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What I like about
Blogs
By Bob Robinson
Want to know what I like about blogs? Nothing.
We have two “real blogs” on local web sites where people can comment
anonymously… in other words, they can say whatever they want without
taking responsibility for their comments.
I don’t read them. I always recommend to people who are in the news
don’t read them. Nine times out of ten, they are being hammered
unfairly; they get upset, hurt and end up feeling defeated. For
whatever reason, people feel like they can shoot off their mouths in
any manner they wish as long as nobody knows who is spouting the
“venom.”
Pretty cowardly, if you ask me. Even if you don’t.
One example I can think of – and this is really mild compared to some
of them - is a screen shot of a series of blog comments sent to me a
while back by a reader. The individual who sent it is a friend who just
wanted to give me a heads-up… went something like this:
“Speaking of pseudo-journalists, has anyone read Bob Robinsons blogs
last night?”
“There’s not much I ever look at there unless I am directed to it too
many grumpy old men with ink-fever desparately trying to cling to power
and notoriety (if they ever had any) on there”
And…
“He has a pretty decent blog except for a few morans that he lets write
on there”
“True I will give you that”
“He doesn’t allow comments though… the chicken! If he did he may know
what people really think.”
There’s more, but you get the drift. That last comment is the reason I
keep thinking about writing something…
I don’t care what you think if you won’t take responsibility for your
thoughts. And neither do most of CNO’s readers!
It is not the job of a news and information service to allow
unsubstantiated comments – which may or may not be true – from
anonymous sources.
To “happydays” and “Guest102”… I would love to get your comments – even
negative ones – and as long as legally permissible, they will be
published - all you have to do is the same that you would have to do
with any other legitimate news source… put your name on them. Take
responsibility for your comments.
Anyway, I enjoyed reading them. They were funny. I’ve been the focus of
so much criticism over the years due to the profession I’m in that I’m
pretty much immune. These comments were bland compared to some.
I’ve been sitting on this “thought” for months. The “chicken” comment
is the reason I finally decided to address it. Not chicken, just
responsible.
The Blogs section of County News Online is one of the most popular
sections we have. Readership ranks right up there with the other main
section headings. I’m guessing it’s a breath of fresh air for readers
who are tired of reading unsubstantiated, anonymous rantings.
At the same time, some who read our Opinions say they “never read
blogs.”
“I don’t like the vicious things they say about people.”
I tell them they are thinking about the anonymous ones. Some of our
blogs get pretty “edgy” – no argument – but you will always know who
wrote it. Nobody gets his or her opinion published on County News
Online without taking responsibility for it.
We call our section “Blogs” because they are not written by our
“locals” or “elected representatives.” They are Guest Opinions from
outside sources, usually legitimate or semi-legitimate media available
on the Internet, and they are there because they have something to say
that you might be interested in.
One final point about opinions (not blogs)… The retired editor who
taught me more than I ever wanted to know about journalism, gave me one
tidbit I’ll never forget.
“You want a snapshot about something that happened? Read the front
page,” he said. “You want to know what’s REALLY going on? Read the
opinion page. Try to get both sides.”
We get a little balance on our Opinion page, and I look for it in our Blogs. Suggestions are welcome.
With that in mind, those of you who never read Blogs might want to
consider trying one of ours… I don’t like the other “Blogs” either. But
these might be worth a few minutes of your time.
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