Let's Be Polite Bulbs
We have been very happy recently to see that people who do not agree with us have joined the conversation. We appreciate hearing your views, and really there's no way this controversy will be resolved if we don't talk to each other. In recent weeks some stuff has come out that I personally had never thought of, and it's been interesting.
But we've got a little problem. There are a bunch of people signing in as "Anonymous," and it seems that their anonymity gives some of them the "courage" to make personal and sarcastic remarks, call names, and generally act like jerks. They're often not making a point, not being funny, just soiling the discussion. And then people react to them -- I'm as guilty as anybody -- and then the conversation takes a nose dive.
So far I've been letting it go, because no single statement was so far out of line that it deserved to be deleted. Actually, a few were, but by the time I saw them people had already responded, and it had slipped into the middle of the thread somewhere.
We saw what happened at the Original Recall site, as well as the current CRC Forum, where name-calling is the most you can hope for. I'm not going to let that happen here. I really don't have the energy to babysit this site every minute of the day, but I will check in frequently, and if I see something I don't like the tone of, I'm just going to delete it. For a little while, at least, I'm not going to try to be fair, I'm just going to eliminate things I don't like, until the tone lightens up sufficiently. And of course that doesn't mean opinions I disagree with; I do mean tone. We will behave like little ladies and gentlemen when we come here.
Hopefully I won't have to delete anything. Please, try to remain civil in your discussions here. That includes our side, let's not lose sight of what we're doing here.
And it includes me.
... I wonder if I'll get mad at myself when I delete my own comments ...?
But we've got a little problem. There are a bunch of people signing in as "Anonymous," and it seems that their anonymity gives some of them the "courage" to make personal and sarcastic remarks, call names, and generally act like jerks. They're often not making a point, not being funny, just soiling the discussion. And then people react to them -- I'm as guilty as anybody -- and then the conversation takes a nose dive.So far I've been letting it go, because no single statement was so far out of line that it deserved to be deleted. Actually, a few were, but by the time I saw them people had already responded, and it had slipped into the middle of the thread somewhere.
We saw what happened at the Original Recall site, as well as the current CRC Forum, where name-calling is the most you can hope for. I'm not going to let that happen here. I really don't have the energy to babysit this site every minute of the day, but I will check in frequently, and if I see something I don't like the tone of, I'm just going to delete it. For a little while, at least, I'm not going to try to be fair, I'm just going to eliminate things I don't like, until the tone lightens up sufficiently. And of course that doesn't mean opinions I disagree with; I do mean tone. We will behave like little ladies and gentlemen when we come here.
Hopefully I won't have to delete anything. Please, try to remain civil in your discussions here. That includes our side, let's not lose sight of what we're doing here.
And it includes me.
... I wonder if I'll get mad at myself when I delete my own comments ...?
posted by JimK at 8:53 PM
7 Comments:
Jim
You've been getting so many hits lately you'll soon be able to sell ads.
Well, my prediction is you'll really hit it off with Peter Spriggs and John Garza on the CAC and end up on our side. Now, that's civil.
That is dreaming.
But the tone is acceptable.
JimK
How about the anonymi posting their names? What are people afraid of? It's ok on occasion, but usually most civil discussions are between people who get to know one another. That's where progress is made, not when one guy hides. We have enough experience on this planet with individuals covered with white sheets, kafiyahs or paper bags to recognize that anonymity often breeds violence and covers up cowardice. Not that it will happen here, of course.
I doubt Spriggs or Garza will hit it off with anyone else on the CAC (when did Garza get nominated anyway, let alone chosen?), but at least they are in the open and face-to-face. However, even the usual BoE comment period is way insufficient, as people like Garza and Jacobs spew their nonsense and then leave like hit and run perps. Dr. Jacobs refuses to meet with me. No one from that side has ever come to me afterwards to talk civilly, nor have any responded to my blogs. Just ignore the facts, insult and demean, and leave. It's not going to work.
If Jim hits it off with Peter Sprigg?- Jim will not turn to the Dark side. Civil- no, wishing Jim to turn to the same side as a man who could say the lies I heard Peter Sprigg say is bad. The tone may be decent but the suggestion is indecent.
I will watch for Jim at the next public comments and if he stands up, leans across the table and says to the BOE "WE LOVE YOU"- I will know it is time to get the Jedi.
I need to sign off-you know how long it takes us to plan our satanic practice of giving out candy on Halloween. At least I am not totally evil- I never give out twizzlers.
Dana
Glad to see you're back. Your last post sounded kind of bitter so I was worried you were dropping out of the conversation.
Lightning
Is it me, or does that light bulb look more like an ice cream cone?
Yeah, you're right.
OK, Let's be Nice Cream.
JimK
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