Dave Hussein Winer

Some joke. They go after his sponsors, so guess what -- now he doesn't have a sponsor. That's a joke? Only if you're a sadist. Maybe if it's so much fun to be mocked by Calacanis and hisfriends, they should start picking on some people who could fight back and maybe hurt them. It's cowardly to pick on Shel, who has too much pride to say how much this is hurting him. Maybe Calacanis shoudl offer to sponsor Shel's show to show he's not such a bad guy. He's rich, Shel is not. All around this is disgusting. People who think they can have fun while hurting someone else need to take a good look in the mirror. - Dave Hussein Winer

I don't find the situation funny at all. The average age of bullying seems to have shot up immensely as the web matures. Too bad some of its users aren't maturing as fast. And just between you and I: I don't need someone I don't know to tell me the "best links" on the web via an ad-based human service. I'm quite capable, thank you. ;) - Kevin C. Tofel

Thanks Kevin. It's nice not to be totally out there on my own on this. Another thing to think about. Do you think they would be doing this if Shel's name was Kathy Sierra? Why is it funny to destroy a middle-aged Jewish guy? There's got to be a way to shine the public light on what Calacanis and Arrington are up to here. It's a warning sign to other people not to cross them. It's anything but a joke. - Dave Hussein Winer

"Maybe Calacanis should offer to sponsor Shel's show..." I think this an excellent idea; is only fair if Jason wasn't out to destroy Shel's career; ties it all up and we all move on; and is great publicity for Mahalo speaking from a purely PR perspective, which Calacanis would probably consider a plus. - tamera

Sounds like the same thing the guy who tried to "pants" me Every. Single. Day. at lunch in junior high would say. "It's just a joke! You need to lighten up!" :-( Bullying knows no age limits, it would seem. We should all just follow Wil Wheaton's immortal advice from PAX last year - "Wil Wheaton says, Don't Be a Dick!" - http://tinyurl.com/5jlxmp - Josh Bancroft

Tamera, glad you like the idea. I've suggested it to Arrington, he never responded. Maybe he doesn't have so much money, but he sure knows how to attract sponsorship -- and he *says* he's friends with Shel. It would really round things off for them to pay Shel for the fun they're having destroying his rep. (And Heather Harde, why doesn't she step in and stop it. It amazes me the people who just stand by and do and say nothing.) - Dave Hussein Winer

Josh, there are a lot of people in Silicon Valley who need to hear Wil Wheaton's advice. - Dave Hussein Winer

Calacanis is one of the few people I actually blocked on Twitter. He exploits his users for his own personal benefit and takes advantage of his sphere of influence across socnets. Personally, it takes a lot for me to block someone. Nuff said. This whole episode is not healthy for the community regardless of which side you happen to fall on. - Brian Daniel Eisenberg

Wanted to mark this as a like, but thought I would be misinterpreted... I like that people are pointed out the childish behaviour that is stemming from someone who is supposed to be mature, against another person. - Ian D. Nock

Never got why anyone thought the puppets were funny. It was a grown man making a fool out of himself. BTW if Shel thought it was funny, then it was a joke. - Mack Collier

Brian, I did the same - Shey

Go ahead and mark it as a "like" -- everyone understands what that means in FF. Not that you like it but you saw it and recommend it. - Dave Hussein Winer

On many occasions I had the pleasure of interacting with Shel, a thorough gentleman, great thinker with highest moral values. I have nothing but great respect for him. This is totally not acceptable and Jason should sit down and think what it would be like to be at the receiving end - if the situation was reversed. - Vic Podcaster

Getting tired of this crap. Shel needs to lighten up? How about this, HE DOESN'T LIKE IT, and has STATED AS MUCH. That means it should stop. End of story. Instead, since Loren has friends with influence on the Internet, like Jason and Mike, he continues. It's selfish. It's low-rent. - Andru Edwards

There's never an excuse for bad manners. Jason owes an apology. - Dave Hussein Martin

Mixed feelings on this. I actually like Loren's sense of humor much of the time. I thought his posts he did with his 5 year old nephew Ethan talking about tech were hilarious. I don't know all his stuff though and have heard people say he's made racist remarks which I wouldn't approve of. At the same time I appreciate Dave standing up for decency and for Shel. That's a good thing and Dave frequently takes on a cause even when it's unpopular or if he's supporting an underdog because of his convictions. - Thomas Hawk

I'm right there with you Dave. Though I don't think Shel would want Calacanis as a sponsor. - Amit Morson

But... did Shel lose his sponsor *because* of Loren or Calacanis? I'm not so sure. Maybe SAP just didn't see the value/ratings in sponsoring Shel's show anymore. Has SAP said why they didn't reup? Sponsors drop on and off all the time for any number of reasons. Did Loren go too far with Shel? Probably. But I'm not sure he necessarily ought to bear the blame for the loss of the sponsorship, unless SAP says that's why they dropped him. - Thomas Hawk

I declare a JEW FIGHT. first one with a puppet gets a ham sandwich... come on Winer. Piggie, Piggie, Piggie, ... weee Piggie... and the piggie is Scoble - AnotherⓃⓄⒶⒽ

It's not about the lost sponsor. That is secondary. It's about the bullying and abuse. - Andru Edwards

I'm also not sure why picking on Shel is labeled "picking on a *jewish* middle aged guy. It would seem to suggest that Shel was partly picked on for being Jewish and I tend to doubt that since Feldman is Jewish himself. What relevance is there to the fact that Shel is jewish? - Thomas Hawk

Someone versed in "social" and "communications" should have seen the marketing and publicity GOLD in Feldman's antics and rolled with it accordingly. I'm hard-pressed to find Shel a victim of anyone but himself here. Did Loren go to far? Maybe. Did Shel react almost totally incorrectly? Absolutely, imo. - abacab via twhirl

At times in junior high (yes, I'm referencing junior high which should be a clear sign of things) when I was being bullied or made fun of I a) ignored them and b) stuck to my motto that 'insults from idiots should be taken as compliments'. I don't know Calcanis or Arrington personally so I can't say their idiots but I think Shel can make that call. This whole thing only really survives because people are gawking. - AJ Kohn

it isn't Punch and Judy... but Punch and Judah. I'm kicking Igor the Troll's ass right now - AnotherⓃⓄⒶⒽ

Andru, my name is not Shel. If you want to beat up on someone here, beat up on me. But before that, examine your own motives. Why do you need Shel to shut up if he's hurting. Explain that first. - Dave Hussein Winer

Thomas, we'll never know why SAP didn't re-up, and why do even need to discuss this. We do know that these people took aim at Shel. If there's even the slightest chance it increased his misery then it SHOULD STOP and people should stop blaming the victim here. How would you feel if you were Shel? And more important -- what would you do if you found one of your kids participating in something like this? What would you say to him or her at your sitdown? You should say that to yourself. - Dave Hussein Winer

Dave, re-read my comment. I was defending Shel. I am saying that Shel didn't like the abuse, stated it, and therefore, it should stop. It's just common decency and common courtesy. I'm with you on this one ;) - Andru Edwards

Shel's hurting is coming off more as poor-loser whining. I'd would not care to have been a target like he was, but I don't find much of Loren's criticism entirely unfair, honestly. And Calacanis makes an excellent, succinct point. - abacab via twhirl

I would like to see Robert Scoble's comment on this. I am surprised he didn't say a word until now. - Satya Boora

Whether it is true or not that people didn't stand up for Shel b/c it was a joke, it's in bad taste and I don't like it. - Phil Glockner

Come on most of you sound like all ladies! There is no Fair in War! We are in Social Media War! So fight you Pussies! - Igor The Troll

I don't just think his Jewishness has anything to do with it, I'm sure of it. - Dave Hussein Winer

Just heard the Lauren side of the story here.. http://www.1938media.com/about... Lauren claims that this is payback to Shel, since Shel has tried to pull him in the past. - Vic Podcaster

Regarding Jason's involvement, he only makes an appearance in the original puppet video. I think he and others shouldn't have been part of this that's Dave's point. Dave? - Vic Podcaster

Before anyone else can stand up for Shel, Shel needs to stand up for Shel. Or roll with it, which could have had him and his sponsors laughing all the way to the bank.... but nooo. - abacab via twhirl

Okay so the puppets are a way of getting revenge. Thanks for clearing that up. All you guys who think it's funny now have your answer. It's not meant to be funny, it's meant to hurt. - Dave Hussein Winer

"Before anyone else can stand up for Shel, Shel needs to stand up for Shel. Or roll with it, which could have had him and his sponsors laughing all the way to the bank.... but nooo. - abacab via twhi" Pithy words! I cannot believe Shel Israel wrote Naked Conversions and now he is crying the Blues! Come on, Shel is a joke, a has been! - Igor The Troll

"Just heard the Lauren side of the story here.. http://www.1938media.com/about... Lauren claims that this is payback to Shel, since Shel has tried to pull him in the pas" The link doesn't work, but if he's going for 'payback', why is no one calling for Loren to 'just lighten up'? - Mack Collier

I hear you Dave. And I like Shel a lot. I think he's a genuine guy, a straight shooter and one of the nicest people you will ever meet. And as said before I think it's admirable of you to stand up for what you think is right here in this case. And I do think Loren pushed it too far in this specific case. Again, but... Loren has largely defined himself as a comedian. That's his shtick. Comedy frequently pushes the envelope.... - Thomas Hawk

Again, it doesn't matter what his status is in your eyes. The issue is that someone is bullying someone else. It's childish and stupid, and if the person on the receiving end asks for it to stop, it should stop. Case closed. - Andru Edwards

Thomas, show me where I said anything about Feldman? I think you guys are the problem -- you think destroying another person is funny. Give Feldman credit, he's honest enough to say it's not about being funny, it's about revenge. Thomas your problem is that you know and like Shel. And yet you excuse this, even justify it. Stop deflecting, the issue is YOU. - Dave Hussein Winer

...(cont). Lenny Bruce, Howard Stern, etc. They are comedy and entertainment. Do/did they say hurtful things about people. Sure. I'm just so sure where the exact line is. Were people saying it was "too far" when Feldman described Nick Douglas' beard as pubic hair on a face back when he was still working at Podtech? In general I probably tend to give comedians a wider berth than maybe I should. - Thomas Hawk

BTW didn't the first puppet video appear on www.shelisrael.com? And now he's claiming it was 'payback'? Wow it's like 3rd grade PE all over again. - Mack Collier

oh please Dave. Take your meds.... it's a PUPPET. The PUPPET did not damage SHEL.... the puppet made Shel famous. You have a puppet, arrington has a puppet, Loic has a puppet, and i was done up as a baby!!! Did any of use lose our sponsors, show, or were we damaged in any way!!??! please. it's comedy... oh yeah, its a PUPPET! Really. For the love of God please make a Calacanis puppet and do 10 shows a day.... it's flattery of the highest form. - Jason Calacanis

So where's the line, Jason? Did you just give everyone carte blanche to say whatever they want about you? I mean if they upset you, they can just say 'well it was JUST a joke!' and that means you lose the right to be offended, right? It doesn't matter if YOU thought the video about Shel was funny, what matters is how Shel took it. Have no idea why you can't see that. - Mack Collier

Jason you are a Freaking Puppet and VC are pulling your strings! But you know the game and Poor Sell cries baby tears! LOL Come on, what a joke, Shell is being Bullied by Loren! Are we in Kindergarten! Ok, Bad Loren, behave or go to the corner! ROFLMAO - Igor The Troll

Dave, I thought you were talking about Feldman, your screen image references 1938 media, which is essentially Feldman. I don't think anyone destroying Shel or anyone else is funny. I've already said that I think Feldman pushed that bit too far. Are you saying that this is not about Feldman but about Calacanis? And if so why? I haven't followed the whole story very closely. - Thomas Hawk

Hey Dave, Bite me. - loren feldman

I don't know Calacanis very well. Met him in Seattle once and he wanted me to stop taking his picture. http://www.zooomr.com/photos/t... - Thomas Hawk

Mack Collier: Well, it is a puppet... does anyone take a puppet seriously? I mean, it's not like the puppet was killing people. The puppet was doing serious interviews with Kevin Rose, Loic, Kara Swisher, etc. It was all in good fun, and Loic, Dave Winer, Scoble, and Arringon all loved their puppets. We live in a free country with freedom of speech... comedy is aVERY important aspect of our freedom. If someone wants to make a puppet about me I'm totally cool--just say techcrunch50, mahalo.com,+calacanis.com - Jason Calacanis

Jason. I don't love the puppets, so please take my name off that list. Further, we already have the data that the Shel Israel puppet is a way for Feldman to get revenge on Shel, so it's not a joke, and definitenly not funny, and not something I want to be part of. I *know* that it hurt Shel. So maybe you could stop supporting it now that you know that. Another thought is you could personally sponsor Shel's show as a way of showing it's all in fun? We know you've got a lot of money, Shel doesn't. A thought. - Dave Hussein Winer

Jason, we all think it's funny. I love the puppets. The question is loyalty. If Shel was my friend or associate, which he's not, and I knew he wasn't happy about the whole thing. I'm 100% sure I wouldn't have assisted, promoted the person he was upset with. Shel handled this wrong. Loren did nothing wrong except being maybe too rough, but the real crime here is Shel's "friends" and associates who decided to hide behind "it's a joke, get over it" more than "I probably shouldn't support my friend's attacker". - Jim Kukral

One guy and a puppet. Like it or not, the world needs the Loren Feldmans of this workd, they help keep the rest of us honest. Those that don't get it are going to suffer. - Dennis Howlett via twhirl

On the playground, by the flagpole - 3 o'clock. Fight. Honestly, I really don't know much about what's going on, but this is a public forum - and this sounds like something where a phone call should be made, either apologizing or at least talking about the situation with all involved so everyone understands. Hissy fits on either side, doing this on the Internet just doesn't seem appropriate in this situation. Soon this will devolve into senseless name calling. - Vince DeGeorge

You don't like your puppet Dave!?!?? how is that possible... shocking since it's such a perfect send up of your delusional hypocrisy and mental instability. Really dude... it's a puppet. Shel--a grown man--is hurt by a puppet??!!?! The genius of social marketing and community building has been crushed... wait for it.... wait a little more for it... a puppet? Really? A puppet... really? - Jason Calacanis

By the way, Gary V is handling it right. What Shel should have done. Embrace it and ride it. - Jim Kukral

Two points here that some seem to be overlooking: 1 - Did Loren honestly mean for the video to be a joke? 2 - Did Shel take it as a joke? Shel obviously didn't think it was funny, so the question then shifts to Loren's motive. If Loren honestly intended the video to be a harmless joke, common sense dictates that upon seeing that Shel was upset by it, he would have immediately reached out to Shel and apologized. Apparently he didn't do that, and that speaks volumes about his intentions. - Mack Collier

Loren says that this is payback. Payback for what? Shel must have really pissed him off badly somewhere along the way if this is payback and not a joke. - Thomas Hawk

Why don't you all just whip them out and measure? Lets get this over with once and for all. You ALL try to destroy each other. I've watched it. No one more than another- some are just more successful at it. The puppets are funny. If they weren't, this would be over. I've met Shel twice and Loren once. I've talked with all of you on some level a few times. You call bs on me, I call it on you. It's the ability to go get drunk and move on here that is key. Geez. - Erin Kotecki Vest

one could actually make a reasonable argument that for most involved in social media being involved as a "puppet target" like this is actually a big opportunity for PR/branding/awareness - it's just a question of how you spin all the publicity - Deva Hazarika

Holy crap, you are all such fucking drama queens. What is this, LiveJournal? Is Shel going to pull a Kathy Sierra and take his toys and go home, now? ... I really miss the old 1980's BBS flamewars. - Dossy Shiobara

Mack Collier: Loren said OVER AND OVER again that Shel should just buy into the joke and he would end it. Instead Shel started with the legal threats and attacking a *puppeteer*. Loic and I both told Shel to just embrace it and Loren would let up. Shel knew exactly what to do, and I think Shel will at some point reveal that his hurt reaction was all a social media experiment. There is no way Shel is hurt by a puppet... it's impossible for an expert on social media to not understand such basic concepts. - Jason Calacanis

@jason - maybe shel is the savvy social media PR guy here... - Deva Hazarika

It's one guy and a puppet but the tech blogosphere needs the Loren Feldmans of this world. Without them, who'd clean out the tank of the hyperbolic crap that accumulates? @jason - you don't believe that last statement, do you? Look at the way Shel made gaff after gaff on this and then continued to throw out snide remarks in Twitter. - Dennis Howlett

I find this all amusing yet pathetic at the same time. Dave, Jason, Shel etc are all supposed to be leaders within the tech industry but with all of this, you are acting like spoilt children. Your all supposed to be grown men but can never resolve anything in a civilized manner and to be perfectly honest, I’m starting to questions the reasons why I’m following the on-going conversation. Before yesterdays tweets, nobody was sticking up for Shel and over the past few months, no one ever mention it was a joke, although the puppet’s are comedy gold. I just wish ALL of you could just grow up or just ignore each other. - Luke Newcombe

Payback? Are you serious? I forget, who is supposed to be the crybaby of the two? - Mack Collier

At this point I'd like to raise a practical question... http://www.flickr.com/photos/t... - Thomas Hawk

I'll start... CHERRY!!!! - Thomas Hawk

Loren the Puppet! LMAO - Igor The Troll

So we're trying to set a precedent that public figures may not be satirised with puppets if they don't like it? I guess that ruins spitting image - Cains

@jason, the puppets may be funny, they may not be, that's subjective. Personally if I never see you in a hot tub again it will be too soon... but I digress... the point is that "social media" shouldn't be about eviserating someone who, in the end, is pretty harmless isn't he? Shouldn't we be attacking *ideas* not the person? So Shel's videos sucked, okay, cool, lambaste him and move on, it's when it gets to the level of personal attacks (on all sides), and piling on, that it crosses the line.... - tamera

I just subscribed to every single commenter in this thread by the way. - Thomas Hawk

@jason... if you meant no harm and really participated all in good fun, then just man-up and say "hey Shel, sorry your feelings got hurt, it was meant as a compliment, and hey, Mahalo and you could both use some publicity so why don't I sponsor you". Stop telling him to "get over it" and start recognizing why he may think it went to far. Personally I think he should have embraced them at first, but then things got nasty on all sides... Why not just bring it to an end... even SNL retires skits... - tamera

It seems like "satire" and "bullying" are getting all mixed up together in this conversation. Surely there's a difference between parodying someone in puppet form and tormenting them, schoolyard-style. I mean, is "Saturday Night Live" bullying Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama every week? When you agree to become a public figure, isn't part of the deal that someone might take issue with what you do and make fun of you? - Lon Harris

Hey, can someone make a puppet of me and I can pretend to be hurt and offended as good as the next guy ... my crappy blog sure could use the attention! You can't _buy_ this kind of buzz, seriously. - Dossy Shiobara

Feldman didn't go after Shel's sponsors who are still sponsoring FastCompany TV with Scoble. Just not the bit with Shel. As I understand it. Bottom line is that Shel's shows were a disaster. Sticking that shotgun mic up Jeremiah Owyang's nose while drinking coffee was comedy in its own right. Made more so by the fact it was supposed to be a serious show. - Dennis Howlett

I would think most people aren't sweeping in to "save Shel" for two reasons: 1). he's most often a condescending self-important dick 2). it's a puppet, who cares! - Roebot

All this silliness and drama just proves a simple point - tech pundits are not inherently more mature, objective or insightful than any other random sampling of humanity. - Soulhuntre

Oh - that and I couldn't care less who either the puppet guy or his supposed victim are. Never heard of em. - Soulhuntre

Would anyone be interested in sponsoring my show. It's a fun, flirty, fashionable golf show? I just got a really sweet book deal, now I need someone to sporsor my show. Anyone? - patricia hannigan

Dave, I'm sorry but you're overreacting and acting irrational as usual... I was shocked when saw your comment stating Shel is attacked because of being 'a middle aged Jewish guy'... Oh c'mon! This has nothing to do being Jewish. I live in the middle east and sick of this "poor jews. all time victims of defamation" story... In contrast to your views, Loren's puppets didn't hurt Shel Israel but made him even famous. Look at the real Shel's interviews (oh my god! they suck) and then watch puppet Shel's... - Berk D. Demir

As you all sit here complacent, my Puppets are mobilizing at this very moment. They are motivated and anxious to complete their mission. May g-d save us all. - loren feldman

I’ve decided to boycott all of these ‘Tech Leaders’ products and services, and I will petition others to do the same until they can start acting like ‘adults’. Until then, I’m no longer interested in anything they do or say. - Luke Newcombe

It's not really about the puppet is it? Really? I mean Loren started in on Shel before the puppet showed up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v... Personally, I think the puppets are funny, and Loren's not doing anything guys like Robert Smigel (Triumph) haven't done before. Beyond that, it seems like most folks outside the situation can see that you've got a few guys who just don't like each other pretending it's all business. - Ken Sheppardson

Puppet Shel has made much more informative and professionally hold interviews. Watch Kevin Rose, Calacanis, Dan Farber, Kara Swisher episodes. From the perspective of journalism they excelled... And please stop connecting the SAP sponsorship withdrawal with the puppets. Real Shel criminally underperformed in his job and for many times SAP sponsorship was totally irrelevant. - Berk D. Demir

Stop. - Ian D. Nock

I for one enjoyed the puppet show. Keep up the good work Loren, you make the Internets more entertaining - Jeff Hoard

I think that Shel is saying that he is defeated .. the joke is over on him but the puppets are funny - I don't think that the people who did the shows with the puppet where going after shel .. it was entertainment. I do puppet shows to my kids they love them. If it is true that Shel is suffering from financial loss then I blame Fastcompany and Scoble. They should have stood by their guy or make sure he wasn't harmed. Companies these days (and people) rarely have any loyalty. I'd like to know if Fastcompany and Scoble screwed Shel - if so that is where the discussion should go. I didn't see Shel say he was financially hurting in fact he said he's doing more in income i think... - John Furrier

Loren, if you ever do a Thomas Hawk puppet, make sure it's a *Canon* camera strapped to it's face and not a Nikon, alrighty? - Thomas Hawk

I'd feel honored if someone thought I was interesting and unique enough to be made into a parody starring a puppet. Liken up, man 'cause that Comcast truck ain't goin' no where! - Mark Frost via twhirl

let's be clear here. this show wasn't about satire or parody - it was an absolute attack time after time against shel. watch what loren says in his interview with dan farber of cnet - he says it was personal. Loren is the current bandboy of the calacanis and arrington crowd but eventually he will be dumped when he is done with. go read what duncan riley said - its pretty interesting - seems like arrington put loren up to this if you read it. is cnet forcing loren to drop the crap? - Mark Lepzig

Mark, where did Duncan say that Arrington put Loren up to it? It was kind of obvious, but I'd like to see it in writing. - Dave Hussein Winer

i cant find it dave - its in his ff stream though - Mark Lepzig

wow. I wish I had time to get all wrapped up in internet wars. *shaking head* - Trula

Jason? It's not just a puppet. It's also a domain name, stated intents to "ruin his career" and repeated videos/twitters/blog posts to the effect that Loren is intent on doing that. If it were 'just a puppet' it would be funny... Loren is funny. This little war amongst friends no longer is. - Lucretia Pruitt

@Lucretia: yeah that domain name... the point to register shelisrael.com was to show how he's irrelevant to web and the paradigms he's talking about. A man dubbing himself "senior advisor" on new media and social media skips to register his OWN name ".com" domain... Well done. Poor Shel isn't he? You as an IT consultant, made a smart move and registered your own domain lucretiapruitt.com on Feb 1st, 2008. Good for you... Bad for old Shel. - Berk D. Demir

i mean, just for the record, Dave , you wrote that you thought the Feldman/Shel thing was funny and then deleted the messages when Feldman made a puppet video about you. So...this is sort of lame. - michael arrington

Mike, that's not true. Why don't you get on the high road and find out what you can do to help Shel. The guy is hurting. Be a mensch. - Dave Hussein Winer

ok, well, here are the messages. http://twitter.com/TechCrunch/... - michael arrington

not trying to be a jerk about this, but you didn't care about shel until it suited you to - michael arrington

Mike, what you say is not true. I have to deal with some problems on my site right now. Back in a few minutes. - Dave Hussein Winer

Easy for me to say not being in the crosshairs, but I agree with Erin on meeting and having a few beers. We could get drunk and let our guards down or have a real bar brawl and get it over with. Maybe then we could get somewhere. - Larry Kless

I really doubt arrington has any malice. The videos ARE funny. There just comes a point when its time to stop and move on to another topic. We've reached that time now. - Adrian Bye

It's not as if Loren, whose job title can only be described as professional troll, is a particularly good troll. The reaction he has gained is out of all proportion to the quality of his trolling. I guess he just picked the softest targets. - Paul Montgomery

Unless Loren can debunk Scobleizer I cannot hold him in esteem! His picking on Shel and Dave while fun, he is taking it too far! Loren, grow up or get the fuck out! - Igor The Troll

Why the heck are folks targeting Shel? Reminds me of 3rd grade playground evil tactics and mental/social games/competition... super immature behavior. I think this unhealthy behavior needs to stop NOW. I like Shel a lot and totally respect his work. Why can't these evil people get a grip and grow up? Must have way too much time on their idle hands. - Susan Beebe

@Berk - wow yes... you can use Whois... very impressive. You'll note the date of the register right? Hm. Perhaps because while I've had my business domains for 12 yrs now, it wasn't until *after* Loren decided to register shelisrael.com that it occurred to me that someone might just be petty and vindictive enough to register my name as a way to try and attack me - so I protected myself. You see, if it's not your nature to figure out ways to attack others, it doesn't come naturally to pre-emptively register. - Lucretia Pruitt

" we'll never know why SAP didn't re-up, and why do even need to discuss this." - because you stated in the ORIGINAL comment that he no longer has a sponsor because they went after them. so what is it? Bringing the SAP thing and the Jewish connection is a crass way to make your argument - Jamie

@Lucretia I think your view is a little bit emotional and irrational. It'd be one's very own fault not register a name domain. Much serious fault if your name equals to your business name. When someone starts to linger around and irritate people with their extremely low quality work, another one will step in, register and make fun of them. On the reversal, someone could excel at his work but still hadn't register it. This time a malice will register and try to hijack the success of target's personal brand. - Berk D. Demir

On the other hand, reading "sarcastic" comments like "wow you can use whois" makes me think you're in self preservative aggressive mode :(. i don't know what did get you but the conversation wasn't about you. I wondered if you had a name domain. then referenced it to make my point... people serious about their personal brand, do register a name domain. sorry i'm not a smart ass as you would think. and sorry if I hurt you in someway. never intended... :( - Berk D. Demir

We have now learned why Jason has been so behind the puppet - today he is using it for Mahalo. If Shel was smart, he would file harassment charges in state court. If this was local, it would absolutely be harassment. - Mark Lepzig

I think this whole thing can be summed up in one word: FASCINATING! - neovids

The Feldman puppet videos I've seen have been hilarious. Calling him out for comic ridicule is like taking offense at Don Rickles calling you a hockey puck. - Rogers Cadenhead

@1938media Loren Feldman you are a Total Douchebag! Just remember what goes around, comes around! So Fuck You! - Igor The Troll

I think Loren and Shel should bury the hatchet and do a charity fundraiser together and that Loren's "Council" should kick in big bucks as sponsors: http://broadcasting-brain.com/... - Mark Dykeman

Dave, you are right that if Feldboy started puppet-mocking women, a mob would form in protest. - jeneane hussein sessum

I am so going to miss Jason's astute, indepth sensitive commentary if he actually is retiring from the blogosphere. - shelisrael1