This is the best community. Group blogs may have a larger audience, but none
are as courageous. Because so many of you support Clinton and are also critical
of Obama, some of you have been banned from the many big Obama blogs. I’m proud
you’ve found a home here. Thousands of you have been here for years, long before this primary season, which has exploded the readers and listeners (including podcasts of my radio show) who stop by. We’ve also got thousands of lurkers who read the comments
every day, post after post. It’s in that atmosphere that I’m asking everyone
to re-think our daily discourse.
There isn’t one single blog owner who can completely control what readers
say in comment sections. To try is folly. Ad hominem attacks happen. I should
know, I’m the Obamabots favorite target. I have gone into the comment
section on occasions to ask people to rethink their harsh tones. But evidently,
to the shock of some, my schedule and career takes me away from blog babysitting.
Last night was one such night, when comments in the hundreds loaded up in post
after post. It wasn’t until later that I noticed. Sexual preference, referred to in any negative way whatsoever, is something
that will not be tolerated, whether it’s about a media talking head or not. This happened last night and we have deleted those comments. If you want to gossip, exchange emails, and find a different forum. It has nothing remotely to do with the subjects
at hand. Race and sexism slams, ditto.
One would only wish the Obama blogs had the same respect
for the sexism splashed across the pages in the progressive blogosphere, or that warnings from Obama blogs and others against Clinton supporters were evenly handed out. They’re not, but we can do better.
Also, when comments get too harsh it also scares readers from taking the plunge to comment
and discourages dissent, because not everyone who wants to comment is brave
enough to stand up to the pack, especially when they’re new.
I’m proud of the courage and commitment of this community. Some of you have
been banned and hounded out of other blogs simply because you support
Hillary Clinton, and when you make any criticism at all about Barack Obama you get banned. Yet you never give up and keep on working. But sometimes when
emotions flair the discourse gets too hot, even personal. It’s your community.
It’s up to you to police yourselves, but also create a climate that welcomes
others.
Also, please contact us if you read anything way over the line: webmaster at
taylor marsh dot com. Provide the comment number as well, please. We can’t respond
without it.
This is the best community. I’m grateful for every single one of you. I assure
you that there are lurkers who want to join in. The discourse between you in
the comment sections will be what invites them in or not.
Okay, enough of that! I hate playing big sister.
The bar is open. Drinks are on the house.
I’m having champagne in honor of Hillary Clinton. We’ve earned it.
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