By asking if Burden should "bear responsibility," are you inquiring as to whether he should be held accountable for the actions of the student? Forgive me if I've forgotten, but did anyone, anywhere imply that Burden should accept responsibility as such? I'm serious here--not being a smartass (I've learned to clairify this when 'talking' online). I recall a lot of blog banter about UCLA taking responsibility, ex post facto, for what happened within its walls. But given what we've since learned about the case (for instance, that Burden wasn't even teaching the class) why would we hold him to blame?

PS: Awesome post title

I was being a bit of a smartass with my question, but two DC-based blog-related persons (James W. Bailey and Lenny Campello) cited Burden's reaction as being hypocritical, suggesting that he some how earned the piece for making the original gun-related work. Probably too marginal a view to call out without a footnote for everyone else.

I hereby award thee the "BEST POST TITLE OF ALL TIME," including all time to come in what's left of mankind and BLOGkind.

[Comment deleted. It was over 1,500 words in length and posted on multiple blogs.]

It was an Official Statement in the mock style of Burden's through his spokesperson, Ms. Sarah Watson.

And for the record: it was a parody.

Both sites have hyper-ventilated and or allowed the hyper-ventilation in favor of expelling the art student in question before he has even gone on record with his side of the story, let alone had a potential day in court being tried by a jury of his peers.

I don't tolerate censorship in any fashion. I call it out in my style when I see. I speak my mind and I let the chips fall where they may.

I regret that grammarpolice.net and artbloggingla.com have agreed to conspire together to delete an alternative point of view from the record on this matter.

Sincerely,

James W. Bailey

Fair enough. I thought that at that length, it was interruptive. And I saw it posted on other blogs (e.g., my co-conspirator, abLA), which made me feel cheap. I don't have much of a policy in place, but 1.5 K words on any topic cut-and-pasted probably won't pass muster.

Dear Kriston,

I have tremendous respect for you and that work you do with grammarpolice.net

You challenged me (I think) to a response. I responded with a completely new piece.

I posted on Caryn's site that I had no problem whatsoever with both of you declining to publish my original piece that was eventually published by Lenny.

I will also tell you that I probably should have vetted this piece for length through you. I'm accustomed to J.T.'s and Lenny's forgiving natures.

I think the parody piece was absolutely on target with threads on your site and on art.blogging.la

I have a very strong opinion on this matter as you are not doubt aware.

I told Tyler that perhaps I've jumped the gun on using the word censorship. But what happened to day sure feels like it.

I've never had a post deleted before - perhaps for me that is remarkable.

I understand you own your site and have a perfect right to do what you will with it. But my style is not to engage in typical blog posts.

I'm pretty sure you probably know that more than Caryn does.

If I have a long piece that I would like to publish on your site, I will run it by you for length issues next time.

Sincerely,

James W. Bailey

Geez, I thought that Rob guy was bad. I'm sorry you have to deal with this crap, Kriston. Where do you find these people?

"If I have a long piece that I would like to publish on your site, I will run it by you for length issues next time."

Wow. This guy just doesn't get it does he? James - Other people's blogs are not here for you to publish your writing. Go start your own blog if that's what you want to do. Any blogger that allows you to "publish" your "pieces" on their site is a big fat sucker.

Geez, I thought that David guy was bad. I'm sorry you have to deal with this crap, Kriston. Where do you find these people?

The Internets, my friends, the Internets.

A great resource - many thanks!

A great resource - many thanks!