Since it's an election year, I thought I would come out and say for the record that if I am ever elected president, the first thing I'm going to do is seek mandatory 10-year jail sentences for anyone convicted of running an Internet spam operation. And that's just for first-time offenders. Repeat spammers would get locked up for life with nothing to read but the drivel they've been posting on the blogs of law-abiding citizens. So vote for me. I might not know what to do about anything else (the war, the budget, health care, etc.), but you'll be free of junk email, and wouldn't that make you happy?
Full disclosure: I'm not sure if you've noticed, but over the last month or so, we've been inundated with spam comments on the blog, most of them from people allegedly named "Iris," "James" and "Betty." They appear to be posting some kind of serial novel in eight-word snippets. And trying to sell me real estate. So we've had to go back to doing something we've done in the past to try to prevent this, and that is asking you to complete a simple math problem before posting your comment to prove that you are, in fact, a human being and not a spam-posting android. The problem is 2+2. I don't want to ruin the surprise, but all you have to do to get your comment posted is enter "4" in the box provided. Unfortunately, if you don't answer 4, we will know you are a robot and a little gun will come up out of the screen and shoot you in the face. I know it's harsh, but I've had enough. So please count carefully.
Dan has set the new protocol up in the comments section, and we'd very much appreciate it if you'd help us test it out by leaving a comment. I think the sheer amount of spam has been discouraging people from commenting here lately, so it's very likely that you have many things you're just dying to tell us. Go for it. You can comment about the new comment procedure, anything you've read here, or just anything that's bothering you: Dan's beard. The presidential campaign. Amy Winehouse. Whatever. Just let us know you're still there, help us troubleshoot the new comment section, and if you have any problems, send Dan an email (daniel(at)wachdorf.com). I am probably kidding about the little gun. Unless your name is Iris.
Comments (9)
I don't think there is anything wrong with my beard!
Posted by Dan | February 16, 2008 1:31 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 13:31
howdy!
Posted by charity | February 16, 2008 1:55 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 13:55
Howdy from Nebraska. We're experiencing a warm-up today at 42 degrees. Hope it's lovely in your neck of the woods.
Posted by RT | February 16, 2008 3:03 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 15:03
i shaved my beard. i'd had enough. also, hannah.
Posted by daniel meigs | February 16, 2008 6:04 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 18:04
See, even Aggies can do math some days.
Posted by Tim Smith | February 17, 2008 6:32 AM
Posted on February 17, 2008 06:32
Hi Haley,
Give Kate some hugs from me!
Posted by Aunt Emily | February 17, 2008 11:15 AM
Posted on February 17, 2008 11:15
Hey Haley... what's zero plus zero?
Posted by Hannah | February 20, 2008 3:09 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 15:09
Just wanted you guys to see I can type "4". The hint helped save time, though.
Bob, Judi & Abigail
Posted by Anonymous | February 21, 2008 11:06 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 23:06
Coming in loud and clear -- and since you asked for Amy Winehouse comments, I'll miss a few things about the UK, and one is major radio stations that play a big variety of music, including 6 Amy songs this year.
Cheers,
Mike
Posted by Mike | February 23, 2008 2:37 PM
Posted on February 23, 2008 14:37