Comments section raises eyebrows

Posted by scurvydog (anonymous) on March 13, 2009 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Granted some of the comments do result to name calling and get petty, but mere criticism shouldn't be viewed as negative.

We can't be afraid of the invisible boogeyman who might hear or read something and not come here. It reminds me of the Tribune employee who was allegedly hiding along my paper route (and every route had one) to make sure we were delivering our Midweeks to our non-subscribers. It's just a tactic meant to silence criticsm.

Business owners know there are always people opposed to local governments. There isn't a community in our entire country where there aren't people complaining publicly about one thing or another. If there is real fear that someone might come here, maybe it's because there just might be some truth to what people say about some of those who make the decisions around here.

It's a deterrent to keep our mouths shut and not question authority. You might not like so-called negative comments, but silencing them would be worse.

Posted by iamwoman (anonymous) on March 13, 2009 at 9:46 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by snowbird (anonymous) on March 13, 2009 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with iamwoman, if you don't like what you read stop reading. We all have opinions and not everyone agrees all the time. I am gone 5 months of the year and enjoy seeing what other people in AL are thinking. Some I agree with and some I don't but that doesn't mean we should all quit thinking. Be yourself, do your own thinking, and let others do the same.

Posted by Keillor_Fan (Julie Kay) on March 13, 2009 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I understand what she means. I now avoid sending links of local stories to friends near and far. They're under the impression that this is an uneducated 'hick town' when they've read the comments. Especially the negative comments about the youngsters volunteering their own time and money in trying to help, in their own small way, others in extreme need. I've had to insist to these friends of mine that most people in Albert Lea are kind and generous and have integrity--whether conservative or liberal. Honest and fair people are here. Lots of them.They generally don't get involved in the mud slinging, so they just avoid reading the comments. They're good people and they live here too. I think they're the majority. I believe this. I think I'll avoid the comments from now on. People who would be negative about teenagers helping others with their time and resources are not worth the time to listen to. They also sadden the heart.

Posted by metisman (anonymous) on March 13, 2009 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Karen, I understand where you are coming from. Editor Engstrom will surely take your comments under consideration. He ultimately makes the decision as to what is acceptable and what is not.

So far, I think Engstrom has done an excellent job of balancing comments vs. protecting the rights of individuals through judicious editing. I appreciate being able to make comments on-line about the stories printed here and support the current format.

I agree with Scurvydog's comments. Thanks.

Posted by RoyBatty (anonymous) on March 13, 2009 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ya Karen you go girl. You and your hubby are certainly primary purveyors of positivity at all times, aren't you now? Nary a critical word for anyone. Nice tat by the way.

Posted by iamwoman (anonymous) on March 13, 2009 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Remove my comment, I don't really care. Truth hurts huh Karen.

Posted by trifid (anonymous) on March 13, 2009 at 8:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The 'Bubble Culture', usually the upper-middle class and up, get nervous when the ground stirs beneath their feet.
They have their coffee houses to endulge in their 'acceptable' gossip. This forum should be a free forum, with applicable rules attached. And there are rules.
I agree with the rules. But suggesting to squash an entire forum neath the black boot of facist techniques(as is done in so many places in the world) is a sign of fear and ignorance.

I strongly support the Tribune's forum, with its inadequate postings, and with its brilliant postings,....but mostly for a place for people to share their true feelings, something lacking within other areas of this community.

Thanks Tim! Keep up the good work.

Posted by gone (anonymous) on March 14, 2009 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The comments can be very positive and they do reflect the community, good and bad. The digressions into talk radio platitudes do become boring. A degree of moderation is totally acceptable.

Posted by veneratio (anonymous) on March 14, 2009 at 10:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry Karen you fail, Freedom of Speech is NOT a privilege, it is a RIGHT, enumerated by the Constitution of the United States, what we do have is the privilege to post here, since this is an owned site.

This site, is just like any other site. There is always going to be extreme contrast of views, and sometimes turns into a flame war, those of you who are new to forums, and posts, blogs, ect.. need to understand, we as a person tend to read into a post that is not there, with out the actual face to face interaction, you can never real know if the the OP is being facetious, or mean-spirited.

I hardly doubt that the postings on here in the negative is only happening here, when it isn't, to believe otherwise just shows your naivety and NO understanding of life on the interwebs.

Posted by trifid (anonymous) on March 15, 2009 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A person can create an admiral composition.
Signing a name to this composition can either raise or degrade the value of its content, especially in smaller communities. The actual composition is thus transformed into something it is not. Composition should be taken at face value, not on name recognition.

Posted by scurvydog (anonymous) on March 15, 2009 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Even if people do put a "real name" to posts on here, how do we know it's really that person writing the letter? Is the Tribune going to take the time to verify EVERY post on here, or everyone who tries to set up an account?

And suppose they do decide to do that, and make this a paid service that you verify with a credit card. Even if we pay for the privilege and use our real name, should not that grant us the privilege to make even a negative comment?

You can't silence criticism. When you disagree with what someone says, or maybe only with the way they say it, all you have to do is take the higher road and claim a moral victory.

Posted by trifid (anonymous) on March 18, 2009 at 8:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ah, but scurvydog, one can silence criticism in clever ways.

It is happening on this forum. It is being starved to death.
By whom? Why? I have my theories, but dare not say, for fear they may be dubbed "negative" or "anonnymous".

It truly is a shame.