ThurstonBlog

I care!

2007-10-09T06:24:00.000-07:00

The following is a copy of a blog response from me in Olyblog. The originator of the blog asks the question "who cares about someone critiquing the content or actions of The Olympia (I've obviously paraphrased):

The same could be said about Olyblog.
If you see something you don't like in Olyblog:
1. Don't read it.
2. Address the blogger directly and take your chance that the blogger may engage in conversation in return, which, to my understanding is what blogging is all about.
I would prefer to direct my comments to the moderators, editors and such of the newspaper, but it seems that they can't take that direction. We've even had a moderator pull a "libel" threat out of an section of the anatomy to attempt to stifle the right to satire and sarcasm in Olyblog, all for the sake of attempting to quell any kind of criticism of the activities at said newspaper. For a newspaper that is quick to judge and criticize the job performance of others, they find every way to run and hide from someone that has enough knowledge and guts to analyze their performance. Of course, it's often forgotten, as this time, that on many occasions, I've applauded the newspaper and also defended their position and coverage.

I worked in newspapers from 1970 to 1983. I consulted rural newspapers from 1985 to 1989. I owned an agency from 1989 to 1999 that focused on print media. I've shared beverages with the very people I've disagreed with earlier in a day. They've stated their dislike of my position, I've returned favor. I've only experienced ONE newspaper that attempts to stop people from voicing their opinion and keeping the opinion of others from the public. The possiblity of corporate media ruining the very freedom that we've celebrated in this country for over 200 years is frightening.

Frankly, the apathy on this issue is more frightening than the activity.

Blog no evil, Read no evil

2007-10-08T17:46:00.000-07:00

The lastest version of "banning" on The Olympian threads not only prevents the dirty, nasty banned club from posting, it also prevents them from reading the posts of others.

You know what happens. A blogger that is banned from The Olympian will open his own blog to comment on the comments of Olympian Online readers and others will read it. Therefore, you must prevent people from being able to have access to the online comments to comment about on their own blogs.

Wow...that was a mouthful!

Why not block the entire website so that people cannot comment on editorial content of The Olympian? Oh yeah...less readers, less revenue.

The comedy goes on.

The comedy of moderation

2007-10-05T07:59:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that I was "banned" from using The Olympian's comment threads for using the word "ass" in reference to a reader that had been purposefully agitating an argument with me for weeks. Recently, due to a computer glitch, the block was lifted from my computer and I honestly posted with my name and used my email address. Hours later, blocked again.

Aaron Mason and the other moderators at The Olympian are making sure that no one as crass as I use the word "ass" or, as in the case of my alterego "Emma" (not really, but it is sure fun to poke at the rightees), no one is gonna make a "yo momma" joke in reference to another reader.

So...the fun begins.

If you look at the Letters to the Editor comments for Thursday, October 4th, you'll find an afternoon post by "Olsen" that just says something about "great comments - for more reference" and then has a link to "secretpenis". "Olsen" also posted a homepage link, as many do. Both links take you to a picture of a fully erect penis - my guess is a home photo, if you check the background. That's right folks, a picture of a fully erect penis in the archives of your family newspaper!

Now, lets examine this. No, not the penis, the moderation of the comments.

How did the moderators miss a posted link to "secretpenis"? Probably a little too busy worrying about the politics and fray between readers on the comments section is my guess. There is an old saying about paying too much attention to nickels and losing dollars. This is a perfect example.

I've commented before, here and in Olyblog, about the ridiculous attitude portrayed by the moderator(s) at The Olympian. Editing (like removing links to penis pictures) is one thing but getting into spitting matches with readers is just plain dumb. It serves no purpose. If someone violates the rules (ambiguous at best, mind you), just delete them and move along. If they continue to violate the rules, continue to delete. It's called editing. Don't get into the fray by making bold posts about "banned" or whatever other descriptive term. It's senseless and does nothing more than elevate the fuel for fires on both sides of the political argument. One side defends the banned poster, the other side takes joy in quieting the opposition. Who becomes the fool in the center? You guessed it - The Olympian.

There is a local blogger - Andy, a rather conservative chap - that will not allow opposition posts on his blog. Whereas I don't understand Andy wanting to talk at people, rather than with people, I guess I have more respect for his position than for someone that does such a crappy job of enforcement of rules that they composed.

Let the people speak, I say.

Now you see it, now you don't

2007-10-02T14:10:00.000-07:00

While scanning The Olympian threads this morning, I realized that my lifetime ban appeared to be lifted, as there was no "banned by webmaster" located on the thread. So I posted a comment. Everything went through.

I posted another. Everything went through. And another. Same result.

I then posted a blog on Olyblog mentioning this new find. A few comments went back and forth.

During lunch, I stopped by home and the "banned by webmaster" was back. Must have been a glitch in the software, but I'm wondering, had I not been honest and posted my name and email address, what might have happened?

Would Aaron Mason (see earlier blog in September) have known to block my posts? I could have used a phoney email (one from yahoo or hotmail or something else) and the ever favorite "anonymous" moniker.

This brings up a funny and interesting story. An associate of mine, a former newspaper person, a social liberal/fiscal conservative, with a sarcastic streak, began posting a few months back as "Larry". Mason banned him! Larry called to ask Mason why and Mason began yammering about "people causing problems on the threads" and apologizing profusely (Larry controls a substantial newspaper advertising budget in Olympia). Larry was aware of what had happened with me and was acting on his own. Mason actually disclosed my first and last name to him in their conversation.

Whether I post on The Olympian threads or not is not a life and death situation. I find it comedic that any media would get involved in such a resentment issue to "ban" a commenter. I can understand deleting (which amounts to editing) but aside from that, anything else constitutes spitting in the face of freedom of speech (yes, yes, I know...The Olympian owns the website, but I'm speaking principles here....of course that might be the problem.

The real humor of the day was a couple of the people that opposed my way of thinking had to make an issue about the posts that did get through.

For me being so wrong, they are certainly afraid of what I have to say.

Weekend Wash

2007-10-01T07:04:00.000-07:00

Friday Night - Lucky Dog Casino gig went well, even with false starts. Some child took a car without permission and caused an accident on Hwy 101, sending two people to the hospital and jamming traffic. I took a detour route through Shelton and was able to keep going. My drummer forgot his stick bag and ended up playing with toy arrows, purchased at Walmart (now THERE is talent!). The venue is a bit of a challenge to get sound under control. Lots of echo due to high ceilings. Hopefully filling the room with people will do the job absorbing sound. The local folks seem to be real nice and musically intelligent. I only heard one request of "rock and roll" (they don't read the marquee or signs that say "jazz") and one guy, recognizing one of the finest guitarists in the Northwest (Dave Croston) requested "Thrill is Gone". Of course we accomodated

Saturday Night - Arrived at the Seattle Sheraton at about 3pm relaxed and then off to Gordon Biersch at Pacific Place for dinner. After the cab ride from hell to Jazz Alley (the inspiration to walk back to the Sheraton afterwards), we enjoyed one of the finest shows I've seen - Manhattan Transfer. A great four piece back up combo and four of the best vocalists alive. If I had any complaint (other than crappy service) it was that Tim Houser's voice seemed a bit tired, but after four nights of two shows each, he deserved to be a bit weary. I'd go see them again.

Sunday - Seahawks football game at Steve and Penny's in Federal Way. Lunch with some long time friends and a win by the Hawks wrapped up a great weekend.

Catchin' up

2007-09-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

Work, music and play has kept me busy lately, so the creative side has been a bit preoccupied.

Tonight, a new adventure in music - the Lucky Dog Casino at Hood Canal. Unlike the larger Indian gaming establishments, Lucky Dog has a lounge at the far end of a gaming area, that seats only about 40 people maximum. Instant intimacy.

I love working small rooms where I can carry on conversation with customers, take a few requests (no, I don't like to play "stump the band with stupid requests") and have a little fun with the folks. I'm thinking that this might be a perfect venue for that sort of show.

More later.

Hook Me Up!

2007-09-18T19:37:00.000-07:00

Seeking musicians to compliment this:

www.homestead.com/larryhillmusic

Check out each page as it contains a different full length live recording.

direct musicians to reach me at the email above.

Magna Cum Whatever

2007-09-16T02:41:00.000-07:00

From the local daily's comments column, a place of comedy at anyone's expense:

"Don't go walking around by yourself in dark, unlit parking lots or side streets, especially late at night, if you can help it. You see, the ACLU lawyers or liberal professors won't be around to help you or issue restraining orders in time.Oh. Drugs and alcohol can cloud your mind and judgment and impair your ability to judge if that person will mean you harm. I suggest not using them if you do. "Be sober minded as you walk amongst jackals and thieves"

Prophet Atlantis,
Ph.D.prophetearth@***********.com
Prophet Atlantis, Ph.D.

Damn. All that education gone to waste.

Maybe the fine Doctor can tell us what "liberal professors" have to do with the subject of a woman attacked. Notice ACLU is being grouped with liberal professors. I wonder if this PHD has the ability to google and find that the ACLU has taken up many conservative's causes, of note Rush Limbaugh and some Conservative Christian issues.

Of late, I was referred to by a PHD as an egotist. It's probably because I'm just a college dropout that has too much common sense and I look before I leap, most of the time.

No topic, just space

2007-09-13T03:59:00.000-07:00

I'm still learning the ins and outs and operation of this blogspace and not sure how I can enable others to post anything but comments, so I'll just open this thread and let anyone post comments of whatever topic they think might interest others.

Proposition 1

2007-09-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

"The writer whose letter suggested that people should be held accountable for their own actions is right on target. I agree that if parents did the right thing and people corrected their own mistakes, we wouldn't need more programs and more taxes — regardless of how good the program goal or small the tax increase.

Wouldn't it be nice? But it's not a practical solution. If the parents of a 9-year-old choose the wrong path and become meth addicts should their failure curse their child for a lifetime? Unfortunately, when those parents fail, we are left with the cost if their offspring follows their lead. I'd rather invest in helping that child find and choose a better path than pay to incarcerate the parents and, in the future, their child as well.

We shouldn't have to pay for others' mistakes but we do and we will continue unless we can find smarter alternatives and better ways to keep people from entering our criminal justice system all together. Building more jails just can't be our only answer. Jailing is more costly and doesn't seem to change enough lives. We need a different approach and Prop. 1 offers that hope."

The above three paragraphs come from a LTE in The Olympian. I think that the whole reality of the reason to vote for Proposition 1is in paragraph 2.

Vote for prevention.

Thanks to Weyerhaeuser

2007-09-12T07:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, two Weyerhaeuser representatives stopped by and presented Big Brothers Big Sisters with a check for $4,000. My thanks for their generous donation which will provide mentoring services for about a half dozen kids in our community for the next 12 months.
The interesting part of our meeting was the subsequent conversation. They were asking all the typical questions about our agency and one lady directed this question to me - "" Is there an increased need in our communities?" She really caught me off guard because I was typically focused on selling our services and "increased need" would only mean "more kids". We always have kids on a waiting list, so I never notice an "increased need".

I spoke of the family crisis in Lewis County due to the Trans Alta closure and a few other things, but I could tell that wasn't answering her question, so I let her speak to the issue.
"I live out by Capital Forest and I've seen an increase in the number of families that have taken up residence by camping near my home," she said. The lights went on in the tunnel and I was then able to address one of our programs that serve a school where there is a high ratio of children without permanent addresses.

Her words are echoing in my head. I need to share this, not so much with those people that understand the plight of people without permanent homes, but for those that think that homelessness equates to "drunks, druggies, sexual perverts" and whatever other negative comment they can spew. Families are without permanent addresses and are not in Downtown Olympia.

The hidden needy.

A Case and a Half of Libel

2007-09-12T01:06:00.000-07:00

I was told about 19 years ago, that new AA groups were formed from resentments. I found this to be an odd statement until I witnessed an activity at a business meeting of a group that I attended.

There were disputes over the business operation of this group and how it ran in accordance to the Traditions. The "trusted servants" of the group decided that rather than listen to the group conscious, they would close the facility. Normally this would leave many people without a place to go for meetings, but a gentleman had been running an alano club close by and within minutes the people had moved next door and a new group started.

I didn't know anything about my ability to create my own blog until my request was ignored to have some libelous comments removed from the docents log on Olyblog. My personal opinion is that my request was denied for purposes of running me off as I'm not one of the popular kids on Olyblog. There is a lot of lip service paid there about being an alternative to corporate media, but frankly it's hogwash, according to this journalist. In the past few weeks, it has become as self serving as any corporate media I've seen, masquerading as "community run" when it reality it seems that the docents are becoming lackies to the founder, according to my opinion of recent decisions and actions.

It seems that a certain whiner that has been webmaster for a local newspaper has taken a hightened interest in Olyblog. His profile shows several months of membership but I've only noticed his presence in the past few weeks of the three months I've been a member (WOW....he was on there off and on all day, yesterday....probably enjoying the fruits of his labor). This person took exception to my comment on a blog about his activities. For all you adults, the euphamism for this statement was "get his rocks off", i.e. "it appears he gets his rocks off using his authority". Rather than the euphamism, I used the words "sexual gratification", as I thought it was more tasteful. In either case, I suggesting that an adult reader is not taking this as I am claiming first person witness to said event (in other words, I didn't say I saw him get his rocks off using his authority), and thus, this would be sarcasm.

Almost a month later, along comes the Whining Webmaster, claiming a violation of libel laws. Before I go further, I need to share that when I was blogging under the Iron Fist of the Whining Webmaster, there were daily allowances of posts by fine commenters that suggested the gang rape of city officials, disparaging posts about the homeless and homosexuals in the community and one poster in particular seemed facinated by, as he called them, my "stones" (as well as other playground names for testicles). Of course these posts were allowed, but...I digress.

Initially, when advised by the founder and one docent, I said I would seek legal advise and get back with them. I was then pressured to edit the post, saying that there was a unanimous decision rendered for this (no track on the docents log at this point). I said, OK for the good of the Olyblog community.

Much later in the day, up comes the docent log with a complete copy of the Whining Webmaster's complaint, complete with accusations of me performing a "continual harassment of him for months". Needless to say, nothing is further from the truth and now the libel point shifts 180 degrees. Oh but wait.....when requesting the docents to edit the complaint and the content that smears me, I'm now told that "it doesn't effect Olyblog". So, if I understand this correctly, Olyblog can be the conduit for me libeling the Whiny Webmaster but the same media isn't responsible for carrying his libel of me. By the way, check the laws on libel. There is a big difference between sarcasm and false accusation.

So, I'm now faced with the decision to take legal action or ignore it and leave a lasting legacy in the Olyblog archives that I've been "harassing" someone for months. Neither choice is a fun one, as I've enjoyed some of the relationships that I've gained in a few months on Olyblog. I did offer mediation and direct contact with the Victimized Victor, but was refused on both requests.

I trust that those that know me and have spoken personally to me, know better. Those that want to know more, will ask (I've got a file of emails that I'd share with anyone). The rest will be content in falsehoods, half truths, inuendo and gossip. Grant me the serenity to accept the things I can't change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. I'm working on the wisdom part, deciding what I can and can't change.

One thing I can change is me. Thus, Thurstonblog. Everything has to have a beginning and this one is now. I'll try to mix this up a bit. After 20 years around media, that is one of my writing passions. Music is another. I work in community service, thus one more passion. Did I mention golf? I can probably write better that I golf, so maybe that will be the therapy for my game.

Please comment freely. If I don't like your comment, I'll probably just respond in kind. I want to avoid deletion and editing, so please don't put me in a position to have to do such. My wife's legal background won't allow me to get sued.

Oh yeah....one more thing. I love Olympia, but I live in Thurston County. I'll be reaching for more coverage of issues and politics that take place outside Olympia. I'm sure I'll have no complaints there.