Two years ago I ended a two year friendship with a male co-worker due
to his growing anger and hostility issues. He had asked me out early
on in this friendship and I declined his invitation. He made it clear
to me that he was still interested in being friends and we were. But
after two years of watching his anger grow to violent outbursts I told
him we needed to go our seperate ways. He did not take it well.
Instead he decided to start blogging all about me. He has his own blog
site. I let it go because
anyone in his right mind reading his blogs could see he was very
unstable. Loves to be the guy everybody hates...self proclaimed
"spewer of venom." Several times his bosses at work counselled him and
he was asked to remove some of the more negative remarks. Just last
week after a recent 3-page blog entry rehashing the whole ending of our
friendship and a new gaggle of name calling and read-between-the-lines
kind of threats (including my full name, a picture of myself, my place of
employment and job title) he was fired. The entries on his blog site
are now venomous. He claims to have been fired not for blogging but
"specifically" for blogging about me. Our HR department has
recommended I file a
restraining order. However, I have seen stronger cases get denied in
court. My question is, in your opinion, is it worth it to attempt this
or will it most likely be a waste of energy? I also feel that any
feedback he gets from me will fuel the fire. So, if it is going to be
fruitless I'd rather not start the process.

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Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 19 Nov 2005 07:29 PST

Your question is difficult to answer because we have no idea to what
extent this fellow is perhaps "posing a threat" or harassing you. You
seem to be soliciting an opinion. We can offer you an opinion if you
like but based on what little we know about this issue it is doubtful
that our opinion be much more accurate than your own. Would you like
an opinion based on the laws in your state? If so, let us know what
state you are in so we can take a look at what laws might apply to
your situation. Also, it would be helpful to know details about this
"hostility" and how it (if applicable) has manifested into a
potentially frightening or dangerous situation. Along those same lines
you might also give us some examples of statements he has made (or
published) that might be considered defamatory.

tutuzdad-ga

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Clarification of Question by threedoos-ga on 19 Nov 2005 21:05 PST

An opinion would be fine but but I'm also open to any input you may
have as to if you feel this warrants an order or not. I live in
California. He has never harmed me physically. He has never threatened
to harm me. Verbally, perhaps, if you read between the lines. He
lashes out with fancy metaphors. "I want to hunt her down and give her
the big rasberry." "...and for those unfamiliar with my rasberry's,
don't laugh, they are not to be messed with." In reading his blog as
of late he has used words like disgruntled and depression. He has made
reference to "the man" trying to keep him from his first ammendment
rights. The ending of our friendship was due to the fact that he
showed violent behavior towards others in my presence. He was rejceted
by me and even though he has since been married it still bothers him
enough to rehash the whole event two years later with such a fury as
to get him fired from his job. On his blog he posted my photograph, my
full name and occupation and where I work. He claims to have been
fired for blogging. "but specifically for blogging about my ex friend
and current employee." The more I think through it the less I am
interested in filing. It would be fuel to the fire and cause him much
joy to taunt me knowing he has bothered me to such an extent. He is
the type to measure out 100 yards from my front door and stand just a
foot outside that just for a good laugh. No lie, Thanks for your help.

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Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 20 Nov 2005 10:58 PST

It seems you've answered your own question then. 

Good luck;
tutuzdad-ga