Who's keeping track of the dumbest comments of 2008? This one needs to get on the list. - Hutch Carpenter from Bookmarklet

I saw that yesterday and I found it very surprising (the whole conversation, not just the hypocrisy where his own personal blog is very standard template). I'd be interested to see what Cyndy thinks about this guy since she does some writing for the Industry Standard - Robert Seidman

Excellent riposte in the next comment: "Isn't there a thunderstorm you should be chasing somewhere?" - Andy Murdoch

He uses the same template in his cheese and crackers blog. http://jlgolson.blogspot.com/ - Heidi Jeffers Thibodeau

Now now people, I don't think we should be stereotyping those of us who use standard blogspot templates. :) - leigh himel

Heidi - good find! - Hutch Carpenter

If you use a standard blogger template, maybe you were putting more time into writing great content than making it all pretty and stuff - Rahsheen ™, Coach of FF

@rahsheen you are very wise - leigh himel

Sure, I use that template on a blog... that I haven't updated in 2 years. My point still stands -- he isn't a "prominent" person in tech. He isn't Scoble, he isn't Calacanis. Blacks are underrepresented in tech. I didn't say I WAS prominent -- just that he wasn't. Blogging for AlleyInsider doesn't exactly make you prominent. Neither does writing for Valleywag or Industry Standard. But having 40,000 followers on Twitter? I'd say that gives you prominence. But, you know -- attack away if it makes ya feel good - Jordan Golson

I don't see any problems with using any standard templates. I just was surprised that he used the same one! I don't usually throw stones in my own glass house! - Heidi Jeffers Thibodeau

Who is this Jordan Golson. He is not very prominent. - Elliott Ng

Maybe this is his change to change that? - Rahsheen ™, Coach of FF

Matt Drudge continues to "rule the political world" with the ugliest, lamest Web design of all time. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix... - James Joyner

Jordan, prominence is on a sliding scale. Would you agree that Arrington, Calacanis, Kara Swisher et al gave him *more* prominence? I don't think his prominence is at issue here with your post but rather your suggestion that anyone offended by the year old video is "self-righteous". - Robert Seidman

Jordan - there's a good debate there about 'prominent' in the context of the larger conversation. But to define prominence by the use of a certain blogging platform does little to advance that debate. - Hutch Carpenter

Looks like Jordan is no stranger to controversy http://www.techcrunch.com/2008... - Mike Doeff

I never said I was prominent. That's missing the point. My point was that anyone offended enough to threaten a boycott against Verizon or to actively try to torpedo someone else's livelihood because of something they said a year ago is self-righteous. As for a prominence goes, I said that I have trouble taking someone seriously who uses a standard blog template -- just like I would have trouble taking a presidential candidate seriously who showed up to a debate in a track suit. - Jordan Golson

Jordan, sorry that I got your name wrong. I fixed it. - Mike Doeff

Jordan, reasonable people can debate whether the video was offensive. But is it reasonable to assume that just because it wasn't offensive to you and almost a year old that makes someone like Corvida self-righteous for being offended enough to protest against Verizon? - Robert Seidman

That seems the major point of contention. Using a "standard blogger template" takes very little away from whatever point you are trying to make. Whether you agree with that point or not is another question entirely. It's just irrelevant. - Steve Spalding

Robert, I think whether someone is self-righteous or not is a matter of opinion -- and reasonable people can disagree on that too. I think she was. You may not. It's not a judgement on them as a person, just saying that I personally think they're making more of it than is necessary. People are going to be jerks on the Internet. Best to just ignore it. - Jordan Golson

It goes without saying but some of the best speeches I've ever read were never typed. I'd like to believe that it's always about the content and not the container. - Christopher Harley

Been debating how to reply. I saw Jordan's piece when it went live. I hadn't seen the comments until Hutch posted. I disagree with Jordan's premise, but I respect him as a writer and a person. I don't believe for a second he's a racist. I also know Hank's work very well, but also realize that not everyone reads the same blogs. There are people out there who don't know who Arrington is. And I think we all agree that this space is dominated by white men. Period. I saw the "50 most prominent women bloggers"... - Cyndy

... and *I* didn't know who 2/3 of them were. And I do understand that at the foundation of The Video was a truth that could have been applied to any group other than white men. It could have been women, Asians, Hispanics... what I'm not understanding, though, is the misdirected anger. I respect those who protested. I understand those who disagree. But why the anger at the protestors instead of Verizon? - Cyndy

what an ass. - Adrienne Van Houten

Oh. My. God. Jordan. Do your fucking homework. All the way around. Cyndy I don't think anyone called Jordan a racist. I did call him an idiot though. I stand by that. - jeneane sessum

Can we add the post to the dumbest of 2008 list as well? - Shey, Jamaican of FF

why are people debating anything with someone who says they are a big fan of Don Imus? "appreciating his ability to call out hypocrisy" is one thing, but "a big fan?!" conversation's over as far as I'm concerned. - Marshall Kirkpatrick

lol@Marshall good point - Shey, Jamaican of FF

"People are going to be jerks on the Internet. Best to just ignore it. - Jordan Golson" - jeneane sessum

Now I have an excuse not to take MYSELF seriously... - Ontario Emperor from fftogo

But OE, YOU were in the screencap on Valleywag of the NEW 250. You are very prominent. ;) - Cyndy

“I think the most important thing is in fact not to distinguish by skin color, gender, eye color, or any other physical characteristic. Om Malik is a well-known blogger. Is he a well-known Indian (guessing) blogger, or is he just a well-known blogger. Mike Arrington is a well-known blogger. Not a well-known WHITE blogger, but just a well-known blogger and entrepreneur. Is Will Smith a well-known actor, or a well-known black actor? Judging by the success of all his movies (he has the $100 million golden touch) I would say he is a well-known actor, regardless of his skin color. The more you focus on any physical or genetic distinction, the more you miss the big picture. America is about equal opportunity. Not just on websites and employer contracts, but that for many from all over the world of whatever background, America levels the playing field. Is it perfectly level? Of course not. Never in history has everyone been born into an equal situation, even in all-white societies, all-red societies, - David Adewumi

http://davidadewumi.com/2008... my reaction to the Feldman issue - David Adewumi