Cutting To The ChaseMaybe it's time to take the gloves off. I've never backed off from a fight as long as the premise was valid. I think this subject is valid. I might get kicked off the blogs, excoriated & condemned by my fellow bloggers, but I have to admit that I see these blogs deteriorating in quality lately. After going through the blogs since the begining of the month I've come to the conclusion that there are certain elements of our community that are getting attention that goes absolutely NOWHERE and have accomplished absolutely nothing, at least in a positive manner. I center my tirade at the two most prevalent subjects, at least this month, of animal control & sheriff Besseler. There are certain people, that in my humble opinion, that can, at best, be described as being clinically, goofy in the head & without any sociabely redeeming values. But that is just my opinion. What really counts is what has been accomplished. I put myself in the shoes of a person who might have recently moved to anywhere in Clay County & has come across our previously wonderful gift of a community blog. What might they see at first glance? After just a cursory glance, I counted 10 separate entries about animal control since the first of July. I counted 7 separate entries about sheriff Besseler since the first of July. That person might think, " Wow! These people are really concerned about community issues that affect them." They would be WRONG! With a capital W. Because if they took the time & effort to investigate, they would find that the majority of comments were filled with personal attacks, unfounded accusations without sources or proof, crude language, innuendos of a personal nature, unbelievably incorrect grammar, spelling, name calling and an atmosphere that would be better suited to either a third grade spitting match or fourth rate bar room brawl complete with cats wailing away. They would also find that on the subject of animal control, one blog entry had 114 replies, most of which were worth spit. On the other hand, they would find that on the subject of sheriff, they would have found 123 replies, also worth spit. Why? Because they accomplished absolutely nothing, at least in a positive manner. They would also find that only about 10 to 12 people were contributing on a consistent basis. Many have avoided these subjects like the plague. Gee, I wonder why. One of the things that bothers me is the fact that some of you may have children. Kids, being kids, especially if they listen when their parents say that they should obey them, will learn the same mind numbing, knuckle dragging mentality that you show. GREAT. Now we will have yet another generation of goofy in the head, knuckle dragging, semi literate people with which to deal. Thanks a heck of a lot. That's a great contribution to society, as if we didn't have enough problems. A hint or two. I'll borrow the first hint from Lily. GET A DICTIONARY! USE IT!. Apparently, some of you haven't figured out that since we don't meet in person, the only thing we readers have to judge you by are your words. If you want to come off as a knuckle dragging, know nothing, illiterate yahoo, fine. That's your right. Just don't expect us to take you or your words & opinions seriously. It's your responsibility, not ours. It's that simple. If you want to engage in a personal vendetta like campaign, great! Go for it. But I have to be honest. I can't speak for any other blogger, but as far as my feelings go, I wish you would take it to whatever beer soaked, urine spattered, chunk filled, back alley, red neck venue that you might usually inhabit. Some of us, especially me, have no need whatsoever, to experience your vitriol, your total lack of even the minimal lack of the comprehesion of the English language or thinking processes which makes it difficult for us to read your entries. If you want to attack something, attack the statements with the facts. Just like the old commercial for Porsche, there is no substitute. It's that simple. If you want to make a personal attack, realise now that if you do that, you have already lost your case. If you haven't realised that, you're in the wrong league. Stick with the funny pages. If you want to state in a semi eloquent, disengenuous manner, something on your mind by the way of innuendo, be prepared to be challenged. If you can't back it up, be prepared to be emabarassed. The fault is yours. If you want to to reduce yourself to name calling, be prepared to be ignored as superfluous & not to be considered in any serious manor. Just remember, you asked for it. OK. That's my rant, my tirade. If some want to pillory me, go for it. If I am to be banished from the blogs, so be it. But just like some of you, I've had my say. At least I made my statement without the low grade steps some of you have taken against each other. If you have something to say against what I have said, no problem. But please provide some proof to back up what you have to say. JATFUR. Rich K Related: SoloVoce's blog | login or register to post comments | printer friendly version | Tags: The Blogs
Submitted by jimmaxie on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 4:25pm.
We can only hope someone will take note.
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle
Submitted by oneguysview on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 5:05pm.
Solo has given a whale of a speech. Hopefully it will not fall on deaf ears. Do whales have ears? I'll drink to that. Wake up Uhmurikah!
Submitted by joeriley08 on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 6:13pm.
Thanks for making things clear enough for a 2nd grader...that just be what some people need.....
Submitted by Sunflower on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 6:55pm.
Rich - THANK YOU, THANK YOU! It's about time someone with some sensibility and sense finally came forth and stated the obvious. This blog has become so darned mean and often incoherent that I have stayed away except for a few comments on other matters. MCS blog has so much potential and has been such a great asset for those of us who want to discuss matters (no matter which "side" you take), in a manner of civility and comraderie and in some instances has allowed us to meet up in person. Through this blog I've met people who feel the way I do about some issues, some who do not, and if even if not in agreement, can at least have an intelligent discussion. I have noticed the absence of some that I generally disagree with, but never scroll past their comments. I understand why they stay away these days. Thanks again, for taking the time to say what many of us are feeling about the wrong turn this blog has taken. It's happened before, but not to this extent, and hopefully, it will turn around again and become a positive rather than a negative communications tool. Judy B.
Submitted by Observer on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 7:14pm.
I know I stand firm on my beliefs and sometimes get excited. I try and listen to others point of view and when it's filled with opinion and no fact, I get frustrated. Opinion is good when it’s known up front. I like to opportunity to express my points and hear others whether the points are pro or con. Thanks for having me MCS and Bloggers. Submitted by winn1955 on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 7:19pm.
Solo I concur with most of what you said. My self I always use my word processor, and after spell, and grammar check I copy and paste it to this blog. I know I haven’t commented on much lately, but for this one; a couple of extra pain pills and I’m ok. I always read the blogs. Lately it has become a verbal slug fest that in my opinion violates the terms of use that My Clay Sun has established.
Many have made some pretty serious accusation, with no documentation of proof. I won’t name names; you all know who you are. It’s pretty sick to make accusations about someone’s promiscuity, just because you have a vendetta against an agency. Then you have the ones that slander ones name trying to achieve political gain, honestly I can’t make my mind up about which is worse out of the two. In my humble opinion they are about as equal as whale dung. I’m surprised that the Blog God hasn’t stepped in to curb the abuse.
Then you have the couple going at it, with name calling because they disagree on a matter of a topic. One thinks it is a good Idea, and the other despises it. Many moons ago some wise bloger of past, made a profound statement. “Can’t we just agree to respectfully disagree?” Many have used that statement with much success, until recently. It seems on a daily basis now someone has something nasty to say about another.
You know what I say about all that, Life is to short for all of the dumb shit, and God puts enough drama in our lives without creating our own. In the past we blogers on this site have pretty much policed it on our own with much success, maybe it is time for the wrath of God to smite the few who break the commandments Well I said my piece; I’m tired now, and will go back to my little safe place in my house. That’s what I got to say about that. Thanks for your blog RK it needed to be said. It takes an unsatisfied person to make things satisfactory: Winn1955
Submitted by TruthHurts on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 8:47pm.
Solo I actually agree with your comments on many levels. I will be the first to admit when someone attacks me I will attack back with equal or greater vigor. I can and will be very ruthless at times in doing so. I know how you and some others feel about such things as grammar, spelling, homonyms, synonyms, and the like. So please do not take what I am about to say out of content. I have no desire here to disrespect your position on this, But..... I would like to add to your thread issues such as sarcasm, and innuendo. I have seen time and again when a person has posted something and when an opposing view is offered, it is filled with a plethora of sarcasm and innuendo which implies that person is not so bright. This is no way to begin a civil dialog. This in my opinion is wrong. Allow me to provide an example. Lets take that same so called red-neck 300 lbs at the local gin joint. He is voicing his opinion to the group of people you are with and is not speaking lets say the Queens English. Would you look that man in the face and correct his poor usage of the English language and tell him his opinion was invalid because he sounds like a red neck that never graduated elementary school? And if you did what do you suppose the outcome would be? Most likely a fight would ensue. I feel that the folks that blog here should be given the same respect. I know personally when I am on a rant and typing away I just go with the flow and on many occasions my grammar, spelling and the like go right out the window. But I assure you it’s not because I am ignorant. When someone opposing my view wants to point out why I am wrong by adding it’s because I used improper grammar, or misspelled some words is in my opinion impolite and wrong. It comes down to the principles of cause and effect. If you slap someone in the face you get slapped back. If ones view is in opposition to another that is fine, but one should not attack another with sarcasm and insult another by questioning that persons education level, and pointing out what they had to say was worthless. If a person with an opposing view would like to rebut ones thought on a topic that is fine. That is what makes the world go around and how we learn. But if that person rebutting another’s thought does so in a mean spirited way with sarcasm and attacks against their education level guess what, a fight may ensue. Do you see what I mean? Personally as I have mentioned in the past. I have no problem with folks voicing opinions that differ from mine. For me it’s the delivery and tactics used in voicing that differing opinion which dictates whether it will be a constructive dialog or a mud slinging dialog. Now I know all the clichés , turn the other cheek, take the higher moral ground, all that. But I also know that there comes a time when we ALL strike back, we are ALL human, and we ALL have done it.
So yes I agree with your post and then some. And maybe we should ALL (not just a few) cut each other a little slack Just a thought.
TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill. Submitted by SoloVoce on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 6:08am.
That was my one & only Elvis impersonation but I mean it. First, I want to emphasis that in no way was I attempting to diminish the importance of the subjects of CCAC or the sheriffs office. But I was taught that it is not only a matter of what you say, but how you say it. Also, I've always admitted that I, along with my fellow bloggers, am not a professional writer, complete with a staff to prepare what I write. I make mistakes, especially typos. But in all too many cases, what I've read, or tried to read, was an excercise in futility, pain & all. Winn, Sorry you have to go through so many hoops just to voice your opinion & contribute. Normally, if I know that my blog or reply will be on the long or long winded side, I do the same thing you do. I type it on word, edit it, do a spell check & proof read again. This time I was just too anxious to get the thoughts out, so what you see is what I did. That's my story & I'm sticking to it. Hang in there. I'm all for cutting as much slack as possible to any person, especially when one makes a typo now & then or is not in the same class as a professional writer. But there are limits to everything & some things on these subjects have gone way beyond the limits of mere typos & grammar. I felt that what I said needed to be said, so I said it. I knew that I might be in for a rock throwing contest and I'm happy to see the responses, so far. The day is young though, & we shall see what we can see. See? Si. JATFUR. Rich K
Submitted by TruthHurts on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 6:19am.
Solo It's amazing you sounded just like "The King". I will not be tossing any rocks at you. You made your point in a respectful manner and I respect that. For that I thank you.
TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill.
Submitted by OneMann on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 6:39am.
Rich, what bothers me is those are two issues (CCAC and the Sheriff's race) that actually deserve and need open, public discussion. Instead, they are trivialized by inevitable feces-flinging and the personal animosity some individuals have for others. It results in a loss of participation by others. Let me give you an example. I was thinking about doing something concerning CCAC that would require more than the normal amount of time and effort to write. Then it occurred to me that it just isn't worth it. I know the actual points I raised won't be discussed again once someone logs on to proclaim "Fire Connie" and others answer by questioning his sanity, thereby supplying the opening salvos of a seemingly-nonstop series of personal insults that don't have a freakin' thing to do with the subject I put the effort into writing. Everyone in that roster of CCAC ranters proclaims concern for animals. But they never discuss the animals, except in an occasional reference to lipstick. And by doing so, they don't allow the rest of us to carry on a conversation to see if we can do actually something for our furry friends. Second, the ability to type, or even spell correctly, is not a prerequisite to blog and should not be used as the determinant of someone's intelligence. It's the thought being conveyed, not the spelling skill, that matters. (Heck, I almost got kicked out of my first journalism class at UF because of my lack of typing skill.) Of course, if it's poorly-spelled with improper grammar and is absent any rational thought other than some childish insult directed at a single person, then it's probably OK to consider the package as a whole and reach a conclusion about the writer's intelligence. Finally, Rich, those constant exchanges of personal animosity have nothing to do with turning the other cheek or anyone's idea of moral high ground. It comes down to this: No one else has been, is or ever will be responsible if I make the choice to act like an ass. To explain away, even proudly, one's behavior as responding to poor behavior in-kind is just rationalizing one's own poor behavior choices. Michael S. Mann michaelsmann@comcast.net
Submitted by TruthHurts on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 6:51am.
Mr. Mann I would be very interested in hearing what you were planning to do to help the animals at CCAC.
TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill. Submitted by SoloVoce on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 7:29am.
Mike, I'm with you again. I don't think I'm the only person who noticed exactly what you mentioned in your first paragraph. Participation is always open to those who wish to express their opinions. But under the conditions that we mentioned, regardless of the importance of the subject, many people will not want to subject themselves to those conditions. I also agree about typing skills as a prerequisite & no, it should not be used to determine intelligence. What I have said in this & other threads is that none of us are pros. But that should not be an excuse for failing to try to improve. In this day of such wide computer usage, some level of typing skill is needed & improvement in anything should always be present. The typos are not now nor have they ever been my main concern. But when improper word usage is displayed &/or a sentance that might have every word spelled correctly but is so incoherent as to be unintelligable is used to express an idea, either intelligence or the level of education is naturally questioned. And when those conditions exist, my conclusion is that if the writer doesn't care enough to think through the message they are conveying, I have to ask just how much they cared in forming the opinion in the first place. And lest anyone think that I'm being a snob or elitest, I'm not. I'm talking about very basic, very general rules that can be found in any English or writing composition class, not the exceptions. And there are always valid exceptions. I'm not sure why you directed the last two paragraphs at me, but I agree. Have a great one & watch out for the rain. JATFUR. Rich K
Submitted by OneMann on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 8:56am.
Rich, don't get bothered by me directing my comments to you. It's just that they were made in the context of the blog you originated. TH, as far as what I had hoped to do, the subject is as inconsequential here as it would be made by the mud-slinging sure to follow if I did write it. That's extremely disrespectful, intended or not, to both me and anyone else who might want to join me in a discussion with a goal higher than stooping to lowest available level of behavior. What I had planned is now just an opportunity for me personally to try to do something positive that's been lost, rendered useless amid the continual bombardment of insults directed at people who have nothing to do with what I was going to write about. Ranters can suck the life out of someone else's effort by using it to launch more of their attacks. I don't want to be a part of it, and I'll try to find other ways that will allow me to help without having to associate with people who either can't behave like adults in a public forum, or make the choice not to. Michael S. Mann michaelsmann@comcast.net
Submitted by TruthHurts on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 9:09am.
Mr. Mann Of course that is your choice and I respect your right to make it. I was not inquiring of you as to what your plan was to launch an attack at you. I was genuinely interested your ideas. Thank you for your answer.
TRUTHHURTS Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill. Submitted by SoloVoce on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 9:31am.
Mike, I wasn't bothered, just curious. As stated, I agree with the points you made. While I may not make a contribution to any particular thread, I've always maintained that I learn something by the input of others. As you said, the learning process is put on hold when the ranting bigins. It is a shame. Rich K
Submitted by kilroy on Fri, 08/01/2008 - 1:10am.
I agree, it is a shame that legitimate issues cannot be discussed openly. I have read many posts and I beleive most of the bloggers are open minded. In my opinion this is a great place to bring attention to every day issues. Issues that would go un-noticed by some. It's like "crossing the RR tracks" into the other neighborhood. I certainly will continue to post my opinions and facts, but I will no longer hesitate to report abuse. Please go to: http://spayusa.org/media/pdfs/Cats_Multiply_Pyramid.pdf http://spayusa.org/media/pdfs/Dogs_Multiply_Pyramid.pdf and the next time you meet someone that wants to "help the poor, stray, hungry animal" by "just feeding it", please share this info. Thank You People are talking about ...Here are the recent blog postings with the most comments. |
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too bad the people or persons this applies to won't read it or understand it...
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle