For a long time I was not aware of the Trash Category.
 
Then it came to my attention when an article took Voice of Arizona to task for diverting a political blast to the Trash Can.
 
It was seen as censorship.  But counter arguments pointed out that it was not censorship.  The article was still available, but it had been sent to its room for quiet time.  It was a safeguard against spam drowning out legitimate and interesting articles.
 
I agree with VofA’s action.  This is not a billboard for political rants and broadside blasts with no intention of meaningful intercourse – simply a blast and run situation.
 
Until now, I have not used, nor have I advocated using, the Trash category.  But times have changed, haven’t they?
 
VofA’s site design never ceases to amaze me, and it operates so flawlessly.  And the spamming feature has been used very judiciously.  But now it is likely to be exercised like never before by the denizens of the VofA site in defense of this flawless operation.  It seems we have one among us that wants to throw a stick into the spokes.
 
A Spammer has raised its ugly visage, not from the big bad world out there, but from our very midst.  This person was welcomed, encouraged and indeed helped by virtually all of the participants here at VofA.  In retrospect, for too long a time it would seem.
 
I call this spam for lack of a better name.  But this transcends spam.  Spam hits the site with a broadside, and moves on, caring not about a response.  The key here is that it goes away.
 
Our current problem has made it clear that he has no intention of going away.  In fact, he has gotten downright belligerent and threatening to the other participants here at VofA.
 
MoronInCharge has counseled our resident brat to seek help.   I feel sorry for the brat, and I applaud MoronInCharge for his noble effort and diplomatic approach to this person.  But we here at the VofA site cannot do any more than we have in the interest of helping this poor soul.  So …
 
My response to this brat going forward will be “Stomp!  Stomp!” in a comment, and nothing else.  It will signal my intention to do my part to stomp his article as deeply into the Trash can as I can, without elevating his tantrums to the level of parent-child dialog.   And henceforth and forthwith unto the ends of my time here at VofA his comments shall be invisible to me. 

So be it.
 
Remember: “Stomp!  Stomp!”