Elections...

[dl meckes]

You are boss.... its not ego to tell people what to do. People tell me what to do all the time.

Fine. Go write an article.

It's virtually impossible for Jimmy to tell unpaid writers what to write and it makes zero sense. People who want coverage of their events need to write about their events. That's the best thing about the Observer, IMO.

Jimmy could tell me to cover a story all he wants. If I don't feel like doing it, too bad. What's he going to do: fire me?

I loved having synergy with the League of Women Voters. They do what they do better than anyone volunteering in the Observer project.

And Jimmy is not really the "boss." He writes the checks to pay for the paper and the Obvserver server. He takes all the risks and responsibilities. As far as I'm concerned, he can take all the credit, too.

Before him, no-one stepped up. What he has started here is completely original. The development of the Member Center software (by Dan Ott and Rami Daud) has been spectacular. Nobody has a program as good as what's been developed by Lakewood talent.

[Kenneth Warren]

We are seeing here how the LO project, with a dynamic tension between individual ownership and neighborhood interdependencies, tests our personalities and perspectives on civic action, public institutions and political parties.

From the outset, the LO project has posited a middle ground, because Lakewood is a middle ground, more purple than blue or red. The concept of such a middle ground, organized around principles of cooperation, mutual support and sociability may be from an ideological perspective too communitarian for a straight-out libertarian. Nonetheless, the LO project is a neighborhood project that endeavors to find that happy medium organized by neither the market nor the welfare state.

To label the LO project democrat or left does not accurately capture and reflect the possibility wherein neighbors attempt to shake off polarizing political labels for the sake building an expressive platform for the mutuality, reciprocity and trust that anchors a strong neighborhood. The norms and values implicit in a neighborhood project can run counter to unbridled self-expression, profiteering and grenade throwing for the sake of hasty deterrence.

So it’s a mighty fine and delicate line that Jim O’Bryan is attempting to walk and talk. Yet only a fool would fail to recognize Jim’s O’Bryan’s personal political bias or my own, or anybody who put up, for that matter.

Despite the carping and celebration of the left-wing slant, it’s clearly the case that images, opinions, perspectives and stories deviating from the democratic / left label can and will get over into the LO, when someone puts up a quality statement.

Whatever the demographic and financial challenges we face in the times ahead, the more people who participate and endeavor to create the happy neighborhood medium the finer will be the LO project line to a stronger community.

Kenneth Warren

[Charyn Compeau]

I don't understand why there are so many aggressively written posts to Mark - particularly this last one from Jim?

Certainly, he understood that his initial post was highly misunderstood, and then has attempted to clarify it twice.

He has stated that the paper has a left slant - something that was stated earlier with the reason given that it is was because those were the articles that were received. So why is that bad? Because his opinion is that it should be acknowledged and embraced? That it should be celebrated as being what it is?

I have wondered about this. As much you may not encourage the democratic slant, you do encourage the republicans to write. I cant say that I think that is great either. To be truly reflective, shouldnt the nature and content develop organically with no encouragement in any specific direction? If it runs radical left - should you stop it? radical right?

Interesting to think about - and completely philosophical please - I am not stating that you do or dont this or that. I am just pondering out loud.

**

He stated that someone he know would write anything you asked or suggested. Is that bad? I dont think so - it just is.

I dont see where he ever insinuated that you can not post how you feel on the Deck - so I can not even begin to understand why you are assigning that sentiment to him.

And then to insinuate that he is selectively ignoring facts? Why make such a statement?

How does this enhance the discussion? How does this further commonality and co-operation? How does this help us to understand one another better? How does this build the brand or the paper, or the project?
__________________________

On a separate note - as much as you (you being directed to no single person as this applies to many) may love writing for the paper, for MANY writing is not their thing.

For many, that have NO desire to write an article, let alone have it published. It doesn't make their opinions less valid or their commitment to their ideals less real.

Not everyone aspires to write in a newspaper. Some like to blog, some like to forum, but just because they are willing to take a minute to click respond to a post doesn't mean they will ever have any desire to write columns or articles for print publications.

Now, you may argue that it is illogical and that you cant understand it. But how someone feels doesn't have to be logical and you don't have to understand it.

it would be nice if you accepted it as a part of who someone is though

JMO-
Charyn

[Jeff Endress]

Despite the carping and celebration of the left-wing slant, it’s clearly the case that images, opinions, perspectives and stories deviating from the democratic / left label can and will get over into the LO, when someone puts up a quality statement.

But then, its easier to carp about a percieved slant than it is to take the time and effort necessary to present "the other side". Bret has shown the chops and does so in fine fashion. Are there others whose views are not a part of the project? Perhaps, but only because they fail to them forth. It is very much like those, who never participating in the electoral process, nevertheless endlessly complain about the electoral results.

Jeff

[Gary Rice]

As a Libra, I suppose I'm always looking for the balance. At least that's what they tell me.

This is Saturday after all. This is the WEEKEND!!!!!

Can we not all at least agree to take a break until Monday with all this hair-pulling?

There, see how easy that was?

Now, what else can we agree on? Crayon sharing? Sandbox shovels?

Let's all lighten up a bit.

Enjoy the weekend!

[Charyn Compeau]

Crayon sharing?

but, but, but...

all the blue crayons are missing and all the red ones are broken!






Charyn

[Jeff Endress]

Gary

I've been trying to share my art supplies, but someone keeps eating my paste!

Jeff

[Charyn Compeau]

Not eating it silly - frosting my mudcakes with it!!!!!

[Gary Rice]

There now, that's much better.

At least it should be until we get into geography class, and start discussing whether we should color with the red crayons, or the blue.

I was starting to wonder where I'd put my detention pad.

Peace all.

[dl meckes]

Mark wrote:

I think the young man across the hall from me is on staff (?). I think he would write anything you tell him to.

Charyn wrote:

He stated that someone he know would write anything you asked or suggested. Is that bad? I dont think so - it just is.

Charyn, you have misinterpreted Mark's post.

There are no staff writers on the Observer, which is why Jim or Ken or Jeff or I respond the way we do.

It is a misunderstanding of the project as a whole to suggest there are (or ever will be) staff writers who may be assigned to stories.

I do not believe it will ever be the intention of the Observer to have staff writers who may be assigned stories because again, that is completely contrary of the mission of the Observer.

This doesn't preclude the possibility that writers could be paid for their work.

Also (note to Mark), Jim is the publisher, not the editor, of the Lakewood Observer.

The "advisors" do not celebrate having a "left slant" because it means that there's a "right slant" whose voices are absent from the paper. I am grateful to Bret for brining his voice to the paper and I enjoy his writing very much, whether or not I am in sync with his views.

[Charyn Compeau]

DL -

Thank you for pointing out your source of frustration. It makes much more sense to me now. I can certainly say that the phrase 'on staff' didnt even register with me.

I can also certainly understand why it did with you and why you would want to be perfectly clear in your objections.

I appreciate not only the fact that you clarified the why - but the way in which you did.

For what little it is worth, THAT is what means more to me than anything.

Always,
Charyn

[Mark Reinhold]

Charlyn,

Two times you have understood me the most. On the LO.

Sorry to all.

Good Luck

[Gary Rice]

Mark,

You seem like a sensitive, thoughtful, and very classy guy.

We need you. Please don't give up on us.

We all have posted, or written things that might not have been taken as they were intended.

Not too many years ago, when I was a Republican, I believe that I shared your apparent frustration, regarding a city issue that I'll not go into here.

Suffice to say that I continue to feel, (in the words of Pete Seeger, I believe), that:

All God's children have a voice in the choir.
Some sing low, and some sing higher.

Enjoy your weekend!

[Charyn Compeau]

Thanks Mark -

I enjoy your posts immensely - your clarity of thought and vision and refreshing and often inspires me to think outside of my normal box.

And if you keep posting - Ill keep trying to make sure I make every effort to understand what you are trying to say!



Always,
Charyn

[DougHuntingdon]

I think we need to have a Royal Rumble in the Masonic Temple. Last man/woman standing inside the ring who does not get thrown over the top rope gets to write the next headline article above the fold in the Observer.

Doug