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Should comments be silenced?
Published Saturday, April 19, 2008
For those have not participated in it, The Journal’s web site allows readers to write comments, anonymously, about stories that are published. Those comments are then available for all who view our web site to read.
And over the last year, the comments section can both excite and frustrate me within a matter of seconds.
It’s exciting to see how the comments have provided an opportunity for our readers to participate in a way they have not before. The fact is, traditionally, people who wanted to express their opinions about a particular issue only had an audience of those at the lunch counter or the golf course clubhouse. With story comments, those people have an audience of not only local residents, but people all over the world who have ties to our local area.
That said, the presence of story comments has meant that I and others at the newspaper have had to take a lot of flack. Anyone can make story comments, and those who make the comments are anonymous, thus, some writers who feel they can write what they want without recourse will delve into the negative, and sometimes those negative comments are aimed at a particular business, government entity or person.
So it should not be surprising that we have heard from lots of business owners, government officials, and others who are not happy about comments that have been made about them, their business, their organization, or the community or area in general.
Many have suggested to me that our comments section gives our community a bad name; that those from outside the community looking to visit or move here read the comments our readers make and think less of us. I have heard that having the comments section is giving The Journal a bad name, that by having the comments, we are being irresponsible.
I don’t blame them for being upset. As I have said in this space before, there are some comments that make my hair stand up. I believe it was only a couple of weeks ago when someone referred to me as a communist and a Nazi based on what I wrote in a column.
I also question daily whether what we are doing is a good thing or not. Many in the community remind me of The Journal’s “It’s Your Turn” feature in the late 1980s, which allowed people to call in comments anonymously, and get their comments printed. I wasn’t around when the feature was pulled, but clearly the fact that it was hated by government officials, business owners and many others who were the subjects of the comments had something to do with it.
That’s not to say that our comments feature could not be adjusted. For example, we already prohibit foul language, remove comments that we feel are potentially libelous or are attacks of a personal nature, and ban users who repeatedly make abusive comments.
Some have suggested that we limit our comments feature, that we place the comments on a separate page from the stories, that we review all comments before publishing them on our site, and that we require that those who make comments use their real names.
The question is, do the majority of our readers want us to limit our comments feature? When we discontinued “It’s Your Turn,” the letters in our paper were far more civil and positive. However, we also get far fewer letters than we used to get.
As my former journalism instructor always said, “Free speech is messy.” As the Supreme Court has determined, sometimes you have to clean up the mess a bit. The question is, how far should we go?
One more thing: those who want us to continue our comments feature in its present form ought to, a.) speak up and let it be known that you think it’s a good thing, and b.) put a little thought about the kind of comments you make.
Because frankly, those who want to see our comments feature die are making themselves heard a lot more than those who want to keep it around.
Joel Myhre is The Journal’s general manager. E-mail him at joel.myhre@fergusfallsjournal.com
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by onlyme (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I feel you should continue with this feature - If people don't like it they don't have to read it
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It appears to this chipmunk that those who want the comments stopped because the comments are anonymous, are complaining anonymously in the sense that we don’t know who they are also. One reason for negative comments is because, generally, journal stories are such puff pieces that readers are astonished that the written story does not reflect their individual experience with a particular business or government agency or official. If a story about a certain business elicits only or mostly negative comments, I would think that the subject business would reconsider its method of doing business rather than going into a state of denial and calling the newspaper to complain that the public is being told the truth in the comment section. Sometimes commenting here is the only place one can complain, snow removal is such an issue. If you call the city and complain about snow removal you will pay the price after the next snow. I understand the city officials will deny that s true, but if you doubt me just try it next winter and see who is telling the truth. Lastly, eliminating negative comments about government will lead some citizens to think that they are the only one who has a problem with certain aspects of city government and lead city officials into the false belief that they are doing a good job.
Posted by sweetpea (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why don’t those people who are complaining about comments they don’t like, get their own username and make their own comments?
Posted by lenny (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To hear the FFDJ commiserate on how so-called free speech breaks the hearts of some of their advertisers is laughable. Sometimes free speech in the comment section last about three minutes. I can just imagine some of the phone calls……”Listen here, Joel, I pay you guys thousands of dollars every month for advertising and now you let some anonymous little person say we did a bad job on his oil change? Get rid of it or you can kiss my advertising dollars goodbye, besides that not the way to treat your golfing buddy”.
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you think the comments here are way out of bound, read some of the comments on other news sites, a real eye opener.
I like Fergus, if I move again, it will most likely be to Fergus.
I recall the "Its your turn" in the paper. I also recall a writer who voiced a (I believe) valid complaint. The writers real name was somehow leaked to someone, and writer had you know what to pay.
I like to read the comments, and it is not often that I get all upset with them. Take it for what it is worth, just one persons opinion, and smile or laugh as I often do.
The city should read the comments and then maybe ask themselves what can we do to make the situation better, instead of having the "I know better" attitude.
I do agree that the writers should try not to make the comments too personal.
Posted by Vampire (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have seen two comments that were removed today, neither of which contained any profanity and were not libelous and were not attacks on private citizens. One was chipmunks funny comment on Bud Nornes (who is a public figure) and the comment by blackrat about proximity to the water tower and water pressure. Neither of these comments could have offended any reasonable person.
So I think you should remove the comment section entirely. That will make your advertisers happy and you will have fewer readers to view the advertising on your site. Some of your complainers should understand that the ONLY reason some people come to your site is to read the comments by other readers
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 7:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
On second thought …just fold your tent and go home. Leave the newspaper business to someone with some guts. I wonder if Fergus Falls will ever have a real newspaper.
Posted by BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on April 19, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You know I love comment land!
Posted by Mauibill (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 1:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I really enjoy reading the comment sections.
I do learn a little more depth from the comments about the story.
It’s just too bad, just like in everything else, a few bad apples with negative attitudes ruin it for the whole bunch.
I can brush those folks off so I say keep the comment section.
Posted by whostruth (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I like my user name because it puts everything in prospective.I like to hear all sides to an issue. It helps me with decission making. I can take what I want and leave the rest.I do not have anything to hide either.I like when folks lay it on the table,so to speak. My opinion I like it ,even when I do not agree with alot of opinions. Keep it , Thanks
Posted by jafo (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I say keep the comments. As with any internet forum, you have a lot of people who are generally interested in gathering and sharing information. And, you will have a few who's only goals are to start arguments, etc. There's nothing more enjoyable for the "bad apples" then to take down something that a lot of other people enjoy.
As far as businesses and gov't officials being upset... they can come on here, and state their case, if they want. People talk anyway, at least here, they can respond.
Posted by klingetb (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I say keep the comments section also. Advertisers, owners and officials remember somthing. I was always told if people get defensive over scrutiny it's probably the truth.
Posted by TKay (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I find the comments entertaining, at times, but when I read the majority of them I figure it is like listening to rumors in that there are varied levels of accuracy. Different perspectives on various community topics are interesting.
It is disheartening when people make comments about a specific person or incident (based on incorrect information) as was described by a recent letter to the editor as well as other similar examples. Those times are when it is difficult to see any possible benefit of a comment section. Some papers have talk about sections rather than a comment section after each article. I prefer those.
Posted by farmguy39 (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
theres 2 reasons I come to this site
the obits and the letters to the editor and comment section .
if you want real news around here you get the fargo forum
Posted by tiggersidney (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Being somewhat new to the community, and having just discovered your website, I hope you will keep the comments section. I think it will be one way to get to know the community better, to feel more a part of it and less like a stranger in a strange land.
Posted by kmiles (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Keep the comments section - the paper is much better for it. With media turning to internet, it would be foolish to remove the comments section. The comments add interactivity to the site, which is key in the internet world for keeping people around.
For those who complain that a comment is negative for their business, two things:
1. The interactivity that comments bring to this site keeps people around longer, increasing the chances of your ad being seen.
2. In this day and age, word-of-mouth (or word-of-keyboard) is the best advertising you can get, especially if you're advertising a service. If someone complains about you and your business suffers, it's because they didn't care for the service they received, and has done others a favor by letting them know not to use your service. If you don't want that, change how you do business so people only have good things to say about you.
Again, keep the comments. If FFDJ does away with them, it will be one of the only newspapers that doesn't have it. My favorite part of newspapers is the online comments.
Posted by justme (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It amazes me that some of these comments have remained here so long. They are far more critical and negative than many I've seen deleted every day.
I am for the comment section and actively participate, but I see no point in asking for opinions when you're just going to delete the ones you don't like. If you want positive feedback, give us quality journalism.
If the Journal is getting a bad reputation, it's doing it all by itself, and it has nothing to do with the internet.
Nice knowing you all, as I'm sure I will be soon be relieved of my right to free speech.
Posted by thinkB4Uspeak (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 10:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's unfortunate that some commenters are immature and negative and enjoy making personal attacks. Perhaps requiring their real name would help clean up their behavior.
I do comment once in awhile to clear up a glaring lie or misconception, and would continue to do so if I had to use my real name.
But I don't currently use my real name for fear of attack by those who hide behind their anonymity.
And I do appreciate the hard work and dedication of the Daily Journal employees. They do a fine job for a small paper in a small town.
Posted by kidvanwechel (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Joel - Keep the comment section. I think your doing a fine job. I stop by the website to read how every single news story printed in the FFDJ can get tied back to the smoking ban. Hilarious! As far as puff pieces are concerned...you realize this is Fergus Falls right? I'm surprised there is enough news to actually put out a daily newspaper. If the FFDJ didn't print all the "church happenings"...I feel it would be a weekly newspaper. Perhaps the FFDJ should start printing guest articles each week to give those "wannabe journalists" a shot at fame and glory. It's easy to comment on articles and news stories...try writing one...and for that matter...try finding REAL news in Fergus Falls!
Posted by mplsdude (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There are several of us formers Fergus Fallsites working here at Honeywell and every morning during our break we check out your webpage. We all look forward to news from our home town and the comment section especially funny stories by chipmunk. Keep the comment section just as it is but stop deleting so much, we can separate the wheat from the chaff.
Posted by Paul (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why don’t the paper explain why some comments are deleted. There seems to be no rhyme or reason for some of them. Its like anybody in the newsroom can walk by the computer screen and zap a comment just because they don’t like it. I know it can’t be just for the reasons stated in the article. I think someone there has a greatly exaggerated sense of their own judgment.
Posted by bucksteel (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Simple guidelines should suffice - here is an example:
"The Pioneer Press is happy to host community conversations about news and life in the Twin Cities. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary.
It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all."
Posted by samkiefer (Sam Kiefer) on April 21, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I like comments... though I don't see where removing comments from the main pages would be that bad of a thing... perhaps if we created a seperate forums page people wouldn't be as jumpy about the types of comments anonymous posting tends to bring. But the comments need to stay in some form or another. Brings a sense of community to the website.
Posted by thethinker (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No, no, no....do not discontinue the comments portion of the FFDJ website. It is wise of the staff at the FFDJ to look over comments (as you already do) to ensure slanderous postings are removed promptly. That only makes sense. And if certain govt officials, businesses, etc., take offense to some of the postings maybe they should do 1 of 2 things: 1) take the post with a grain of salt as being ridiculous or not applicable; or 2) if the posting has merit maybe that offended entity should look into it and see if they are doing something "wrong" that causes said posting. Disagreeing with a posting doesn't necessarily make it wrong - remember these are mostly just opinions.
Perhaps the only thing to work on (as for the FFDJ) would be more frequent or better policing of the site to remove postings that are truely offensive (objectivley speaking), or slanderous.
Posted by AndyMosity (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
One of the many reasons I enjoy the Fergus Falls website is for it's comment section. I see no difference in the type of comments the readers leave on this website, or any other news site that allows comments.
I will add, however, that I sure do miss the old Fergus Falls discussion board - man, that was fun...Devobill, where are you!
Posted by pamelajo1012 (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love the comments on the articles, it is one of the few reasons I read the journal everyday, just to see what people are saying. Please continue with the comments, everyone is entitled to an opinion even if no one else agrees with it.
Posted by Vampire (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 1:29 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by rwooton (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone has an opnion, but it seems that if your opinion or comment isn't what the FFDJ likes, the whole story gets banished to the never regions and the links are removed. No one then ever sees the comment unless they knew about the story beforehand, and are familiar with how to search for it.
When my story was misquoted and "made over", I commented about it right after it was posted on the site, and it was banished the same day. So what's the point? If the FFDJ is going to edit, hide, or remove negative comments or debate there's really no reason to keep it.
Rick Wooton
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 1:49 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 2:12 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by rodentboy (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 2:49 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Kloob (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What is the point of having a comments section if you do not allow criticism?
You have to take the good with the bad. Just delete the vulgar or hate-mongering posts.
If this helps, I know quite a past-FF residents who really enjoy reading the Comments. If you got rid of the Comments you would lose quite a few viewers. Let's face it, FF is not a hotbed for news, and anything extra to keep people on your website is a good thing.
Posted by DevoBill (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Right here Andy right here!
Posted by OhYou (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just a couple of quotes:
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. ~Voltaire
I believe in censorship. I made a fortune out of it. ~Mae West
Posted by justme (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope you take some of these comments to heart and realize that maybe your time would be better spent trying to improve your publication than wondering what you should do about the comment section.
I do want to make a suggestion regarding the "disappearing" stories. Is there not a way you can change the story listing so that it is easier to find articles? It seems you do so much changing on the website during the day that the top stories drop out of sight before a person can read them.
Perhaps you could have links to stories published in the past week, organized by day. Also, I have been impressed with how quickly you post breaking news stories, but it is irritating when you just change a story's content when you receive more details, rather than creating a new one.
I read online newspapers from all over the place, and there are so many small towns publishing great newspapers, whether there is "real news" to report or not. I can't believe you don't Google them, too, because you could learn a lot and do so much to improve the Daily Journal.
Posted by rwooton (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 7:46 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by heyfarden (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please leave the comment's! The best part is opinions.
Some I like..some I do not like..... Just like the television, a book, a magazine, emails, answereing machines... Change the channel, close the book, toss the
magazine, delete the emails and never listen to the answering machine. In other words...do what you like for yourself and will not interfere with others! Simple just do not scroll to the comment section of the FFDJ.
Posted by DevoBill (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've been the target of a puff piece. It goes like this three out of five facts are close the other two are outright lies.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r50/D...
Posted by rwooton (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 8:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I rest my case. Comment removed my site staff.
I guess it's ok when they emabarrass you, but if you embarrass them back, out it goes.
Posted by rwooton (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Look at comments at:
http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/news/2...
Posted by rwooton (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess that pretty much tells you what FFDJ thinks about how their customers feel.
TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT, EH?
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 9:06 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There can be little doubt now what this paper wants. After all these removals on this page alone it is obvious the journal only wants opinions that they agree with.
Posted by rwooton (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Devo, great shot of the train!!
Thanks!
Posted by rwooton (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep. They'd love to hear what you have to say, as long as they agree with it.
Posted by rwooton (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well gang, he left an email address - send all your comments there. (Several copies of each should be good)
joel.myhre@fergusfallsjournal.com
Posted by DevoBill (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rwooton here is another one.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r50/D...
Posted by ffprofessor (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I gave up posting here some time ago, when it appeared the only method approved for publishing one’s opinion was to buy advertising space. When Joel Myhre talks about freedom of the press he means you are free to buy space from him.
Posted by rwooton (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 9:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Devo
I mad an album of screen captures from the sim. It's at
http://models-1.com/trains/
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 11:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
HEADLINES IN HISTORY (if covered by the FFDJ)
Dateline…Dallas, Texas….November 22nd, 1963
“PRESIDENT KENNEDY VISITS TEXAS”
“ENJOYS NEW CONVERTIBLE”
Dateline…Pearl Harbor….December 7th, 1941
“JAPANESE TOURISM INCREASING”
Dateline…Washington, D.C….April 14th, 1865
“PRESIDENTS NIGHT ON THE TOWN INCLUDES PLAY OUR AMERICAN COUSINS”
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Overheard at “Our Lady of Victory” confessional ….
CHIPMUNK…”Father, I made a negative post at the Fergus Falls Daily Journal and now I hate myself.
FATHER CONFESSOR….”That’s O.K. my son, nobody reads that rag anyway. Say one Hail Mary and read the Fargo Forum".
Posted by rodentboy (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 2:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
well that was nice, left a comment about the paper and it got axed. from what i can tell i was in good company with the others that got SILENCED.
Posted by sametoyou (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you want the number of visitors to this web page you've been getting, to continue, you will keep the comments. If you want a lot smaller percentage of visitors, drop it. As far as being anonymous, we aren't, to the daily journal staff! And I'm sure they have not let any business,or government office, know who certain usernames are.(HA) I have already commented as to why I want to stay anonymous. This is Fergus Falls after all.
Posted by storm (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dump the comments! I don't even look at the comments anymore because it makes me so mad. It makes our town look like we have a bunch of whiners with too much time on their hands!
Posted by Vampire (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey storm, if you don’t look at them, why do you get so mad? This is not a personal criticism, I just want to know.
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 10:12 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by DevoBill (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Chip,
Are you going to cross post everything?
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe. At least that preserves a record.
Posted by thethinker (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now now now....it's not ONLY republican comments that are allowed....the democrats always get their say too.....but what is truely sad is that neither side is worth a rip - yet again - in this election year.
Oops! This is not a political thread....darn it...I mean....d**n it.....heh-heh....
Posted by Paul (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Chipmunk I wish you would start your own blog. Then we could read you without the censors deleting every comment they don’t like. They don’t like your rules (removed) but won’t post their own.
Posted by DevoBill (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The DJ is not alone.
http://www.miamiherald.com/430/story/459...
http://www.ojr.org/ojr/stories/080403nil...
Posted by rodentboy (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
storm, you must of read 50 plus comments before posting your own. the comments are good, it keeps everthing in balance.
Posted by steve1955 (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well Joel, you have over sixty comments, are the comments going to go or stay?
Posted by Redcloud (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Of course they are going to stay Steve, there was never any doubt. This was just an effort to stir up some controversy to sell more advertising. The journal uses the number of online hits and number of usernames to sell advertising. If the journal did not allow comments they would lose readers and fewer readers means fewer advertising dollars. Every poster does the journal a favor by posting. If no one posted a comment for one month the local management would have some explaining to do to their owners at Boone Newspapers in Iowa.
Posted by steve1955 (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like redcloud used to work at the paper.
Posted by edrule3 (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If your comment is removed, post it over at the fergusforum.com. I'd like to see what gets cut. Keep the comments section.
Posted by otterfan (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Keep the comments!! It's interesting and half the reason why I read the online paper.
Posted by old46guy (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm a former FF resident and enjoy reading the online paper and keeping up with the news, especially the obits as I am "over 60" and I have friends who are showing up in the obits. I am not much of a radical, actually a well thought of business man in my community but there are times when I must speak out both here and in FF and I was blown away once because my comment was "Chipmunked" and there was no swearing, just a negative comment about the FF Journal. I think the word "urinal" was used and POW, my comment gone. Well FF Journal, thats one of the reasons I no longer live there, because of this type of attitude by you and some others. My parting comment to the wonderful people in FF is "where were all of you when they castorated the old library (Carnegie) and turned Holten Lumber into the new library. SHAME, SHAME, the drawings for that library were more than likely signed by Frank Floyd Wright himself working for Louis Sullivan at the time. Shame, shame.
Have a peachy keen day!!
Posted by whostruth (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok, the library comment, whats that about?I have heard all kinds of stuff about the old one, how beautiful ,but then again some really weird secret meetings that a few people are trying to hide? Can not be too secert when most poeple know.Is that what your talking about?
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks a lot Fergus Falls Daily Journal, you have removed so many of my posts, you have made my name synonymous with “removal” or “deleted”. Pardon me while I chipmunk myself.
Posted by ffprofessor (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations chipmunk, I knew you could do it. Now you know there is a God. I shall take the necessary steps to revise my dictionary immediately.
Posted by mplsdude (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations indeed. Chipmunk you should send a box of chocolates to “old46guy” and the daily journal. You are now a big cog in a small wheel. I hope this comment does not get chipmunked.
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You are right dude, I’ll go to Hallmark and pick up a box of chocolates for “old46guy” and then I’ll go to Lake Alice and Pick a box for the Journal.
Posted by Redcloud (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Me think chipmunk speak with funny tongue.
Posted by old46guy (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Look into the hidden archives of the old library and on google and you'll find that it was a carnegie library. from the dates of said library which is the same as the ones in the area especially the one in DL which is a FLR / Louis Sullivan creation, we (and i use that in the past tense) put that ugly front addition onto it in the name of SIZE without anyone in FF realizing that it more than likely is (or was) a national treasure being one a very few FLR/LS designed building in Minnesota. Oh well, water of the bridge now huh? Most of the defendents in that case are now dead and buried in FF and may they rest in peace or somewhere else.
Posted by monk (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I enjoy going on line and getting my local updates. I even enjoy the comment section. But it is VERY disappointing when all you see is the same select few utilize this as a outlet to bash the DJ, their writers and from there, the people the stories are about. It's come down to not wanting to see your own family or friends in the media, even for a good reason. You can be rest assured that as long as this group runs ragged, they're sure to find a way to turn any story into a negative argument. So DJ, if you're looking for response, I'd have to vote 'no' on the comment section. At least not until the 'bashing group' gets a life. Appears this wont be any time soon. Too bad, the idea was a good one. The group should know who they are. If you're in doubt, simply breeze through a couple stories on line. You'll see the pattern and figure it out for yourself.
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is to late to restore the old library, (unless the new junk can be removed).
Now concentrate on saving the state hospital!!!!!!
It isn't to late for that, At least save a large part of it.
Posted by Venti (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, I guess the verdict is in. After reviewing the story "Drug Dealer Threatened Informant" it seems perfectly clear that whether the general readership of this site believes it should happen or not, the comments here WILL be silenced whenever the Daily Journal staff feels like it. Good to know. I'll check back much less often now. Personally, I enjoy the feature, but it seems to me like it should be either, or. If you are going to allow comments on stories, great, allow them and get rid of the vulgar or obscene comments. As far as "defaming" someone or an organization/company the same rules should apply as what applies to people in every day life. People are allowed to have their opinions and should not be "silenced" because they have a poor opinion of someone or something. If you are not going to allow comments, then don't allow them ON ANY story. Do not pick certain stories and determine "well, this seems like a fairly neutral and harmless story, I guess we'll allow people to comment on it." While on other stories that may be "controversial" (which, by the way, usually are so because they are the stories that mean the most to the people in this community) and decide "well, some people might disagree or get worked up over this story, so let's just not allow anyone to say anything about it." To me, that's worse than not allowing any comments whatsoever. Make up your mind, come up with some sort of a policy and stick with it. That's what businesses do.
Posted by lookitup (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree Venti - we had a nice, civil discussion going on regarding the "Drug Dealer" story. Why was it pulled? I can see where you need to delete individual comments on occasion (obscene language, name-calling, libelous statements, etc). Buy why was the comment section completely shut down on the Drug Dealer story??????
Posted by prowler (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Venti, I agree with you 100%. Either allow the comments for all the articles, or for none of the articles! To pick and choose which ones people can comment on or remove the comments after they have been posted smacks of censorship at its best. And this from a business built on the premise of FREE SPEECH?
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