Comments on: Yesterday's Rockville Roundtable Breaks Ground

By: Art Stigile

Art Stigile — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 13:40:24 +0000

I appreciate your efforts to provide a public forum for exchanging views and for allowing the exchange to be vigorous, but respectful. I enjoy the opportunity to learn from and to persuade reasonable people who genuinely want to make this a better city. Personally, I’d err on the side of printing just about every comment, as Joe Jordan suggested, and I’d require each author to identify themselves and print their name. For most folks, that would be enough encouragement to be civil, even though they might disagree with another person’s views. I think Joe has been a pretty good example, in this regard. I would also note that this would follow the practice at Citizens Forum.

By: Brigitta Mullican

Brigitta Mullican — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:49:47 +0000

Brad did an excellent and accurate summary of the luncheon discussions. I know how long it takes to provide the work Brad and Cindy do. They have the right to create their rules for their Blog. If others don’t agree, they are free to start their own Blog. As long as the Rockville Central Blog is not associated with another official organization, I believe they are free to manage their Blog according to their choice. They have provided an opportunity for others to voice their opinion.The participants at the luncheon discussed their strong concern of inappropriate personal attacks. That message was heard by all. I believe the new rules are clear and appropriate.Everyone has been warned of the Rockville Central Blog rule and I hope they are implemented as stated.Brad and Cindy, thanks for your hard work. I look forward to your continued sharing of community information in a FAIR manner.

By: John Cooper-Martin

John Cooper-Martin — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:59:29 +0000

To add a little bit more to what I wrote, it seems since Brad or Cindy are not deleting the inappropriate comments but sending them back to the commenter and writing the commenter why his/her comment was not published and giving the commenter an opportunity to change his/her comment so that it can be published, this gives the commenter a chance to re-do the comment so it is appropriate, civil, and will be published.To me, if Brad and Cindy are willing to go to all of that effort so that this site will have civility, decency, and appropriateness in its comments, then I commend them for it. Before they put up the comment guidelines there were some very uncivil and inappropriate comments from anonymous commenters, such as “get out of town.” To me, those kind of comments are “over the top,” for a website like this, and they should not be published.As an example, look at “The Washington Post;” they have abuse guidelines for their commenters who comment on their articles, and they are much less of a community than we are. I think there have to be some standards and some enforcement of those standards. Otherwise, the comments, unfortunately, can get out of bounds of civility and decency.

By: Brad Rourke

Brad Rourke — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:00:08 +0000

Thanks for those comments, everyone. Please know that our STRONG bias is to let just about everything through. I already read every comment, but I am only a bottleneck when it comes to new commenters (new folks’ comments get held for moderation automatically). At present, our comment volume is about ten per day which is GREAT and is also manageable in terms of review.The practical effect of this will be almost negligible and we commit to remaining highly, highly transparent.If someone attacks me personally, I always try to let that through (unless there is obscenity or coarse language). Where I try to draw the line is if someone attacks a reader unfairly.Let’s see how this goes and we are very open to making changes if it does not work. Please continue to share concerns and thoughts.

By: Raynell C.

Raynell C. — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:50:51 +0000

I kinda agree with Joseph. I have a few qualms with the policy. You guys will have to read through tons of comments, which isn’t worth the work. Also, Brad, if someone attacked you personally, wouldn’t you be inclined to address their issue privately as opposed to publicly as it should be. I hope that you two aren’t very strict such that the flavor of the comment can come through.

By: Joseph Jordan

Joseph Jordan — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:09:35 +0000

I have great respect for both Brad and Cindy, and appreciate all the work they do with Rockville Central. However, I don’t think they can be judge, jury and executioner….Editor, contributor and censor…I am extremely disappointed to read all comments will now be subject to one or two people’s interpretation of what is in or out of bounds…no matter how liberal they may be in determining same.I hope they reconsider this decision quickly…life isn’t all sunshine and roses.

By: John Cooper-Martin

John Cooper-Martin — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:11:42 +0000

Sorry I couldn’t make the lunch. Your comment policy sounds very good to me.