I’ve always considered myself a law-abiding person and have tried to walk the straight and narrow. This is partly because I believe in doing what’s right and also because I’m a little short fat guy, and I don’t think I could outrun an amorous Sweaty Eddie in the close confines of a prison cell. But as it turns out, in spite of my best efforts, the other day I went to jail.
No, not real jail, where you have to associate with criminals and drug addicts and Sweaty Eddie, but Facebook jail. That’s where Facebook sends you when you’ve been bad, and it can last anywhere from days to forever, I guess. Fortunately for me, it wasn’t that long, just 24 hours. But how I got there was actually kind of dumb.
I belong to several online authors’ forums. They are great places to network, exchange ideas, talk about book projects, ask questions, and help support each other with announcements of new books and such. There was a discussion in one of those writers’ groups about the characters in our books, both the ones we love and the ones we hate. As part of that discussion, I said that sometimes I am tempted to kill the obnoxious little mayor in my Big Lake series.
The next thing I knew, I was in Facebook jail for hate speech against a government agency or official. Can you believe that? I got a message saying my account had been suspended for 24 hours, but I could appeal it if I wanted to. I did appeal, but it didn’t change anything.
I didn’t think it would do me any good because there’s not a real person making these decisions or reviewing them. It’s a bot that only sees words and has no idea of context or content. This happened to me once before, when I shared a link to a blog post about an Army museum in South Dakota. Among the items on display was a KKK hood. The exhibit was about how the Klan tried to spread their brand of terrorism in Sturgis and how some members of the black Buffalo Soldiers stationed there sent them scampering out of town with their tails between their legs. That time around I was in trouble for promoting racism and hate groups. Go figure.
Sometimes I’m tempted to dump Facebook completely, but it is a great resource for connecting with my family, friends, and readers, and for promoting my books.
The least Miss Terry could have done was to send me a chocolate cake with a file in it. Or even a chocolate cupcake. Maybe two, so I could have shared one with Eddie.
On another note, we picked up the Laramie from Global Mobile Detailing yesterday afternoon, and they did an amazing job applying the ceramic coating. Every bit of the truck gleams and looks better than it did the day it came home from the dealership. I left the Mustang with them so they can work their magic on it next.
And finally, here’s a chuckle to start your day from the collection of funny signs we see in our travels and that our readers share with us.
It’s Thursday, so it’s time for a new Free Drawing. This week’s prize is an audiobook of Gone The Next, the first book in my friend Ben Rehder’s Roy Ballard mystery series. Ben is one of my favorite authors, and if you aren’t a fan yet, you will be after reading any of his books. To enter, click on this Free Drawing link or the tab at the top of this page and enter your name (first and last) in the comments section at the bottom of that page (not this one). Only one entry per person per drawing please, and you must enter with your real name. To prevent spam or multiple entries, the names of cartoon or movie characters are not allowed. The winner will be drawn Sunday evening. Note: Due to the high shipping cost of printed books and Amazon restrictions on e-books to foreign countries, only entries with US addresses and e-mail addresses are allowed.
Thought For The Day – When one door closes and another door opens, you are probably in prison.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
So much for freedom of speech, censorship by big tech a new world.
I’ve never been jailed by Facebook, but Google has given me two 24 hour sentences.
The first was many years ago, when I was playing a game on Google. Someone else was bragging about how good they were etc. I beat them at the game, and they reported me for some offence I supposedly committed, even though I had no interaction with them or anyone else in the game.
The second was about 10 years ago. I was working as a safety instructor, teaching about hazardous materials, working at heights, confined spaces etc. The hazardous materials (WHMIS) course mentioned aromatic hydrocarbons. So, in the name of understanding what they are, I googled it. Google told me what they were, and within minutes put me in Google jail for 24 hours. I won’t elaborate on what they are, but Google doesn’t like you doing research on them.
I enjoy reading your blog, and the wide variety of things that interest you.
Thanks, and keep writing!
Welcome to the cell block, Nick. According to Facebook I am a three time felon and should be thankful I haven’t been sent to the electric chair!
Don’t drop your soap!
Hi Nick, I’m curious of the cost to get your new truck ceramic coated. Here in Southern California I have been quoted pricing of $1,800-$2,400 for my truck.
Peter, The fly by night guys who come and do it in your driveway charge anywhere from $500 to $800. I have heard of people having bad results from them. The company that did ours has a shop and once it is applied they keep it inside for 2 or 3 days to let it completely cure. Price depends on the size of the vehicle and how much prep work is involved. The truck was $1,300 and the Mustang was $1,000.
Nah, don’t kill Chet! He’s the comic relief. Sure, he gets frustrating, and Jim hates him, but we never know what he’s going to come up with next. Not to mention Gretchen would miss him. Everybody needs somebody!
Speak of which, what’s happening with Archer and Kallie Jo? We haven’t heard much of them in a while it seems. All of your characters are interesting in their own inimitable ways, let Chet live LOL.