"PatBateman" (PatBateman)
07/17/2015 at 11:49 • Filed to: End Rant
28
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"PatBateman" (PatBateman)
07/17/2015 at 11:49 • Filed to: End Rant | 28
| 74 |
Good job, Nick Denton: You’ve finally pushed me over the edge. After much contemplation and reflection, I have come to the difficult decision to boycott all Gawker Media sites, including OppositeLock, Jalopnik, Groupthink, and Jezebel.
The Jordan Sargent article from last night opened my eyes to how vicious the “Mother Site” is. And the worst part is that they did it for two despicable reasons: to continue their ongoing negative press against Reddit (Condé Nast’s parent company is an owner of Reddit) and for the clicks. They attempted to out a bisexual man, ruin his career, family life, and reputation to make some money. It doesn’t matter that the targeted person didn’t actually physically cheat on his wife to them. They wanted clicks (and the source wanted to finalize his blackmail scheme) on what is essentially a non-story.
As you all know, Gawker Media makes it’s money from advertisements. They can charge more for those advertisements with more users. I help make Gawker Media money by being here. I, by visiting Jalopnik, OL, GT, and Jezebel, am a click.
Not anymore.
I’m not an important part of this community. In a couple of days (a week max), no one will even remember me. I’m doing this because it’s the only thing I can do. Do whatever you want to do, but I cannot, with a clear conscience, continue to feed the multi-headed monster that is Gawker Media any longer.
There might be an occasion that I come back in the future. For example, if Gawker apologizes and makes the situation right, then I’ll return. I doubt that’s going to happen, though. Max Read (Gawker) and Natasha Vargas-Cooper (Jezebel) are already defending themselves on Twitter and I’m sure Mr. Denton has fully prepped their legal team before the story was published. They’ll dig their heels in and claim First Amendment. I don’t really care what their argument is: this is not right.
So, until the highly unlikely happens:
Adiós, Muchachos.
-Pat
BrtStlnd
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 11:53 |
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Yep.
Mercedes Streeter
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 11:54 |
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Farewell Pat. I would want to leave, however my Kinja friends mean way too much to me to do that.
If Gawker goes down (this guy can sue!) I wonder what will happen to Kinja?
G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 11:55 |
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You realize that Gawker doesn’t make money off of non-FP’d Oppo articles, right? I agree that Nick Denton is the biggest twatwaffle around, but that's no excuse to leave our tiny safe corner of the kinjaverse. It will be sad to see you go.
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PatBateman
> BrtStlnd
07/17/2015 at 11:56 |
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Great minds think alike.
Party-vi
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 11:56 |
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:(
Berang
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 11:57 |
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Is Oppo related to Gawker in any way besides the Kinja platform, now that it has seperated from Jalopnik?
CalzoneGolem
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 11:57 |
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EL_ULY
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 11:58 |
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you’ll be back lol :]
if not, see you at training camp!
SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> Mercedes Streeter
07/17/2015 at 12:01 |
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If Kinja goes down, does anything ever happen?
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SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:03 |
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I know the feels. I’m pretty disgusted by the whole thing and even though Jalopnik is the only GM site I read, being associated with it in any way makes me feel dirty.
BigBlock440
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:03 |
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Man, you guys are making me want to actually read the blog post. I really have no desire to, but if that’s what it takes to quit this place and get some productivity back, I may just have to do it.
Gamecat235
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:03 |
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Drop me an email at gamecat235@gmail.com (or gamecat235 on twitter if you stoop to such levels). I don’t want to lose complete touch with you, especially in the event that if I end up out in TX on business, I think that meeting up for a beer or six would be awesome.
Also, well done on the standing on general and specific principles. It’s been a long strange trip.
And for the record, I haven’t read the story you’re talking about. But I know you, and how intelligent you are. That is fucked. Utterly and completely fucked.
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Party-vi
> Berang
07/17/2015 at 12:04 |
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Other than through what you just mentioned, no.
TheHondaBro
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:04 |
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Live long and prosper.
Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
> SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
07/17/2015 at 12:06 |
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If a tree falls in the forest and everyone hated it anyway...
macanamera
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:09 |
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Godspeed, friend.
davedave1111
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:10 |
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If you block all their ads, you are costing them money, not giving it to them. And honestly, if you only have a problem with Gawker now...
CB
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:11 |
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You’re always free to drop by the oppocah chat channel on IRC. And the Photography subblog, since absolutely nothing we post is ever going to see the light of day.
Take care, man.
BReLp7dzHM3ytYsE
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:11 |
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You seem like a great guy, Pat. It was a pleasure interacting with you on here man. Godspeed.
Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:12 |
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If you feel like keeping up, there is the OppoTalk FB page!
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macanamera
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:12 |
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bobbytriplesticks@gmail.com if you want to reach out
Nibbles
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:14 |
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I’ve been teetering on this too. Us like-minded individuals need to distance ourselves from this platform and its parent if we are to continue to have the community we have built and do so very much love
I’ll be out of town (and out of reach) this weekend but I think I’ll be looking for a way to bring this group to a new home next week.
unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins)
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:15 |
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Shine on you crazy diamond.
SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:16 |
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Bye.
*sheds man tear*
Racescort666
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:16 |
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Pictured: Nick Denton
Seriously though, I’m sad to see you go. I could count on you for a reasonable response for every post and this is no different. Good night and good luck.
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macanamera
> G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/17/2015 at 12:17 |
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starring post specifically for use of the term twatwaffle
BorkBorkBjork
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:22 |
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I left Jalopnik before, a long time ago, due to the political atmosphere that Gawker generates and thrives upon. This incident is much more of the same, and is disgusting evidence of this company’s true pursuits.
Good as excuse as any to jump ship now, especially before the election year gets brewing. Any idea on where to go?
bryan40oop
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:32 |
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RockThrillz89
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:34 |
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Gotta stay true to yourself. Respect.
desertdog5051
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:36 |
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Sad, but understandable. Keep in touch from time to time.
jariten1781
> davedave1111
07/17/2015 at 12:38 |
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Not 100% true as I understand. They can get higher rates based on number of unique visitors so even if you never count as an impression or click through you’re a small adder (probably not too significant, but anything counts if you’re boycotting on morality) to the overall sales value of the site.
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davedave1111
> jariten1781
07/17/2015 at 12:45 |
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True, the question is whether it pays the bills if people don’t look at ads.
But really, I can’t see any reason to be more pissed off with this particular article than many before.
Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
> Nibbles
07/17/2015 at 12:49 |
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If you figure something out, Im following you. Theres been too many issues in the past year. Oppo is not what it was when I started, Nor is gawker
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Nibbles
> Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
07/17/2015 at 12:50 |
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We’ll figure something out. I’d like to get in touch with the owner of the Opposite IP.
Jcarr
> Nibbles
07/17/2015 at 12:50 |
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Second. I like Oppo (and to a lesser extent Jalopnik) and I don’t want this nastiness to cost me the privilege of interacting with you good people. We need a place to gather, whether it’s here or somewhere else.
SaintClarence27
> Nibbles
07/17/2015 at 12:55 |
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I’m seriously looking to do the same.
RallyWrench
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 12:56 |
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That was pretty fucked. Articles like that are why I don’t read any sites but Jalopnik, io9, and Deadspin, and don’t comment anywhere but Jalopnik and a couple of its now “unaffiliated” sub-blogs. All the best, man.
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jariten1781
> davedave1111
07/17/2015 at 13:08 |
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For me, it’s because this is a particularly viscous attack on a non-public figure. That’s crossing a line that even the sleaziest of print tabloids wouldn’t cross. There was nothing particularly gruesome that brings the tale up to a public interest and it’s not a celebrity/government official/owner who gives up anonymity in exchange for their position...it’s just a dude, a C-level exec. That means they have no compunction about going after any undesirables for whatever arbitrary and capricious reasons they choose. If he had been an outspoken public persona, I probably wouldn’t like it, but it gets a pass (especially if his persona was anti-gay or strong family values); if there’d been something truly novel in the situation, it gets a pass; if they’d published it anonymizing both the guy and the source it’d be sketchier, but probably I’d still give it a pass...but as is it’s just nasty and distasteful beyond their normal fare.
I probably won’t leave the platform like some folks, but I won’t be touching any of the front pages with their cross posts and side bar until I see where the fallout is headed.
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davedave1111
> jariten1781
07/17/2015 at 13:11 |
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I just don’t think it’s the first time they’ve done something really shitty, not by a long way. I don’t click on those kinds of stories because most other parts of Gawker are really unpleasant. Jalopnik’s OK.
Zzoyd
> Nibbles
07/17/2015 at 13:12 |
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If you are making a list please include me. I just recently washed up from the cesspool that is Gawker and would love to hangout with you guys.
~~~Leave breadcrumbs.
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Nibbles
> Zzoyd
07/17/2015 at 13:13 |
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I am making no list and will leave no breadcrumbs
If something major does come of this I will make it well known and readily available
Imirrelephant
> Nibbles
07/17/2015 at 13:14 |
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FYI, oppostielock.co is not a regstered domain...
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Nibbles
> Imirrelephant
07/17/2015 at 13:17 |
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There’s plenty of domains we could pick up. I’m worried more about using the name, logo, and other IP without consent of the owner.
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Zzoyd
> Nibbles
07/17/2015 at 13:18 |
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That’ll work. TIA
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Imirrelephant
> Nibbles
07/17/2015 at 13:19 |
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True. The name doesn’t matter nearly as much as the community...
E92M3
> Nibbles
07/17/2015 at 13:21 |
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Someone start a new blog. Separate from this celebrity gossip bullshit. I bet half would move over. After a little time it could generate enough money to pay for good fulltime contributors like Jalopnik does.
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Nibbles
> Imirrelephant
07/17/2015 at 13:21 |
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Exactly
That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 13:22 |
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Good call, Pat...I read that article, and it read as a “X is secretly gay!” scandal piece from the 1990s when being gay was “wrong”. Outing somebody who doesn't want to be outed is never cool. Fuck Gawker.
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SaintClarence27
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 13:24 |
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Thank you for the push. After about 45 minutes thought (and I’m ashamed it took that long), I’m deleting all Gawker bookmarks and WILL NOT CLICK. I’m out. #boycottGawker
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jariten1781
> davedave1111
07/17/2015 at 13:25 |
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Yeah, I totally get you. I think this is a culmination though of the cross polination plus a story that’s particularly viscous. If they’d never put up the ‘trending’ side bar and had kept crossposting to the level they did a few years ago the response would be less visceral. In the past it sort of felt like the sub pages (Jalopnik, Giz, whatever) were owned by gawker. There was a (real or not) feeling of separation. Now it more feels like they are a part of gawker.
I think we’re just talking degrees though and no one’s really right or wrong here (well other than gawker...haha). I personally feel it went too far and is, at this time, too connected to places I was visiting. I can empathize with others who don’t see it the same. For me it’s enough to stay off the mainstays and watch for developments, for others they’ve had enough and are gone, and for others it’s par for the course. I’m cool with all that.
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Nibbles
> E92M3
07/17/2015 at 13:30 |
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That’s the thing right there. We have plenty of talent and one hell of a strong community. Why do we feel like we need to be tied to Gawker?
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davedave1111
> jariten1781
07/17/2015 at 13:41 |
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I don’t have a problem with anyone’s decision, I just find it a bit odd that this tipped people over the edge when the myriad of odious articles beforehand didn’t. I mean, come on, they did a public Q&A session with a rapist on the run - Assange - a few months back. And that was hardly the worst, it’s just one which springs to mind.
Gawker’s a fucking joke, always has been. I just don’t think the rest of the network is even worth paying enough attention to judge it.
Conan
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 13:42 |
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I might not always agree with you but you have my utmost respect. That article was pretty chilling to me too. If you’re ever up in Virginia and want a non cover wine tasting or to attend our festival, let me know on cmagruder at the email service provided by a somewhat evil search monolith.
ly2v8-Brian
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 13:45 |
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I agree with everything you have just typed. I won’t be walking away, but it is concerning to have this awesome community in any way connected to that dumpster fire of a website.
Mailbox Cancer
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 14:15 |
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Unreal. Good call, and good luck. I'm disabling my acct and leaving permanently if an apology isn't issued from The Gawk 24 hours after they peddled that cancer. Doesn't look too bright at this point.
PS9
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 14:27 |
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YOU CAN’T GO YET, WE STILL GOTTA HIT THE NASDAQ AND FTSE! Nevermind the sleazball gutter trash journalism, in a few short months we’ll have enough money to buy 100 gawkers!
...for real though. This sucks. I understand. But it still sucks. :(
Brian, The Life of
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 14:33 |
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This probably is not going to work but I’d be remiss if I didn’t try.
Please don’t leave Oppo. Is Oppo technically part of Gawker? I suppose strictly speaking it is. That said, there is zero Gawker influence and/or oversight here. Likewise, there is no money generated as there are no ads from which revenue might be generated. If anything, we’re more aligned with Jalopnik than the Mother Ship, although even that relationship is at an even greater arm’s distance than before since “Jalopnik” let Oppo’s URL.
Mr. Denton and his empire get nothing from Oppo but the bill (which is probably fairly small, TBH) to keep the lights on. You know the people here and we know you. You have always valued the people here as we have valued having you here with us. There is zero reson this needs to change, even in light of your (understandable) decision to boycott Gawker properties.
I, for one, will be very sad to see you go. You are absolutely a valued member of our community and badly wish you’d reconsider.
Stef Schrader
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 14:39 |
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I’m not an important part of this community.
BS, dude. You’re one of the commenters I always pay attention to. Smart, sharp and from the right state, heh.
Either way, I’m sorry to see you go. Vaya con Cornholio, mi amigo.
Jonee
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 15:05 |
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They’ve taken the post down, if that affects your decision at all. It certainly was unfortunate, but there are too many good Jalops here and on the main Jalopnik page for me personally to leave this little corner of the automotive community. But, I don’t blame you.
http://gawker.com/gawker-is-remo…
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Conan
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 15:51 |
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To their credit, mind you: http://gawker.com/gawker-is-remo…
Much of the point remains.
V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 16:43 |
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Godspeed pat, it wont be the same without you.
Leadbull
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 18:48 |
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Just saw this...
FYI, https://www.reddit.com/r/oppositelock exists. I don’t know if you’re on reddit, but it might be worth making an account just to stay in touch with those of us who are subscribed.
I’m a moderator over there as /u/leadbull0 (along with Ontop), but I haven’t used that account in a while, and probably forgot the password. I use /u/Bora-Bora-Bora frequently, so you can send me a PM if you want. I’d post my private email address, but it contains my name. If you PM me on reddit I’ll dish it out, but not here... ¯\_()_/¯
I hate to see you go, but after reading about what happened I understand completely.
Hope to hear back from you in one form or another!
jkm7680
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 18:56 |
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Nobody will forget you! Stay!
I really want to try and get Oppo and TCAL broken apart from Kinja anyways. Just because Kinja sorta sucks, but that situation just might add to my argument. Bad thing is that chances are, Oppo is going to be staying on the Kinja platform for now at least and it doesn’t sound possible for a complete transition to take place.
MustacheU
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 19:25 |
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Thank you. Thank you so, so much. You’re too good for this mess.
TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
> PatBateman
07/17/2015 at 19:28 |
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Later budy, there is always hooniverse. I’m going to miss your posts. This fucking sucks, I’ve invested so many years with Oppo just so these gawker chuckle fucks can screw it all up... Sigh
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TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
> Brian, The Life of
07/17/2015 at 19:29 |
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Well said.
pip bip - choose Corrour
> PatBateman
07/18/2015 at 06:53 |
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you’ll be back.
ihm96
> PatBateman
07/20/2015 at 12:35 |
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http://gawker.com/tommy-craggs-a…
The editors that let that story run have resigned if that helps. They still did it for the wrong reasons and have seemingly chosen their hill to die on, but I hope their resignation mollifies you enough to maybe come back someday
Deputy Kovacs
> PatBateman
07/21/2015 at 23:11 |
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Keep in touch.
Gabor Vajda (@Gabor_V)
> SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
07/23/2015 at 02:56 |
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Not sure how it can play out legally. Gawker is incorporated in Budapest, the Kinja tech staff is in Budapest (Cink.hu is the testbed for Kinja developments). They could reorganize the company the last minute and save its main parts to Hungary, perhaps.
Scimitar7
> PatBateman
07/25/2015 at 09:20 |
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I know I’m late to the party, but...
RobG-ADV
> PatBateman
08/02/2015 at 15:02 |
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Gawker absolutely sucks ass. They’re worse (IMO) than the tabloids of the past, that simply made crap up to sell papers. They push their political agenda everywhere they go and try to destroy anyone who doesn’t agree with them. That goes for Jezebel and some of their other sites as well.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> Brian, The Life of
10/14/2015 at 16:04 |
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I’m not sure if this helped, but Mr. Bateman’s still here.
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> PatBateman
10/14/2015 at 16:06 |
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This is old news, but what convinced you to stay? (never mind, read your post after this one)