My Last Fan Post on Raptors HQ

It's with great regret to inform all you Rap Heads that this will be my last posting on Raptors HQ.  Due to a problem that was caused by one of my postings, the folks at Raptors HQ informed me that it would be best that I no longer post anything on their site.  Raptors HQ claimed that my postings were jeopardizing its relationship with the Toronto Raptors franchise.  How?  I don't know why as everything that I have posted has coincided with the rules and regulations of the blogging community.  

I have kept my posts respectful, I have never attacked anyone personally, I never used any insensitive, rude or derogatory remarks.  I have never cursed or swore and if i wrote an offensive mode, I respectfully censored it by putting an asterisk to abide with the community's rules and guidelines. Now I get a message from the HQ's Commander in Chief, Adam Francis, who was one of my closest fiends in university that my artciles are no longer welcome in this community.

It's kind of f***ed up if you ask me.  For more than a year, I have been a regular contributor on the site and shown to be a true Raptors fan.  I have defended those who I felt were unjustly judged on the team and even put forth ideas that sparked debate and discussion.  Sure, I used Raptors HQ as a free promotional tool to link to my blog, but what blogger does not do that?  I post an excerpt of my articles and put a link so if others chose, can click to finish reading it and to see what else my site offers.  I don't spam nor have I done anything to threaten the security and sanctity  of the site.

I also returned the favor making my site as a free portal for Raptors HQ.  It's one of the featured sights on my blog roll and I have routinely tweeted, dugg, shared and promoted all the sites postings and feeds.  So, this was not a one sided relationship.  I just find it really disrespectful that I am not offered the same courtesy.  That's all.  I just don't feel that that's right.  I have dealt with other blogs who have whined and b****ed to me how I always speak negatively about their teams.  A lot of them have even banned me from posting on their sites (the little b****es) because they could not handle what I had to say; however, this is different.

First I don't appreciate being blamed for jeopardizing the site's relationship with the Toronto franchise.  I know I am a pretty good writer, but I doubt my words have that much weight.  Also with all the hundreds of postings that occur on the site including the fan posts, fan shots and overall comments, I find it really difficult to believe that the Toronto Raptors, a multi-billion dollar organization, along with MLSE (the parent company that owns the franchise) would come down on Raptors HQ just because of my musings.  I find that really hard to believe.

In addition, I thought that RaptorsHQ was an independent fan site, not linked to the Toronto franchise in any way except in name.  I have to really question this site's credibililty and objectivity if they have a supposed "relationship" with the team there.  First of all what kind of realtionship is this if your members cannot freely express their beliefs and oppinions without fear of reprisal.  This is only goes for me, but for the numerous people that wish to add in their two cents.  If it does not jive with RaptorsHQ and its sugar-daddy, you might get bounced off. 

It goes against all the principles that not only Raptors HQ, but also of SB Nation--a sports site for real sports fans.  It's bulls***!!  Unless you are kissing the team's a**, your views are not accepted and you are pushed out.  How weak is that? I have experienced that with numerous SB Nation sites.  I have been accused of "trolling" and causing dis-harmony within the site and subsequently blocked.  Although I cared less about those sites, it really struck me that Raptors HQ would do the same.  I thought the folks at the HQ better than that.  Raptors HQ seemed to be more open to conflicting points of view, which made the site more attractive; however, with what has happened, I can see that that is no longer the case.

That's why I have decided to wash my hands clean of both RaptorsHQ and SB Nation altogther. SB Nation should change its name to Sorry B**** A** network, with all the lilly livered panzies they have for bloggers.  Seriously.  why would I want to be part of a network of boot-lickers and a** kissers along with bloggers who are afraid to lose their perks if they go against the team they represent?  I have other avenues to promote my work. It's only too bad that I must cut ties with this sites.  It was truly one of my favorites to look up the latest news and I enjoyed the HQ's articles. So, if any of you wish to follow me, my site is http://jtshoopsblog.blogspot.com.