I’m a fairly trusting person in real life. For most things. Not all. Most.
Blogging however, I believe what I read but sometimes with a little bit of skepticism. Not all blogs or bloggers. Some.
Every once in awhile, a blogger or blog post comes along that sets my radar off. It goes berzerk. Off the charts. Warning sirens. Red flags. Migraine headaches. OK, fine. I exaggerate.
And this one made me kind of. Well? Disappointed. Disgusted. Amazed. Because I don’t believe a word of it. Yet, it seems so many of my bloggy comrades do.
Mom Dot just posted that she is being cyber stalked with death threats and all sorts of horrible things. She is taking the posts and videos of her family private for their “safety”. For regulars on her blog, it’s a free upgrade to be able to view them. Otherwise, there is a cost involved. To pay for her “home security” she claims. And by the way, originally she posted it would be $5.99. She has since changed the wording to simply state “for a cost”.
Sad.
Personally, I like Trisha. I am entertained by her. She’s funny, friendly and has always been very nice to me. I’ve actually had decent little tweet exchanges with her. Is she a friend? No. We are friendly. And I’m not going to bad mouth her because I don’t play that way. I’m not a disrespectful person.
I will say though. And this is, once again, my little tiny opinion on my ever shrinking little blog. Where I have nothing to lose. And really, not much to gain either. Because I’m not blogging for anything other than, well…to write.
Bullshit.
My radar is going off so badly that it’s giving me a headache.
Because I think, so strongly, that this is a little ploy to make some money and get some more attention off a horrible situation. Which will, most likely, work. There are so many followers in the bloggy world that are looking for a leader to guide them. And for such a slight little thing, she definitely, is a powerhouse of leadership. For some.
I have nothing to lose for calling her out here on my blog. I don’t make money from my blog. I’m not a big blogger. I simply don’t care.
What I DO care about is, my fellow bloggers trust being taken advantage of.
I’m sorry if she is getting death threats. Really. That’s scary. And I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
I just don’t believe it for a minute.
I don’t believe her minions either.
And I’m sorry for those of you who do.
Because you are being taken for a cyber-ride.
For another great read about this little matter…the digital mommy is right on the mark!!

#1 by sam {temptingmama} on November 28, 2009 - 4:56 pm
Quote
I haven’t been following any of the MomDot drama since prior to BlogHer. I recently stumbled upon a twitter fight that just blew me away. The hatred that was spewed back and forth by ADULTS was mind blowing.
I’ve only been back to Trisha’s site once since BlogHer and I haven’t really given it much thought. Good thing, I guess.
I met Trisha at BlogHer and she seemed pretty sincere but that was just a short visit. So I really just don’t know what to make of all this.
sam {temptingmama}´s last blog ..Collision Course
#2 by Karie on November 28, 2009 - 6:04 pm
Quote
You know my opinion, always have. I too will never spew ugliness until the stone is cast. Even in bold face ugliness to me…to which you saw for yourself with that screen shot I would never stoop that low. This is a way to CYA for her, she is a snake in the grass, not an ounce of sincerity, truth, love, or nice in that human (if you can refer to someone of such candor that way). Sad that SO many have to blog about how she is a schemer, how she is a drama whore, and what is even more sad is people running to her defense all the while she sits and TALKS SHIT about others. Disgusting and vile. The whole situation.
Karie´s last blog ..Gifts for Her or Him: Cookware.com CSN Stores
#3 by Mommy X on November 28, 2009 - 6:38 pm
Quote
Boy am I glad I’m an amateur…that’s all I have to say about that.
#4 by SurprisedMom on November 28, 2009 - 6:42 pm
Quote
I don’t the backstory. I really don’t care to involved in the drama. I really DO care when people try to take advantage of other people. Ugliness is ugliness and taking advantage of others is ugly.
SurprisedMom´s last blog ..I’m so EXCITED: Happy Thanksgiving again
#5 by Jenn on November 28, 2009 - 7:02 pm
Quote
Just stumbled across your blog via Twitter and I have to say I agree 100% with your post on this. I am a member of several online groups, ExtraOrdinary Mothers and MomDot included and though I may have friends on BOTH sites… I am not siding with anyone. I am a little known blogger who has been lucky to have some great followers and I am not out to gain anything. I do this for fun not a career and I just hope people will grow up and act like adults all around. Thanks for a Great Post on this issue!!
Jenn´s last blog ..Saturday Mosaic 11/28
#6 by Another Suburban Mom on November 28, 2009 - 7:05 pm
Quote
I have an allergy to drama! I avoid it at all costs!
Another Suburban Mom´s last blog ..Friday Foodie-Leftovers Edition
#7 by lceel on November 28, 2009 - 7:18 pm
Quote
Drama? Death threats? Hate mail, spews and ugly stuff? Hey, life’s too short. Just don’t go there. Don’t read her. There’s a whole bunch of others around who are really worth reading. Like you. I like your shrinking little blog.
lceel´s last blog ..Sarah – Training Day
#8 by Whiney Momma on November 28, 2009 - 9:50 pm
Quote
Wow, I guess I am out of the loop on lots of things…probably a good place to be considering all of this nonsense going around. I agree that blogging and reading other’s blogs should be free. If someone really wanted to stalk her; I’m sure they wouldn’t mind paying the $5.99 fee so it doesn’t seem like that would solve her problem. Glad to hear that others are sharing their opinions though…that’s what I really enjoy about reading blogs to begin with!
#9 by Michele on November 28, 2009 - 11:00 pm
Quote
What is disturbing about this (and I’m just now learning about drama over at MomDot.com–I didn’t know it existed until today) is how many things just don’t ring true. If they ARE true, then it’s a highly unusual situation. If I received death threats I would file a police report immediately, not wait until Monday, not buy a security system first, not blog about it–not even draw attention to it–not take my blog to private as the info is already out there, etc. But, see, this is ME…other people do things differently, and maybe she has legitimate reasons for doing things the way she is. I don’t know. I don’t know her.
She has always been very open about wanting to make money on her blog, and that it has always been a primary aim for her, so the fact that she is trying to make money by charging to see posts about her family doesn’t surprise me. We live in a capitalist society; she’s acting like a capitalist; this shouldn’t surprise anyone. Acting like a capitalist isn’t a bad thing; however, IF this is based on falsehood, then this attempt to earn money isn’t very ethical. Will anyone pay the money? Who knows.
I’m still scratching my head trying to figure out how her new system is going to protect her family though. I’d be interested in seeing her thought process explained more.
I don’t want this response to read as wishy-washy. I agree, this whole situation sends up a lot of red flags to me. I’m just hesitant to write it off completely as BS without knowing more. I also know that, in my life, I’ve made decisions that, in the heat of the moment, seemed smart to me but later realized that I was off-the-mark; maybe her decisions seem odd to us because she just made quick-judgements without thinking the whole thing through. Or not.
I can see that this is a difficult post/topic to address. Kudos to you for doing so, though. Heck, MomDot takes a stand on things and says what she wants and cites the First Amendment; you, too, have the same right, and should be able to do so without fear. The fact that you posted your reservations on Twitter shows that you are not just bashing someone for the sake of bashing someone; you’ve really given this some thought and are standing behind your beliefs. That’s a great thing.
Michele´s last blog ..TAKING CARE OF YOU: Perseverance Versus Insanity
#10 by Courtney Velasquez (@theappleofmyeye) on November 29, 2009 - 7:37 pm
Quote
There is no reason to hide this post… you were perfectly honest and adult in your response to the latest Cyber drama.
Courtney Velasquez (@theappleofmyeye)´s last blog ..Momdots Genius Idea
#11 by Melissa Multitasking Mama on November 29, 2009 - 7:57 pm
Quote
The drama is ridiculous! I completely agree with your take on this…some people find it okay to cast stones but want to run and tattle to the teacher when the stone is thrown at them. I left the MomDot forum awhile back because it was more of a gossip forum than informative to me. And she was vlogging mean things about a blogger I love and respect… Why can’t we all just get along?
Melissa Multitasking Mama´s last blog ..Thankful through Trials
#12 by lonek8 on November 29, 2009 - 9:06 pm
Quote
my radar would be shooting off too. I don’t know this blogger or her blog so I won’t comment in terms of her personal reliability or whatever. But personally, if I were truly in a situation where I feared for the safety of my family my blog would go black. period. I would simply stop. Never would it occur to me to turn my terrifying situation into a money maker. But if it’s a scam, well, it’s sure a good one!
#13 by Kami Lewis Levin on November 30, 2009 - 8:08 am
Quote
I too enjoy your “shrinking little blog!” I’ve never followed momdot. The whole PR blackout thing put a bad taste in my mouth. I wouldn’t mind making money off of my blog. I work hard on it. It’s pretty time consuming. But NEVER at my readers expense. The story seems far-fetched and an opportunity to take advantage of her fans. Boo Hiss.
Kami Lewis Levin´s last blog ..The Storm Before the Calm
#14 by Melisa with one S (PH) on November 30, 2009 - 8:19 am
Quote
Never read her. This is a whole new level of drama I’m happy to NOT be involved with.

Melisa with one S (PH)´s last blog ..It’s Not ALWAYS About Me(me), But Sometimes? It Is.
#15 by Jen14221 on December 2, 2009 - 8:36 am
Quote
Don’t know her, never read her before. She sounds like a twat.
Jen14221´s last blog ..thankful
#16 by ME on December 2, 2009 - 10:33 pm
Quote
Bored Huh? Seems like everyone has 2 cents. I wonder when online life became more important about personal attacks on people than living a real life. Personally I think its all sad.
Not really having the whole story by either side I just sooner SKip the post and go on my way. Happy Blogging Holidays to all of you
#17 by Amanda @ High Impact Mom on December 2, 2009 - 10:51 pm
Quote
I agree with you whole heartedly. I have no stake in the drama that I didn’t realize was happening, but I totally agree with you here. You’ve done an excellent job (as per usual) of expressing yourself in an adult and logical manner…I’m sure the warning signs have gone off for many of us..though I do share your general disdain and sorrow for those awesome blogger who seem to have been bamboozled.
Amanda @ High Impact Mom´s last blog ..Better Homes & Gardens and Pepperide Farm Team Up
#18 by Nacole, the Shameless Momma on December 2, 2009 - 11:07 pm
Quote
THAT is some shit, seriously. I would worry about going straight to hell with gasoline drawers on if I sold my family’s photos on my blog.
Sorry, but if she were truly being stalked, no amount of money would be worth her family’s safety.
Is she really THAT fucking interesting that anyone would pay to see their pictures? I’m so disgusted just from what you wrote that I have no desire to even read her blog.
#19 by Toni on December 3, 2009 - 5:58 pm
Quote
This post is precisely how I feel, have i voiced my disdain for a particular post but I will not ever threaten and having known her for years even before blogging I am not sure I fully believe this either.
If it is true then I sincerely hope she is able to take care of whomever is doing it, but there are some things I have read and or heard that make me just iffy about the situation.
I do believe she may be getting cyber bullied to a point and that I am not okay , if I were getting bullied I would be gone that’s for sure, my family’s safety is first. I also agree with every thing Melissa Multitasking me said whole heartedly
Toni´s last blog ..Link Up Your Giveaways 12/3/09
#20 by Angie on December 4, 2009 - 2:13 am
Quote
The whole situation is ridiculous. I have friends on both sides and belonged to the forum but recently left. I doubt anything that’s going on is going on and it’s hard to tell the truth on both sides. It’s really just childish. But I guess you’ll have that with a bunch of women.
I just thought we were all better than that.
Angie´s last blog ..Nintendo DS games for girls giveaway at Moody Mama Says
#21 by Angie on December 4, 2009 - 2:13 am
Quote
I meant to say it’s hard to tell what’s true on both sides.
Angie´s last blog ..Nintendo DS games for girls giveaway at Moody Mama Says