I consider myself a civil libertarian. I truly wish that Salisbury News could do away with comment moderation. There’s just one problem – I didn’t sign on to run a porn site or a web site for the Aryan Nation. Without censoring comments, anyone coming in to SBYnews for the first time would think that we were one or the other.
In my one month of working full time here I have been accused to performing various unnatural sex acts, having my head in places it doesn’t belong, and of being a criminal. That’s just me. Publisher Joe Albero is accused of much the same (or worse). Various friends and family members have to endure a river of bile as well.
In addition to personal attacks, which I would probably post (at least the ones levied against me) if they weren’t so filthy, we have to endure a steady stream of attacks against elected officials, sundry public figures, and (worse of all) ordinary citizens whose only “crimes” are to sign their names to comments or to be perceived as a friend and / or ally of Salisbury News.
The latest example of the “civility” of Salisbury News’ most vocal, and disgusting, opponents came yesterday in response to a post about regular Saturday columnist George Chevallier being in the hospital:
Tom McGuire said...
I hope he is the first to die of you three assholes.
I’ve never met Mr. McGuire. I have talked to him on the phone a few times. I have no idea whether or not he actually wrote this horrible comment. I was going to delete it, but was overridden.
After the fact, one of the local cowards who publish anonymous blogs claimed “responsibility”. I have no idea whether that is true since about everything this person (or persons) posts is either a lie or a damned lie.
Here’s the bottom line, I would love to go through life without being a censor. Sadly, at SBYnews, that just isn’t possible.
One of the reasons it isn’t possible is because of you, our readers. Many of you frequent sites that attack Albero, myself and those that are perceived to be friends and / or allies. I understand. It’s prurient interest. You’re waiting for the train to wreck.
Many of you also want to see the train wreck here at Salisbury News. Part of my job is to prevent that from happening. I’m obviously not always successful. This was evidenced yesterday by our publisher’s hell bent desire to respond to the “McGuire” comment. He did, by attacking McGuire. Of course, many of you loved it. However, I was pleased to see that even more of you felt the same way that I did – assuming McGuire was the guilty party, he wasn’t worth the bandwidth to respond.
Because of the coward class, and those of you who want to see a train wreck, I will have to continue to be a censor. You will have to (hopefully occasionally) put up with personal attacks from here as well. I just hope that those of you who CLAIM to want a more news oriented, civil, and responsible SBYnews will stand up and be counted.
We may actually see the day that comments don’t have to be censored.
G. A. Harrison is the Managing Editor of “Salisbury News”. Delmarva Dealings appears each Wednesday and Sunday at SbyNEWS.com.
34 comments:
Two quotes from the film "Talk Radio" spring to mind suddenly (you're Barry):
" Barry: It's just one big rock video, eh Kent?
Kent: Yeah!
[laughs]
Kent: [Both are silent for a moment] Well, go on, Bear... it's your show.
Barry: [after a pause] Yeah, that it is, that it is, it's my show. "
" Dan: See you tomorrow.
[Turns to leave]
Barry: Dan... What if I don't come in tomorrow?
Dan: [Smiles] You'll come in, Barry. You always do. "
:o)
Put your big boy pants on, If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen.
Frankly, I pay no attention to anonymous comments. When I have something to say I always put my name to it and my post is verified by my google account.
If have something to say, be responsible for your post. Why hide?
Craig Theobald
Ironshire
opinions are great. They tell where the Public stands on different issues.
The problem exist where people express their views on talking points and not factual knowledge. To get their points across the only way they know how is to attack negatively at / about someone. That just shows their immaturity, you owe me, my way or no way mentality. This also represents their morals, values and disrespect of others.
We expect the ones that elected to act and solve problems in a way thart benefits all citizens. What a joke.
What a shame our society cannot agree / disagree sensiblely.
What did you expect when you took the job as paparazzi reporter, GA? I see you wasted no time in jumping right in and taking pictures and criticizing someone's concrete work in their yard, etc. Frankly, Joe's attacked so many people and organizations over the years on his blog that, believe it or not, there are a lot of people on the Shore that hate him. By joining his organization, the hate has spread to include you by proxy!
Ignore,---- don't even post these negative comments----not worth your effort. The type of person they draw isn't newsworthy anyway.
Anon 1405 -
You sound reasonable, but you obviously didn't read the post I did about the "concrete work". The issue was whether or not the rules applied to everyone. I verified that the city's permits office did not require a permit for their retaining wall work. I also questioned why since a house just a few doors down did have to have a permit for similar work.
I documented that the contractor tore up neighbor's property. I also documented that the sidewalk / curb repairs did not appear to have been done by an approved city contractor as required. I also showed that the owner did not get a permit until after the authorities had been called in.
Gee, I'm so sorry that I printed the truth. Admittedly, what made the story newsworthy was that the neighbor whose own was was damaged was a city councilwoman who the owners have attacked at almost every opportunity.
What I think is important to point out here is this post shows a dynamic between you and Joe that many of his enemies would never guess is true. Joe allows you to post your disagreements. I disagree with Joe a lot, but I have found that if you post something that has any logic and does not go overboard with over-the-top unwarranted attacks on people he will post it.
Reggie Jackson was once asked how it felt to be booed. He responded, "they don't boo nobodies". I think you and Joe can take heart from that. The other nameless anonymous blogs don't get booed or talked about at all offline, so they boo you because you are somebody. Heavy is the head that wears the crown.
If a person doesn't like this blog, then why don't they stay off of it? I think the reason why is the complainers get power from seeing their comments being published. I might never publish those comments or even mention their names, as they don't deserve to be in the blog...unless it is in the police report. I view SBY as a news source and visit the site several times a day, but and do not enjoy the rude, threating and verbally abusive comments sent to SBY News. Just my opinion, but I don't own the site and respect your decision to publish said comments.
You asked, but you may not like the answers, which might explain why you won't publish the answers.
Anon 1448 -
And what are we not publishing?
Why would you post a comment from McGuirre, especially since you now know its not him? A responsible person, site, would pull the comment. And put up a post that it was not him. Then again this is SBYNews and its reputation for facts is sketchy at best.
What say you?
I think the decisions to edit or not publish some comments is a good decision. As it stands now , the few that send trash have been thrown out. I too hope this continues. I say few , hoping that's it's not too many crazies out there. I have been upset at times and my comments have not been published , mostly because of my standing on the racial issues.
Having said that , I've been a friend of George for 30 years. I worked with him for 23 years , he is in my opinion an honorable person. I've never known him to lie , he is a pillar to the church and a boom to this community.
It does rattle me and piss me off when someone attacks him in such a fashion. Im also considered a little radical , I will not persue that issue now.
The point I'm making , please don't mess with my friend.
resonable comments that dont agree with Joe Albero I know ive commented alot and it dosnt get published.
Bob Gaphics -
First of all, at the time it went up NOBODY knew that it was not McGuire. I doubted it, Albero didn't. As I stated in this post, the individual(s) claiming responsibility usually lie about the sun being up. Why should I take their word about anything?
Now -
"Then again this is SBYNews and its reputation for facts is sketchy at best."
Let's start with anything that I have written as a news piece. Where are the facts "sketchy"? Let's move to any op-ed I have ever written. Where is any representation of fact "sketchy"?
I challenge you to come up with an example. I am willing to admit that they might be out there. However, I have NEVER shied away from correcting any error of fact brought to my attention.
With all due respect, you argue like Alex Adams (but without the profanity). You make a statement like this but fail to present any evidence to back it up.
What say you Skippy?
Anon 1713 -
Read our comment policy. There is a remedy. I have to tell you; Albero lets an awful lot of comment through even though he disagrees with them.
Well I must say that Joe and G.A. do a good job with THEIR blog. I have never had a comment not posted, however once I added a tastless comment to the end it was notably edited. Nothing wrong with that in my opinion. The main thing to remember is that it is their blog. I know many people feel a sense of entitlement, however it is theirs alone, so if you do not like it, then just come around. It would make everyone's life a little more sane.
As far as the Tom comment goes, if it were not Tom making the comment, he is just as responsible because he gave the other person his person information plus it goes to show the characters he associates with. Ever heard the phrase "birds of a feather flock together"?
Many of us choose not to list our names because of our employment. We are not fortunate enough to be retired and we are responsible enough to work and not be a drain on society. Joe and G.A. know who I am and if they need to discuss anything with me know how to get in touch with me. I personally don't care if others know who I am or care for what I say.
Joe has often been accused of attacking others, but let me just say the lowlifes on the other sites have attacked me twice as well, although they never seem to step up when confronted about it. At least Joe is willing to call someone out and then stand behind it!
Does Bob Gaphics not known how to his spell his own last name?
For the record, I've sent in a number of comments disagreeing with Albero and only once was one not published because Blogger was messing up that day. My comments on other Blogger blogs didn't make it either.
Before Joe says it let me be first. What idiots!
LOOK, If McGuire has a problem with the comment, (in which I firmly believe it is him, his style) and the fact that they have already wished others death, he has EVERY right to contact Google and demand they research the IP Address of the aleged imposter.
Of course he won't because there's no doubt in my mind it is him.
They can make all the excuses they want. However, IF it was someone else they cannot come after me for publishing the comment, ever.
Again, no one has said anything about denying it, not here. McGuire is squirming because he knew I wouldn't publish it, just like Robinson always bellyaches when he uses his name and doesn't expect it to be published.
It has ALWAYS been my policy on this Blog, IF you use your name and OWN the comment, it gets published.
I think these people who are consumed with hate towards you all need to get a grip. I think the hate is fueled by some sort of jealousy. If one if happy with one's own life, hate will not occur.
Porn site? And some of the posts put on here sometimes contain offensive pictures. You all do that yourself. Everything else on this site is great.
I will try to post this again. Who would make such a post using their own name. Nobody. I don't care who you are. It was obvious that someone manufactured this comment, and the comment should have been deleted. Of course, unless you could gain in the childish blog war by posting it.
This is no longer a good local blog! Your readership and loyal visitors have diminished tremendously. This is not what the people of this area want or expect from this blog. Every thing that you copy and paste we can find it on other sites. As a matter of fact the real news media sites are more user friendly.
Go back to the old way of blogging or continue to see this blog fail. Sorry, but it's a fact!
Anon 1031 -
I like the fact that you make such strong statements of fact without ANY evidence whatsoever.
Ever since Joe gave me admin privileges on SBYnews I have put my own analytics code on the site. It wasn't that I didn't believe Joe, I just wanted to be able to analyze data that I found useful. SBYnews is not losing readers. In fact, its readership is growing.
We can argue why that is the case - Joe and I argue about this almost every day. I do know that the readership rises and falls on a seasonal basis, which isn't surprising. I'm sure there is a cyclical component as well; but I don't have enough data to predict that. I do know that the overall trend is going up.
As for finding things on other sites, I'm sure you can. The question is, do our readers want to have to go to 20 -30 other sites to find it. The "Drudge Report" is one of the most successful sites on the internet and it is 100% "copy and paste".
We've increased our local coverage and have continued to post news that is relevant to our readership. Our readership continues to grow. If that is your definition of failure, I'm glad no one in my family went to the same school that you did.
Since coming on as Managing Editor we've made a few changes that you can see which I believe have helped with readership. These aren't due to me specifically as much as it is having more hands on deck. We've also done a few thing behind the scenes that also appear to be attracting traffic.
"It has ALWAYS been my policy on this Blog, IF you use your name and OWN the comment, it gets published."
That comment alone is laughable at best.I for one have had many comment's over the last year not posted simply because of the view i had on the subject. Oh and by the way yes i used my name and own all my comment's.
There's a simple solution on how to handle a post such as the one from "Tom McGuire". Most people in the journalist world call if fact checking. You know what i'm talking about G.A. that thing you say you do before publishing any story.
Let me make this clear. I don't have any problems with a post like the one being discussed. As long as you do one simple thing before posting it. CALL the man being accused and, ask him if he left the comment. That simple if he says no run the post with his denial. Problem solved you still get the post and you have done " THE RIGHT THING". Now i know you can't fact check all comments that's a given. It's when you turn a comment into a post on the main page that the problems arise.
Chuckie -
Let's start off with a few problems with your own comment. You do not sign your name. "Chuckie" is not a full name. There are Lord knows how many Chuck's, Chuckie's, Charles's, etc. on the Lower Shore alone. I can hardly commend you for your "courage".
Maybe what you say about your comments is true. Maybe it isn't. Don't know. Don't care. You've already lost me with the chest thumping claim that you "own all my comments". Obviously that isn't true.
With all respect to the many commenters who choose to do so anonymously, I simply don't give Anon comments the same credence as someone who signs their name. People talk about retaliation. I'm sure that it's a possibility. I also know that when enough people stand up for themselves, that threat disappears FAST.
As far as the whole McGuire thing, I will argue that you are wrong on multiple counts. Posting the comment was a judgment call. However, I disagreed with Joe's post - not with the statements in it (I don't care enough about the subject matter to judge), but whether it should have been done. Under other circumstances I would agree with your argument to call the guy. However, I simply don't accept any argument that the post should have been done at all. This is one of the things that Joe and I disagree on. Que sera.
I will NEVER call a man who calls WalMart and openly lied about my calling an inter racial couple a N-Word loving whore while ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.
I could go on and on about the many thing McGuire has said and done to my Family.
Chuckie, in my book you are a complete a-hole simply looking for attention. You are an Anti Albero Blogger, one in which IF I had seen your comment first I would have rejected it and will do so from this point forward. You are simply looking for people to come to your Site, GA is just too blind to se it or understand it.
I have also place lots of comments disagreeing with Joe that never saw the light of day.
T.S. Jackson, I have NEVER seen your name before, nice try.
I have had comments not get published too. Some of the nastier ones I understand why and expected them to be trashed.
It's Joe's blog and he can allow or disallow anything he wants.
That said, some I felt should have been published but I did not feel the need to pursue it.
If I really wanted something to be published I would go back and reword it. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it did not.
But guess what? I am still here. I don't think anyone lost any sleep over it not being published.
Happy Fourth of July Joe and staff.
Oh, and readers too.
Anonymous 10:06pm Thank You for Your Support. Happy 4th of July to you and your Family- God Bless!
10:12 PM
Thank you.
Post a Comment