One of this blog’s most loyal and long-time readers is a guy named Kevin Johnson who, according to the comments he occasionally leaves, can be reached at prospectorguy@gmail.com. Readers who follow comments might not recognize this name because I delete the majority of Kevin’s comments.

It’s rare that I moderate legitimate comments on this blog. I might correct someone’s spelling if they might as me to or delete a duplicate post, but I won’t delete a comment just because I disagree with the person’s opinion.

So why do I delete Kevin’s comments? It’s because Kevin is a bully. His comments are mean spirited and do not promote positive dialogue. One thing I find interesting about Kevin is that he uses an email address that can be traced to a real name. So he’s not talking behind my back, but rather right to my face. I like this because it lets me get right back into this face and publicly call him out.

Kevin left a comment this afternoon that bears addressing. In reply to my latest post where I joked about being a catch, he commented negatively about my weight, looks, and affinity for cats, then wished me luck in finding a partner, as though any of that has any bearing on my character and suitability as a potential mate.

He’s not the first person in my life to use objective facts as weapons of attack against my personality. That’s how bullies think. They create a flaw in another person in order to make themselves feel better about themselves. So attacks by bullies have nothing to do with the target, but rather with the bully’s own low self-esteem.

Kevin, you obviously have too much time on your hands. Have you thought of volunteering or taking up a hobby like a sport of craft? Such enriching activities will help you develop new skills, which is a great self-esteem booster. A therapist can also help you work on your self-esteem issues. There’s absolutely no shame in asking for help.

I feel really bad for people like Kevin and wonder what made him a bully. Did he lack parental love? Was he bullied himself? All I know is he must feel very poorly about himself if trolling a blog with the sole purpose of attacking the blogger passes as a fun activity.

Pity the trolls, folks, rather than be angered by them.