Unintended comedy at the D&C
James Lawrence on the D&C editorial blog:
Our community blogs are no place for the intolerant and ranters. But if you want to participate in a reasoned, fair-minded discussion about local politics, go to your community blog.
After I finished laughing at this, I realized that it would be a great thing if the D&C community blogs were a place for people to have reasoned discussions about local politics. But what they have now is a bunch of right-wing bloggers (a few of whom do a good job, in fairness) and one center-to-right-center blogger (who also does a good job). Many if not most of the arguments in the comments are of the “Hillary killed Vince Foster” variety.
If the D&C is serious about making their community blogs better, they need to strive for some kind of balance by selecting at least a few community bloggers who don’t believe that Fox News really is fair and balanced.
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Yep - I liked the section where Lawrence said something to the effect one blogger even said they had 500 posts now that is community involvement.
Well - I suppose it depends on how one measures it. The implication 500 different people with different ideas. That isn’t always true - it is many of the same people.
It’s ALWAYS the same people - no substance, nothing of intrigue. The “Blogger” asks a question, and the 500 poster responds back always in agreement.
I’m sorry, but they remind me of AOL chat rooms. And anyone who presents a different theory or idea, is often shot down.
No thanks. That is NOT blogging.
From what I’ve heard, if a D&C blogger ever did try to cover local politics with original reporting, they’d get slapped down by their insecure, overbearing minders. The reporters at the D&C, especially those covering the local beats, don’t want the bloggers to scoop them, so they insist that the bloggers mainly comment on things that are already written in the D&C. But perhaps that’s changed in the recent past.
The Ghost of H.S.T. beat you to it tonight.
Yeah, he made Lawrence look pretty silly in the comments. That 500 comment post was a rant-a-thon, even by D&C blog standards.
Fox news is not fair or balanced. -The Gates blogger
You’re the center-to-center-right guy who does a good job in my categorization. I didn’t praise you by name because I didn’t want to name names about who does a good job, because I was afraid I’d leave someone out.
I didn’t mean to imply that you think Fox is fair and balanced (I know you don’t), but that they should have a few such bloggers rather than just one.
“From what I’ve heard, if a D&C blogger ever did try to cover local politics with original reporting, they’d get slapped down by their insecure, overbearing minders. The reporters at the D&C, especially those covering the local beats, don’t want the bloggers to scoop them, so they insist that the bloggers mainly comment on things that are already written in the D&C. But perhaps that’s changed in the recent past.”
Well, you heard wrong. I’ve never been told what to cover or not to cover, and I often get “scoops” before it hits print. I go out to events, cover town boards and meetings, etc. I have contacts in the community who give me tips. I check out the D & C, Gates Chili Post, newsleters put out byu the Catholic Worker and Metro Jusice, and this site. I have interviewed politicians, chided folks on both sides, raised town and county issues.
I know of other blogger who also get out and are active, even if you (and I) don’t always agree with their political views.
I also don’t like broad generalizations. - That Gates blogger again!
I don’t know for sure that it’s reporters not wanting to get scooped or if it’s more just editorial page guys not wanting to step on anyone’s toes. If in fact it’s reporters complaining to the editorial page, that’s bad: there should be a wall between the two.
Lee, we don’t dwell on it but we have heard that complaint from at least one other blogger there. As I said above, I don’t think it’s about reporters not wanting to get scooped.
And we’ve had a lot of good things to say about both your (whom I usually do agree with) and Petrena’s (whom I never do) coverage of issues.
I realize you’re replying to Rotten, not to me, but I do want you to know that I think I’m fair to the D&C blogs. In general, there’s too much overtly right-wing stuff on the blogs (not yours) and the comments often get out of hand.
Sorry of the typos. Typings fast. I was out covering the Memorial Wall and trying to upload pictures - without being instructed to by the “masters” or indeed any contact with them.
I meant to say “I know of other bloggers” (plural).
(And exile, I figured you meant me as the middle of the roader. Just call me a raging moderate!).
I will acknowledge the Republican leanings of many of the more political blogs. Ivan and Petrena in particular - both of whom I like, and both of whom work hard at their blogs.
As I’ve said, I like Petrena’s blog. She tries to leave her own political philosophy out of her posts.
I wish Ivan would stop saying “guvamint”. It makes it hard for me to take him seriously (although I admit he works hard).
I’m pretty troubled by the Chili blog for a variety of reasons.
As I said in my comment - that could have been old news. I’m glad to hear you don’t feel restricted in doing local reporting, Lee.
Unfortunately, because the D&C blogs don’t have RSS feeds, I don’t read them regularly.
My question is how does the new disclaimer that appears at the top of each of the town blogs. (Update - I just noticed this across the top of each town blog so it was new to me. I intended on posing the previous sentence as a question)
This includes commenters and the D&C bloggers themselves. Yet Lawrence (the D&C) claims the blogs as their own. The D&C “hires” and “fires” Bloggers, supplies infrastructure, and, for lack of a better word a “forum”.
Sounds like having cake and eating it too.
stlo7 wins the prize. These are forums, hardly blogs. The “real” blogs are those done by Jay Gallagher and company, who rarely interact.
As far as Petrena goes Exile, she was quoted as saying she could never vote for a Democrat. Therefore, she has exposed herself for her own political values. That’s hardly non-biased.
It’s of little concern - as stated before, the same people daily post. Newbies who go in simply do so to make a point, poke a stick at the honey bees, and then go to where the real talk happens.
I agree — they are really forums (fora?) not blogs. That’s not to diminish the efforts of some of the bloggers who try to make it a bit more than that.
I win
I win
I win
as stlo jumps up and down…. lol
Thanks
stlo7 - that disclaimer has been there as long as I remember (I started last year).
Exile - can’t resist here….
Forums = Fora (cute)
Bloggers = Blogga (?)
Well you can imagine where this rap is going…
OK - Has it always been at the top of each town blog? Actually whether or not the disclaimer was there last week or last year is immaterial to my comment.
“Mother” in the form of Mr Lawrence takes credit for all your hard work while keeping the D&C blogs at an arms length.
Technically, the blogs sit on the D&C server while the comments are on Blogger.
I blog for Chili and I really ty to stimulate conversation. once in awhile I fluff it but I give effort
why are you troubles by the blog Eon E
There’s been some things in the comments at Chili I really didn’t like. For example, that discussion of the town supervisor who was abusive towards one of the commenters — I think that kind of thing is borderline libel. And there’s too much taunting that goes on, especially by RV and Supersonicchili and also one other guy who is even worse, whose name escapes me.
I asked him about that “guvamint” business, and he kind of dug his heels in. It’s incredibly childish. Name-calling.
If the object is to shut down actual discussion and ensure idelogical purity, then they’re doing a heck of a job.
I used to participate in the storychat a lot, but I get tired of getting stereotyped and shouted down. There’s a group of like 12-15 hardcore 28%ers who dominate the threads with some pretty extreme rhetoric and blame-the-victim stuff.
Like this, from hodgepdg: “Newsflash before spreading your legs without protection maybe you should make sure the moron you are banging is a responsible individual.”
?? how is it OK to talk to someone like that? They’re just rude and abusive.
The more I participate, the more I find myself being rude and abusive towards them. So I’m cutting back.
You know, it’s really out of control. The D&C needs moderators that aren’t afraid to shut it down when it becomes personal attacks. It’s not a community forum, it’s totally dominated by a bunch of jerks who scare people away.
It’s confirmed a suspicion of mine that “conservative” is just a polite euphamism for… another word.
naysayer, that is who, right.
The D&C needs moderators that aren’t afraid to shut it down when it becomes personal attacks.
I think that’s the issue here. For example, naysayer should be banned. I don’t think everyone has to be “civil” — I like a good give-and-take and if it gets heated, so much the better. But the constant taunting and “nanny nanny boo boo” tone of commenters like naysayer is toxic.
Actually, it’s pretty pathetic. They get most of their story lines from MPN News, or other blog sites. It doesn’t take rocket science to see it happen. Troll around the web a little, see who’s talking about what, then claim it as their own.
B - O - R - I - N - G
Nothing worse than yesterdays news. Double blech. I’d like to see them talk about how the D&C has gone without a contract since 1992 and why they haven’t resolved it. They sit in criticism of the public, politicians (especially challengers) and hire people like this Petrena in Greece, whose own bio says she has lived there for NEARLY TWO WHOLE YEARS?
“Your town blogger
Petrena Hayes is 36 and has lived in Greece for nearly two years, although she has lived in Rochester all but one year of her life. She graduated from John Marshall High and grew up mostly in the 10th Ward. She has been married 13 years and has three daughters (7, 8, and 10). She works part time for Monroe County Catholic Schools as a recess monitor. She and her husband are taking classes to be dog obedience trainers. “Animals are a large part of my life and we have a large dog, two cats, one huge fish and a snake named Pepper.”
What qualifies her? In my book - nothing, which means she’s unqualified. Start reading those bios and tell me where the logic is in the selection process. Wait - I have the answer - it’s just like FAUX news - In February 2003, a Florida Court of Appeals unanimously agreed with an assertion by FOX News that there is no rule against distorting or falsifying the news in the United States.
http://news.netscape.com/story/2006/10/10/fox-news-sued-for-the-right-to-lie-and-won
The Newspaper Guild of Rochester & Communication Workers of America, Local 17 has been without a fair contract since September 30, 1992 - the longest labor dispute in Rochester! At issue are basic issues such as seniority and access to the companies 401k program (which is offered to all non-union company employees).
For More information, please visit: http://www.rochesterguild.org/
In the interim, just put those blogs in the old recycle bin with their papers and take them out to the curb. Blogs such as Rochester Turning have substance and truth behind them. If I want fluffy puppies, I’ll go to the pet store. I don’t want to sit around and wait for a D&C Blogger to tell me that “I think Osama Bin Laden cut off his beard and gave the excess to Locks of Love - what do you think?”
Let’s just stick to talking about real issues, and real news that actually makes a difference.
“I’d like to see them talk about how the D&C has gone without a contract since 1992 and why they haven’t resolved it.”
Thank you for later mentioning The Guild. With such topics you need to be very clear as to whom you are referring.
I think it says alot about a company that sits in judgement of others, and yet cannot even take care of their own.
Without their workers, they’re nothing. I’m sure the so called “bloggers” get a free newspaper delivered for their efforts. Gives a whole new meaning to “they can’t even give them away for free”.
A free paper delivered? Not a chance.
Jiminy Bizbo, fyi, I’ve lived in Greece for approximately four years now. Prior to that, I lived on the border of Greece but technically in the city of Rochester. I’ve worked in Greece. Most of the services I needed were done in Greece. All my business dealings were in Greece. My children attend Catholic Schools in Greece and have done so for the past seven years. So I believe I’m qualified to discuss Greece.
While applying to be a “community blogger” the only qualifications were that you lived in the community you wanted to write about and that you could post at least once a week. I didn’t apply to be a reporter, therefore I don’t have to be fair and balanced. However, I try to be. I may disagree with many bloggers but I enjoy hearing their opinions. There are some like “publius” who are just nasty from the get-go but I wouldn’t go so far as to delete his comments. He should be heard as well.
Next time there’s an opening for a communtiy blogger…by all means…step-up! I’d love to critique your blogs.
“Without their workers, they’re nothing. I’m sure the so called “bloggers†get a free newspaper delivered for their efforts.”
Wrong again Jiminy!
Exile, thank you for your kind comments. You are thoughtful and fair.
“I’ve lived in Greece for approximately four years now.”
Your bio clearly says almost 2 years - why such a big discrepancy?
“My children attend Catholic Schools in Greece”
What’s wrong with the public schools? And as a parent of a parochial school student, how/why/could/would you post opinions on the public school system?
“While applying to be a “community blogger†the only qualifications were that you lived in the community you wanted to write about and that you could post at least once a week.”
Those qualifications may be part of the problem being discussed here.
“I didn’t apply to be a reporter, therefore I don’t have to be fair and balanced.”
Your representative of an entire community - your personal ethics should demand you fair and balanced!
“Next time there’s an opening for a communtiy blogger…by all means…step-up! I’d love to critique your blogs. ”
Um…I don’t meet the “qualificatons” as stated. I’m being honest here when I say I would NOT and could NOT accept the terms as you have stated them, and how they have been represented by you and/or the D&C.
“Without their workers, they’re nothing. I’m sure the so called “bloggers†get a free newspaper delivered for their efforts.†- - “Wrong again Jiminy! ”
Don’t tell me they actually have you PAY for it?
“Exile, thank you for your kind comments. You are thoughtful and fair.”
Absolutely in agreement with you on this point.
Sorry Petrena, I’m not buying it…but thank you for responding.
Jiminy, Petrena does do a good job with her blog. She recently interviewed Jon Powers, for example. She has lots of info about town meetings and developments.
I don’t care about bloggers’ “qualifications” as long as they do a good job with their blog. Part of the things that make blogs great is that anyone can do it — regardless of their background — and if the product is a good quality, they can earn respect and be read. Petrena’s blog is good quality.
All yours Ex - I’m with Itchy on this one.
“At issue are basic issues such as seniority and access to the companies 401k program (which is offered to all non-union company employees).”
To be fair, not all positions have access to union representation. Also, some of the points by The Guild are company wide and not only directed toward The Guild.
Alright, where to start…
“Your bio clearly says almost 2 years - why such a big discrepancy?”
Are bio’s haven’t been updated. They’re in the process of doing that.
“What’s wrong with the public schools? And as a parent of a parochial school student, how/why/could/would you post opinions on the public school system?”
There’s plenty wrong with GCSD which we’ve talked about extensively on the Greece blog. I do have one child that is in the public schools. The main reason I can write about it, regardless if I have a child in the public schools or not, is because I’m a taxpayer.
“Your representative of an entire community - your personal ethics should demand you fair and balanced!”
That’s a reporters job, not a blogger. Big difference in my opinion.
“Um…I don’t meet the “qualificatons†as stated. I’m being honest here when I say I would NOT and could NOT accept the terms as you have stated them, and how they have been represented by you and/or the D&C.”
Too bad. Could have been fun jiminy.
“Don’t tell me they actually have you PAY for it?”
That’s part of the “bloggers aren’t employed by the D&C”. If we were given anything, we’d be accused of being puppets for the paper. So, I’ll gladly pay for my own paper.
I’m glad you asked this time instead of assuming things.
Exile, you’re a class act. Again, I thank you for your nice words.
Sorry about the double entry. At first it didn’t go through on your blog so I thought it wasn’t going to. As you can see, I tried to remember what I wrote the first time and do it over. I guess you really get the essence of what I was trying to say.
No problem, I fixed it.
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