I find it distressing that some discussions on issues on this web site cannot continue because too many people cannot debate without calling other people names.
I am a passionate person with strong beliefs and I have no hesitation when it comes to expressing opinions on issues that I feel concern our community. It is a trait that has served me well over many years as a newspaper columnist and later as a web-based one. It is also a trait that attracts strong opinions that sometimes support and more often oppose my positions.
But I try to never made it personal. I question people’s actions but not their beliefs. I try to not call them names, question their intelligence or belittle their heritage and I have little patience for those who cannot argue without resorting to name calling and personal attacks. Unfortunately, I sometimes fail to live up to that standard and cross the line. When that happens, I try to pull back and apologize for my actions and words. I’m human. I get mad. I make mistakes.
This past week, a discussion over my observation of what I saw as the unprofessional actions of a small number of Virginia State Troopers who serve on the tactical squad was viewed by some as a condemnation of police officers in general. That was neither what I said nor was it my intent. If some took it that way I apologize for that misunderstanding.
But too many responses to those observations turned into hate-filled tirades on both sides of the issue. Those who posted the comments used the discussion as an excuse to insult others. I had to shut several discussion threads down because of the increasing level of bile.
This web sites exists to discuss issues. It does not exist to allow people to anonymously call people "morons" or "liberal agitators" or to claim association with Floyd Countians lowers their IQ. Those who find it impossible to discuss an issue without calling other people names are not welcome here.
Effective immediately, any post that includes a personal attack on someone else will be removed. Those who continue to hurl insults will be banned from making future comments. If it continues I will start moderating comments before they are posted.
I encourage open discussion of issues on Blue Ridge Muse but I cannot, and will not, allow this site to become a place where people can insult others and hide behind anonymous screen names. That ends now.
Any reader of this web site who feels I have crossed the line is encouraged to challenge me on that point but I would appreciate it if those who wish to question my integrity also have the integrity to do so openly and with their names.
If you are skittish about using your name on this web site, you are welcome to discuss this with me personally. I eat breafast most mornings at the Blue Ridge Restaurant. My office address and phone number are on this web site. If I am not in my office there is usually a sign on the door that says where I can be found. I am more than happy to sit down over a cup of coffee and discuss any issue with anyone, even those who disagree with me
You can also email me at doug@blueridgemuse.com and I will respond to anyone who uses their name. However, I do not answer anonymous emails. I never have and I never will.
I’m sure that I am not alone in thanking you for taking steps to tone down the rhetoric. I’ve never understood why web sites allow anonymous postings. Newspapers don’t allow anonymous letters to the editor. Why should you let people spew their venon while hiding behind screen handles or incomplete names?
Thank you for putting a stop to the anger and hate. These anonymous posters have tried to ruin a good web site that serves as a valuable community resource. I congratulate you for taking this stand.
Good move Doug. The debates were getting out of hand.
As Americans we seem to have lost the ability to debate civilly and to disagree without getting angry. A difference in belief does not automatically make those you disagree with a moron. This country was founded on the belief that different opinions, philosophies, religion and politics are welcome and encouraged.
I don’t happen to agree with your opinion on the police presence in Floyd County over the past week but I agree with your right to say it. I for one am glad they were here. Others are free to express their opinions although they should be willing to voice and stand behind those opinions by using their true identities.
I’ve read each of your opinion pieces on this matter and nowhere did I read that you were condemning police in general. You wrote about specific things you saw and heard regarding a specific group of officers who work for the Virginia State Police. You also quoted other county residents who felt they were terrorized by these officers. As I understand it we had more than 200 officers on duty in this county at any one time. The law of averages says some of them would be over-agressive. Here in Floyd County we have one trooper who is well known for his over-zealous tactics. That does not mean all of our troopers are that way, just this one, but those who encounter the one bad apple in the lot may judge all state police by that experience.
Keep doing what you are doing. We need that.
I don’t live in Floyd County but I have longtime friends there and visit a lot. I’ve been reading Blue Ridge Muse for the past several years and my vision of you from your writings was that you must be some fire-belching, arrogant, egotistical, shouting idealogue.
Then I met you last year at the Friday Night Jamboree. You were taking pictures but took the time to talk about Floyd, photography and bluegrass music. I was pleasantly surprised to find that you were soft-spoken, self-effacing and extremely friendly.
I ran into you again the next morning at the coffee shop at the Winter Sun. Over coffee we talked at length about the county, the people and the culture. Once again, I was surprised at your soft-spoken demeanor. I had to strain at times to hear you because you speak so softly. I came away from those two encounters impressed by your calmness, you rational dissection of issues and what I saw as a shyness and reluctance to talk about yourself and a hestitation to inject your own beliefs into a conversation. You listened intently to what I had to say and I believe you were genuinely interested in my perspectives.
Yet when I read some of the things you write I see a different person — an unbridled passionate man full of fire and brimstone, gutting all that stand in his way.
I prefer the man who shared coffee with me on that Saturday morning at a coffee shop at a wonderful place called Floyd.
Just wanted to give you a pat on the back… well done.