For the first time ever…
Guys, I’m not big on comment moderation or public smackdowns but things are getting out of hand. I enjoy watching you interact especially when a discussion spawns respectful disagreement and debate. Lately, some people have been crossing the line. As a result, I’m closing the August 24th post regarding Laray Carr for commenting. I also deleted some hurtful remarks. Really guys, there’s no reason to call names and wish horrible things on people who are just coming here to offer information. If you can’t show each and every poster the respect he or she deserves, regardless of whether or not you agree, I will ban you from commenting. Everyone here is a guest to my blog, and should be treated in a respectful manner. If you can’t do that, please don’t post.
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Thursday, September 27th, 2007 at 10:47 am under
Sad, Deb, but it was bound to happen one day and you handled it very well. You do give a lot of lattitude.
I hope that no one feels “censored” or has had their rights violated. This is Deb’s, and she owns it. We can’t forget that. Just because she is doing us a great service doesn’t make her the government or something. She has her own reputation to look out for.
Thanks for all you do, Deb.
September 27th, 2007 at 12:50 pmThe name calling has become an American pastime. I think we can trace the rise in such boorish activity to the rise in radio and television talk shows. As one who, in fact, conducted such programming, I noticed an increase in spite, hate, immaturity, and viciousness with the rise of national-name talk host such as Rush And bill (if you don’t know their last names, don’t feel left out - you’ve obviously been wise enough to avoid their venom!).
The day Rush called Mrs Clinton - then the First Lady - a “bitch,” I knew we were lowering our social interaction standards.
Street talk, moderate talk shows, and even media “ministers” (most of whom are really pushing a political agenda) have sunk to new lows in their commentary. So, it was to be expected that on blogs and other web sites comments would become more and more immature, hat-filled, and basically ignorant. To admonish such behavior is wise, to edit them out, while probably a move that eases tension, is somewhat questionable, given the freedoms we tout in America. However, each blog operator has an obligation to his and her audience, and to his and her own standards. Once we understand that, we should be able to live with decisions to delete the emotionally and intellectually challenged who muck up healthy and well-reasoned discussions.
As one who cut his political education teeth in the GOP, I am pained when I see that most hateful comments, most name-calling and un-informed comments come from the right side of the political spectrum. I long for the days of the GRAND Old Party, when being a Republican meant something far beyond the so-called “conservative” agenda. What we have to today is an expanding haven for the thoughtless, the mindless, and the insecure - all of whom feel comforted when they demean others. And when they receive approval of such actions from the “religious right” - a segment of society which is neither religious nor right (as in “correct”) - we have to expect more of the same, and maybe a who LOT more of the same garbage until we have some sort of national re-awakening.
When George Bush spoke of “compassionate conservatism” he was acknowledging that what passes for conservatism these days is compassion-less. The sad part is he never showed an iota of compassion! This president, in whom many of us put our trust and faith, has contributed to the thoughtless behavior of this growing segment of out citizens.
SO, if anyone out there can find the GRAND Old Party - the party that once had brilliant ideas and superior leadership - please yell out. Many of us would like to “go home” to the GOP.
RSH
September 27th, 2007 at 1:11 pmI find it ironic that Bob’s first response to Deb’s call for civility is to launch a discussion about politics. There are thousands of political blogs and message boards on which to post that kind of comment.
Deb has spent a great deal of time fostering this site along to serve as a place for professional writers (or those who wish to be professional writers) can exchange their ideas and experiences. It is here for our benefit so we can become better and more successful writers, not so we can each have a place to vent hostilities.
To Deb: Bravo! Those of us who can be adult and exercise self-control are with you 100%.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:33 pmName calling is an American pastime, Bob? Hardly. I’ve been around all kinds of nationalities–Russians, Britons, Koreans, Chinese, Latinos. Name-calling is not limited to one specific culture.
I’m familiar with Rush’s comment on Hillary. It would benefit you greatly if you would study those comments IN CONTEXT.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:40 pmDeb;
I understand where you are coming from, and I really appreciate you doing this blog for us with all these great leads. . .and I appreciate you giving us so much latitutde with comments. . .even those that totally get off-topic. *SMILE* I admit to appreciation also to those who post legit warnings about scam jobs out there and the other traps for writers. I hope that will continue: without the stuff that got the Laray Carr section pulled. We all need to help look out for each other!
“What’s so funny ’bout peace, love, and understanding?”
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wJkOyc_phy4
September 27th, 2007 at 6:53 pmAbout name-calling at its universal appeal:
I think that’s a valid point to say it’s not just an American thing. I have have experienced it in many countries. So, then, maybe we don’t want to blame Rush and Bill and the cadre of talk show hosts for “giving us permission” to be rude. Maybe we’ve just all turned inward so much that we have little room to be concerned or care-full about the other person.
That I immediately brought up politics should not seem out of place. It is, after all, the political arena in which so much emotion is spent. Politics…and religion, of course. It was in reference to those very active and vocal areas that I made the statements I did regarding Rush, Bill, and George W.
Perhaps it is a lonesomeness for the days of the Grand Old Party when Ike and Nixon brought us out of the rubble of the “War To End All Wars” (Those were Nixon’s pre-”game-playing” days), a time when the churches and temples were crowded to over-flowing. Perhaps it is a longing for the days when college students dressed in suits and ties for a Saturday night dinner party. Perhaps it’s a longing for a time when the “finger” was not as much an American symbol as is the Eagle.
Having experienced the influence of media, and having watched as politicians and neo-con religious leaders co-opted the media (”liberal” media is as much an American myth as G. Washington and the cherry tree!) I felt compelled to comment on the “why” of the current culture that has disdain for civility. As a disk jockey in the ’60s I keep an eye on what influences the youth of the country. I’ve also watched as the youth graduated into young maturity and allowed the media to make decisions for them. That media, of which I am still a part, today says it’s okay to be rude, crude, and lewd.
Clinton’s zipper problem, Bush’s fast and loose treatment of the truth are benchmarks by which much of society judges itself. “If they can do it, if they can deceive, what the hell, so can I”
I think all this explains why Deb is asking everyone to show maturity and self-control. That would be refreshing.
It’s suggested that I study Rush’s comments about Hillary in context. Well, let’s see…I heard them on his program. That’s context! I concluded Rush was out of line, and encouraged rudeness when he made that statement. “Name-calling is the last gasp of a weak argument!” He only inflamed the thoughtless. He’s really better than that - but not that time!
Long-winded responses is not what Deb had in mind, I am certain. But, I live near Chicago, and you know its reputation for windy-ness.
Oh, and am I allowed to say, “Go Cubs!”? (Although I suspect we will have to “wait till next year” once again)
BH
September 27th, 2007 at 8:35 pmBob,
I hope you didn’t take my comments as a dismissal of the importance of politics. Politics, discussing politics, fretting about the state of Republican party… they all consume a majority percentage of my cerebral bandwidth. I think that widespread apathy about all things political is crippling the country’s ability to perpetuate itself. When it’s in your blood, it’s in your blood. However, in my former life as an mortgage executive, I didn’t enter a advertising project meeting with a 5-minute lament on how great things were when Reagan was president ANYWHERE on my agenda.
There are times and places. For me, this place is for discussing the craft and business of freelance writing. It’s all about brand identity. Deb’s brand identity is as a resource for freelance writers, not a waystation for disenchanted former Young Republicans. If we, the customers, are going to saunter in and redefine her space, I think that’s incredibly inconsiderate. More importantly, if new visitors walk in and see off-topic discussions they will make the determination that the site is not a worthwhile resource. No bookmark, no return visits, pretty soon no more site.
Anyone else feel the same way?
September 28th, 2007 at 12:57 pmI yield to more literate minds than mine. I agree with all that has been said about Deb’s intent, and I agree that this is HER place and she calls the shots. My comments were perhaps mis-aimed; I was after then “why” rather than the “what” of Deb’s concerns.
I’m done!
Be well
September 29th, 2007 at 11:35 pmRSH