Muddy Deck??

[Ryan Salo]

I have noticed recently that the posts here seem to have dropped significantly. It seems like the same 12 or so people post 90% of the material.

Although the "Buzz" is much more negative a lot more people seem to participate (although they all may be the same person )

I really like this site's idea but it gets old hearing the same thing from all of the same people.

I think that people have thoughts but don't want to be personally attacked and put down for their beliefs.

Has it ever been discussed to maybe have a more moderated section where posts with personal attacks are removed and users can get banned?

I know plenty of people that would like to express their thoughts but don't like the idea of being called stupid or blind.

Any thoughts?

[Jim O'Bryan]

I have noticed recently that the posts here seem to have dropped significantly. It seems like the same 12 or so people post 90% of the material.

Although the "Buzz" is much more negative a lot more people seem to participate (although they all may be the same person )

Ryan

I am always amazed when people prefer to be called out with fake names over real names that have been vetted. When a person grows tired of talking with a real person and prefers that the person changes there name and attacks again, and again using faux names. That is when I lose interest. But maybe that is your cup of tea. I know of many people that prefer to argue in that way, me, it is akin to talking to myself. Once I realized a defender of the West End was using 6+ names to put forward lies and personal attacks, I saw it as a worthless discussion. When I saw good people attacked with fake names and had no legal recourse, I saw it as a cancer.

The Observation Deck might be the most visible section to you, but it is actually a very small section of this project. It is merely the discussion board for the City's paper the Lakewood Observer that once again in this issue, gives more space FREE to charities, and new businesses than the LO has sold in advertising. This year we once again stepped up to underwrite many events in Lakewood, including the Community Fest this weekend. I will imagine that the LO will once again surpass a quarter million dollars in help given to Lakewood schools, charities, churches and non-profits. To my knowledge, no charity has been turned down that has come to our door. No let me clarify that, NO ONE has been turned down that has come to our door for help. Including you.

You see the heart and soul of the Lakewood Observer is not arguing, or winning, it is vetting ideas, getting groups like Lakewood Is Art, Bike Lakewood, LEAF, MAMA, DADA etc started, and up and running it is about empowering people to achieve their dreams helping the city, themselves, their friends. It is about taking ownership of comments whatever they may be. It is about moving the city forward, not kicking it to death publicly. It is about making it better, not making it seem worse than it is.

But that seems to upset you, you would prefer to not know who is disagreeing with you. So be it, that option is there at three sites, and another soon to start. Ironically all three are run by disgruntled fired or laid off city employees or their spouses. Hmm wonder why they are negative and drag the city, our institutions, and neighborhoods down?

Yep The Lakewood Observer is not about you, or me, or Ken or Dan it is about the 38 carriers that deliver our paper. It is about the ladies bridge club that has grown over the past four years, it is about library programs, and our new partnership with Lakewood Schools, it is about attracting new business to Lakewood, and helping it grow here. It is about building, defining, and making Lakewood better.

When you make it about you and me, it seems so petty.


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[stephen davis]

I really like this site's idea but it gets old hearing the same thing from all of the same people.

You ALWAYS say that.


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[Ryan Salo]

So no thoughts on a moderated section?

I am all for real names, I use my real name on other sites.

My question was about adding something new.

Any thoughts?

[Jim O'Bryan]

So no thoughts on a moderated section?

I am all for real names, I use my real name on other sites.

My question was about adding something new.

Any thoughts?

Ryan


1) The deck is moderated by the laws of the land. Something no other board is.

2) Are you willing to moderate?

If your dream is a heavily moderated section, then the Observer is more than willing to look seriously at working with you. We have one moderated section Urban Dynamics already.



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[Ryan Salo]

I think a moderated Politics or hot topics section from now until the election may be good. Have point and counterpoint without name calling and personal attacks.

You know this business much better then me and if you don't think it would fly then don't. I was just asking.

Let me know, I would be willing to help in anyway you need.

Like I said I like this site and the idea, I just want to hear more folks view on certain topics.

[Brad Hutchison]

Over the last few days there have been several hot political topics in Global Discussion that have remained calm and have not turned to name-calling or personal attacks.

Jim can correct me if I'm wrong - this is my first time through this "season" on the OD - but I think the slower traffic on the Deck (which I've also noticed) is probably a function of the time of year. A lot of people are busy, and a lot of businesses and restaurants also see a drop at the end of summer.

[Jim DeVito]

I think a moderated Politics or hot topics section from now until the election may be good. Have point and counterpoint without name calling and personal attacks.

I would be on board with a point counter point political section for the next 60 or so days.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Ryan

The ebb and flow on the Deck and other boards is the product of many things. I am not as worried about that as the flow to the front, news pages, photo galleries, and business sections. Time of year, time of day, even days of the week, all lead in. There is also burnout which is very real.

I have seen many, many good people on all sides of debates get to emotional over their issue. It is easy to get lost in emotion while inputing thoughts and ideas. I often find myself over the top in thought and words. But this is one reason why we use real names for all, that are checked. Ryan, you may be upset with my tone and words, but you know me, I would say the same thing to you at a Republican fund raiser.

As far as the moderated political section, how would you moderate. It seems that while the right wing bloggers were attacking Obama over religion, family, family values and if he was even an American, the right only re-enforced those stereo-types and BS. Now when Palin is attacked on facts, we are told by everyone including Obama, off limits. While I agree with Obama, I wonder if you ever told me or someone else that Obama was a Muslim, not an American...

So how do we moderate? How do we make it fair? How do we protect the first amendment? How do we make the person posting responsible for their own actions? How do we move the city forward? How do we learn about ourselves?

If you want it, the LO staff is here to help you achieve it.


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[Ryan Salo]

Ryan, you may be upset with my tone and words, but you know me, I would say the same thing to you at a Republican fund raiser....

...I wonder if you ever told me or someone else that Obama was a Muslim, not an American...

...So how do we moderate?

The only time I get upset is when people are called dumb or blind or idiots because they disagree with you or the majority of the posters. I have never heard you can me or anyone else an idiot to their face. Maybe I missed it though, I may be deaf too.

Obama's eligibility to run for president is being reviewed and the case was not dismissed... I don't know the truth, we shall see...

I don't believe Obama is a Muslim and I have never told anyone that.
http://www.phoenixvillenews.com/site/ne ... 7915&rfi=6

Have you ever told anyone that Bush is a mass murderer?

I would moderate it to topics - have point then counterpoint - the only censoring I would like is to remove personal attacks on the folks expressing their thoughts.

Have a couple people post on each topic then allow for open discussion.

"Virtual Debate" of ideas.

[Valerie Molinski]

Has it ever been discussed to maybe have a more moderated section where posts with personal attacks are removed and users can get banned?

I would hope to see the exact opposite... I don't feel more moderation is needed. I think it's fine as it is currently. I don't think some sort of fascist lockdown is in order.

But who am I to say? I think it is a question of sensitivity and less of moderation. I have a strong personality and express my views strongly. I know that some here and elsewhere feel that those types of contributions are personal attacks when often there is very little that is personally motivated about them. So who gets to decide that kind of thing?

[Jim O'Bryan]

Ryan, you may be upset with my tone and words, but you know me, I would say the same thing to you at a Republican fund raiser....

...I wonder if you ever told me or someone else that Obama was a Muslim, not an American...

...So how do we moderate?

The only time I get upset is when people are called dumb or blind or idiots because they disagree with you or the majority of the posters. I have never heard you can me or anyone else an idiot to their face. Maybe I missed it though, I may be deaf too.

Obama's eligibility to run for president is being reviewed and the case was not dismissed... I don't know the truth, we shall see...

I don't believe Obama is a Muslim and I have never told anyone that.
http://www.phoenixvillenews.com/site/ne ... 7915&rfi=6

Have you ever told anyone that Bush is a mass murderer?

I would moderate it to topics - have point then counterpoint - the only censoring I would like is to remove personal attacks on the folks expressing their thoughts.

Have a couple people post on each topic then allow for open discussion.

"Virtual Debate" of ideas.

Ryan

At lat winter's Republican party I thought you were at the bat with me, Eisel, and two others where I said, "I get a kick out of drink with you, but your support of this administration leaves me wondering if you are blind, idiots or both." We all chuckled.

Yes, I often refer to GWB as a mass murderer. what else would you call a person that lies, and starts an illegal war that results in hundreds of thousands of dead innocent people?

I have no problem dealing with Usama binLadin, but when you make the Afghanis and Iraqis pay with their lives and the destruction of their countries I think it is a tad over the top.

This administration has lied to the American people repeatedly but no one seems to care because it was not about sex? Crazy.

Let's sit down and figure out what you would like to do and see if we can do it. This is all about what the city wants, not what I want.

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[stephen davis]

Let's sit down and figure out what you would like to do and see if we can do it.

Jim,

Don't buckle!

You know me. I don't even like it when the newspaper stories are edited.

I know plenty of people that would like to express their thoughts but don't like the idea of being called stupid or blind.

The anonymous "plenty of people" should step up with their own name and tell their own story. Their choice of words will most often determine the type of response they get. Their actions within the context of the Observation Deck can be self-regulating, self-fulfilling, or self-defeating.


Steve


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[Ryan Salo]

Stephen,

I am not suggesting changing anything, just adding.

If you want to be able to personally attack just stick with the current sections.


Valerie - there is a difference between being strong and personally attacking people.

[Stephen Eisel]

Ryan, shhhhhh! The last candidate that Jim supported lossed by a landslide..