
Hehe now maybe I can persuade you to wear the sarong thing? :-)
Tony, I guess this is just what life is all about. People come and people go.
Michelle as far as the sarong goes maybe In blue I look good In that color . And only cause Its you will I wear It .
Cindy I am glad James has decided to stay but you are so right . Hubpages Is like life people come and people go and hopefully we mutually benefit from each other.
Tony,
I am glad James is staying with Hubpages. You, James and Goldentoad were some of my first fans, and I have enjoyed reading your collective posts.
Watch your stress level though. After all you're not getting any younger, if I remember right.
Scott.
puppa my friend you will be glad to know I am sufficiently chilled now and you are right I am not gettin any younger , I just feel that way . And I would like to say your hubs rock too !
I hope the trash of which you speak are not my hubs! (J/K) Seriously, though, what you're doing is absolutely necessary in these weird times. Congratulations on your taking a stand on these issues! You have another fan. Great Hub, man.
Denno66 first off glad to have you aboard, I have seen you on the forums and you have a sense of humor. I like that. And I am glad that you enjoyed the hub.Peace out
eovery says:
5 months ago
We miss them both!
Toad and James, come back.