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What I like about Blogs
By Bob Robinson

Want to know what I like about blogs? Nothing.

We have two “real blogs” on local web sites where people can comment anonymously… in other words, they can say whatever they want without taking responsibility for their comments.

I don’t read them. I always recommend to people who are in the news don’t read them. Nine times out of ten, they are being hammered unfairly; they get upset, hurt and end up feeling defeated. For whatever reason, people feel like they can shoot off their mouths in any manner they wish as long as nobody knows who is spouting the “venom.”

Pretty cowardly, if you ask me. Even if you don’t.

One example I can think of – and this is really mild compared to some of them - is a screen shot of a series of blog comments sent to me a while back by a reader. The individual who sent it is a friend who just wanted to give me a heads-up… went something like this:

“Speaking of pseudo-journalists, has anyone read Bob Robinsons blogs last night?”

“There’s not much I ever look at there unless I am directed to it too many grumpy old men with ink-fever desparately trying to cling to power and notoriety (if they ever had any) on there”

And…

“He has a pretty decent blog except for a few morans that he lets write on there”

“True I will give you that”

“He doesn’t allow comments though… the chicken! If he did he may know what people really think.”

There’s more, but you get the drift. That last comment is the reason I keep thinking about writing something…

I don’t care what you think if you won’t take responsibility for your thoughts. And neither do most of CNO’s readers!

It is not the job of a news and information service to allow unsubstantiated comments – which may or may not be true – from anonymous sources.

To “happydays” and “Guest102”… I would love to get your comments – even negative ones – and as long as legally permissible, they will be published - all you have to do is the same that you would have to do with any other legitimate news source… put your name on them. Take responsibility for your comments.

Anyway, I enjoyed reading them. They were funny. I’ve been the focus of so much criticism over the years due to the profession I’m in that I’m pretty much immune. These comments were bland compared to some.

I’ve been sitting on this “thought” for months. The “chicken” comment is the reason I finally decided to address it. Not chicken, just responsible.

The Blogs section of County News Online is one of the most popular sections we have. Readership ranks right up there with the other main section headings. I’m guessing it’s a breath of fresh air for readers who are tired of reading unsubstantiated, anonymous rantings.

At the same time, some who read our Opinions say they “never read blogs.”

“I don’t like the vicious things they say about people.”

I tell them they are thinking about the anonymous ones. Some of our blogs get pretty “edgy” – no argument – but you will always know who wrote it. Nobody gets his or her opinion published on County News Online without taking responsibility for it.

We call our section “Blogs” because they are not written by our “locals” or “elected representatives.” They are Guest Opinions from outside sources, usually legitimate or semi-legitimate media available on the Internet, and they are there because they have something to say that you might be interested in.

One final point about opinions (not blogs)… The retired editor who taught me more than I ever wanted to know about journalism, gave me one tidbit I’ll never forget.

“You want a snapshot about something that happened? Read the front page,” he said. “You want to know what’s REALLY going on? Read the opinion page. Try to get both sides.”

We get a little balance on our Opinion page, and I look for it in our Blogs. Suggestions are welcome.

With that in mind, those of you who never read Blogs might want to consider trying one of ours… I don’t like the other “Blogs” either. But these might be worth a few minutes of your time.


 
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