Fuck You Die in a Fire: Bill Maher on internet hate

[frazzled]

4. Happened to me right here on DU

One of this site's most prominent posters sent me a private message that went something to the effect: "I hope you die, bitch." (I think it was worse that that. Maybe: "You deserve to die, bitch"; I've blocked the exact words from my mind.) Though it was probably the result of heavy drinking, it truly creeped me out so much that I didn't come back to this site for nearly five years. I mean, I didn't even lurk to read. I unbookmarked it. I think it was the primaries for the 2008 elections that made me come back to see what people were saying. And since I've come back, I've vowed never to start a thread of my own. (A few minor exceptions.)

I never did or said anything to deserve that kind of hatred. I'm a really nonthreatening, relatively meek, and small, person. I will never forget the frightening moment of opening that ugly and hurtful message. And though I'm back, I will never respond to a thread that person posts. My silence is my protest.