Another Thought

Anonymous has left a new comment on my post "Twin Perspectives":

Dear Evelyn:

I suppose it's good to see that you are even-handed in publishing comments that are negative toward you.

Possibly you could establish some minimum level of intelligence from bloggers' comments before they are posted.

This might be more satisfying for you and for we who have to read some of this drivel.

Just a thought.

*****

Deciding which opinions not to publish is a bit of a pain in the neck.Especially if they are critical of someone other than myself. I tend to be light-handed. But there is an element of positive reasoning.

I think when a person puts thoughts into writing,logic or lack thereof is more apparent than when an argument is presented verbally.

Accompanied by style,body language, eye contact and all the other elements of blandishment and persuasion, an argument has a more immediate but less lasting effect.

A written argument must stand or fall on organisation and logic.

I've often been commended for an argument presented in Council. When I try to discover specifics, recollection flies out the window.

The problem doesn't exist with a written opinion. Everything in writing is emphatic.

There are no distractions in reading. No quizical glance, no voice cadence, no clues to indicate this is less relevant than that, nor humour to indicate this isn't even a serious point. Bullshit does not baffle brains.

Publishing negative comments is often offset by the lack of logic balanced by personal hostility and abusive language.

Other things emerge as well.

Last week there was a spate of opinion the town should pay Ms. Morris' legal bills.

Even while I was telling that I couldn't tell all because stuff said behind closed doors, would not have been said if it wasn't behind closed doors, though it should not have been behind closed doors in the first place.

It was surprising how many people were willing to take the easy route. Without even knowing who signed the contract,they were all too willing to say the town should pay the legal fees.

The writers could have been mostly friends of Phylis. It would be the easiest conclusion. Not necessarily correct.

The new problem created by advertising a job not approved for funding is another example.The first argument is to deny it.But them's the facts.

In my judgment, the ad should be cancelled immediately.

But that might reflect badly on the municipality. It may not even be possible to cancel without paying for it anyway. It's probably a contract.

So, oh well, "it's a good idea anyway, don't you think. Newmarket does it and they think it's great"

Never mind that Council's authority has been disrespected by people who should know better.

Never mind,the new kids on the block are more than anxious to make the difference they promised on the hustings.

Never mind, voters exercised their right to toss the last council because they found them wanting, but the hand-picked administration can be expected to continue along the same path until they receive a different road map.

It's always easier not to rock the boat even though that's how it must be, at the outset at least.

And it is not always right not to rock the boat, or in politics, within one person's power to accomplish.

Nor should it be.