Response to “Why Don’t I “Allow Comments” on my Blog Posts?
Point by point.
How does expressing your views preclude responses? That is a non sequitur.
People posting not using their real name is irritating and to my mind less than candid. I sometimes put much less consideration into the posts with pseudonyms. I have yet to put my finger on that Constitutional principle that shelters me from being irked.
But many are thoughtful and enlightening. The Federalist Papers and the Anti Federalist Papers in which the founding of this nation were debated were in fact published anonymously. Do they merit similar contempt?
How does your choosing not to respond to comments preclude your allowing comments? You don’t have to respond. That is your prerogative.
The reason I allow comments is that I want to hear what people think. I respond selectively. I would rather give each the opportunity to express their thoughts. For me each comment stands on its own merits. Let the reader decide, not me.
The fact that there are other channels with which to communicate with you so you do not allow comments again is a non sequitur. One does not preclude the other.
I do not consider myself to be an elite who is above the great unwashed. I proudly wear the contempt of those who would deny others the opportunity to respond.
More than 50 years in Salem
6:41 am on Monday, January 28, 2013
Mr Morgan your assignment before the election is to read about "PUBLIUS".
In written format your response to Salem Citizens should include references to Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay (Founding Fathers).
In order to complete the assignment it s/b published on Patch with the comment section turned ON.
Rusty
11:01 am on Monday, January 28, 2013
Sorry... I agree with Mr. Morgan... if you have an issue with him, take it up with him with your real identity disclosed. These blogs can be fun but sometimes they get out of hand.
Tom Linehan
11:28 am on Monday, January 28, 2013
@Rusty. Why apologize? You expressed your opinion and I gave you the venue to do so.
I would rather open doors than slam them shut.
I still say part of the reason that Peter does not allow comments is that in general too many educators are thin skinned according to at least one reputable study that I have referenced previously.
By the way what is your real identity?
David Kincman
11:47 am on Monday, January 28, 2013
My general feeling is that both Mr Linehan and Mr Morgan have both respectfully and eloquently made each of their points why they allow comment or not. I enjoy reading both of their blogs and the points they each make. I feel they both make me a more informed voter when March rolls around. And overall Salem could use a lot more educated and informed voters.
One point I think both Tom and Peter could agree on, is that the constant anonymous negative comments take away from the real issues. Open and constructive dialogue will do a lot more in improving Salem in the future.
Tom Linehan
12:03 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
@David Kincman I agree that anonymous negative comments don't help. I just ignore them. The fact is many anonymous comments are astute and enlightening. I do not want to eliminate those because of a few people who have personal problems which are far beyond my control. Besides, I fee that anyone has the right not to be annoyed.
Riley Reid
12:55 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
@Tom, get ready to be annoyed, JJ Manning just put his hat in the ring for school board
Tom Linehan
1:07 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
@Riley Reid, the incumbents are probably running because no one else of the simpaticos for the schools wanted to run. I doubt JJ even if elected could make much of a difference on the School Board. You need three people elected to even have a chance of altering the status quo.
Love NH
1:21 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
I'm not sure that there really is any "status quo". Last year, the school board tried to renovate three elementary schools. One member publicly stated that that might not be the right approach. The public agreed and defeated the article. This year, a study was conducted, results compiled and the majority of the school board sided with that lone member in eliminating that one school from the full renovation plan. Which goes to show that even a member that has been on the board for a long time can cause significant change. In the end, we are all the school board. We just need to make our voices heard.
More than 50 years in Salem
5:56 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
Mark Twain.
Tom Linehan
8:26 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
@Love NH First of all I am glad you differ with Peter who seems not to want to have all voices heard except on his terms. Secondly by status quo I did not mean there is no discussion. The example you used is a rare exception that proves the rule. The last member to truly challenge the education cartel was Bob Johnson. And that was many years ago.
Tom Linehan
9:06 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
"Although not much has improved in American schools since A Nation at Risk, at least the reforms it inspired over the past three decades provide plentiful evidence of what works and what does not in educational reform. The federal government’s standards-based reforms clearly do not, as every major ED initiative has brought little improvement in educational outcomes. Fortunately, the states have started to stand up to Washington’s one-size-fits-all failures, reasserting their constitutional right to run their public education systems by embracing innovative reforms." "http://americansforprosperityfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/A-Nation-Still-at-Risk.pdf";
Jeff Hatch
8:47 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
I've asked Mr Morgan why he doesn't allow us to comment on his blog. He explained why I accepted and respect his wishes. Now he has invited all of us to respond to him directly and he will reply back. I have done that on a few occassions and Mr Morgan has replied back to me quickly.
More than 50 years in Salem
9:55 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
So what