Adventures in Personal Responsibility — Or Being Mike Protack
I know that some of you are on Facebook and you’ve been a witness to weeks of insulting and trolling behavior from Mike Protack. Personally, I’m not friends with the guy, but some of my friends are, and the exchanges I’ve seen have been utterly unhinged. No matter the topic at hand, what emerges is the completely resentful Mike Protack — blaming Democrats or unions for all of the worlds’ ills; insulting the intelligence, the appearance, the ethnic background, the appearance of the *kids* of his interlocutors; making stuff up; and just generally lacking in the basic social graces that got him banned from this place. Whether he is talking about education or same sex marriage, all he’s been capable of over on Facebook is anger, insults and ignorance. Yesterday, Esteban Parra documented the most recent incident — one where Protack decided to get his inner racist on:
The comments were aimed at a woman with a Spanish last name, but who is not of Hispanic descent.
The odd comments have been noticed by many, including Rob Tornoe, a local cartoonist and columnist, who posted on Delaware Liberal last month:
“Well, since posting his public comments, Protack, who once ran for Governor, has completely transformed into a Facebook troll, sprinkling my page with a string of comments that can be classified as bizarre, hilarious, scary and brilliant.”
Rob is, of course, a gracious man.
But Mr. Parra notes that Protack’s Facebook page is now taken down, after a NJ reporter called him about his latest adventures in hatred and now he isn’t speaking to reporters. Which is weird, right? Protack is if anything a glutton for legitimate attention (he gets so little of it) and now he’s completely clammed up. But before he went dark, Protack told the reporter that he “sparingly” was on Facebook and denied making all of those hateful and derogatory comments. A thing that those of us who witnessed his complete breakdown here on DL certainly aren’t buying. But he’s taken a page straight from the GOP playbook and denied all responsibility for his Facebook comments. So I’m guessing that the router that was central to Pink Postcard Phantom is now posting on Facebook on its own. Which is OK — it is oddly interesting to watch a perennial candidate for office spend election off-years reminding voters EVERY DAMN DAY of why they didn’t vote for him in the first place.
Tags: Mike Protack
Wow. Unhinged is the correct word.
He finally jumped the shark.
One wonders about his stability as someone responsible for the public, in his job.
I think I will take a page out of your book Cassandra and not fly his airline anymore
I can only imagine my horror to hearing his his voice over the intercom “welcome aboard “
One small upside. At least Protack will not be running for anything ever again.
I have saved several of the tirades on Mike Matthews’ fb where Protack was threatening Matthew’s job. Is and was he always this unstable……yes? No?
The plane flying thing is a bit scary to think about.
It is scary to think about. And for everyone that Protack has done his unhinged thing with, I don’t think that there are people who have threatened *his* job.
I agree with not flying the airline he works for. People can seem perfectly sane, then all of a sudden wham! How many times have we seen the words “He was such a nice neighbor/colleague/friend. I would have never thought he would do such a thing” or words to that effect. Forewarned is forearmed.
Since moving to Delaware, I have noticed that there are quite a few whack jobs in Delaware. I would think that there would be more of them in Virginia. Maybe there is. Maybe it’s just because Delaware is such a small state that everything seems so local or that a place like Northern Virginia is so urban that no one pays much attention to the whack jobs.
FWIW (which isn’t much), as one who occasionally has been on the receiving end of some of Mr. Protack’s bile, those comments don’t read like him.
At one time, I knew Mike Protack through our children’s mutual participation in a certain organization.
It is very difficult to reconcile the person described in this post with the fellow I went to meetings and on outings with. Of course, it was well over a decade ago and people do change, but it’s still difficult.
Frank: I could show you plenty of things that he is known to have written, and they would sound not much nicer than this. He’s a creep. But he has never to my knowledge been racist towards blacks or Hispanics. Homophobic is another story.
reads like aoines posts
I never knew much about his politics back then, and I know he’s been getting more and more rightwingier, but I do not recall such invective, even when the kids weren’t around.
Well ray, I can honestly say never never never have I ever been racist, …ever
Nor homophobic
Nor have I ever used FB in that manner
That said, someone comes in here and act the fool, or the bully, well then GAME ON
but I think you KNOW RAY, that I give only in direct response to what I get. And if SOMEONE can’t stand the heat – well then, stay out of the kitchen…
Apparently Protack has done this to several people – over the last weeks he has apparently devolved
Time he gets called out on it……
Time you get called out too. The inner sanctum of the workings of this place was explained in great detail today how, why and what is acceptable when targeting someone. Clearly anything goes, you personally have no boundaries or level you won’t stoop to. Indeed you have used FB for the same purpose the ONLY difference you use alias names in an attempt to cover your tracks.
I can clearly tell you you are living in a fantasy land and if you feel like getting froggy- , then Jump.
But be prepared For the inevitable blowback.
You are entitled to your opinions but not your own facts. Keep it up
There are no false identities – here or anywhere else
You can spin it anyway you want. – tell whatever fabrication floats your boat
But the bottom line is, it’s not true and you cant make it so by saying its true.
So keep at it- you might find yourself on the outside looking in. Like your erstwhile friends
Lol. Sounds like RAY thinks everyone that posts here is in collusion with all the posters and
This blog “Targets” people.
Who was targeted? When? That’s quite a theory
But good to know you enjoyed your breakfast……. ray
It’s possible that his facebook page was hacked.
@DVG: Reads that way to me. I know his writing well. That’s not it. And you’ll notice it doesn’t read like the stuff Rob Tornoe has made public, either.
@geezer I agree plenty of facebook pages get hacked regularly. Disturbingly people are to fast to jump in with the negative comments. It’s like the Bodenweiser case the alleged victim is refusing to come back to testify. But the damage is done. The damage is already set in motion with Protack. It’s all fun and games until someone gets ruined over stuff like this.
I personally don’t think Protack was hacked. The unhinged aspect is new but unless you were a part of the threads where the context of these isolated statements arose, you will have missed the progression of retorts – of how, in a chorus of attack in response to his normal stupid, Protack was provoked to making more and further extreme commentary. Protack’s an easy target and people on fb enjoyed ganging up on him and he devolved rapidly to the lowest of the absurd, ignorant, insulting etc. etc. etc.
The familiarity Protack comments had with all of our years association leave it highly unlikely that this was the work of some imposter.
I may be inspired to dig up the saved threads that exhibit all of this but frankly, there is nothing that tiny reward compares to the day outside and the yard work that beckons.
I don’t think Protack got hacked. The unhinged behavior on FB was going on for far too long and too much of it was working the same bete noirs that he always works. Some of the stuff he got banned for here approached what he was doing at FB. Some of the stuff that got caught in the spam filter was pretty bad. It is possible that he was hacked, but I seriously doubt it. Why run away from reporters, otherwise?
Well I’m willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt until more FACTUAL information comes out. I see very little difference betwen Protack’s comments, and Aoines which also can be found on a FB page he/she frequents. Yet Protack is getting ripped apart for what he allegedly posted. As far as why run from reporters, why not like I already said look at the field day people had with Bodenweiser, based on nothing more than rumors and the claims of a convicted felon.
And another troll uncovers themselves…or the same troll…..
As much as those obsessed with me would like to complain, the point is, like Nancy said, Protack has been doing this for quite some time and to plenty of others I have absolutely no association with
As well as to this blog, prior to my even being aware of its existance…..one record of behavior, and past patterns, are just that
But hey, believe what you want, I doubt the news journal would leave themselves open to a libel suit without a through vetting of the facts of the matter.
of course you totally disregard an experienced news reporters opinion on the matter.
Comment by geezer on 30 March 2013 at 12:23 pm:
“@DVG: Reads that way to me. I know his writing well. That’s not it. And you’ll notice it doesn’t read like the stuff Rob Tornoe has made public, either.”
A few of us have had first hand experience of the guy’s writing. Our judgments might be different. It isn’t as though you can gainsay any of those judgments. But there is a way that people who’ve been hacked act — and running away from the people asking about what is going on with your FB or email or whatever isn’t part of the pattern. YMMV.
I have no idea about Geezers credentials
And as Geezer isn’t the reporting party, why would that even matter? In this scenario, all that is relevant is the amount of confidence the New Journal has, as they are the reporting Party.
In here , Geezers opinion is just that, Geezers opinion.
But , good to know you are a BIG fan. Can he count on your support in the future?
Sure you don’t know geezers credentials just like you don’t speak spanish. Just so there’s no misunderstanding the people calling you out are just playing the game by your rules. You vehemently denied speaking Spanish yet your own posts uncover your untruths.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:d0LZGlh5WlsJ:www.delawareliberal.net/2013/01/05/outrage-in-milford/+&cd=46&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
You and the others in here didn’t have anything to do with getting the signs removed, anymore than you got the signs removed at the downtown Riverwalk Park. That happened because of the man you hate so much and his wife, going before the city council.
The only thing you managed to do was get Dan Gaffney’s family and home targeted by a hate group, go brag about that. es un coño mentiroso lo que anda viene karmas una hembra más grande que usted
I feel sorry for someone who blames the ills of their world on one person.
I have no idea what you are referring to, or what signs. It’s really is pretty sad that you think that I can somehow manipulate the News Journal, manipulate this blog, manipulate the Milford schools and the Milford City Council AND manipulate a hate group into targeting Dan Gaffney.
I am beginning to think you have some serious issues, and I’m sure anyone else reading your diatribes can see the same thing.
Upside, glad you can use Google translate. 🙂 but if you want it issue threats, they would be so much better in English, then everyone could enjoy them.
HAPPY EASTER, SEE YOU IN CHURCH, 🙂
Just for the record, I have no way of knowing if those comments were by Protack or not. My suspicion about it being someone else is based not on content but form.
Social media–the new cyber slam book the whole world can see and no one ever forget, no matter who’s been attacked, phony page set up, or been hacked, hijacked and assasinated. Just this week Appoquinimink’s own district superintendent was in a snafu over school closure and his name posted to an entry–in Maryland this past week,12 nude high school senior girls are posted on FB, and who knows who’s kids are being photoshopped and targeted for whatever—from credit ravages to deviancy. I don’t see anybody anytime soon pushing away from tnis viral, ubiquitous narcissism–but I would certainly hope the reality of these breaches be considered before the escalation to character attacks, and rumored knowledge fuel these outbreaks. If a person is a jerk, you don’t need FB and tweets as primary sources. Facetime, conversation and behavior can pretty well confirm it in the real world.
@geezer I understood what you meant if it appears I implied otherwise please accept my apology. Not my intention.
Oh , I get it DVG as in like this DVG? Very original.
http://www.facebook.com/DelawareVolunteerGuard?ref=ts&fref=ts
I think the southern poverty law center just came out with a rather interesting article on groups like these
That find in necessary to cart around equipment like this:
B. Level Two
to be used upon mobilization to rally point assigned:
(1) All items as above for Level One
(2) Long-arm of choice
(3) 200 rounds of ammunition minimum for long-arm
(4) Side-arm of choice
(5) 100 rounds minimum for side-arm
(6) 3 day supply of additional food items (MRE preferred)
(7) Heavy duty backpack (LC-1 or civilian version)
Can’t wait to see what happens when these folks show up to assist the real law enforcers, or the real De National Guard
That would be a hoot to watch
@ Joanne this is my point exactly to many people have come to accept every fb comment, internet picture and blog to be the gospel truth and run with it. Sadly even when it is pointed out that some bloggers are criminals with actual court records to substantiate the people still run with the false story. Their only intent of some is to destroy a person by whatever means even if the information posted is an outright lie.
Of course, Joanne’ s codicil is also correct:
“If a person is a jerk, you don’t need FB and tweets as primary sources. Facetime, conversation and behavior can pretty well confirm it in the real world.”
It seems there are plenty of folks that can substantiate Protack’s character thru these means as well.
No as in Deutscher Verband der Gebrauchshundsportvereine.
Now I understand what your issue is you follow a hate group like the Southern Poverty Law Center.
http://www.humanevents.com/2011/07/28/isnt-the-southern-poverty-law-center-the-real-hate-group-2/
Joanne doesn’t need you to validate her comment especially when you take it out of context disregarding the sentence just before the one you quoted because this is EXACTLY what you are guilty of.
“I don’t see anybody anytime soon pushing away from tnis viral, ubiquitous narcissism–but I would certainly hope the reality of these breaches be considered before the escalation to character attacks, and rumored knowledge fuel these outbreaks.”
I am glad to hear the most hateful, racist and uninformed people in the world-liberals are still at it.
FYI, the News Journal forgot to one thing, check when the alleged comments were made and if I was on terra firma to make them. I was not as being sat the controls of an airplane do not allow such stupid activities. The News Journal used to be a newspaper, now it is Fish Wrapper at best.
Nice try but you fools need to step up your game a bit, at least with the GOP they fed false information to wRONg Williams right out of the GOP HQ and Michael Fleming, former failed NCC GOP chair made up death threats and went to the Feds.
Thanks for the laugh, liberals always expose what fools they are. Most of time is focused on leading an effort to decertify our corrupt AFL CIO union, so there is not much time to waste ion foolish things like what hateful liberals think about anything.
For the Satanic Left and normal Americans, Happy Easter, please try to read and understand Romans 5:8.
Oh look who is raised from the dead! If you don’t provide the NJ this information, they can’t check it. So if you are running away from them you can blame yourself for any bad information out there. But running away is what you do when RL steps up, right?
His FB page is back up too, BUT, it is a page, a PUBLIC FIGURE page. With one like – HIS
And brand spanking new
He is a PUBLIC FIGURE alright, one that is ridiculed. Everything that he “allegedly” done, the flaming posts in blog pages, the pink postcard mailing, the multiple FB attacks on various people on and off FB , he has denied.
If I were him, and someone was framing me for all these things, I would be asking for it to be investigated, but any investigation would expose the truth of the matter, therefore he has not requested one.
As for the FBcomments, easy to do from a smart phone or iPad in the cockpit- which pilots routinely use, in the cockpit and during flight. And I know this because my immediate family members are ALL pilots, both commercial and private.
Mike Protack has attacked me and my father several times on Facebook, with similar rhetoric, except without the racism. He started sending me creepy, personal Facebook messages, at which point I blocked him.
Despite what Geezer has said, I believe these comments sound exactly like Mike Protack, and sound exactly like he has sounded for at least half a year. I witnessed his regular attacks and insults against others on Nancy Willing’s Facebook posts. I highly doubt that someone hacked his account months ago and has been posting increasingly psychotic Facebook comments. Indeed, given the long period of time and the consistency of the language, I believe such a scenario is impossible.
Just look at his post on this thread, it has the same tone. The only difference is that his rhetoric has not escalated in the manner that Nancy described, with more and further extreme devolution into insults. This happened numerous times on Facebook, with the exact same type of attacks and language (albeit I never witnessed such overtly racist comments on Facebook).
Mike Protack is now trying to escape responsibility by denying his involvement, which I believe goes to exactly how pathetic his actions have been all along. And despite what the majority of readers of this blog may believe about Republicans in this state, at least they have been able to see through this sham of a man and reject him in every primary they have been able.
Oh, and Mike, if you are going to point out Biblical lines, please look towards Mark 12:31. Your comments and insults are not only disgusting, but they go directly against what Jesus tells us numerous times. You should be ashamed of yourself for referring to a Biblical line about God’s love for us while making such nasty comments about others in the same line.
The comment above from “Mike” reads like Protack, especially the part where he denies responsibility for the threats against Mike Fleming. I’ve seen the letters — I have copies of them — and they are creepy, threatening and all the evidence anyone needs that Protack has mental issues.
Creepy and threading is right. When he started threatening my job on Facebook (by claiming he had access to the archives of my long-defunct former blog) insinuating he’d let DoE and my superintendent know, I wasn’t the least bit concerned. Because I know his history of crazy, outlandish and stupid commentary. I really pity the guy. Either he’s the most jaded narcissist in the world or seriously suffering from some mental issues as geezer says.
Let’s not forget about the “anonymous” letter sent to Mike McDermott’s wife after he beat Prozac in the election for Region Chair several years ago addressed from the Christiana-Millcreek Republican Women’s Club. It was chilling and included something about making her husband resign “for the sake of your family.”
You would think that after the whole Pink Postcard/router fiasco from a few years ago Protack would keep an eye on his internet accounts.
So basially Protack is either a rabid, crazy racist or he’s a rabid, crazy idiot.
Either way, I’m not voting for him.
The problem with the Protack-was-hacked hypothesis is that it requires someone to consider Protack a risk, making the attempt to smear his name worthwhile. Well, does anyone seriously consider Protack an intellectual risk? Your laughter at the question answers it. Is Protack a political risk? Possibly only to someone who wants to run for office but lose the election. That breed is so rare as to be virtually nonexistent. The money is on Protack writing that bile.