Comments on: Are We ‘The Moderate Voice’? http://themoderatevoice.com/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/ An Internet hub with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, indies, centrists, moderates, and right Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:18:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Manchester2 http://themoderatevoice.com/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-164069 Manchester2 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:36:22 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/#comment-164069 JChem -<br><br>You're absolutely right. I had the same reaction when I read that Stickings post, and purposely said nothing, so as not to dignify it with a response, which I suppose this brief comment by me now does. JChem -

You're absolutely right. I had the same reaction when I read that Stickings post, and purposely said nothing, so as not to dignify it with a response, which I suppose this brief comment by me now does.

]]> By: Rudi http://themoderatevoice.com/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-164068 Rudi Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:34:29 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/#comment-164068 Lynx - You said TMV swung "heavily left of center". While I'd agree with a small shift left, a heavy shift isn't true. In regards to your blog, what happened to Bal(t)imoron? <br><br>To change your name, T-Steel would have to do a search and replace in the CMS database, not a trivial task. Lynx – You said TMV swung “heavily left of center”. While I'd agree with a small shift left, a heavy shift isn't true. In regards to your blog, what happened to Bal(t)imoron?

To change your name, T-Steel would have to do a search and replace in the CMS database, not a trivial task.

]]> By: jchem http://themoderatevoice.com/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-164049 jchem Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:58:33 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/#comment-164049 This is a great question, and for the most part I think there is a lot more balance here than at some other sites I go to. But then again, a rant comes around spewing nothing but hatred and leaving no room for comment. Here's a great example:<br><br><a href="http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/sarah-palin/24335/andrew-sullivan-on-the-palin-nightmare/">http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/sarah-pali...</a><br><br>Let me ask this. How is a post like this considered to be moderate? I can understand people when they have misgivings about any politician; certainly I was no fan of Palin. But to just spit a bunch of venom like this...really, what kind of comment can one leave on such a post? For the whole election season it seemed everyone thought divisive tactics and gutter politics needed to go away. Yet when this divisiveness continues on now post election, only a few of us in the comment thread point it out. I can only imagine what the comment thread would look like should we substitute Obama's name for Palin's and leave the rest of the post as is. This is a great question, and for the most part I think there is a lot more balance here than at some other sites I go to. But then again, a rant comes around spewing nothing but hatred and leaving no room for comment. Here's a great example:

http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/sarah-pali…

Let me ask this. How is a post like this considered to be moderate? I can understand people when they have misgivings about any politician; certainly I was no fan of Palin. But to just spit a bunch of venom like this…really, what kind of comment can one leave on such a post? For the whole election season it seemed everyone thought divisive tactics and gutter politics needed to go away. Yet when this divisiveness continues on now post election, only a few of us in the comment thread point it out. I can only imagine what the comment thread would look like should we substitute Obama's name for Palin's and leave the rest of the post as is.

]]> By: Lynx http://themoderatevoice.com/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-164023 Lynx Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:13:15 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/#comment-164023 Rudi don't mistake some of your comments being deleted for a general practice of deleting dissent. Comments at PG are deleted in accordance to our comments guidelines, with less tolerance being given to repeat offendors. They are very likely deleted at this site too, whether you are aware of it or not. I won't get into the specifics and politics of how tolerant some people are of dissent because the purpose of this thread is not to start a blog-war. Suffice it to say that I believe you lack some of the relevant data in that regard.<br><br>This site leans center left, Poligazette leans center right. I don't see what is lost by recognizing that. Rudi don't mistake some of your comments being deleted for a general practice of deleting dissent. Comments at PG are deleted in accordance to our comments guidelines, with less tolerance being given to repeat offendors. They are very likely deleted at this site too, whether you are aware of it or not. I won't get into the specifics and politics of how tolerant some people are of dissent because the purpose of this thread is not to start a blog-war. Suffice it to say that I believe you lack some of the relevant data in that regard.

This site leans center left, Poligazette leans center right. I don't see what is lost by recognizing that.

]]> By: Rudi http://themoderatevoice.com/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-164016 Rudi Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:41:27 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/#comment-164016 Lynx - At least Shaun and Pete don't delete dissenting comments. Hows thing going at your "moderate site" with the Dutch lad? Balloon Juice is an example of a former moderate site, TMV still does some moderation. Lynx – At least Shaun and Pete don't delete dissenting comments. Hows thing going at your “moderate site” with the Dutch lad? Balloon Juice is an example of a former moderate site, TMV still does some moderation.

]]> By: pabel http://themoderatevoice.com/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-163987 pabel Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:07:19 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/#comment-163987 Ditto what JSpencer said. That was my point. Ditto what JSpencer said. That was my point.

]]> By: JSpencer http://themoderatevoice.com/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-163984 JSpencer Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:32:43 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/#comment-163984 Well, what is right and what is left? Is it so terribly easy to classify now? I think some folks are a bit hasty in making that judgement. For example, I don't think comments related to pointing out the lessons of the failed GWB administration are necessarily left or right. And why are various revelations concerning lack of knowledge on the part of a certain VP pick necessarily a right or left thing? Don't we all want the best for this country, or does everything need to be framed in terms of ideology? I contend that at some level there is simply right and wrong. I tend to agree with Pete, on aggregate balance, the output is moderate, especially in comparison with other blogs. I would also add (and anyone who has been around various other political blogs knows this) that on balance TMV is one of the more civilized sites. Well, what is right and what is left? Is it so terribly easy to classify now? I think some folks are a bit hasty in making that judgement. For example, I don't think comments related to pointing out the lessons of the failed GWB administration are necessarily left or right. And why are various revelations concerning lack of knowledge on the part of a certain VP pick necessarily a right or left thing? Don't we all want the best for this country, or does everything need to be framed in terms of ideology? I contend that at some level there is simply right and wrong. I tend to agree with Pete, on aggregate balance, the output is moderate, especially in comparison with other blogs. I would also add (and anyone who has been around various other political blogs knows this) that on balance TMV is one of the more civilized sites.

]]> By: Lynx http://themoderatevoice.com/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-163968 Lynx Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:56:03 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/#comment-163968 Pete, as someone left of center, I think it's fairly obvious that this blog tilts heavily left of center. <br><br>Consider this: Out of all the bloggers here, how many would be more easily classified (if you had to choose) as liberals and how many conservatives. Of those who would self identify as conservatives how many supported Obama and how many McCain?<br><br>Consider this as well: Can you even fathom for one minute the possibility of TMV having a blogger that displayed the same sort of style and attitude as Shaun but coming from the right? Even if you can (personally I can't), do you really think that he'd fit in like Shaun, or would it be daily thread-wars? Pete, as someone left of center, I think it's fairly obvious that this blog tilts heavily left of center.

Consider this: Out of all the bloggers here, how many would be more easily classified (if you had to choose) as liberals and how many conservatives. Of those who would self identify as conservatives how many supported Obama and how many McCain?

Consider this as well: Can you even fathom for one minute the possibility of TMV having a blogger that displayed the same sort of style and attitude as Shaun but coming from the right? Even if you can (personally I can't), do you really think that he'd fit in like Shaun, or would it be daily thread-wars?

]]> By: pabel http://themoderatevoice.com/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-163967 pabel Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:53:01 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/#comment-163967 Marlow -- great article, thanks for sharing. I'm bookmarking that one. Marlow — great article, thanks for sharing. I'm bookmarking that one.

]]> By: pabel http://themoderatevoice.com/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-163965 pabel Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:47:46 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/#comment-163965 Pacatrue -- thanks.<br><br>Machester2 -- Jazz and Tony Campbell probably consider themselves right of center on many issues ... as do I. Pacatrue — thanks.

Machester2 — Jazz and Tony Campbell probably consider themselves right of center on many issues … as do I.

]]> By: Marlowecan http://themoderatevoice.com/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-163964 Marlowecan Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:46:30 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/#comment-163964 That was a good essay, Pete. Civility is in very low supply in American political discourse at the moment.<br><br>John Kass in the Chicago Tribune has a great story about an 8th grader in a liberal suburban school -- the child of a mixed (liberal-conservative) marriage - who decided to conduct an experiment on political tolerance.<br><br><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-13-nov13%2C0%2C2881384.column?page=1">http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/c...</a><br><br>Wearing an Obama Girl T-shirt was totally OK.<br>BUT wearing a McCain Girl T-Shirt elicted numerous declarations that she should die or be killed from her fellow students . . . and passive-aggressive threats from a teacher (who was later embarrassed when they learned it was an experiment).<br><br>"People were upset. But they started saying things, calling me very stupid, telling me my shirt was stupid and I shouldn't be wearing it," Catherine said.<br>Then it got worse.<br>"One person told me to go die. It was a lot of dying. A lot of comments about how I should be killed," Catherine said, of the tolerance in Oak Park.<br><br>The girl, with her history teacher, spun it into a report and got extra credit for it. The irony, of course, is that her community is a liberal one that celebrates diversity as a core value . . . except for conservatives.<br><br>Reading the story, one can see analogies to the blogosphere. <br>Clearly, as Pete says . . . we might not agree, but hopefully one can be civil. . . and maybe learn something from different perspectives.<br>Joe Gandelman's TMV has long fascinated me for having this at the core of its mission. That was a good essay, Pete. Civility is in very low supply in American political discourse at the moment.

John Kass in the Chicago Tribune has a great story about an 8th grader in a liberal suburban school — the child of a mixed (liberal-conservative) marriage – who decided to conduct an experiment on political tolerance.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/c…

Wearing an Obama Girl T-shirt was totally OK.
BUT wearing a McCain Girl T-Shirt elicted numerous declarations that she should die or be killed from her fellow students . . . and passive-aggressive threats from a teacher (who was later embarrassed when they learned it was an experiment).

“People were upset. But they started saying things, calling me very stupid, telling me my shirt was stupid and I shouldn't be wearing it,” Catherine said.
Then it got worse.
“One person told me to go die. It was a lot of dying. A lot of comments about how I should be killed,” Catherine said, of the tolerance in Oak Park.

The girl, with her history teacher, spun it into a report and got extra credit for it. The irony, of course, is that her community is a liberal one that celebrates diversity as a core value . . . except for conservatives.

Reading the story, one can see analogies to the blogosphere.
Clearly, as Pete says . . . we might not agree, but hopefully one can be civil. . . and maybe learn something from different perspectives.
Joe Gandelman's TMV has long fascinated me for having this at the core of its mission.

]]> By: Manchester2 http://themoderatevoice.com/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-163951 Manchester2 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:49:49 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/#comment-163951 Other than Mark Daniels, whose posts are infrequent, does TMV have any bloggers who consider themselves right-of-center? Other than Mark Daniels, whose posts are infrequent, does TMV have any bloggers who consider themselves right-of-center?

]]> By: pacatrue http://themoderatevoice.com/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-163949 pacatrue Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:27:55 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/24328/are-we-%e2%80%98the-moderate-voice%e2%80%99/#comment-163949 I enjoyed your stltoday essay. I enjoyed your stltoday essay.

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