By “Enough already, “Ashley Walker writes in today’s Emporia Gazette.
Like most of us who occasionally read the readers comments in the Gazette’s online version, Ashley is weary of the hostile and negative comments, the endless whining and complaining, and the potshots at other commenters.
To help balance the spewing and attackers, she is asking for readers to send in something they LIKE about Emporia, something they appreciate and enjoy about living here. Read Positive Thinking.
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I think I uttered those exact same words, “amen, Ashley” when I read the article!
The Emporia Gazette could lead by example by making the discussion board participant register with their real, verified names. Things posted on the discussion threads would become more civil overnight. To see a letter to the paper published it must be signed by the author. The same should be true for the discussion thread.
The way it is now is free therapy for the primal scream crowd.
Good point, Roger.
I read several online newspapers and the comments sections are ALL that way. It’s something in the nature of the beast.
I do think Roger is correct, though, in that it would change dramatically if posters were required to post under their real names.
Yes, the moaners and groaners do tend to congregate at newspaper comment sections, and I have to remind myself that it’s really only a handful of people who complain over and over again. However, it seems that there are an awful lot of people who find it easier to complain than look on the sunny side of life. I’ve been making notes for my list since I picked up the paper this evening. I haven’t been here long, but I’m a fan of Emporia.
Tracy, work that list. I am thinking of the thing that others will overlook but have not created mine yet. I do think the list should encompass “this is a problem and this is my idea for a solution” because we do have problems. We seem not to tap the ideas of the regular citizens. The Gazette attempt to amplify positives is a good start on engaging the citizenry.
On a separate point, I like Ashley’s editorial tackles. I hope she keeps going and growing in her opinion pieces.
I wish I would have read Ashley’s article earlier, then later came back to read the Comments left on the Gazette, because of the article. How nauseating to read statements from people that are trying to “outdo” each other. It would even help if they kept on the subject – EMPORIA – and stay away from the over done news of our USA. We get enough of that on the news. Hmmmm! What am I doing? Griping too. Right? Sorry!