Chief: A Big Bully, or Misunderstood?

If you read the Capitals Insider, you're probably familiar with Chief, a big, bad Internet bully who gets his kicks from calling commenters mean names, shoving them in lockers and stealing their lunches.

Just like the bullies we knew back in middle school who were acting out because of family problems or ADHD, Chief seems to be working through some issues, albeit less serious ones -- he strongly dislikes GM George McPhee, he doesn't approve of owner Ted Leonsis, he thinks every other commenter is stupid and, come to think of it, he probably doesn't get enough attention at home, either.

After one too many utterances of "MIDGET" (George McPhee), "AZAMAT" (Ted Leonsis) and "IDIOT" (everyone else), Caps beat writer Tarik El-Bashir takes a stand in the comments:

We get it -- you don't approve of the team's ownership or management. That's fine. We welcome all points of view here on the blog.

What we will not tolerate, however, is name calling and profanity. Besides being childish, it's a violation of forum rules.

You may have noticed that washpost.com editors have unpublished a couple of your comments due to foul/offensive language.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Not bad, eh? As reader DC FURY put it, "i have never seen someone so politely put their foot up someone's butt." If you think that's where this Chief business ends, though, you clearly had it easy in grade school.

Chief's response:

Hey Tarik,

NO, I have not noticed any of my comments being censored.

I use two words to describe the owner and the excuse for a GM, you know what they are. I've ignored plenty of insults and plenty of name calling by plenty of children.

I realize your position, however aside from using those two words I have done NOTHING wrong according to the rules.

I'd appreciate the same consideration you give those that insult me only to come CRYING to you for help. Talk about childish

Is he done? Nope, Chief is just getting started:

BTW Tarik,

Had you made one mention about the 2 words I've been using for months way back, I would have respected your request then.

I appreciate you letting it go this far, it was fun using those 2 words for that long. I'm 100% certain Ted and everyone associated to him, now knows who I compare him to, and obviously George realizes what I mean when using "his" word.

You must admit the looks are almost identical.

I'm not trying to exacerbate a bad situation, but I do want to offer Chief a place to explain himself. Rather than battle it out with other commenters and call them names, Chief, why don't you just say what you want to say right here?

You must think that someone's not listening, what with the ALL CAPS and all, so here's a good opportunity to put it all out there. Tell us who you really are -- what's your real name? what do you do? -- and why you feel the need to be so gosh-darned angry all the time.

I have a feeling that our friend Chief relies on his anonymity to say the things he does, but it would be big of him to do it without a shield.

Email me if you want to be a big kid, Chief.

By Lindsay Applebaum |  June 25, 2008; 1:42 PM ET  | Category:  Capitals , Rants
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