Thoughts on blogging: "Watch out for that one."

The other day I read a warning about a very fine priest in the com-box of a blog post; "Watch out for Fr. X...".  The commenter proceeded to explain how the priest had appeared to approve of something not approved by the Church.  Evidently the priest publicly corrected the misunderstanding.  Bloggers (me too) make similar mistakes all of the time - and if they are faithful Catholics, they usually try to correct any misunderstanding they've caused. 
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Over the years, some bloggers have stood behind their errors and therefore revealed a side to themselves unknown to their readers prior to their 'coming out of their heterodox closet' as it were.  The most famous case being that of Gerald at Cafeteria is Closed, after readers realized his particular cafeteria was still open.  My big criticism with Naus was that he continued to solicit donations on his blog, even after he began posting things contrary to Church teaching.  I felt faithful Catholics were contributing to a blog they felt to be 'orthodox' when in fact it wasn't.
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Interestingly enough, while I wrote a few posts pointing these things out regarding Cafeteria is Closed, I also received emails with information concerning Naus' history.  Nothing damaging, but I realized there are people who investigate us - readers delve into what they can concerning our personal lives - beyond what we expose on line, and 'talk amongst themselves' as yenta would say.  In other words, some Catholic readers are always on the lookout for dirt, to discredit one another.  Actually, there was a Sedevacantist site that publicly asked people to notify them if they found any dirt on Cardinal Mahoney - I'm not sure if the site still exists or not.
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Perhaps it wasn't the most honorable thing for me to do - that is, writing about Cafeteria's relative 'apostasy', but I wasn't looking for dirt on the guy either.  The errors were just there.  I think it is important to point out a source that claims to be faithful to Catholic doctrine, while it is in effect promoting the opposite.  I also believe fundraising and commercialism changes the stakes. 
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Everyone who reads me knows I've questioned Fr. Z's asking for donations on his blog.  While I have wondered about his status - never have I questioned his orthodoxy or his fidelity, which is impeccable.    I've actually met him, know him as a priest, and I like him very much.  I love his blog - his hobbies, his cooking posts, his posts on doctrine and liturgy, and so on.  Many times he really cracks me up, I think he can be very funny.  Indeed I pretty much agree with him on everything he writes.  I'm not fond of all his readers however, and most especially, many of his commenters.  And because I raise questions, about a public figure, I know people think I'm a bad guy.
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Of course, there are features I don't like on his blog either.  Just as people do not like stuff on my blog.  Yet besides his commenters, I have to say I'm not too fond of the polling which takes place at his site, and the erroneous impression that the results have any basis in reality.
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For instance, the polling about the TLM vs. the Novus Ordo Mass.  In one post an older reader was mildly criticized for saying he liked the Novus Ordo better than the TLM - the response was something to the effect of, "liturgy is not a matter of like and dislike" along with references to "aging hippies" as opposed to young people preferring the NO.  Thereafter, a poll appears questing people's preference - I know.  Later, Father expresses curiosity as to why "older' people do not vote to express their preference for the NO since stats seem to indicate so many favor it.  The answer to that question is relatively easy however.  First of all, the poll is not scientific; secondly, the majority of people who happen to be mainstream Catholics, Sunday Catholics, or even daily Novus Ordo Mass goers do not read blogs - and if they do, very few would be reading our blogs, much less voting on them.
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On the scale of things, these are all minor points - perhaps not even issues when one considers what is going on in the world - not just Haiti or abortion - but everything that is happening.  I find it odd that Catholic blogs - mine included - are not more intent upon building up the Church - the Kingdom of God - as opposed to constantly criticizing and complaining, and in some cases, assessing one's orthodoxy or lack thereof.  Yes, I'm included in this.
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Lately I've been amazed to find that some Catholic bloggers and/or commenters continue to say things like, "I hate the Novus Ordo!"  "The Novus Ordo is not the true Mass!"  "Yet another reason the Novus Ordo Mass is dangerous!"  (No - Fr. Z does not say that stuff or condone it.)  The Novus Ordo is the Ordinary Form of the Roman Catholic Mass.  I do not understand how people can regard it so contemptuously.  One may criticize and report to the proper authorities abuses which take place, but to condemn what the Church has formally approved and promulgated is not setting a good example for other Christians.
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I could go on and on, and maybe I will in future posts.  I have to wonder at the experts who critique and sometimes condemn every form of art, architecture, vestment, music which veers away from the traditional.    As bloggers, I think we are getting smug, know-it-all, wannabes, and busy bodies.  And in several instances I doubt God is really being served by our blogs, nor is the Body of Christ being strengthened, and the Kingdom is definitely not being built up.  We say we blog for the glory of God - I wonder.