Posted in the Comments to Ms. Vidal's blog post:
Ms. Vidal also reposted this on her Facebook Page. As did Ms.Lewis. So, it's on the FB page twice.
Ms. Lewis happens to be a GR Author.
"Basically, I'm going to show them your profs behavior as an example of how not to behave when you get online when you enter the professional world."
It is Ms. Vidal who is acting here in her professional capacity as an author, regarding her books. Not the reviewers she's targeted. Rather they are acting as consumers, using screen names.The use of screen names, rather than their professional names, as well as the fact that they are writing Consumer Reviews - which are NOT allowed to be professional reviews - is proof these reviewers are not posting reviews in any official, professional, capacity, nor speaking on behalf of their employers. Rather they are clearly and obviously posting their personal opinions, as private and personal individuals. Which they have every right to do as consumers, and consumers are under no obligation whatsoever to be "professional" when doing so.
The one who is behaving in the "professional world" here is Ms. Vidal. She is the one speaking under her author pseudonym, on her author's blog, and her authors Facebook Page, regarding her products and her displeasure regarding some of the reviews of those products. She is acting in a professional capacity here, and her actions are decidedly unprofessional.
It's Ms. Vidal who began this campaign of harassment, and it's Ms. Vidal whose professional behavior is frankly abysmal.
If Ms. Lewis knew anything whatsoever about "the professional world", she'd know who was acting in a professional capacity here, who was not, and she'd know it is Ms. Vidal who is the example of "how not to behave when you get online when you enter the professional world." She's trashing her professional reputation, she's already disgraced herself on GoodReads and has been unceremoniously booted from that service. And she has readers all over shaking their heads at her bone-headed stupidity.
What she should be saying, if she brings this issue up at all with her students, is "When you write and publish a book, and you get a book review that makes you upset, remember you're a business, you are your brand, and what you do effects your business. These are readers, they're consumers. They have the right to their opinions and to express those opinions. Do not respond unprofessionally, as Ms. Vidal has done. She's even gotten herself kicked off GoodReads for harassing readers. Don't do this sort of thing when you enter the professional world and function online as an author."
Apparently Ms. Lewis is yet another author who doesn't understand anything about the "professional" side of being an author.
I'm disgusted by this message of Ms. Lewis' in a variety of ways, but particularly because this "English teacher" apparently doesn't support honest consumer reviews.
Now, I'm all for consumers being free to complain and boycott for whatever reason they please, which is the standing Ms. Lewis is attempting to cloak herself in here, but when doing so in order to attempt to silence another consumer over valid consumer opinion, and repeating lies and innuendo in order to attempt to cause him harm, when he was not acting in a position of representing his employer, it absolutely sickens me.
The hypocrisy and total lack of self-awareness is mind-boggling:
"But when the staff of a Catholic institution is amused when their peer *actively* tries to destroy an author's reputation and minuscule livelihood, regardless of whether she deserves it or not, I must admit this is not a Catholic school I would recommend to my dog."
The only person actively destroying Ms.Vidal's reputation is Ms. Vidal herself. If this effects her "minuscule livelihood" she has only herself to blame. Just because she apparently doesn't have the common sense God gave a horsefly, doesn't mean it's not hypocritical of both these ladies (using the term loosely) to do the very thing they're accusing another of doing.
Ms. Vidal also obviously does not understand the first thing about running a business - including branding, public relations, professional image and reputation, consumer rights, etc. As much as she, and her pals, complain about her "livelihood" and her "reputation" she's utterly clueless as to how to function in her capacity as a consumer product producer in order to benefit and protect either one.
Allow me to point out the obvious. Hypocritical behavior is a sin. The founder of the faith had quite a lot to say about religious hypocrites, and none of it good. Bearing false witness is also a sin. Christians are commanded to forgive even their enemies. I'm aware forgiveness doesn't require forgetting, nor does it require pardon for societal or legal repercussions. However it absolutely does prohibit retribution and revenge.
These ladies may be Catholic, but I don't for one second believe they're Christians. I'm well aware Christians are as fallible as anyone else, but Ms. Vidal is clearly not even making an attempt, but rather flaunts the tenets with apparent wanton abandon.
Frankly I think parents should be concerned that this anti-consumer attitude is coming from someone teaching their children English in High School. I'd also think they'd be concerned that Ms. Lewis apparently wants to teach them that lying, intimidation, and seeking revenge are acceptable methods of obtaining your goals. Her example of "how to behave when you get online when you enter the professional world." Hopefully those kids are smarter than Ms. Lewis gives them credit for, or this might be a incubator for future BBAs.
I was able to determine who employs Ms. Lewis in about two minutes. She should be very, very glad I have superior ethics to Ms. Vidal. Because frankly, I find the fact that this woman is teaching young people, particularly in English where many of them may become writers and authors themselves, to be extremely concerning.
I need to throw up.
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