Patton Oswalt Gets Attacked By Troll On Twitter, Turns His Life Upside Down After Seeing His Timeline
Patton Oswalt has an active and outspoken online presence, with his amusing and often controversial tweets attracting a fair share of admirers as well as critics. And while some celebrities prefer to remain aloof from their fans, Oswalt seems to relish engaging with people reaching out to him, particularly his trolls.
Image credits: pattonoswalt
Image credits: realDonaldTrump
After this tweet by Donald Trump, Patton Oswalt decided that he had to respond
Image credits: pattonoswalt
However, this Vietnam veteran and Trump fan went after Oswalt
Image credits: MichaelBeatty
Image credits: MichaelBeatty
The reasons why people choose to go online and spread hate toward people they don’t know are complex, but there are usually some deep-seated psychological issues at play. Oswalt’s usual method of dealing with these unhappy people is to shut them up with a witty comeback or putdown, but this time he chose to look beneath the surface and try to understand exactly why this Vietnam veteran was lashing out at him with insults.
He soon found a possible explanation. Micheal Beatty had recently been in hospital for 2 weeks, where he had been in a coma as a result of a variety of ailments including diabetes and sepsis. His continuing poor health and excessive medical bills are certainly bound to sour the mood somewhat. Oswalt found his GoFundMe page and decided that Beatty needed compassion, not comebacks. He donated $2000 to help his former troll get back onto his feet, and sparked an outpouring of kindness that left Beatty humbled to the point of tears.
Image credits: pattonoswalt
Image credits: MichaelBeatty
Beatty couldn’t believe this act of kindness
Image credits: MichaelBeatty
Image credits: MichaelBeatty
Oswalt, who kicked off the donations with $2000 himself, responded with his typical humor
Image credits: /pattonoswalt
Image credits: gofundme
The whole episode is an important lesson on how to deal with nasty people, sometimes you need to swallow your anger and turn the other cheek. Beatty’s GoFundMe page has since raised over $21,000, far more than he ever expected, and he has come to understand that kindness knows no borders, political or otherwise.
Image credits: gofundme
Here’s what people had to say
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"When I think to myself, 'Someone should do something about this', I remember that I am Someone." I find this quote applicable from picking up litter to responding to someone's behavior. The world is sorrowful enough without hurtful people contributing. Choose kindness.
I wholeheartedly agree with you, in general, but ... not when it comes to health. It would be more constructive to opt for universal healthcare. A no-brainer.
Load More Replies...Ah yes, the USA. Where you need random strangers to donate you money so you can pay your medical bills. If that fails, you can always cook meth.
As an American citizen (born here, luckily into a lower-middle-class family), this is exactly right. The USA shits where it eats and cannibalizes itself for the wealth of a few.
Load More Replies...But ALSO, don't vote for people like Trump if you're very ill or have family that are ill, or you're just going to die or go broke.
Sorry, but whyTF do you Americans continue to put up with your totally, completely RIDICULOUS health care system? The United States do not really belong in the developed world as long as you do not have universal healthcare. Yes, I am European.
What would you suggest? Civil war? Obviously when a country can't pass a law that the majority of people are in favor of, that country no longer has a representative or Democratic government. We do not have a representative government. We have a "managed Democracy", otherwise known as "guided democracy": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guided_democracy. "Guided democracy, also called managed democracy,[1] is a formally democratic government that functions as a de facto autocracy. Such governments are legitimized by elections that are free and fair, but do not change the state's policies, motives, and goals.[2]"
Load More Replies...I knew Patton in college - we worked at the radio station together. Even then he was just legitmately a nice person. I'm proud to have known him back in the day!
I've always liked him. He comes across as down to earth. Nice that you had the opportunity to know such a nice guy. :-)
Load More Replies...Ah, understand. Sorry - so many people use empathy wrongly that I had a sudden rush of blood to the head. The point you are making is a very good one, of course.
Load More Replies...As a Canadian, I can attest to the Universal Health Care. I have had a life threatening illness for the past 49 years. In that time I have had countless surgeries, I have been on and off dialysis for a total of 20 years, I have had 3 transplants and I have extremely expensive anti-rejection medications that I must take. I have NEVER paid for any doctor appointments, hospital stays, surgeries and/or other procedures (dialysis), medications or even trips to the ER. We never even got an invoice. If I had had to pay, my family would have been broke and homeless and without my treatments I would have died several years ago. If you are sick, you shouldn’t have to worry about gas, electricity, water or food. Even worse, you shouldn’t have to worry about losing your home.
if we could just stop labeling/treating people as r or d, lib or conserv. and just be Americans, then maybe we could get to just being humans next.
This shows that no matter what your view point or opinion we are all still a giant family. Great job Mr. Patton Oswalt.
I'm pretty sure that there are not few people out there, who take out of this story that insulting people is good and gives you success.
Load More Replies...To y'all saying the first one to insult was Patton -- I think it's not quite same thing. The guy is a freaking President but keeps tweeting his tantrums and bullying people. He has done and is doing so much harm, and really has showed that he doesn't understand words of reason ('words of treason' are much familiar to him ;)
I live in a country with universal healthcare, and feel very blessed that I do. I complain about waiting lists and such, but then I look at situations like the one the man in this story is in, and count myself lucky. Here, there is hospital for those who need it, and then we go home and often have follow up care; all of this is free of charge. We do pay through taxes, but it's nowhere near what even health insurance in the US costs. Makes me sad for you guys.
Meanwhile people like me are denied SSDI. I have no job, no income and almost homeless. Basically the ALJ says my medical records are a lie. My doctors are lying, I am lying and the MRIs are lying. He tells me to find a job while under the influence of opioid Pain killers. Typical American law judges. Everyone is a lazy worthless nit trying to play the system. SMH.
If you haven't tried already, hire and Atty who specializes in Disability. They won't charge you until you get your first check which will include back money(funds from when you first filed to present day). My mother had to do this after being denied several times. Unfortunately most people have to go this route. Good luck!
Load More Replies...As a woman gamer, I get a lot of hate online. I used to fire back. Now I respond with kindness. I've actually had a few sincere apologies, and a thanks. I like it better this way
It’s so very true that angry people are fighting battles that most people just don’t give a damn about. It really doesn’t take much to cause a paradigm shift in a person’s life. A lot of the time it doesn’t even involve money. Thank you Mr. Oswald for sharing your act of love with this man and with us.
I tried posting this earlier but something went wrong: politics aside, check out Patton Oswalt's bit called "The Johnny Lawrence Story" (not the new show from last year). It's awesome.
pome Dictionary result for pome /pōm/Submit nounBOTANY a fruit consisting of a fleshy enlarged receptacle and a tough central core containing the seeds, e.g., an apple or pear.
Does anyone know any websites with more stories like this? Love this stuff! #Iamhuck
This is how you debate politics with strangers on the internet!!! Patton with the win!! Share knowledge and spread love
What a blessing this guy is :) Oswalt, a rare kind soul. We could all follow his steps and take a leaf out of his book :)
Overall, and after some interactions in the comments, I truly hope that Michael enjoys knowing that those with a kind heart wish him good health, that he has a world of people out here that thank him for his service. That he has the opportunity to feel loved and may he enjoy spending the wonderful money Oswalt initiated having raised. Moreover, that he can feel safe on the internet in future. This went above politics to basic human bonding and understanding. I heard today that Michael considers Oswalt a friend and has even looking at his political beliefs. But most importantly he felt so cared about. Saying sorry is such a powerful word when said sincerely.
That is so lovely. Lice is so hard, when people like this turn up, it makes it a little bit more easier to bare . What a lovely guy
Hang on a moment is this Leftist Logic. A second rate actor tells the POTUS to eat s**t and resign yet the "troll" is a guy that states he is glad the actor died in a fictitious movie? Get the f**k out of here with this b******t article.
I guess when you donate enough to the little people, you get a pass to treat the "big" people like less than human. Sounds about right.
Load More Replies...‘The reasons why people choose to go online and spread hate toward people they don’t know are complex, ‘..... so basically, you’re telling me Patton wasn’t spreading hate with his original post? Or are you saying he personally knows POTUS, so it’s okay for him to spread hate?
This POTUS is a the one of the biggest hate-spreaders. Don't need to know him personally - the man keeps making it obvious everyday.
Load More Replies...I mean, hopefully he took this as a lesson to be a better person, the vet not Patton Oswalt, but maybe his health is so s****y because he didn't take care of himself. Why should we donate money? So he can go buy more candy and cigarettes? Hopefully he does something better than that with all the money Patton helped raise for him.
Trump did start this. 'Build the wall and crime will fall' - that IS mean spirited and does incite hate. Your agreeing with him doesn't make his words right or harmless.
Load More Replies...PLEASE FOLKS IGNORE TROLLS - downvoting is still giving them kicks.
Load More Replies..."When I think to myself, 'Someone should do something about this', I remember that I am Someone." I find this quote applicable from picking up litter to responding to someone's behavior. The world is sorrowful enough without hurtful people contributing. Choose kindness.
I wholeheartedly agree with you, in general, but ... not when it comes to health. It would be more constructive to opt for universal healthcare. A no-brainer.
Load More Replies...Ah yes, the USA. Where you need random strangers to donate you money so you can pay your medical bills. If that fails, you can always cook meth.
As an American citizen (born here, luckily into a lower-middle-class family), this is exactly right. The USA shits where it eats and cannibalizes itself for the wealth of a few.
Load More Replies...But ALSO, don't vote for people like Trump if you're very ill or have family that are ill, or you're just going to die or go broke.
Sorry, but whyTF do you Americans continue to put up with your totally, completely RIDICULOUS health care system? The United States do not really belong in the developed world as long as you do not have universal healthcare. Yes, I am European.
What would you suggest? Civil war? Obviously when a country can't pass a law that the majority of people are in favor of, that country no longer has a representative or Democratic government. We do not have a representative government. We have a "managed Democracy", otherwise known as "guided democracy": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guided_democracy. "Guided democracy, also called managed democracy,[1] is a formally democratic government that functions as a de facto autocracy. Such governments are legitimized by elections that are free and fair, but do not change the state's policies, motives, and goals.[2]"
Load More Replies...I knew Patton in college - we worked at the radio station together. Even then he was just legitmately a nice person. I'm proud to have known him back in the day!
I've always liked him. He comes across as down to earth. Nice that you had the opportunity to know such a nice guy. :-)
Load More Replies...Ah, understand. Sorry - so many people use empathy wrongly that I had a sudden rush of blood to the head. The point you are making is a very good one, of course.
Load More Replies...As a Canadian, I can attest to the Universal Health Care. I have had a life threatening illness for the past 49 years. In that time I have had countless surgeries, I have been on and off dialysis for a total of 20 years, I have had 3 transplants and I have extremely expensive anti-rejection medications that I must take. I have NEVER paid for any doctor appointments, hospital stays, surgeries and/or other procedures (dialysis), medications or even trips to the ER. We never even got an invoice. If I had had to pay, my family would have been broke and homeless and without my treatments I would have died several years ago. If you are sick, you shouldn’t have to worry about gas, electricity, water or food. Even worse, you shouldn’t have to worry about losing your home.
if we could just stop labeling/treating people as r or d, lib or conserv. and just be Americans, then maybe we could get to just being humans next.
This shows that no matter what your view point or opinion we are all still a giant family. Great job Mr. Patton Oswalt.
I'm pretty sure that there are not few people out there, who take out of this story that insulting people is good and gives you success.
Load More Replies...To y'all saying the first one to insult was Patton -- I think it's not quite same thing. The guy is a freaking President but keeps tweeting his tantrums and bullying people. He has done and is doing so much harm, and really has showed that he doesn't understand words of reason ('words of treason' are much familiar to him ;)
I live in a country with universal healthcare, and feel very blessed that I do. I complain about waiting lists and such, but then I look at situations like the one the man in this story is in, and count myself lucky. Here, there is hospital for those who need it, and then we go home and often have follow up care; all of this is free of charge. We do pay through taxes, but it's nowhere near what even health insurance in the US costs. Makes me sad for you guys.
Meanwhile people like me are denied SSDI. I have no job, no income and almost homeless. Basically the ALJ says my medical records are a lie. My doctors are lying, I am lying and the MRIs are lying. He tells me to find a job while under the influence of opioid Pain killers. Typical American law judges. Everyone is a lazy worthless nit trying to play the system. SMH.
If you haven't tried already, hire and Atty who specializes in Disability. They won't charge you until you get your first check which will include back money(funds from when you first filed to present day). My mother had to do this after being denied several times. Unfortunately most people have to go this route. Good luck!
Load More Replies...As a woman gamer, I get a lot of hate online. I used to fire back. Now I respond with kindness. I've actually had a few sincere apologies, and a thanks. I like it better this way
It’s so very true that angry people are fighting battles that most people just don’t give a damn about. It really doesn’t take much to cause a paradigm shift in a person’s life. A lot of the time it doesn’t even involve money. Thank you Mr. Oswald for sharing your act of love with this man and with us.
I tried posting this earlier but something went wrong: politics aside, check out Patton Oswalt's bit called "The Johnny Lawrence Story" (not the new show from last year). It's awesome.
pome Dictionary result for pome /pōm/Submit nounBOTANY a fruit consisting of a fleshy enlarged receptacle and a tough central core containing the seeds, e.g., an apple or pear.
Does anyone know any websites with more stories like this? Love this stuff! #Iamhuck
This is how you debate politics with strangers on the internet!!! Patton with the win!! Share knowledge and spread love
What a blessing this guy is :) Oswalt, a rare kind soul. We could all follow his steps and take a leaf out of his book :)
Overall, and after some interactions in the comments, I truly hope that Michael enjoys knowing that those with a kind heart wish him good health, that he has a world of people out here that thank him for his service. That he has the opportunity to feel loved and may he enjoy spending the wonderful money Oswalt initiated having raised. Moreover, that he can feel safe on the internet in future. This went above politics to basic human bonding and understanding. I heard today that Michael considers Oswalt a friend and has even looking at his political beliefs. But most importantly he felt so cared about. Saying sorry is such a powerful word when said sincerely.
That is so lovely. Lice is so hard, when people like this turn up, it makes it a little bit more easier to bare . What a lovely guy
Hang on a moment is this Leftist Logic. A second rate actor tells the POTUS to eat s**t and resign yet the "troll" is a guy that states he is glad the actor died in a fictitious movie? Get the f**k out of here with this b******t article.
I guess when you donate enough to the little people, you get a pass to treat the "big" people like less than human. Sounds about right.
Load More Replies...‘The reasons why people choose to go online and spread hate toward people they don’t know are complex, ‘..... so basically, you’re telling me Patton wasn’t spreading hate with his original post? Or are you saying he personally knows POTUS, so it’s okay for him to spread hate?
This POTUS is a the one of the biggest hate-spreaders. Don't need to know him personally - the man keeps making it obvious everyday.
Load More Replies...I mean, hopefully he took this as a lesson to be a better person, the vet not Patton Oswalt, but maybe his health is so s****y because he didn't take care of himself. Why should we donate money? So he can go buy more candy and cigarettes? Hopefully he does something better than that with all the money Patton helped raise for him.
Trump did start this. 'Build the wall and crime will fall' - that IS mean spirited and does incite hate. Your agreeing with him doesn't make his words right or harmless.
Load More Replies...PLEASE FOLKS IGNORE TROLLS - downvoting is still giving them kicks.
Load More Replies...
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