The Difference Between NiT & Personal Blogs As I See It
I guess I dug up some long-buried resentment with my post about striving for unity. Laying aside the humourous irony for a few minutes, I have to address something.
About a year ago I was one of many people who had complaints about the strong leftward tilt of Nashville Is Talking. [Since I'm the only one writing this blogpost, we're just gonna talk about my POV here, and not drag others into it. They're free to speak for themselves.] It seemed to me that most of the pull content was very left-of-center, and even the stuff showing up in the agreggator was more left than right. It got to the point where I was fervantly hoping for some type of change, and even asked some people if they'd like to start up a right-wing "answer" aggregator of sorts to counterbalance.
One thing made me change my mind, and that one thing was Bill Hobbs. When I took my Christmas break, I came back to a long brouhaha. What started out as a bit of constructive criticism toward the way Brittney did her job turned into what looked [to me] like a witch hunt. Bill opened the floodgates and all of the critics piled on. Don't get me wrong. The critics had some good points. But the manner in which it all happened--and right during the Holidays as well--really put me off. As much as I wanted to see changes in Nashville Is Talking, I did not want to see Brittney lose her job. I had inadvertently* gotten a man fired once a few years ago. I still feel like I have blood on my hands from that and I don't ever want to cost another person his or her livelihood.
Anyway, back to NiT. This year has been an evolution of sorts. NiT has toned down a bit of the leftist tilt. By April 1st we also had VV. (Not that Kleinheider and I agree on the war...) But most importantly, NiT has become the catalyst through which we've all come to be friends of sorts. I just had Nine People come to my house for food and fellowship that I met through NiT. Nashville Is Talking has become the defacto clubhouse for Nashville Bloggers. New bloggers I really like show up there all the time. Remember that party I had last week? We had a great new woman come to meet us and hang out, solely because she'd heard of us through Nashville is Talking.
Yes, they've paid me some scratch this year to guest blog.** Yes, there are still the occasional editorial cartoons that make me roll my eyes, and the occasional opinion piece that I gloss over. But no, Smantix (and others), I'm not kissing up for the work. What I'm doing is choosing to set aside my political differences because I value friends more than I value my own opinion. Personal blogs are good for personal opinions. Group blogs are best when you focus on the group.
*The story about me getting someone fired is long enough for a post in its own right.
**And hey, when I'm guest-blogging, it's not as leftward, either.
posted by Kat Coble @ 9:40 AM
45 comments
45 Comments:
I don't know if this matters, but NiT brought me all of you guys.
Your kind words to me over the past several months has meant a great deal to me, folks coming to my house this week and driving three hours to get here, Wolfies, our affection for Stephen King. The fact that we both like serial television. (Don't have HBO, but all of you guys writing about the Wire makes me intrigued to get the DVD's.)
I come here everyday because I like to visit Kat Coble.
I'm left. You're not. Doesn't matter to me. I have been educated by many of the things you've written and it has been food for thought.
I'm proud to be in this group. You all have made me very welcome.
And, darn it, I really want to come to Bunko.
I don't know how strongly I can emphasise that you MUST get "The Wire" on DVD, now, while you're laid up.
That's what I watched over the summer while I went through my surgeries. Boy, did it help.
And yes, what you say is exactly what I mean. There is so much human good to have come out of NiT that I think focusing on the perceived problems is a mistake.
Oh, and thank you for your nice thoughts about me.
;-p
The leftward slant of the NiTwittery has evened out? How so?
A disclaimer saying that they didn't like voting for Ford after running nothing but pro-Ford propaganda and anti-whoever-was-the-Republican on both NiT and VV? The militant fringe 20% pro gay marriage stance? The Open Borders Amnesty one?
Really. I am very interested in hearing an explanation on that point contrary to what my own eyes have shown me for a year and a half.
And just a point of fact real quick - the whole Christmas imbroglio from last year was from brittany reprinting an attack from Bob Tuke on an as yet undeclared Republican candidate for governor. She fired and forgot it. Printed it verbatim as fact and went on vacation.
If printing the truth determined whether or not someone in the news business had a job, brittany would have been fired a long, long time ago. It says more about Mike Sechrist and his low standards for bloggers being arbiters of fact than anything.
Ahh, throw two drinks and some hors d'oeuvres in 'em and watch 'em slap their fins together.
As I said previously, 43 posts about Valerie Plame being outed by Karl Rove and not one since Richard Armitage was outed as the leaker. Not one freaking correction.
Maybe I just don't know the secret Blogger Bunco password here but we seem to be pretty selective in our outrage as to who's overly partisan and who isn't.
The leftward slant of the NiTwittery has evened out? How so?
There are fewer posts per day dedicated to left-wing opinions and such.
As for the militant-fringe thing--I guest-blogged for a week at the height of the gay marriage debate. Everything I put up was pro "Vote No". Why? Because that was all that was out there.
I looked and looked for a "Vote Yes", but Fishkite didn't put theirs up until after my stint was over. That's part of the problem at NiT. When you're doing pullquotes off an agreggator, you're somewhat limited by the aggretator's content.
And just a point of fact real quick - the whole Christmas imbroglio from last year was from brittany reprinting
As I said, I was on vacation and didn't read anything until I got back and read it all at once. I was completely unclear as to how it started. And I do stand by the fact that I agreed with many of the criticisms, but not in the way they were handled after the initial spate turned into a "Let's Get Brittney" fiesta.
It says more about Mike Sechrist and his low standards for bloggers being arbiters of fact than anything.
Since Sechrist has made his intentions regarding the blogs clear over the last few months, I suppose that's the case. The question was asked awhile back about the level of journalism the blogs represented. It's been repeatedly raised by Sharon Cobb, the staff of the Scene and others. The answer seems to have come down that the blogs are a hybrid of news and entertainment. Given the fact that that's been the response, that's what I'll go with.
As I said previously, 43 posts about Valerie Plame being outed by Karl Rove and not one since Richard Armitage was outed as the leaker. Not one freaking correction.
I think she did have something where Brittney said she thought Armitage took the bullet for Rove and Bush, but I could be wrong. Regardless, I tend to skip most of those political posts because I don't agree with them. It's easier than getting blind with rage.
Maybe I just don't know the secret Blogger Bunco password here but we seem to be pretty selective in our outrage as to who's overly partisan and who isn't.
I guess I'm not making myself clear. I'm sorry. I'll try to be more precise. It's not the partisanship I mind, it's the style in which the partisanship is presented on personal blogs. And that's just my opinion. If there is a personal blog that consistantly uses terms like BushHitler, I've made the personal choice to ignore that blog so I don't get pissed off or embarrassed. Like I said, I agree with most of the stuff at 6MB. I just get embarrassed. Stuff like "Dim-o-Cracks".... It's a personal choice. Although I must say that when I checked 6mb just now for examples, it's a lot less bombastic than I remembered.
NiT reminds me of Hyde Park Corner. I can go there and ignore the speakers I don't want to hear while I get to meet up with people I do want to hear.
Kind of off topic, but is 20% really fringe?
I would tend to think not.
I also think that since this is Nashville is talking, and the Nashville breakdown was more like 37% voting No, that it isn't entirely "fringe" here in Nashville.
Sorry. Make that 68/32
Okay, a third of anything is hardly fringe, unless it's some of those western jackets favored by Opry stars in the 60s.
I kind of do wish Smantix would come to blogger bunco. That would be fun.
I think we should have men at bunco. Especially Smantix. And Sarcastro. And John H. And CLC. And..oh geez. Just all the guys. I DO need an excuse to meet Slartibartfast.
I still like the women's bunco, though. Sometimes women just need the company of women.
So only 70% of Davidson County doesn't believe in inventing a right to gay marriage? One of the most liberal counties in state is 70% against it? Ok. You got me.
The 38% majority has spoken.
Well, it's a distinction but I'm willing to go out on a limb and make it - "A corporate blog, especially one sponsored by a news organization (with it's internal fact-checkers, editors, etc.), is obligated to strive for factual accuracy and impartiality."
I know you like to play the peacebroker but you don't have to placate me, Katherine. You felt put upon by brittany to specifically denounce me and I read you loud and clear the first time.
That's the difference between the Libertarian Right / whatever Right and the Leftards. They will never denounce the people on their side as easily as you just did. Hell, they will never denounce anyone on their side, period.
And when "one of their own" inevitably goes after you (as they have before), you'll see how quickly they treat you like a doormat. The tyranny of a slight majority should be coming to a comments section near you some time soon.
I know you like to play the peacebroker but you don't have to placate me, Katherine. You felt put upon by brittany to specifically denounce me and I read you loud and clear the first time.
I've been on record for at least 8 months as saying that I don't do 6MB any longer. I wasn't "pressured" by Brittney. I was clarifying a position I've held for a long time.
I'm not trying to placate you. I KNOW you're not placatable.
And when "one of their own" inevitably goes after you (as they have before), you'll see how quickly they treat you like a doormat. The tyranny of a slight majority should be coming to a comments section near you some time soon.
I've no doubt that I'll be gone after time and again. It happened not so long ago right here. Although funnily enough, when Terry Frank decided to "go after me" a few weeks ago, how many Right/Right Libertarians took to my defence?
Not one.
At last count at least five left-wing bloggers did speak up for me.
And at last count, Donna Locke is still gunning for me over in the comments section at your new best buddy Sharon Cobbs' place.
Ooops. Scratch that. Roger Abramson did speak up for my position.
let me know when you're guest blogging over there. I like your style. Maybe we'll meet up one day at one of these blogger get togethers. who knows.
Awww...we took out Sharon for her birthday. I'd do no less for anyone who tries to act civil towards me.
But as long as you have a history for blacklisting me - that's better.
We are running some market studies on including more posts about needlepoint and Harry Potter. So don't count us out yet!
Hey! Thanks for calling me great. :)
Dude, I knit.
Needlepoint is for geezers.
Oh my god! Does this mean you're going to take me out for my birthday?! Woo hoo!
Speaking for the men, I can say with certainty:
We Aren't Interested In Bunco.
Not Now. Not Ever.
From the Wiki:
In recent years, the game has seen a resurgence in popularity in America, particularly with affluent suburban women. As it is played today, Bunco is a social dice game involving luck, some skill, scoring and a complex set of rules. Women who are part of a Bunco Club take turns as the Bunco Hostess, providing snacks, refreshements and the tables to set up the games. The Hostess may also provide a door prize.
What part of that little circle of hell do you suppose looks inviting to us?
It's like you took the ideal teenage girl slumber party and took out all the good stuff like pillow fights, lesbian experimentation and teenage girls.
Now, arrange a Poker Night for the boys, and we would definitely be interested.
As for no in the Libertarian Justice League defending you against the evil onslaught of Terry Frank, Donna Locke and Sharon Cobb's Legion of Doom, since when can't you take any combination of those three in a war of the words?
As for Smantix, brother you need to get out of that LGF/Jawa decompression tank and get some air. You're getting the bends.
Kat,
I would appreciate it if you have something to say to me that you say it in email or call me.
You offered a condescending apology—calling my words hyperbole in your apology, come to my site and call my post ridiculous, then tell me I should stick up for you and that I am not practicing LaShan Hara because Donna is defending me. Then, you drag out the past with about this post that you know caused hard feelings in the blogosphere.
You’re stirring the pot and I am not sure why, but please leave me out of it.
You know and I know what type of friend I tried to be to you and Tim, yet you certainly aren’t representing me as such by your over the top posts about me or dragging out the past with this most recent post. Aunt B and John H also wrote slams of Bush, but you sure didn’t pick on them. In fact, you commented on Aunt B’s place that you somewhat agreed with her. But me? You took me to task because you didn’t like my wording? I’m not buying that.
Your swipe at Smantix about me being his new best friend, (a) Smantix and I have communicated on and off for a long time, but only recently went out when he and his wife wanted to take me out for my birthday. His wife is absolutely delightful.
It’s clear between your personal attack of me and then dragging a long ago post out that you know caused bad feelings, that you have some underlining problem with me and/or you’re working overtime for approval from a few people. People, well at least one, who you personally told me hurt you deeply the last time we spoke. Someone who intentionally took dead aim to hurt you.
So again I ask, if you’ve got a problem with me, please take it to email or call me. And I also ask you try to remember just how genuine my friendship was and ask yourself if that is how you represent me.
I have enough I'm dealing with in my real life, and I would appreciate it if you would leave me out of any cyber dramas you're trying to start.
Like I said, you know the truth and how I've treated you, and you sure aren't representing it accurately. Fine.
As for no in the Libertarian Justice League defending you against the evil onslaught of Terry Frank, Donna Locke and Sharon Cobb's Legion of Doom, since when can't you take any combination of those three in a war of the words?
It's not that I feel I need defending--although I appreciate it when it happens.
It's more that I thought Smantix was implying that the Right Wing was some sort of Musketeer Band standing together in the face of all opposition and I had betrayed the Fellowship by trying to take the ring. Or something.
I was merely pointing out that Dartagnan and fellows are not taking up my part on any type of regular basis.
You offered a condescending apology
Which you accepted without calling it "condescending" at the time.
—calling my words hyperbole in your apology,
They WERE hyperbole.
I am not practicing LaShan Hara because Donna is defending me.
I deleted that comment because I was mad when I wrote it. But since you brought it up...okay.
If Donna is defending you that's one thing. I think it's fine for her to defend you. But her way of "defending you" seems to be ATTACKING me. I accused of Lashon Hara because you've gone on and on about you've been such a friend to me, but then when someone calls me a Christian Viper on your site, you don't even bother to say "hey, You've misunderstood her." or something along those lines. You allowed that accusation of me to stand. That, Sharon, is not a defense of you. That is purely an attack of me that you allowed to go unchecked on your site. You lost any pretense of friendship with me by doing that. Really.
Then, you drag out the past with about this post that you know caused hard feelings in the blogosphere.
I dragged out the past in response to your good buddy Smantix' dragging out the past first. Attacking Brittney in my comments. Unlike other people, I like to defend people who are attacked in my comments.
that you have some underlining problem with me and/or you’re working overtime for approval from a few people.
I have an underlying problem with you allowing Donna to attack me unchecked in your comments in the guise of friendship.
That's been the last straw for me. I'd think that would be pretty clear to anyone.
Someone who intentionally took dead aim to hurt you.
Something that has been forgiven and moved past. By all parties concerned. Someone else has recently taken dead aim to hurt me. In YOUR comments section. And you let it go. So this is where we are at.
So again I ask, if you’ve got a problem with me, please take it to email or call me.
If you wanted this problem to be dealt with in email, you have my email address. You could have email me with it. Instead you chose to keep it as public as the attack against me you let stand on your own blog.
And I also ask you try to remember just how genuine my friendship was and ask yourself if that is how you represent me.
Your friendship was genuine enough to allow someone else to attack me on your blog. Touching display of friendship that was, Sharon. Thanks.
Boy, it sure is a good thing we don't take these blog thingy's too personally or anything.
Yep, sure is.
*cough*.
Ahem.
Yep, what a tragedy that would be.
Mmmhmm.
*tap-tap*- Is this thing on?
hi!
I actually think Britteny's gotten much better about that kind of stuff over time. She's still an unapologetic lefty and that comes through but I think she's much more discerning about her links than she used to be. It's a lot better.
Donna posted about you yesterday.
It's still there and uncontradicted.
Those offers of help you listed--none of which I accepted--were kind. But it would have been far kinder of you to not allow Donna to make a personal attack on me on your blog that remained uncontradicted.
That would have been a true act of friendship. One that wouldn't have interfered with your health at all.
Ladies and gentlemen:
For the love of all that is good, I'd like to be so bold as to suggest that you take your scuffle to the nearest cafe and talk over your disagreement in person.
Surely you understand that (a) you are embarrassing yourselves (at any rate, I am profoundly embarrassed for all of you); and (b) even if Kat were to delete her blog tonight your remarks will be preserved for posterity until the parousia that some of you believe in occurs.
Thanks for allowing me to chime in.
-Tim
I had never heard the word "paraousia" before.
And no, I didn't mean for this to be about any scuffle between me and anyone else.
I've had a bad week of trying to be about unification and having that all turn out wrong.
I've had a bad week of trying to be about unification and having that all turn out wrong.
I hear ya. I've had a hard week of writing out heartfelt emails, only to have them go unanswered, and unacknowledged. Ain't it a bitch?
As for Smantix, brother you need to get out of that LGF/Jawa decompression tank and get some air.
I got all uptight after my subscription to www.MyNaughtyLatinaMaid.com ran out. Can I borrow yours before the INS deports the entire Milf archive over a traffic ticket?
All I pointed out is that "partisan" is in the eye of the beholder apparently. And commented on what I took as a personal snub, as I have no professional snub to speak of, to stay on a rabid partisan's good side where there's a financial interest. Certainly wouldn't be the first time.
To address the original post, one of the things I enjoy about NiT is that there is an opinion expressed. Yes, it happens to be an opinion I often agree with, and that's convenience for me and all, but I mostly like the manner in which the opinion is expressed. I enjoy a variety of writing styles, and I read a LOT of blogs that contain opinions that differ from my own. 6MB, for instance. I guess I just don't see what all the fuss about NiT is really about. Surely it's more fun the way it is than it would be if it were merely a dry repository of links to Nashville blogs?
And incidentally, I'm torn about the bunco thing. On one hand, I'm bummed that I missed out hanging out with cool women because I overlooked the post that invited local bloggers; on the other hand, I'm with Sarcastro and would prefer a different game. :)
Well... this is fun...
I had no idea Nashville bloggers were so vile towards each other.
Maybe the Knoxville mountain twang keeps all our conversations comical...
But seriously, I wish we had that kind of rivalry here in the East.
Its like Sharks and Jets on 1 gig of RAM...
NOTE:
Sharon originally posted this comment at 3:11 pm. I have copied it and reposted it with some personal information redacted.
Okay. You're determined to somehow make me the bad guy when you started all of this.
Donna posted about you yesterday.
Last year, when you were going out of town, I offered to watch your dogs. When you were sick, I offered to come over and cook and clean for you. REDACTED And, all of this right after I had an abdominal hysterectomy.
I really tried not to mention those things, but you obviously are going to go on misrepresenting me, and I won't put up with that.
I'm not going to let someone talk trash about me and accept it to be accepted.
It's ludicrious for you to post about me from a post in the last few days versus the last year and all I offered.
Once again I ask, stop with the cyber dramas--or at least leave me out of it.
I'm sure your public tantrum has duly impressed the ones in your clique you wish to impress, so move on. Sure...once again I'm the asshole. Fine. Whatever.
I'm warning you Smantix, stay out of my Internet cache.
Sarcastro, surely you don't have temporary files on your computer?!
We're not playing Bunco but there is a group of Bloggers/Podcaster's meeting up at Espresso Joe's in Smyrna on Saturday, November 18th. Come on out and have coffee.
Don't all computers have temporary files?
I'm just trying (and failing) to make a Sara Evans Divorce joke.
It's not always about 'nam, Walter.
Guess who's on in HD.
I'd watch it, but I don't roll on Shabbos.
It's time for plan B. You might want to watch out the front window there, Larry.
You see what happens Larry!
Goodnight, Happy Weekend.
I can't follow all these comments; don't even understand what some of them are about. So I'll just say this: I'm a pretty nice person with a thick skin, slow to anger, and I'm not angry now, but my personality has a definite edge to it and I like it that way. I choose my battles, and I let a lot of unfair personal stuff slide when it's about me. But I don't suffer bullies and liars gladly, I don't stand and wave poison on by, I don't lie down and smile and let something roll over me or someone walk on me or someone else. I don't mince words, and I call it as I see it. When my son was accosted by bullies in school, I put him in a martial-arts class. If you think I won't kick your fanny, you haven't been paying attention.
Donna, though Sharon might disagree at the moment, Katherine has been nothing if not a good friend to her, a much better friend than I would be under similar circumstances.
If someone had posted a comment that revealed some personal troubles I had confided to that person or made some veiled threat to reveal more information shared between two friends to the whole world all while continuing to play the put-upon victim, I wouldn't be have a civil disagreement with her, even in public.
I'd pick the biggest bombshell piece of information I had on that woman, let it drop, and let the friendship be destroyed beyond all salvation.
The fact that Katherine has refrained from doing that is a testament to her good nature.
I know you're going by the information you have and the impression Coble's made on you and I'm not trying to talk you out of it. I'm just wondering if you can't consider that there's more to this argument than "Mean old Katherine picks on poor defenseless sickly Sharon."
Prior to last week I made it a policy to only delete comments that include Carlin's 7 words.
Since this entire post was written in defence of a person who was attacked in my comments and then started a firestorm I'd rather not be part of, I've decided that I will forthwith delete any and all comments that include overt personal attacks.
A comment was left here this morning that included a lengthy personal attack on a person other than myself. That comment has been deleted from this blog. Any subsequent comments of a similar nature will also be deleted.
I would encourage anyone who wishes to air their grievances with other bloggers in public to do so on their own blogs, instead of in the comments of mine.
Thank you.
donna,
Have your son beat her up. After all, you might as well get your money's worth out of the classes.
{That was a joke}
Documenting physical threats is prosecutable, and therefore, none too smart.
And it makes you look like a dumbass.
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