Over the past few months, at least one person has left this blog permanently, or so it appears. That person felt that Elena and I had questionable integrity. At issue was calling a supervisor who we have taken strong issue with, a racist. Elena and I felt those labels were unacceptable and said so. The person left in a huff saying he/she questioned the integrity of the blog. That’s ok. People do what they have to do. We did. Even though we have often taken issue with this one supervisor, we don’t necessarily think he is a racist nor do we want him called one on this blog. That standard has to be upheld by us and us alone. The buck stops here.
Was that decision censorship? You betcha. And that is our responsibility. Most publications whether print, internet, major newspaper, blog or school newspaper answer to someone and have some set standards.
Most folks always think it is the other guy who is stepping off the curb. We have never made any bones about being independent moderates. The kind of blog we have set as our goal welcomes everyone without making any person feel out of place or more importantly, uncomfortable. Achieving that goal calls for some sacrifice on everyone’s part. First off, Moonhowlings is not a free for all. There are liberals, moderates, and conservatives; Independents, Democrats, Republicans, and all varieties in between who come to this blog. That makes the job harder. You have to weigh what you say to make sure you aren’t making someone else uncomfortable. We won’t always be successful but that is the stated goal.
That goes for Elena and me also. Do you think we have really said how we feel about a lot of things? Not even close. We have often called each other to get help watering down what we want to say. Diplomacy isn’t easy, at least for me. Elena is more diplomatic than I am.
If you want a totally liberal blog, this isn’t it. If you want a totally conservative blog where you can beat up everything not Republican, try virtucon or bvbl. You can pretty much take all the cheap shots you want at everything not Republican. If you take them at Elena or me, you score double, at least on the dark screen.
Meanwhile, this blog will be for everyone. I don’t want any more email from people saying they are uncomfortable. I don’t want to spend another day feeling like an unwanted guest on my own blog. That is how I have felt recently. Elena and I don’t need to come to the blog only to feel like we have turned on Faux News or Rush Limbough.
In trying to please everyone, we will please no one.
I think the administrators of this blog are doing just fine here. They are fair, balanced and respectful of other people’s opinions, even whey they disagree.
If you believe the blog to be biased or whatever, then get outta here! No one wants to hear your whining and complaining!
Moon/Elena – you tolerate more crap than I would.
It’s your blog. If someone has that strong a disagreement, or thinks your blog lacks integrity, they are free to start their own blog, where they can practice all the “integrity” they like. Now chances are, nobody would read their posts, but I’d bet a month’s pay that they’d censor people who wrote things they didn’t agree with, and a heck of a lot faster than they’d get throttled here. I’m not surprised that this particular person associates the ability to label anyone and everyone a racist with integrity.
It seems to me that you go out of your way to give people a forum to express themselves on, and to explain the line to people when they cross it.
You guys and I may disagree. And, bluntly, I would like to get an answer to many questions that I’ve recently had. But, its not a priority. I think you do a difficult job well. Moonhowlings is unique in many ways. I surf A LOT. And most liberal blogs do not tolerate deviance from the party line.
There is more to the political spectrum than far left and far right. People with conservative blogs also do not seem to tolerate deviance from the accepted mantra. We have tried to provide a forum where all people could share, but we have not been feeling too good about this forum lately.
Moon and I discussed the blog over the weekend and the depth to which the open thread was sinking. People were not talking TO each other, they were talking BY each other.
Imagine being in a restaurant, having a get together, and maintaining the level of discord that I have been reading lately. It would not happen. Only someone willing to wallow in such negativity would dare stay.
Attack-Attack is NOT a healthy way to have a conversation, even in the blogoshphere.
NONE of the people here are “experts” on anything regarding policy of this government. We can share our opinions and maybe find some common ground. The average American is just trying to live a happy life and maybe to that end, help our fellow man and/or our community in the process.
I am not interested in proving how correct I am and how wrong you are in your opinion. I don’t need to prove anyone’s opinion wrong in order to feel confident in my beliefs. And yet, that is how I feel about some people who post on this blog. It is very frustrating and does not invite me to participate in many of the conversations. I am hopeful that will stop now.
Well said! I also think you guys do a terrific job so give yourself a little hug from me.
I lean cargosquidish conservative (think half elephant and half squid). There are times I may not always agree with your blog but there are also many times when I do agree.
I usually try to check in once a day to read and catch up on the blog but I have been busy lately…now I am wondering what I missed over the past week. It must have been quite a week.
Did you catch the SNL skit a week ago with the talk show (Melissa McCarthy hosted) interviewing the “posters” who’d posted outrageously incorrect comments on an internet blog? I would link the video but I’m terribly technologically impaired. It will give you a chuckle. Everytime someone posts something ridiculous, just watch that skit.
Breaking my fast for an important announcement: Don’t change anything in the way you operate this blog. Your house. Your rules. If I can conduct myself by these rules, anyone can.
This concludes my comment. If this were an actual emergency, you would have received additional information. Regular programing will now resume.
Thanks to everyone for their support and compliance. WSC, I am going to try to find that skit! Steve, a special thank you and you know why.
Arrggghhh…I cant find the skit. Will someone post it please?
It’s funny Steve, and don’t let this go to your head, but Moon and I brought you up as an example of how you can be respectful AND disagree.
@Elena
No head-swelling here. “The Good Book” says I will be held to account for every careless word I say, and when posting in the clear, I will also be held into account here as well.
@Steve 🙂
hmmmm quiet day here at Howling acres. Am I surprised? Noooooooooooo.