**BREAKING NEWS**

 The blogging community is agog at the news today that Robert the blogger of many names - the latest being Robert 'The Pain of the West' - in his most recent post received 25 comments.

This unprecedented occurrence cannot go unreported so The Curmudgeon (me), being the head of the leading blog group The Curmudgeons Inc.ⓒ (whose membership recently increased with the addition of The Wine Curmudgeon) has decided to investigate.

While the standard of the comments isn't great, the number of them is noteworthy.

It's important to note that, unlike the bogus comment count found on Richard's blog (Richard's Bass Bag), these comments weren't generated by alter egos of Robert as he doesn't have any. To be honest he'd be hard pressed to find one being a self-effacing christian but we don't wish to cast aspersions. He does however have a lot of monikers which to the casual reader (read an internet searcher who had the misfortune to stumble on Robert's blog) might be confusing. Even in his own blog that has his current infestation manifestation name of 'Robert The Pain of the West' still, in his own post comments as Robert Sees Things in Sky. Confused? I certainly am.

As I said the comments aren't great but they are in the form of a dialogue between Robert as author and Richard (we assume as the anonymous commenter).

Here are the comments:

25 comments:

Anonymous

Ugly and odious.

By the way Robert, that Arizona decision will be reversed soon. It’s based on a ruling before Arizona was a state, back when it was a territory in the 1860s which is about as old as your thinking and political and social awareness.

You would get on well in the redneck and red-hat states of USA.

Now in the interests of full disclosure I have to admit that the first 'anonymous comment was from me as I was using my iPad and couldn't log on as normal

[Reply]

 

Robert Sees Things in Sky07:23

Ha ha I like that..."as old as my thinking.." well maybe they thought right back in them olden days.

 [Reply]

Anonymous

Back in the days before women had the vote you mean?

 That was me again folks.

[Reply]


Robert Sees Things in Sky08:07

The right to vote is not intrinsic. Whereas morality is immutable.

[Reply]


Robert Sees Things in Sky08:34

Take for instance a 13 year old girl who is dux of the school and more socially and politically aware than most adults. She still can not vote!

[Reply]


Robert Sees Things in Sky08:43

Then take the moral precept that all human life has dignity or is capable of achieving it, then age does not matter.

[Reply]


Anonymous

How do you know morality is immutable? Fornication was once considered immoral but we see it plastered all over our TV screens as something 'cool' people do. Is it even mentioned in the ten commandments? So how do you decide what is even moral in the first place?

I assume that this is the entrance of Richard of Richard's bass Bag (don't ask) who is preferring to remain anonymous, is using an iPad to comment or hasn't mastered the technology on his computer which he hides at the back of the house away from his wife Shelley.

 [Reply]

Robert Sees Things in Sky09:31

CS Lewis said that the moral code is written in our hearts. Religious would say by God. I suppose the non religious would say by the process of evolution.

[Reply]


Anonymous

Ok, if it is indelibly written on our soul by a Creator it should not change unless God does a cut and paste. If it is by a process of evolution then it will be governed by that which makes us most able to survive and procreate.

Richard again. 

[Reply]



Robert Sees Things in Sky09:39

But the moral code to respect the dignity of all human beings is in the face of optimal survival. Why do we care for the old and disabled? Are not they a burden and stand in the way of the survival of the fittest?

[Reply]


Anonymous

We have evolved to a very high level. Look at our complex societies. The intricate social, political and economic webs humanity has created accommodate seeming irregularities!

Richard once more. 

[Reply]



Robert Sees Things in Sky10:06

But complete self sacrifice for the good of another non family member? Where is that found in nature?

[Reply]


Anonymous

Ants.

 Richard again.

[Reply]


Robert Sees Things in Sky10:12

Ants do not have self awareness. They are driven by sensory inputs from their surroundings. Mostly smell. There can not be said to be free will in an ant colony.

[Reply]


Anonymous

A lioness will fight to the death to protect another lioness' cub in a pride. Consider wolves!

Richard again. 

 [Reply]

Robert Sees Things in Sky10:21

I think we are going around in a circle here. It has been nice chatting.

[Reply]


Anonymous10:21

You 2. Have a day.

[Reply]



THE CURMUDGEON10:40

I have a day. Friday actually but it's not nice. Not today as it's raining.
I feel sorry for those ants now.
And the lions.
Wolves I can take or leave.

[Reply]

Yes, that was me as I rejoined the 'conversation'.

THE CURMUDGEON10:41

Who is Robert who sees things in the sky arguing with?

 Me again.

[Reply]


Anonymous

Some other guy in the sky I think.

 I have to admit that was me too from my iPad.

[Reply]


THE CURMUDGEON10:42

The Skyman?

And me from the computer in MY study. 

[Reply]

Anonymous

Yes, he's waiting in the sky. He'd like to come and meet us
But he thinks he'd blow our minds.

Me again. Sorry. 

[Reply]



THE CURMUDGEON10:44

I think you're thinking of the starman there sparky.

[Reply]

Yep me. 

THE CURMUDGEON10:44

Or Jesus.

 And me again.

[Reply]

 Anonymous

Jesus Christ.

Enter Richard, stage left. 

 

That ended the thread. You'll have, if you were observant, noticed that there were three commenters there - Robert (who sounded a bit peeved at the end) me and Richard who once again demonstrated how annoying he can be.

At least though, 25 comments is a damned good achievement (and he will be, damned I mean) especially given that there weren't any silly alter-egos involved like Angry Jesus, Phillip Nis,  Akish,  Bin Hire and Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

Let's see if Richard can get 25 (real) comments on his next post.

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You might have surmised (correctly) that it's been a slow day up north but the rain has finally stopped and I might be able to get out into the garden tomorrow. 

This of course will mean that I won't have time to blog.

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