Are bloggers journalists? Some of us have been journalists, some of us are, and some of us do a great job digging into the facts. And some of us suck.

Some of us blow past issues without digging, calling, confirming or fact-checking. No wonder real journalists are suspect of us.

Here's what I'd call drive-by blogging: Someone picks up a story, covers it (sorta), and hits "publish."

This guy was weighing in on my overblown controversy with the respected Guy Kawasaki. I won't repeat my comments about Guy here, because they are all over the Net and on record.

Here's my issue with this blogger named Tim Faulkner: His facts are confusing and could have been clarified by a call or email to me. I did contact him directly with no response. I'm not hiding. 330 321 2002. Call me Tim. Talk. Ask. Interview? Crazy concept.

Here are the two replies to Tim's mostly derogatory comments about me on his blog:

BY SANDHILLSNOBBERY AT 11/20/07 09:35 PM

Guy "spoke" at the AlwaysOn Stanford Summit this year. He was the worst conference session I've ever seen. People were laughing at him (before they walked out). I can't believe that he's considered legit in any circles.

BY HRAESVELG AT 11/21/07 05:22 AM

Guy's a joke to anyone who actually attends the sessions and has any whiff of smarts, but he's a Living Godhead, to the bloggers and marketing folk, who just hang out in the lobbies.

K, That's the conversation taking place on this Silicon Valley blog. I tried logging in and commenting myself. After submitting my response I got this message:

"To become a registered commenter on this site, you first need to be approved by our team. We're looking for comments that are interesting, substantial or highly amusing. So write a comment, polish up your words and choose a username and password below. Your comment will only appear once (or if) you're approved."

So you can "report" on whatever you please, but as far as authentic 2.0 conversation - not so fast. Tim moderates, after he blasts from the hip. Open talks, not so fast. Social media remains the Wild West, where everyone is setting his or her own rules.

I've not sought to pick any fights; nor do I wish to. All I wanted from the start was a definition of best practices for social media. I'm still sure these rules shouldn't 1. include overt self-promotion and 2. include drive-by blogging with no attempt for authentic conversation as realized through open comments or actual reporting.

In the Wild West they shot it out; trust me I know - my relatives are nine generations deep in Texas. But today? Come on. Do some follow-up. Don't rip a guy without calling him, or reading the whole story.

Tim, I'm sure you are a great guy and great reporter. I'm frankly sick of this "story" but I am also sick of drive-by reporting. Just call me. Just dig. Do the research.

As a blogger, I promise to do my own best. I can do better. I can better research, question, and dig before I report.

We'll all come out better for it. Once again to Guy K: no disrespect Guy - You are consistently called a class-act and I hope you take this chance not to poke fun at me by naming me a "Greatest" Truemor post, but to further the conversation about social media best practices.