Comments on Press website a sore spot for city leaders
Monday, September 16, 2013 10:59 PM EDT
By STEVE COLLINS
STAFF WRITER
BRISTOL — Worried that harsh reader comments posted at the end of online Bristol Press stories are undermining the community’s reputation, city leaders recently called on the newspaper to crack down on them.
City Councilor David Mills said that providing an open forum where anyone can spew “anonymous” nonsense is “a disservice to the community.”
Mayor Art Ward said some of the people who leave comments must “pinch themselves so they can wake up” in the morning “and say something negative.”
The Press is weighing a change in the procedure for comments as part of an upcoming upgrade of its website.
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Press Editor and Publisher Michael Schroeder said, “We’re always split between freedom of speech, which we want to encourage, and abuse of speech, which we want to discourage.”
The existing procedure for leaving comments on the newspaper’s website requires people to register. They can post using their own name or by using a chosen moniker. Any visitor to the site can flag a comment as abusive for Press editors to remove if it does not meet basic standards of civility.
But city officials, who have long complained about the volume of negativity attached to stories as comments, said they want the paper to require the use of real names so that people will be “more responsible” about what they write.
Mills said he wants to hear from the public. He said he wants to know what people are thinking. But, he said, those commenting on the Press site are singularly negative and have nothing constructive to say, in part because they are allowed to do it anonymously.
“Fifteen people are negating the positive things” that the city, chamber and others are doing to help Bristol, Mills said.
Speaking directly to those commenters, he said, “Dave Mills is trying to say to you, blogosphere, to be responsible.”
Ward said people have a right to their opinions, but it was much better in the old days when they wrote signed letters to the editor.
He said in the past he could call someone up who was misinformed and tell them the reality of how things are. He said they didn’t always wind up agreeing but at least at the end of the day there was both interaction and respect.
With the Press’ online comments, Ward said, there is no interaction except from a very few people who do use their own names, including former Mayor Bill Stortz.
During the council meeting, Ward told a Press reporter, “Let Mr. Schroeder and your editors know it’s not doing anything positive for the community” to let this go on. He also said he can’t imagine how it helps the Press either.
Mills said that when the branding consultants talked to nearby town officials and others about their perceptions of Bristol, they heard a lot of negative stuff that could be traced directly back to the comments people leave on the newspaper’s website. He said the city’s $60,000 investment in branding is being undermined by the paper’s policy of letting commenters rant.
City Councilor Henri Martin, before talking about something else, told Mills “spot on with your comments” on the Press policy.
Steve Collins can be reached at (860) 584-0501, ext. 7254, or at scollins@bristolpress.com.
COMMENTS
Rock It Man wrote on Sep 16, 2013 11:12 PM:
" To a certain degree, I agree that many of the comments are totally negative and not in the best interest of the city. However, the comments should be allowed to continue and maybe, just maybe, some of the actions of the politicians might change for the better. The recent comments about the West End have gotten some action from the Police and locals in that area are starting to realize that some action on their part will help make that section of town a better place to live again. "
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David in the west end wrote on Sep 16, 2013 11:20 PM:
" Dave mills is "spot on"
I started posting about 3 years ago to counter the negative posters. To show the readers who never say anything that Bristol isn't hopeless or as backwards as they make it seem.
Lets shut these guys up!
If you have to login with Facebook or twitter or similar you'll be amazed at how much better the conversation is when you're not 100% anonymous.
Please make those changes mr Schroeder "
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ed dudko wrote on Sep 16, 2013 11:34 PM:
" The government should never tell the press what to do. That's what this country was founded on. I use my own name, voice my own opinion, but I understand those who prefer to use monikers. They may fear of repercussions from being a whistle-blower. This is a great forum and I wish more folks would blog on, with or without their real names. I hope The Bristol Press doesn't change policy and cave into a violation of the freedom of the press. Again, more blog on, with or without your real names. "
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walker54 wrote on Sep 17, 2013 12:22 AM:
" I agree with the content of the article.
In addition, what I have always found disturbing about the comments are the personal attacks. It is one thing to disagree on policy or decisions. Just recently, I voiced my opposition to the City Council's decision not to take the Summitt offer for MBS. In doing so however, I didn't call anyone any names, question their integrity, or accuse them of infidelity or alcoholism. That is the way, I believe the forum should be run and the level of civility that should be maintained.
One effect of the Bristol Press' present policy of allowing such comments to run is the impact that it is sure to have on that pool of people who would step up to serve in the city. I freely admit that despite any talents I may have to contribute to city government, I would hesitate to come forward in an environment where my family members could be dragged through the mud, my personal life brought up for discussion and baseless anonymous slander could be hurled against me. My hat is off to those in city government who endure that kind of thing every day as a result of these comment sections, regardless of whether or not I agree with what they say, do, or decide.
Unsubstantiated facts are also a problem. Their appearance in the local newspaper gives them a veneer of credibility. A classic example is that of a frequent poster who has made a career out of criticizing the Police Dept. And no, the police conducting the fundraiser on the roof at Stop & Shop were NOT on the payroll at the time.
Mr. Schroeder, if you are truly torn between freedom of speech and abuse of speech, then you what to do. Requiring posters to provide their actual names will not in the least obstruct their freedom to speak. It will however obstruct their freedom to speak irresponsibly. If they are that sure of their facts and convictions, they should be proud to attach their names to what they have said.
I think that it is important to remember that all Bristol Press content can be seen all over the world. In a city that is trying to rejuvenate itself and attract new blood, these unrestricted, hysterical, misspelled, poorly punctuated and grammatically nightmarish comments can't be helping.
Change the policy and clean up these blogs. "
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bristolnative wrote on Sep 17, 2013 3:30 AM:
" "Schroeder said, “We’re always split between freedom of speech, which we want to encourage, and abuse of speech, which we want to discourage.”"
Huh, split on free speech just because others abuse it. You have rules.
Honestly I often learn more from the comments than the article itself.
Like the cartoon, dont report it then not show it.....
...and it is a good sign when the politicians are complaining.
Now lets see the journalism standards here....ok this politician will be spending election campaign money on the Press...so don't tick himm off.....even if it means silencing voices....
Do a better job running the city and folks may have something nice, but remember the Bristol Press made Hernandez, not WATCHDOG, or CAROLLS..... "
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IndyMo wrote on Sep 17, 2013 5:04 AM:
" So we have a process in place where anyone can report abuse and uncivil comments will be reviewed / removed. But that is not enough for the politicians. They want to silence all criticism because they know what is best for all of us and no dissent will be allowed.
Expect the BP to fold on this issue and the current system to be replaced with some other process that will restrict free speech and dampen criticism.
Some call that progress. Some things to consider:
- Mills wants us to believe some here are negative all the time every time. That's simply not the case.
- Mills thinks negative comments cannot be constructive. Why is that?
- When is the last time anyone ever wrote a signed paper letter to anyone? (Think "old days".)
- If someone posts a misinformed comment, why not correct it here? Even if agreement is not reached.
- Ward thinks there is no interaction. How often has he posted here? Takes two to tango.
- How do negative comments undermine branding efforts if they are true? Is branding all about lies and deception in order to hide the truth?
- When politicians stand in front of a mic and speak negatively of their opponents and go on forever during campaigns are they not being negative and ranting? Are they the privileged class that is allow to do this while us common folk must be silent? "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 5:17 AM:
" If the city's leaders are worried about negative comments then, it is up to THEM to fix the problem which led to the negative comments and not blame the person who posted it on the website.
The leaders of Bristol should know better than to try to infringe upon the Freedom of the Press.
Most of the comments which are posted here are constructive criticism.
Perhaps the city leaders should come on here to debate with us so they can correct any misinformation. That would be a GREAT place to start. If someone posts something which is personally offensive and untrue about that person then, I think the person who posts such things should be warned by the Press or the person whose name is being defamed.
Taking away Freedom of Speech or Freedom of the Press is definitely NOT the way to go. "
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steved wrote on Sep 17, 2013 5:18 AM:
" Unfortunately a lot of the negative comments are true. Some do go to far. "
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holla wrote on Sep 17, 2013 5:22 AM:
" Politicians crying is not going to make Bristol better. Politicians should worry about making Bristol better and not what people are writing on a blog where voters can express themselves in a public controlled environment. I hope the Press keeps the blog the way it is. "
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bristoljack wrote on Sep 17, 2013 5:25 AM:
" My taxes go up every year and I'm suppose not to say anything about. They waist money left and right and I'm not suppose to say anything about.
They reject charter changes that would give the people a say (even though it was limited) in the budget. They're afraid to even let it get voted on.
Now they want to limit what we say in the paper.
Maybe they should go and not the comments. If they can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 5:27 AM:
" Bristolnative,
You wrote: "Do a better job running the city and folks may have something nice, but remember the Bristol Press made Hernandez, not WATCHDOG, or CAROLLS.....
That is CADROLLS.
I not only complain but, more often than not, I offer solutions. If my solutions are CHOSEN to be ignored, I am not at fault for that. I also have a right to complain in the future because of it too.
I do use my real name on the Hartford Courant's website. I would post EXACTLY what I have posted (and MORE) if I were to use my real name here too.
If anyone doesn't like what I post, they are free to:
#1). Debate with me.
#2). Agree or disagree with me.
#3). Ignore me.
If I post something and I get no response, I assume that it is because people are in agreement with what I post. If they see something they don't like, they have the option of debating with me on that issue. I NEVER post things that I can not back up.
I am sure that has been established. "
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IndyMo wrote on Sep 17, 2013 5:45 AM:
" Cadrolls
Agree with all you said. We don't always agree but debate should be viewed as a healthy part of our society.
But notice how the politicians are saying this forum offered by the Press is “a disservice to the community.”
They are setting up the scenario where the Press will be labeled anti-Bristol should they allow this forum to continue.
It's all about silencing the opposition. And both political parties are behind it. Think of the two sides as the ruling elites vs the commoners. Political party is not a factor in this.
And I expect the Press will yield to the ruling elites rather than deal with the issue of defending their position as one of principle rather than being anti-Bristol. "
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facts wrote on Sep 17, 2013 5:57 AM:
" The TRUTH hurts that's why they don't like it "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 17, 2013 5:58 AM:
" This situation could be easily remedied by public officials directly addressing any fallacies in the comments and establishing a forum for discussion of public issues elsewhere. There are some who come on here merely to slander but for the most part it is citizens that feel that their other avenues of remedy of issues have not produced results. I say if there are many negative comments ON CERTAIN TOPICS that this is a symptom, not a problem to be squashed. Blogging in news articles in anonymity is a nationwide practice and should absolutely be preserved as a integral part of our first amendment rights.
I have found that Bristol is not unique in this circumstance. In fact, just yesterday I stumbled on a website with remarks that ring oh so familiar. In New Jersey, the town of Cary is also in the process of urbanizing it's downtown.
"There may be the outside chance of a coincidence, but right after we let our readers know about the Downtown Sustainable Development public workshop, the Town made a quick weekend edit to their web page and banned the public from commenting or speaking.
It seems the Town wants our voice in shaping the town’s future, so long as it is the future they have in mind."
http://downtowncary.org/silenced/
Like I said, a public forum to discuss town issues must be prevalent and be well promoted by the town paper to resolve this. The newspaper is not a propaganda piece for the town. It, like the elected officials, should represent the interests of the citizens. The Central CT Post has publicized the public forum that the CCRPA is having on Oct. 3rd to discuss the zoning changes and the radical transformation they have planned for our region. I encourage all town citizens concerned about their taxes, schools, city crime and the entire walkable downtown plan to attend.
http://centralctpost.com/2013/09/15/planning-for-the-next-decade-in-central-connecticut/ "
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cthuskie wrote on Sep 17, 2013 6:51 AM:
" I Agree 100% with today's words by
ED DUDKO "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 7:02 AM:
" Indymo,
I agree with you wholeheartedly. I think they really should have thought it out before complaining as now there will be curious people who have never read what we post who will now do just that! LOL
--- Wayne Johnson
Just in case they want my family lineage:
James Johnson (Father-Waterford, CT line- 1631)
Kathy Taylor (Mother- Marlborough, Mass. line)
Charles Johnson (Grandfather- Waterford, CT. line)
Marion Lathrop (Grandmother- Barnstable, MA. line)
E. R. Church (Grandmother- Londonderry, N.H. line)
D. W. Taylor (Grandfather- Marlborough, MA. line)
Albert Johnson (Great Grandfather-Waterford, CT. Line)
Lena Beckwith (Great Grandmother, Montville, CT. line)
Achibald Taylor (Great Grandfather- Marlborough, MA. line)
Mary MacDonald (Great Grandmother- Antigonish, Nove Scotia line)
John E. Lathrop (Great Grandfather- Barnstable, MA. line)
Isabelle Johnson (Great Grandmother- Albany, New York line)
Minnie Eames (Great Grandmother-Woburn, MA. line)
Hilas Church (Great Grandfather- Londonderry, N.H. line)
I hope that satisfies their goal to expose ourselves. :) "
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dillagaf wrote on Sep 17, 2013 7:25 AM:
" Bristol is the most wonderful, stupendous city in America. There is no crime, no drugs, the streets are safe to walk at night, our taxes are low, our leaders only care about our well being. I really can't agree with any negative comments on here, because that would go against the good interest of our leaders. Remember, negativity is bad, bad, bad. Smiling is good, good, good. "
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Jack Frost wrote on Sep 17, 2013 7:38 AM:
" @Rock It Man … Be careful that you don't step into a hailstorm of criticism by claiming that the opinions expressed in this blog have any positive effects whatsoever upon our city officials. The only folks that have any say, sway or influence regarding the West End is the West End Association. I was informed of that fact the other day in this very publication by their chief spokesman. There is no longer any need for the rest of us to concern ourselves with that region of the city. So perhaps you should retract your comments, while you still have a chance.
By the way, if you care to see the city as our officials do you can purchase your rose-colored glasses at 111 North Main St. and considered it a charitable contribution on your taxes as well, because all the proceeds go into their not-for-profit reelection slush fund. "
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Parking Lot wrote on Sep 17, 2013 7:43 AM:
" I just want a better city and to have services on the West Side of this city. My opinion is that Mr. Ward has used the West Side of town around Central High School as a dumping ground and brings in low income families in order to get state aid. This is my opinion of him . . . my observation of what has taken place during his administration.
I don't like drug dealers taking over part of the city.
I don't like that there isn't a grocery store on this side of the city.
We have a beautiful house that we love and I don't like things getting ruined by political moves.
Obviously, I can't use my name on posts like this. I have children and a husband who never likes to say a bad word although he agrees with my posts.
I think things will get better. "
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I Love This Town wrote on Sep 17, 2013 7:55 AM:
" The blog is a great place for citizens to air their grievances in a public forum. Discussion and debate on important topics is a good thing. It only gets nasty when a handful of bloggers (we all know who they are) go into personal attack mode. Pernicious comments about ANY individuals' private life should be an automatic expulsion for a blogger. Slanderous comments about city leaders drinking, cheating on spouses, sexual preference, etc. do not belong in a public forum. City leaders cheating the City, that's another story. Keep the blog anonymous, "
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I Love This Town wrote on Sep 17, 2013 8:04 AM:
" Taz, yours is the type of comment they're complaining about. How do you know that Ward blogs? Do you see him doing it? Been in his office or home watching him? Unless you know it for a fact, you're making an assumption, probably based on the fact that you don't like him. That's exactly the kind of drivel that's sinking the blog. "
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should I run wrote on Sep 17, 2013 8:14 AM:
" I find it funny that they said what we write is undermining the city’s reputation, yet they haven’t said what it is people are writing that is doing that. Is it questioning your leadership? Giving suggestions? Having a debate between taxpayers?
Ward said, people have a right to their opinions, but it was much better in the old days when they wrote signed letters to the editor. Why do you need to know my name? Explain what you would do if you knew my name. If you say nothing, then there is no need to know my name.
Bristol Press, please have them explain what they would do if they knew my name and if they say, ”nothing” ask them, why do you need to know then. Step up and ask follow up question. Please do your job on this one. I know this is local news and you don’t get paid much, but when someone is attacking freedom of speech for political retribution, you need to do your job!!! "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 8:45 AM:
" When I first started writing on this blog, before we were required to register our names, the blog was a complete and utter mess of libelous, bad languaged drivel that really didn't amount to a tinker's damn.
The ONLY good thing about it was the fact that the Police could get tips to help them solve crimes. Those tips are no longer present.
There were only a few of us who really imparted any kind of reasoning to the threads. I believe it was Parking Lot who wrote in to express her gratitude that the blog had become much more civilized and how much more she enjoyed it after the registration of names was implemented.
Well, now that we have a better class of people writing, suddenly, the people at our Town Hall find it TOO infomative and are rather threatened by us ordinary citizens who pay taxes -- THEIR salaries.
Need we remind them that nothing positive happens wihout there first being a complaint? Perhaps we lowly citizens should place some of the leaders in stocks overnight on the town green to remind them of why our forefathers fought for what few rights we have left! "
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Jack Frost wrote on Sep 17, 2013 8:46 AM:
" @should I run, if history has taught us anything, it is that they will attack the weaknesses within every human character rather than contend with the strengths of your ideas. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 8:58 AM:
" Furthermore!
Where is that comical and libelous cartoon booklet that was targeted at Mr. Cockayne? We were under the impression that eventually, we would get to see a copy of it.
Now that they took the Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Hour off the Saturday morning lineup, my weekends haven't been the same! At least that booklet about Cockayne would have added some long lost humor.
We should be the ones complaining! "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:00 AM:
" Ed Dudko,
I am very interested in your take on the part of CCRPA's plan regarding land ownership. They classify it as a natural resource which belongs under the ownership of municipal, state or federal government. "
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DanKline wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:05 AM:
" Our goal, in the coming months, is to get rid of the swears, personal attacks and other uncivil comments here. We are considering Facebook comments as out commenting function when we launch our new website. We're also open to ideas and, I'm pretty easy to get a hold of. dkline@centralctcommunications.com or drop by the office and say hi.
Open political debate is good. The challenge is that many of the critiques go beyond opinion and into unsubstantiated fact.
As a paper, we hope to communicate more with readers and hear your thoughts. We also hope to explain why we do, or don't do, certain things. For example, one of the commenters here asked about why we did not show the entire comic, which we wrote about. The answer is that, we do not own it and using an image to illustrate a story is fair use, but posting the entire thing is not. As a real business, we must meet a higher standard than the various blogs out there which tend to break copyright laws as they see fit.
The door is always open.
-Dan Kline, Managing Editor "
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grizzly wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:05 AM:
" Thanks Obama "
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J707 wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:05 AM:
" Has anyone driven through Bristol lately? That reputation was under-minded a while ago and it had nothing to do with the comments posted on the website. I have seen people leave positive comments, and you get to know the ones that leave nonsense that most of the time has little to nothing to do with the story and just skip over it. For example the story could be on the weather and people will tell you how it's Cockayne's fault the sun isn't shinning and get into a big rant. That gets old but, if I don't agree with you or don't like what you say, I'll ignore it or debate it not say you don't have a right to post. I don't debate it anyways, I post and have to go to work. Maybe if the politicians would get off of their backsides do their jobs and listen then people would leave more positive comments about them and the cities and towns they are in charge of. "
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BristolProblems wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:07 AM:
" You have got to be kidding me. People bickering back and forth about the problems in Bristol does not cause the bad perceptions. There are many problems with the city itself and those in office that are the cause of this "perception."
Thuggery of Bristol Politics. This is just another way to silence the dissenting voices to the candy covered BS coming out of City Hall. Our elected Officials are a disgrace. We have a mayoral candidate demanding a god damn inquistion over a freaking comic. Now THATS pathetic.
Posting my Name, address and phone number when I disagree or make fun of a decision the city made will accomplish what? So I can have the gestapo busting down my door or have Cockayne sue me for arguing against him?
These blog comments MUST be getting under their skin that badly that they have to use a fake story about bad perceptions of bristol to call for change to some stupid blogs.
Bristol Press - It is a disservice to the community, the ALLOW these thugs to demand change in how the paper handles comments on articles. I am in actual disbelief this is an actual issue. Instead of concentrating on the important stuff, they are crying about blog comments..its truly, truly pathetic. "
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mr.bob in the woods at rockwell park wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:09 AM:
" its happening already ! the politicians are censoring comments ! I posted one last night , and poof its gone ...this is what I wrote.....wtf ??? is this Nazi Germany ? do your job get rid of the drug dealers and bodagas on the west end , and do something with that vacant lot that used to be the mall , its been an eye soar for years...that's it and they censored it ! "
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IndyMo wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:21 AM:
" DanKline
"Our goal, in the coming months, is to get rid of the swears, personal attacks and other uncivil comments here."
Here's a recommendation:
- First offense. Delete the offending post and send a warning to the registered email.
- Second offense. Delete the offending post and ban the poster for 30 days.
- Third offense - lifetime ban of poster based on email and / or IP address.
All this capability should be in place today. No need to redesign anything. Just use the tools you have in place.
IMHO. "
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grizzly wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:22 AM:
" Thats racist. Let's not forget the 3rd amendment. Geez. "
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Jack Frost wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:22 AM:
" June 30, 1934, is a date which has become known as the “Night of the Long Knives”. In Nazi Germany, in an attempt to eradicate all political opposition, a great murderous purge took place against all political opposition. Any of those who publicly spoke against the burgeoning Nazi regime were hunted down and killed.
September 10, 2013, a date in Bristol which will henceforth be known as the “Night of the Long Tongues”. Since no real knives were actually used, this notable incident must be re-characterized to reflect the weapon.
My fellow citizens, yet even though no tangible armaments were used physically against people, scores of murders occurred. The murders of free speech for those who would otherwise be excluded from the public discourse by virtue of their fears of retribution against them, and family members whom over which the city holds sway as an employer, or as an influential body that would affect their ability to earn a living.
Here is a cautionary word for those who use their mouths to do their dirty deeds. He who lives by the tongue dies by the tongue…a quote by Michael Douglas. "
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Parking Lot wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:25 AM:
" One of my main points, also, is that if the city is going to collect millions ( 47 million for the general budget not to mention the aid to the BOE)in state aid because of the low income/section 8 people . . . then, don't turn around and say you have no money to spend cleaning up the West End.
I am going to write to the Governor about the way this city gets state aid for having low income people but the place where the low income live is the last place money is spent. Ward will say we have no money to clean up the West End but is very quick to be thankful for the state aid received for his budget because of the people in the West End.
The people on the West Side of town cannot even get gas or pick up eggs without having to look at a case full of drug paraphernalia.
The rest of the city should be thankful for the poor helping to keep their taxes down but instead they do the opposite. "
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BristolProblems wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:31 AM:
" Dan Kline - If you change the way the comments are handled now due to the complaining from city hall, you go from a "real business" to just another fraud paper in the pocket of those in government. "
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The Shadow wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:39 AM:
" LOL, OK Mills/Ward, what ever. I couldn't care less. "
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Parking Lot wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:40 AM:
" My Jewish boss told me, when I was very young, that I have a right to my opinion and to express my opinion and I guess I never forgot her words. "
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Parking Lot wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:43 AM:
" Cadrolls, I never wrote about being glad that we register our names although you are right it was pretty indecent before people registered. I discovered this blog by accident and my kids are very against my blogging but they are not here right now!! "
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dillagaf wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:48 AM:
" Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me. You can call me every name in the book. The logical person will derive the truth. Who are the politicians really afraid of? I so hope the Press does not bow to them, but I'm afraid from Mr. Klines comment that it is already a done deal. Burn the books, erase the word, it does not change the fact. "
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IndyMo wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:53 AM:
" dillagaf
I tend to agree. Decision has been made and just a matter of time. Gotta love the proposal that involves Facebook. Like everyone on facebook is using their real name. Like this guy...
https://www.facebook.com/yosemite.sam.18 "
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WTHayek wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:59 AM:
" Happy Constitution day Bristol comrades! "
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bristolnative wrote on Sep 17, 2013 10:17 AM:
" enable facebook comments and there is no reason to come to the BP page....
drudgereport.com and read about Hernandez and choking mayors there. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 10:29 AM:
" Parking Lot,
I believe you did indicate at one point though that you were glad that the posts were more intellectual after the registration of names. :) "
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David in the West End wrote on Sep 17, 2013 10:30 AM:
" @Dan Kline - Using a facebook login to be able to post is a great idea that a ton of other sites use.
If anyone wants an example of how it works, just go to the hartford courant, they use it.
Anyone can still post. You still have free speech.
Despite how the negative posters on here think they're doing the city and the world a service, you are not. You are wrong. And everyone knows it.
Constructive criticism is one thing, your anonymous posts claiming everything is wrong with everything is not constructive criticism.
Most of the negative posters will be too embarrassed to post what they would normally post once their real name is attached.
It's easy to be brave and loud mouthed when you're anonymous behind a computer at home, once you're no longer anonymous, you're more likely to only post whats reasonable and what makes sense so you don't look like an idiot. Too many bloggers aren't afraid of looking like idiots right now. "
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Corny wrote on Sep 17, 2013 10:31 AM:
" I'm going to add my two cents and you can take it for what is worth.
I retired from a company that move from West Hartford to Bristol with financial incentives, and the new owner and company president quite often said, "I dont' want to hear problems, I only want to hear solutions."
That company went out of business and it wasn't because I had retired.
I'm affraid our local political representatives are making similar decisions.
I also agree with Ed Dudko! "
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bristol996 wrote on Sep 17, 2013 10:35 AM:
" I would hate to see facebook initialized here. It's blocked just about everywhere I've ever worked. It would stop me from commenting most the time as well.
Fact is, we are negative because we've been led down dead ends, wasted money, and poor leadership decisions (hire another consultant!) that led us here.
We don't hate Bristol because it's Bristol. We are negative because we USED to have a good town. And over the past 10 years, it's gone to he11 by p-poor leadership.
Mills can't take the heat... get out of the kitchen. By being a public service agent, you are at the forefront of scrutiny. You chose this by running.
You will never get 100% of the people to back you.
But when you can't get 30%.... you're probably doing something wrong. "
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Jack Frost wrote on Sep 17, 2013 10:39 AM:
" Dear Mr. Klein, you find yourself in the unenviable position of being between a rock and a hard place. Often times I’m sarcastic and facetious, but I’m going to be frank in my comments to you here.
Technologically speaking, you are beating a dead horse. The Facebook thing will not work in any greater manner, then your current method. I already have a Facebook page which has the name of my pseudonym Jack Frost. I occasionally use it to blog on other sites. If you search for Jack Frost on just about any social media site you will be quite impressed with the lists. To create a false identity on the Internet is so simple that a child can do it. The easiest thing in the world is to get temporary telephone numbers, email addresses and the like. Just Google those phrases, and you will see.
The most effective method would be to have a review of every post before it appears publicly. Of course that would require the expense of man/womanpower to your company. As suggested simply shutting down the site would of course, put an end to the whole issue. If memory serves me correct, prior to being able to comment here you could do so with the blog that Steve Collins had. You could also return to that mode as well.
One thing I find comical about the condemnation by our city officials, is that the most venomous attacks on these sites are usually the bloggers against each other. I cut my teeth in the digital world long before there was the World Wide Web or there were blogs. There were only dialup bulletin boards back then. Anyone who lived through the flame wars of the early 1980s knows how frustrating it can be to have an intelligent conversation in this environment. But usually peer pressure and the weight of numbers against a truly obnoxious commentator was enough to suppress the nonsense.
What’s more annoying to most of the residents of Bristol or visitors to our city is not the noise being made here by the bloggers whom they can tune out. But the blasted motorcycles with no mufflers that roar around the streets defying the laws and drawing attention to the fact that Bristol has a long way to go before it reaches the level of sophistication that are of town fathers wish to present to the world.
I would like to thank your company and the Bristol Press for allowing us this commentary privilege to date. Good luck with your decisions, it would be sad to see such a fine and noble institution kowtow to the whines and whimpers of those who chose to seek their glories in the public arena. Just as Custer sought his glories at the Little Bighorn, this foolhardy attack may not work out so well for them. Time will tell. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 10:41 AM:
" DanKline,
You wrote: " For example, one of the commenters here asked about why we did not show the entire comic, which we wrote about. The answer is that, we do not own it and using an image to illustrate a story is fair use, but posting the entire thing is not."
Mr. Kline,
I was being fecetious. Everyone but you knew that. We should be concerned about that alone.
Will everything be open to this kind of interpretation in the future?
Another thing. Not everyone here has a Facebook account and not everyone wants one. I got rid of my MySpace and Google+ accounts because they were simply too time consuming. Does the Bristol Press have stock in Facebook now?
We like things the way they are. Besides, some of us have more than one computer with different IP addresses, like myself, who could get around certain criteria regarding Facebook rules.
In other words, why go through all that hassle for nothing?
If people want to remain anonymous, they will find a way. "
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watchdog wrote on Sep 17, 2013 10:43 AM:
" DAVE MILLS HAS SOMETHING TO HIDE. MAYBE DAVE YOUR LIFE OF FALSE WAYS SHOULD CHANGE. YOUR TAKING OUR RIGHTS AWAY.Things are getting better in the west end not everything is negative just what your involved in. Cant believe he wants to silent the tax payers. "
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watchdog wrote on Sep 17, 2013 10:48 AM:
" Just maybe its time for the press to print a story about DAVE MILLS. The press will do a good job with it thats why DAVE MILLS is trying to stop this printing. Many people know the story about a DAVE MILLS dealing why is this being kept QUIET. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 10:50 AM:
" David in the West end,
Freedom of speech is NOT free if it is regulated. I think the concept is escaping your scope of what freedom of speech really means.
You are also forgetting freedom of expression.
Both of those rights are violated when you regulate what people say. That is one of the main reasons why Rome fell. People were told what they could and could not say. Finally, they got sick of it and murdered that screwball Caligula!
WE DO NOT WANT THAT HERE!
If freedom of speech bothers you, there is nothing that says you are forced to stay in this country.
Perhaps someone should raise some U.S. flags in the West End so as to do what sunlight does to Dracula. "
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rasputin wrote on Sep 17, 2013 11:04 AM:
" think about it:
If I post a blog that is critical, and post a "name" then wouldn't that make it more credible to anyone who reads it, as opposed to the non-names that are used now.
And, if the problem doesn't exist, or is corrected, wouldn't that diminish the posters impacts.
If the officials would do a better job, I am sure that the "negative" posts would be a lot fewer "
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IndyMo wrote on Sep 17, 2013 11:07 AM:
" I've seen other local news sites go down this same path. And in those instances, the pattern seems to be the same.
First out of the blue comes a new poster with a style that is based on personal attacks using hate filled language and cares not who the target of the venom is. And certainly cares not about facts. Usually disguised as a far left or far right ideologue.
The rants continue as the abuse button gets used less and less. Usually a sign that most folks simply ignore the offending poster. So the end result is more posts getting here and staying here.
Then comes the outrage from the politicians. Follow by editor's concerns.
Lastly, censorship and restrictions set in. As for the new blogger that peddled the hate? Usually gone and not to be heard from again. That is used as justification that the changes have worked.
I'm just wondering if we will hear anything about these proposed changes from RepublicanBeater. Or is his job now done. "
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Parking Lot wrote on Sep 17, 2013 11:09 AM:
" David Haberfeld's picture is on B3 of the Hartford Courant today along with some of Bristol's finest Officers Daniel Dwyer and Ryan Kwlig. I think David would make a good mayor but he claims he doesn't have the personality for it. Ken Cockayne apparently according to many bloggers doesn't have the personality either but he's better than Mr. Smoke and Mirrors or Namby-Bamby. Please do not elect a Namby-Bamby. Election time is almost here and we are going to be cut off so I'll get this one more plug in. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 11:11 AM:
" The regulation of speech is illegal in ALL 50 States.
The regulation of expression is also illegal in ALL 50 States.
If people are pessimistic, they have that RIGHT.
If people prefer to be optimistic, they too have that RIGHT.
If people want to be realistic, they have that right to their perception of what is real.
Is there any wonder why this country is in the state of affairs in which it now finds itself? This can also be asked of the state of affairs that Bristol is in too.
If the people who work at City Hall are not interested in maintaining the structural integrity of our beloved Constitution, then, they DO NOT BELONG WHERE THEY ARE! "
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blokrocbet wrote on Sep 17, 2013 11:18 AM:
" A few things, there is a lot of disinformation, there is a lot of negativity, there is a lot of ignorance to facts. All those apply to BOTH citizens AND politicians.
Any politician that advocates in any for reducing peoples ability to speak THEY are the ones doing a disservice to the community.
To the politicians there is a simple solution. Don't run for office. When you sand on the train tracks a train might hit you. "
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David in the West End wrote on Sep 17, 2013 11:22 AM:
" @Bristol996 10:35AM - Good point about it being blocked from many work places. Wonder if theres a way around that.
@Cadrolls 10:50AM - I can't totally disregard your point. I spoke poorly in my 1st post. Dave Mills actually said in the council meeting that he wants people to post, there is nothing wrong with negative posts, what he wants is for people to be able to stand behind what they post. Thats whats missing. People don't have to stand behind what they write on this blog, and thats the problem. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 11:23 AM:
" IndyMo,
Republican Beater (aka Claremont) had issues, to be certain. Most of us had the sense to ignore her/him. She/he was annoying at times and proved to be a pathological liar who could never back up anything with a source.
I know what you mean though. I have seen the pattern of which you write happen elsewhere.
Under the new system, I hope they at least allow us to sign in with Twitter, Yahoo, or Google like they do with the Hartford Courant. "
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BristolProblems wrote on Sep 17, 2013 11:32 AM:
" How about instead of crying and complaining to the Press, the city officials who have issues, actually come on and start to post and have discussions with the commenters? Mayor Ward can easily come on and respond like he did in the "old days," so can any of them.
But that's probably to pro-active for our elected officials huh? "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 11:33 AM:
" David in the West End,
Thank you for explaining that. For Pete's sake, I was beginning to wonder. LOL "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 11:42 AM:
" Bristol Problems,
You know, you make a good point. I don't see any reason why Mr. Ward can't come on and dicuss things with us once in awhile. It certainly couldn't do him any harm. He could actually help diffuse some misconceptions too. "
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Parking Lot wrote on Sep 17, 2013 11:54 AM:
" Dan Kline, It is not silly to think a company should not be able to leave a city and have an empty building sitting there for years. Then, the companies go out of business and the tax payers have to hound the city to take down the buildings. There should be a limit of how long a building can sit vacant before the company or owner of any property has before something has to be done about the property.
There is a house across from Muzzy Field that needs to come down. It sits back from the road and is next to the Buddhist Temple. The Chevrolet Place on West Street needs to come down. there are old garages across from the new Dollar General that should be cleared away. Citizens get tired of the irresponsible. It's not harsh . . . it's harsh for people to dump the way that they do. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 11:56 AM:
" Well, I have to clean out my refridgerator and then go food shopping afterwards.
I'll chat with everyone later. "
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bristol996 wrote on Sep 17, 2013 12:11 PM:
" @David in the West End 11:22 AM:
We are not elected officials. We don't have to stand behind anything!
We are citizens. A few not even from town. Voicing REAL problems. They are seen, but rarely listened to.
I'd love to attend meetings. But they hold them at times that make it so any working bloke can't attend. 5pm? really?
So, this is our only avenue to vent frustrations with our leadership that they (apparently) actually read, at least some times.
Otherwise, i'm just here to see which douche I went to high school with got arrested this week... "
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Bubba Joe Bubba wrote on Sep 17, 2013 12:13 PM:
" Honestly.......if it wasn't for the blogs.......positive AND negative......the Bristol Press would cease to exist. The ONLY people wanting to restrict the blogging are those that do not want to be criticized or challenged. The Press already has the reputation of only telling one side of the story.....I guess this would be there way to make sure that continues to happen. PATHETIC!!!!! "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 12:20 PM:
" David in the West End:
Something to ponder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI7Oq8y-jXA&feature=player_embedded#t=70
I cry everytime I see this.
Mr. Ward...If you are reading this, YOU should see it too. "
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interested in bristol wrote on Sep 17, 2013 12:29 PM:
" If the council was as transparent as they promised to be when they campaigned two years ago, and are already promising again, then maybe there wouldn't be so much to blog about
bristol9996
absolutely correct!!!
blight committee meeting at 4:30????
Do you really think that this group of shrimps wants us to know what is going on and why not???
New blood is definitely needed!!! "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 12:32 PM:
" DanKline,
This is for YOU!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og3D5UwxjU0&feature=player_embedded#t=70 "
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shadow wrote on Sep 17, 2013 1:20 PM:
" I love this town - you are the Mayor - who are you kidding. There are a great number of people who don't like the Mayor - what they are not allowed to say they don't like him? Freedom of speech. Mayor doesn't like it maybe he should spend more time working and less time blogging. "
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Justthefacts wrote on Sep 17, 2013 1:33 PM:
" Bristol politicians are VERY vindictive and don't take criticism very well. Nobody in their right mind would use their name. If you choose to eliminate anonymous posting your website will vanish. Nobody will visit your website and nobody will see your ads.
Remember bristolct.net or something like that? They tightened down posting so much everyone just left. Not sure if the site is even in business anymore. If this site closes another forum on Bristol will open. They are cheap and easy to do. Criticism is not illegal. If the politicians can't stand the heat, they should get out of the fire. "
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ed dudko wrote on Sep 17, 2013 1:39 PM:
" @ 6079RuestSL
If the CCRPA stands for the preservation of open space, I support them. There wasn't much information in the article you directed me to. I am a bit leery of "quasi-public" institutions. I've found many to be staffed with wealthy, politically connected dunderheads. Cooperation between communities is essential. Stretch Norton told me decades ago that the wishes of Southington shouldn't be ignored. More and more so today with Lake Compounce and ESPN expanding on the border. "
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should I run wrote on Sep 17, 2013 1:39 PM:
" If I say; Bristol should force landlords to fix their properties, Unions should have to pay more for healthcare, teachers should work year round and not have the summers off and there should be a renters tax, what does it matter if my name is associated or not? That’s like saying; if you have the Union title in front of your name you have more pride in your work. It makes no sense.
What is does do is allow the public, police and city hall know who you are, so they can harasses and embarrass you for saying things that you normally wouldn’t say. Yes, people wouldn’t say what I said above if they had to post their name. Just like only 50 people show up at town hall to speak, because no one wants to be harassed or think they might be harassed. "
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taz wrote on Sep 17, 2013 1:58 PM:
" Guess they all have too many bones in their closets - can't take the heat! Names have nothing with people wanting for voice their concerns or opinions. If you claim to be an honest upright person and people know differently nothing wrong with a little knowledge for others. "
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watchdog wrote on Sep 17, 2013 2:35 PM:
" DAVE MILLS HAS A LOT TO HIDE. It will be out soon. So dave fear not people will know the real you. DAVE YOUR SO CARING BUT YOU WILL STAY ON FOR THREE MORE MONTHS. You must think the people in BRISTOL are stupid. you will get yours someday and hope its sooner then later. "
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shadow wrote on Sep 17, 2013 2:39 PM:
" Watchout watchdog already some posted have been deleted - guess our spineless leaders can't take the truth. "
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Dismayed wrote on Sep 17, 2013 2:47 PM:
" The whole point of this article was lost after about the 4th posting. Why would it infringe on your freedom of speech to post your name. If your too embarressed or nervous to post your name, then it probably shouldn't be posted. Nobody stated that there shouldn't be negative comments. But there needs to be responsibility that goes along with it. You send a letter to the editor, you sign your name. No difference here. "
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IndyMo wrote on Sep 17, 2013 2:50 PM:
" shadow
You did see Kline's post - the goal is to get rid of swears, personal attacks and other uncivil comments here.
Ignore the stated goals at one's own risk of the post getting deleted. Kline could not have been more clear. "
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IndyMo wrote on Sep 17, 2013 2:56 PM:
" Dismayed
So you are saying tip lines used by police should be eliminated? Or by the government to identify potential terrorists? Or the police using confidential informants? Whistle blowers?
Are not those people providing what some feel in negative information in an anonymous manner? Would they not have the same responsibility? Some who post here might work for the city. Should they give up their right to speak about wrongdoing for fear of retaliation? "
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huggermugger wrote on Sep 17, 2013 3:00 PM:
" Although it has ben alluded to in other posts, I would like to go oone step farther: Why aren't the city officials more visible at public functions? Then we could talk with them, face to face, one on one.
Now it is only at election time, IF they go door to door.
Call the, they either don't return the call or they hang up.
Blogging does get their attention, at least that of Mills.
Give us an alternative guys!!! "
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BigRob wrote on Sep 17, 2013 3:00 PM:
" I have been favor of holding people accountable for their comments for a long time so when I first read this article it I was intrigued. Then I started reading people complain about their 1st Amendment rights being taken away & all I could think was that the 1st Amendment protects citizens from being prosecuted for what they say or print and that doesn't apply to the Bristol Press enforcing rules on their website. The Bristol Press can do what they want with their website & it wouldn't be infringing on your 1st Amendment rights; they wouldn't be prosecuting you.
But in reading all these posts (most of them intelligent) I realized that our 1st Amendment rights should be questioned. When the government (in this case the City of Bristol) is requesting that the local newspaper require the names of the posters be known, well then I do have a problem. I would want to know why the City is making such a request as it does seem to be hovering around violating our rights. The citizens of Bristol should be outraged that watchdog has gotten under the skin of Mr. Mills so much that he spearheaded this & that the City Council & the Mayor are making such a request.
IMHO I believe the Bristol Press has been looking into this issue long before the City ever got involved but I hope they now reconsider this. When the government makes a request like this it feels like they are trying to oppress their citizens & said citizens now need to stand up & demand they back off or all will be voted out in November. "
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IndyMo wrote on Sep 17, 2013 3:25 PM:
" BigRob
But with all our rights come responsibilities. Freedom of speech has its limits exemplified by the classic "fire" in a theater scenario.
But there is also responsibility of the of the press for their constitutional rights. They are there to act as a balance against improper actions by the government. As technology moves forward, so do does the responsibility of the press. I have no problem with limiting uncivil comments as that goes too far. But if they want to be in the press business, is it too much to ask for a forum for the people to post their concerns and thoughts - even in negative in the eyes of some? "
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I Love This Town wrote on Sep 17, 2013 3:31 PM:
" @Shadow: " I love this town - you are the Mayor - who are you kidding. There are a great number of people who don't like the Mayor - what they are not allowed to say they don't like him? Freedom of speech. Mayor doesn't like it maybe he should spend more time working and less time blogging. "
Sorry shadow, Wrong again. I'm definitely NOT the mayor and hey, if you don't like someone, go ahead and say so, but don't make crap up about them. If you were wrong assuming that I'm him (and you are wrong), then you obviously don't have a clue about whether or not he blogs...so cut the crap already. You're definitely a prime example of what the problem here is. "
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bristolcitizen53 wrote on Sep 17, 2013 3:42 PM:
" its true there are certain people who constantly complain in this blog all the time they never have anything positive to same about my town Bristol. I was a born and raised here. lived here all my 60 yrs of life. I love Bristol, when anything positive happens these people rip it apart with their constant negative comments. if you dont like Bristol move out/ "
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shadow wrote on Sep 17, 2013 3:45 PM:
" I love this town - hit your nerve - you shouldn't be Mayor. "
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bristol996 wrote on Sep 17, 2013 4:02 PM:
" bristolcitizen 53, i'd love to move out. I've been trying for a few years. unfortunately, no one will buy my house for what I owe on it thanks to the market collapse and the ever-failing image of Bristol.
If you're interested, i'll sell it to you. "
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Indymo wrote on Sep 17, 2013 4:03 PM:
" bristolcitizen53
"if you dont like Bristol move out"
Not everyone has the ability to move out. I'd be more concern over trying to silence people that think differently from those in power. Maybe if you don't like the negative comments you should stop reading the blog. Anyone can do that and you would not have to move. "
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Parking Lot wrote on Sep 17, 2013 4:07 PM:
" Dismayed, Is "Dismayed" your real name?
bristolcitizen53, It's not that easy to sell a house in Bristol not that I want to but just saying that I can see it's not easy.
We're living on hope here. "
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I Love This Town wrote on Sep 17, 2013 4:15 PM:
" Shadow, you're pretty thick. I am most definitely NOT the mayor. The only nerve you hit is the one I have for boneheaded people like you who make crap up and post it here like you know what you're talking about, while in reality you obviously don't have a clue. Give it a rest already. "
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BigRob wrote on Sep 17, 2013 4:25 PM:
" IndyMo:
I guess I wasn't clear, my apologies. I think the BP should be allowed to control the content of their comments sections. I just don't think they should kowtow to the City when the City might be trying to violate our 1st Amendment rights. "
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RedCell65 wrote on Sep 17, 2013 4:28 PM:
" Does it not concern anybody that this article was published in the first place? The Bristol Press is allegedly an independent news publication that reports the news. And for it to even consider a policy that would limit comments about elected officials is troubling.
I am aware that at times some of the comments are crude, ignorant, and sometime hurtful, but who is going to determine what comment are allowed and what is not. It is a slippery slope to go down and no good can come from it.
Also are our leaders so thin skinned that they are upset by what some anonymous poster on the internet say? They speak of the day of phone calls and letters to the editor, this is a new paradigm and like it or not the internet is here to say, the days of the written letter are gone. Leaders have to make decisions and choice that are not going to be liked by everybody, it part of the job, and if they can’t take the negative criticism then they might consider a different line of work.
Again what I take from this is that Bristol officials don’t want to hear or read anything negative. And instead of addressing the legitimate concerns they chose to silence everyone that does not agree with them "
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bristolman wrote on Sep 17, 2013 4:32 PM:
" I say if you want to comment, it's your right. And it's the Press' right to require you to provide your real name when doing so. I'm all for it !
Joe Doe (LMAO) "
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Stacker wrote on Sep 17, 2013 4:50 PM:
" This has nothing to do with free speech. The City is not trying to silence anyone. When the marketing company the city hired to help create a brand told them of the negative impact the Bristol Press was having they knew something had to done publicly at the Council meeting. They challenged Steve Collins to go to his owner and demand on the cities behalf that everyone identify themselves before being allowed to comment.
Also this is about money for the Bristol Press only. Whatever decision is made is based on that alone.
As for all you people who want this archaic display of commenting to continue you are much like a child when he or she is told something will be taken away from them for doing something bad.
This archaic policy of anonymous commenting is rarely used by the media anymore. "
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interested in bristol wrote on Sep 17, 2013 4:52 PM:
" "just move out"!!!!
what kind of world would we live in if every time we didn't like something we ran away????
If the elected officials were more available, AND more willing to listen, then surely the number of undesireable blogs would diminish.
For example: lets see how many officials and candidates will be a the legion on Friday! "
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watchdog wrote on Sep 17, 2013 5:00 PM:
" I here someone at CITY HALL will lose their job when the MILLS story comes out. Thats why DAVE MILLS is worried. He knows this will ruin his caring personality. Or should I say he loves himself to much. "
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c just saying wrote on Sep 17, 2013 5:29 PM:
" let's be honest here. we have all seen the very cruel and thougthless comments an anonymous person has made after someone has been killed in an accident. we have all seen personal attacks against a person that are shamefully reckless. we have seen meanness, stupidity and lies. that is what really needs to go. freedom of speech - yeah you have that right. but please don't abuse it. treat others with kindness, respect and dignity- the why you want to be treated. "
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Parking Lot wrote on Sep 17, 2013 5:48 PM:
" OMG, My favorite house in Bristol across from Muzzy Field was just pictured on NBC News along with the infamous West Street Chevrolet Dealer. Everything looked terrible and, then, Ken Cockayne spoke to the NBC New reporter about the situation. They interviewed a girl that just moved here from Hartford. "
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Parking Lot wrote on Sep 17, 2013 6:04 PM:
" The whole area looked so much worse on television especially some of the buildings with graffiti. "
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republican beater wrote on Sep 17, 2013 6:49 PM:
" We are all guilty
At one time or another. "
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shadow wrote on Sep 17, 2013 6:53 PM:
" hey washed up old man "I love this town" give up your day job no one wants you! "
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Dalisa wrote on Sep 17, 2013 6:59 PM:
" Watchdog, what's the deal with David Mills? I'll admit that I really don't know anything about him. It's ok if you call me stupid. I'll understand because I really am stupid when it comes to this guy. So, what's the scoop, Snoop?
And by the way, I think it's funny that the politicians are complaining about the blogs. Awww. Are we hurting your feelings? Let me call the wha, wha, whambulance.
Delete this if you find it "offensive". "
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BristolProblems wrote on Sep 17, 2013 7:06 PM:
" Red cell-phone I was thinking the same thing. Obviously the Press knew by posting this article they were going to get anger a lot of people who post here regularly. Why inact a policy that is going that would ostracize a large part of your regular reading base. Either they printed it because they want everyone to see what whiny and pathetic leaders we have in this city, or they will actually go through with the changes our Dear Leaders want. @STACKER - if we are paying a marketing company and the big reason they come up with for a negative perception of Bristol is due to blog comments then I want my taxpayer money back because that's ridiculous. "
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rasputin wrote on Sep 17, 2013 7:12 PM:
" Kenny sure has a good PR person.
Maybe his buddy Mills should have hired him.
Why can't the CITY get NBC to cover the good things?
Six years with Kenny, and the west end is worse
Think long and hard before you vote, people "
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AKABUD wrote on Sep 17, 2013 7:26 PM:
" In this day and age of "blogs" and online newspapers, I agree the Bristol Press could do a much better job being a responsible community member in managing this issue. Perhaps more sophisticated newspapers like the New York Times policy on this trend could be helpfull for a new policy for the B.P.. Negativity in media certainly doesn't help a community to better brand and improve itself for marketing purposes.
That is a real dollar loss that the City and overall community is bearing the brunt of the expense over a long term. "
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dankline wrote on Sep 17, 2013 7:34 PM:
" We printed the article because the topic was discussed at a public meeting we were covering. Not writing about it would have been wrong.
Yes, we have been thinking about this issue for a while (since I got here a few months ago).
Although people love to assume newspapers have agendas, I can promise you, I don't have one. My door is open to everyone and, I imagine, most people will like some of my choices and not like others. The goal is to cover the community and spotlight the many wonderful things going on here. Of course, we will also cover crime, politics, sports and all the other things newspapers cover, but, we do so without any intentional bias.
I know it's easy to draw your own conclusions when you don't like coverage or an angle on a story, but, we're just striving to be a good community newspaper everyday -- one that listens to its readers and serves its community well.
Have a thought, want to say hi or pitch a story? Just drop by or should me an email (dkline@bristolpress.com).
I'm enjoying reading these comments and, all thoughts will be taken into consideration.
-Dan "
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David in the West End wrote on Sep 17, 2013 7:44 PM:
" @Dan - Is 105 comments a record? "
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Joe Casorio wrote on Sep 17, 2013 7:58 PM:
" The blogosphere has create great opportunity for many to publicly ridicule and condemn our public officials while using monikers.
This is NOT appropriate public discourse. If you can't stand behind your comments, using your legal name, please don't hide behind your First Amendment rights.
Not all speech is protected, The First Amendment does not give you the right to slander and threaten! We don't live in Nazi Germany, but, we in this nation expect courtesy and civil exchange between the citizenry and those we elect to provide services.
It's time to man/woman up and take responsibility for the comments you make. Stop the slander, libel and personal attacks.
If you can't use your name in a blog, you have absolutely nothing positive to contribute. You've become part of the problem and not the solution. "
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I Love This Town wrote on Sep 17, 2013 8:05 PM:
" Shadow, I'm actually quite young and plan on keeping my day job thank you, but go ahead and keep insisting that I'm the mayor...it's as true as most of the BS you post here. Nighty-night. "
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cold hard truth wrote on Sep 17, 2013 8:06 PM:
" Better leadership would be the answer to Bad Press... "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 8:25 PM:
" Stacker,
You wrote: "As for all you people who want this archaic display of commenting to continue you are much like a child when he or she is told something will be taken away from them for doing something bad.
This archaic policy of anonymous commenting is rarely used by the media anymore."
That is simply NOT true.
Who else allows anonymous commenting?
B.B.C.
Fox
ABC
NBC
CBS
CNN
PressTV
The Hartford Courant
Discus
Yahoo News
Every Online News organization in Russia, France, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Australia, Canada...
In fact, I am unaware of ANY other news source which requires the commenter to use his/her real name.
Could you be so kind as to include ANY source for your statement at all? "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 8:40 PM:
" Dan Kline,
You wrote: "I know it's easy to draw your own conclusions when you don't like coverage or an angle on a story, but, we're just striving to be a good community newspaper everyday -- one that listens to its readers and serves its community well"
Oh, good. Then, based on that comment, and after reading that 99% of all the people who commented like things the way they are, you will be allowing it to continue because we were happy with how it was and is now.
Cool. We knew you were a man of reason.
As for the people at the City Hall:
Every single one of you who just tried to limit our Freedom of Speech should be UTTERLY ashamed of yourselves!
"Mills said that when the branding consultants talked to nearby town officials and others about their perceptions of Bristol, they heard a lot of negative stuff that could be traced directly back to the comments people leave on the newspaper’s website. He said the city’s $60,000 investment in branding is being undermined by the paper’s policy of letting commenters rant."
They traced it back to the commenters here?
Or, could it be that they also had the same criticisms that some of us had?
Fire the brading consultants. Fire Dave Mills.
Now, THAT would be a POSITIVE thing to do. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 8:48 PM:
" Another thing:
Some have mentioned Watchdog because of his constant complaining about one thing or another but, in many cases, he raises good points and his complaining has allowed us to think about some issues in new ways so, after all is said and done, he is serving the community in his own way ---- the way our Constitution allows.
Watchdog is one of us. He was born and raised here and we wouldn't want him any other way. In fact, when he does write something positive, our eyebrows raise out of shock!
Leave our Watchdog alone!
Group (((((((((((HUG)))))))))))) for Watchdog!
NOTHING IMPROVES WITHOUT THERE FIRST BEING A COMPLAINT! "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 8:57 PM:
" Joe Casorio,
You wrote: "If you can't use your name in a blog, you have absolutely nothing positive to contribute. You've become part of the problem and not the solution"
The regulation of FREE speech is ILLEGAL in ALL 50 States.
The regulation of FREE expression is also ILLEGAL in all 50 States too.
There is nothing that requires you to stay in such a country that allows it.
Signed: Wayne Johnson "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 8:59 PM:
" EVERYONE needs to watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI7Oq8y-jXA&feature=player_embedded#t=70
LEAVE OUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH ALONE! "
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baborn wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:14 PM:
" Dear city leaders,
Respect is earned NOT demanded. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:44 PM:
" Like I said (before the city council meeting), a call to shut down the blog was a hairbrained idea. It's bad public policy and the stifling of free expression is widely frowned upon. Some folks have to learn the hard way I guess.
Ed,
I wish it were such a simple thing as that. Unfortunately, since you have expressed that you don't like gvt telling you what to do , you ought not to like big government telling you that you need a transit hub for the whole region in your downtown. Nor ought you to like the enelected regional gvt officials telling your city they need to change the zoning to accommodate the subsidies they can offer. Then you have the social planning ideologies that dictate housing policy in these newly zoned areas. But this is just the tip of the iceberg..... "
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Joe Casorio wrote on Sep 17, 2013 9:51 PM:
" Wayne Johnson
With all due respect, inflammatory words that are either injurious by themselves, or might cause the hearer to immediately retaliate or breach the peace. Use of such words are not necessarily protected "free speech" under the First Amendment.
The Courts have ruled several times in these instances.
If you review this blog, one might conclude there are violations here.
I'll repeat, not all free speech is protected and don't tell me to leave the country if I don't like it. That's childish. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 17, 2013 10:18 PM:
" Those who do not learn from history:
(Talley vs. California)
" There can be no doubt that such an identification requirement would tend to restrict freedom to distribute information and thereby freedom of expression. "Liberty of circulating is as essential to that freedom as liberty of publishing; indeed, without the circulation, the publication would be of little value." Lovell v.Griffin, 303 U.S., at 452.
Anonymous pamphlets, leaflets, brochures and even books have played an important role in the progress of mankind. Persecuted groups and sects from time to time throughout history have been able to criticize oppressive practices and laws either anonymously or not at all. The obnoxious press licensing law of England, which was also enforced on the Colonies was due in part to the knowledge that exposure of the names of printers, writers and distributors would
lessen the circulation of literature critical of the government. The old seditious libel cases in England show the lengths to which government had to go to find out who was responsible for books that were obnoxious to the rulers. John Lilburne was whipped, pilloried and fined for refusing to answer questions designed to get evidence to convict him or someone else for the secret distribution of books in England. Two Puritan Ministers, John Penry and John Udal, were sentenced to death on charges that they were responsible for writing, printing or publishing books. n6 Before the Revolutionary War colonial patriots frequently had to conceal their authorship or distribution of literature that easily could have brought down on them prosecutions by English-controlled courts. Along about that time the Letters of Junius were written and the identity of their author is unknown to this day. n7 Even the Federalist Papers, written in favor of the adoption of our Constitution, were published under
fictitious names. It is plain that anonymity has sometimes been assumed for the most constructive purposes.
We have recently had occasion to hold in two cases that there are times and circumstances when States may not compel members of groups engaged in the dissemination of ideas to be publicly identified.
Bates v. Little Rock, 361 U.S. 516; N. A. A. C. P. v. Alabama, 357
U.S. 449, 462. The reason for those holdings was that identification and fear of reprisal might deter perfectly peaceful discussions of public matters of importance. This broad Los Angeles ordinance is subject to the same infirmity. We hold that it, like the Griffin, Georgia, ordinance, is void on its face.
The judgment of the Appellate Department of the Superior Court of
the State of California is reversed and the cause is remanded to it for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion.
It is so ordered. n1 Schneider v. State, 308 U.S. 147, 154. Cf. Lovell v. Griffin,303 U.S. 444, 450."
http://epic.org/free_speech/talley_v_california.html "
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baborn wrote on Sep 17, 2013 10:31 PM:
" @ 6079RuestSL,
Nice work. Well done! "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 10:39 PM:
" Joe Casario,
There has been a lot of childish rants demonstrated here in the Bristol Press forum. The regular readers know what to believe and what NOT to believe. We also know what to take with a HUGE grain of salt. We do not NEED to be regulated some some kind of errant children.
The Supreme court, as well as the lower courts also have their own agendas and they haven't been bound to follow the U.S. Constitution since 1933. They can do whatever they want to do using the Constitution as a guideline ONLY.
I would like to see some examples of libel that has worried some of our officials downtown.
Care to give a few? "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 10:40 PM:
" 6079Ruestsl,
BRAVO! Good job! "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 17, 2013 10:55 PM:
" Thanks and you're very welcome.
Happy Constitution Day in the Constitution State. "
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Joe Casorio wrote on Sep 17, 2013 11:01 PM:
" Freedom of Speech is not an absolute. The principle of "Fighting words" was established in the 1940's.
A good place to begin is the following:
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/fighting-words
Happy Constitution Day Everyone! "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 17, 2013 11:17 PM:
" Joe Casorio,
All of that is open to interpretation. It is also very subjective. There have been VERY few words written here that would even remotely fall into that set of rules.
There were no problems in these Press comments until the City decided to create some.
THAT is the bottom line.
If Mr. Mills or some others want to debate with some of the people commenting on various issues here, they are open and welcome to participate.
Trying to limit what we can or can not write is NOT acceptable. "
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AKABUD wrote on Sep 18, 2013 12:01 AM:
" These cited examples by "c just saying" are some of the sadder blogging participation that I recall as obnoxious and abrasive by some bloggers previously to the Bristol Press website.
Surely a new policy could address this unrestrained blogging.
ref "c just saying wrote on Sep 17, 2013 5:29 PM:
" let's be honest here. we have all seen the very cruel and thougthless comments an anonymous person has made after someone has been killed in an accident. we have all seen personal attacks against a person that are shamefully reckless. we have seen meanness, stupidity and lies. that is what really needs to go. freedom of speech - yeah you have that right. but please don't abuse it. treat others with kindness, respect and dignity- the why you want to be treated. "
I'm confident the B.P. will be able to make many improvements in this arena. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 18, 2013 12:11 AM:
" AKABUD,
I agree that there have been personal attacks on those who have died and on those families of the victims too.
When those attacks have happened, it is the norm for us to come to the rescue and provide justice where justice is deserved. Normally, when that has happened in the past, it was either because the commenter misread the article or was just being him/herself and the other commenters straightened them out. Usually too, it is a first time commenter and we never see them again.
I have seen such callous comments made by people who use their real names too. "
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AKABUD wrote on Sep 18, 2013 12:39 AM:
" RE: Cadrolls,
I have some newspapers that have an online blog moral compass referee that sometimes has to block or get back to those "so called rouge bloggers" to help straighten them out. The amount of bad comments that warranted an intervention are kept on subscribers to the blog and temporary leading to full time bans are applied if the "unsocial inconsiderate type blogging behaviour doesn't improve"....
That is a job that a newspaper hires out or in to keep its blogging in regarrds to stories both moarally and ethically acceptable.
I too liked the history examples by "6079RuestSL"
REGARDS :-} "
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AKABUD wrote on Sep 18, 2013 1:10 AM:
" FYI----A "GENERAL TERMS OF USE POLICY BY THE NEW YORK TIMES" (That seems to work relatively well, in my opinion)
3. USER GENERATED CONTENT: SUBMISSIONS INCLUDING COMMENTS, READER REVIEWS AND MORE
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Use respectful language. Like any community, the online conversation flourishes only when our Members feel welcome and safe. You agree not to use language that abuses or discriminates on the basis of race, religion, nationality, gender, sexual preference, age, region, disability, etc. Hate speech of any kind is grounds for immediate and permanent suspension of access to all or part of the Services.
Debate, but don't attack. In a community full of opinions and preferences, people always disagree. NYT encourages active discussions and welcomes heated debate on the Services, but personal attacks are a direct violation of these Terms of Service and are grounds for immediate and permanent suspension of access to all or part of the Service.
3.2 The Services shall be used only in a noncommercial manner. You shall not, without the express approval of NYT, distribute or otherwise publish any material containing any solicitation of funds, advertising or solicitation for goods or services.
3.3 You acknowledge that any submissions you make to the Services (i.e., user-generated content including but not limited to: comments, forum messages, reviews, text, video, audio and photographs, as well as computer code and applications) (each, a "Submission") may be edited, removed, modified, published, transmitted, and displayed by The New York Times Company and you waive any rights you may have in having the material altered or changed in a manner not agreeable to you. Submissions made to the Services may also be included in our RSS feeds, APIs and made available for republishing through other formats.
3.4 You grant NYT a perpetual, nonexclusive, world-wide, royalty free, sub-licensable license to the Submissions, which includes without limitation the right for NYT or any third party it designates, to use, copy, transmit, excerpt, publish, distribute, publicly display, publicly perform, create derivative works of, host, index, cache, tag, encode, modify and adapt (including without limitation the right to adapt to streaming, downloading, broadcast, mobile, digital, thumbnail, scanning or other technologies) in any form or media now known or hereinafter developed, any Submission posted by you on or to the Services or any other Web site owned by NYT, including any Submission posted on or to the Services through a third party.
3.5 You are solely responsible for the content of your Submissions. However, while NYT does not and cannot review every Submission and is not responsible for the content of these messages, NYT reserves the right to delete, move, or edit Submissions that it, in its sole discretion, deems abusive, defamatory, obscene, in violation of copyright or trademark laws, or otherwise unacceptable.
3.6 By making a Submission, you are consenting to its display and publication on the Site and in the Services and for related online and offline promotional uses.
3.7 Any person involved in or affiliated with the production of a work reviewed on NYTimes.com or elsewhere in the Services may not submit a Readers' Review for that work or competing works. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 18, 2013 2:27 AM:
" AKABUD,
What you posted is all well and good and I have no problems with any of it. The main issue regarding this situation is as follows:
"Mills said he wants to hear from the public. He said he wants to know what people are thinking. But, he said, those commenting on the Press site are singularly negative and have nothing constructive to say, in part because they are allowed to do it anonymously."
Mr. Mills is concerned about negative comments.
That is what is at the heart of this issue.
Mr. Mills also went on to add: "Fifteen people are negating the positive things” that the city, chamber and others are doing to help Bristol, Mills said."
Mr. Mills,
When we see some improvements in the city, we will more than happy to let you know. If we do not like what we see, we have the right to also let you know. I have written that the new furniture in the new McDonalds looks cheap and below K*Mart standards but, I have congratulated Bristol on the extraordinarily BEAUTIFUL job which was done to our library. I have also criticised the $7,000,000.00 spent at Rockwell Park but, I congratulated the city for the fine job they did repaving Main Street, King Street, and West Street too.
Too many people are criticising the Renaissance project to ignore them. The next step is NOT to try to silence the opposition but, to make changes according to them ---- WHEN THEY ARE PAYING YOUR SALARY!
VERY few people want those stinking apartment buildings in the center of town. It is THAT simple. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 18, 2013 3:03 AM:
" Mr. Mills,
About two years ago, I was staying at a hotel near Laconia, New Hampshire. Two women from Australia were sitting next to us at breakfast time. We were all chatting away about all the beautiful things that New Hampshire had to offer them as tourists: The Flume, The Basin, The Mount Washington Auto Road, The Kangamangus Highway, Lost River, Ruggle's Mine, Mount Cannon, Clark's Trading post, Indian Head, and then one of the women asked from where we resided and when I told her Connecticut, she asked: 'What is there to see in Connecticut so that we may go there next'?
I thought. I thought some more. It was embarrassing to finally have to admit that I couldn't think of anything worth driving 250 miles to see.
Could anyone else reading this have answered her question?
Connecticut has some BEAUTIFUL country roads to drive along. We have some nice museums to visit too. Bristol has Lake Compounce. Connecticut has VERY little to attract tourists to our State though.
Mr. Mills,
The people of Bristol want something SPECIAL done with that site. Something outside of the box. Installing a few apartment buildings with some shops is not in keeping with the wishes of the residents of this city. We have a surplus here. We have EXCELLENT credit here too. We can afford ANYTHING we want to go into that space.
We just want something SPECIAL to be there.
We are SOOOOOOO SICK of all the past failures with that space that we just want something SPECIAL to be placed there. I think we ALL feel the same way about it.
Can you understand that? "
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watchdog wrote on Sep 18, 2013 4:38 AM:
" CAD Thank You. The truth hurts MILLS because he's such a failure. The press should print the story about MILLS that they know about. Then people will know what I'm talking about and they know the story. MILLS should also realize the slaves have been freed. "
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steved wrote on Sep 18, 2013 5:26 AM:
" Here in the Peoples Republic of Malloy & Obama it is just a matter of time until we lose our freedom of speech. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 18, 2013 5:30 AM:
" I'm going to speculate for once and say that I feel that this call for removal of anonymity is about as much about slander as the mall site regional transit hub is about shopping. "
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bristolnative wrote on Sep 18, 2013 5:36 AM:
" Joe,
Sorry you are wrong.
Look, "Don't tread on me"
I won't tread on you....
Words of opinion are not treading on anyone. This is an opem forum, if ya don't like it don't read it i guess.
There is not a single soul walking the earth whose opinion really can tell anyone what to think. "
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Parking Lot wrote on Sep 18, 2013 7:07 AM:
" Joe Casorio, The problem is blight, gangs, drug dealers, drug users . . . people loitering in the streets whooping and hollering in the night and wearing their pants down.
People complaining about these things are not the problem. I pay my taxes, I keep my house up, mow my lawn and plant flowers. I pick up other people's trash from in front of my house. I don't sit in my house/apartment high on drugs or alcohol while my home falls down around me and garbage is all around my house.
You are missing the problem. "
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Parking Lot wrote on Sep 18, 2013 7:44 AM:
" I even pick up my doggie's poop which some people in this city are above doing.
Hopefully, before I get too darn old to take care of my home I'll be able to sell it.
Central High School is a beautiful place with views. The homes immediately around Central have views. This is a nice area except the city has chosen it to be a place to put drug dealers and drug users. Fair Not!
What would you suggest that we do about our mayor pushing people into the West End for the state money available to low income cities? And, this is not about race . . . it is about the character of the people. As Martin Luther King said, we are not judging people by the color of their skin but by the character of their soul. If people are going to sell drugs and use drugs, I'm not going to be respectful of them. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 18, 2013 9:01 AM:
" Parking Lot,
You said "What would you suggest that we do about our mayor pushing people into the West End for the state money available to low income cities."
It's not just the current mayor. This is a REGIONAL PLAN that bring people from other towns into our downtown! The planning began in 2007. Please READ the PUBLIC REPORT from the CCRPA 2007-2017 and come to the public hearing on October 3rd. "
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Parking Lot wrote on Sep 18, 2013 9:31 AM:
" 6079RuestSL, I'll try to read it. I'm not against people. I'm against people I consider to be the devil and people that become soulless. People that sell and use heroin. And, these devil people thrive where their is blight. "
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lgwilliams wrote on Sep 18, 2013 9:50 AM:
" Typical. City leaders do a bad job, then cry about people complaining about their lack of performance. Hey, if you don't want people making fun of you for choking on a steak while drunk... don't try eating steak while you're drunk. Don't tell people they can't make fun of you. "
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Parking Lot wrote on Sep 18, 2013 11:26 AM:
" 6079RuestSL, Are you an attorney? You sound like an attorney. I really don't want to attend a meeting for things that I am against. I'd like more marching in the street carrying signs. I wish someone would announce a street march against 3,000 apartments in our downtown and also march through the West End to show support against blight and drug dealing. I would attend a march but I'm afraid a meeting would frustrate me. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 18, 2013 11:56 AM:
" Parking Lot,
That's not a bad idea. "
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Claremont wrote on Sep 18, 2013 12:07 PM:
" Wow...This reminds me kids fighting on a playground.
Bristol is a very incompetent city,both city officials and residents.
Move your businesses to New Britain. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 18, 2013 12:32 PM:
" I'm not an attorney but if I was I would suggest checking with city police officials and/or property owners before embarking on such a thing.
Public hearings are required by law to allow the public to express their opinions on matters that certain groups may not want to hear at their meetings. It's redundant in my opinion, to express on the local paper, and not in a public forum.
But that's just my two cents. "
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applefan wrote on Sep 18, 2013 12:52 PM:
" @Cadrolls, I love this town is not the mayor...I know this for a fact because this individual is the reason for this whole article. Apparently, several different user names have come from the same ip address and their is an investigation investigation (not for the comments, but, apparently, the comments are somehow linked.)
Look for the phrases "watchdumb" and "watchjerk" and other such nonsense.... "
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Jack Frost wrote on Sep 18, 2013 1:10 PM:
" Parking Lot this explains your rights in that regard under the:
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT:
SEC. 14. The citizens have a right, in a peaceable manner, to assemble for their common good, and to apply to those invested with the powers of government, for redress of grievances, or other proper purposes, by petition, address or remonstrance.
By law in Connecticut you can use all the above. However a parade is different story and it would help your cause to coordinate it with town official. "
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Jack Frost wrote on Sep 18, 2013 1:15 PM:
" Oops, from: By law... on that is my commentary and not part of the constitution. I missed inserting an empty line. "
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FrankG wrote on Sep 18, 2013 2:17 PM:
" Free speech has nothing to do with posting on this site. The Press is a business not part of the government. They could shut this down anytime and it would not violate anyone's Constitutional rights. If you want to "speak freely" go to a meeting or hold a demonstration in public. Where you can't hide behind fake names and spout unsubstantiated claims. "
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bristolnative wrote on Sep 18, 2013 2:47 PM:
" FREEDOM of Speech is a low bar...
Treating other people kindly is just decency.
Like..how humans should behave if we want to see good. Do any of us wish harm and sadness on anyone else? Really if so...step back and grasp that for a few moments.
Now do you really want to harm another person? We ALL have a terminal illness called life. Cmon folks, don't learn hating 2nd nature. It is not good for you. "
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bristolnative wrote on Sep 18, 2013 2:48 PM:
" Eddie Dudko WPLY! :) "
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Parking Lot wrote on Sep 18, 2013 3:08 PM:
" FrankG, My claims are all substantiated. The blight was on NBC news last night. The drug busts are in the paper daily. What are you talking about unsubstantiated claims? The people living on the West Side of this city are the victims.
I read in the Hartford Courant that this city was awarded 47 million dollars because of the large number of low income people that live in this city. We also are awarded a large sum for our schools for the same reason. I am not making it up. It is fact. But what I am saying is that other parts of the city are saving on their taxes because of the large amount of money coming from the state, the rest of the city should be more than willing to clean up the blight in the West End.
I'm not high on PCB. I'm not stabbing people or shooting people. You think I'm wrong to think we should not be looking the other way on these incidents in our town. Robberies one after another taking place. This city needs to be cleaned up. Who cares if I put my name on this? What difference does that make? It doesn't make it not true because I don't put my name on it.
We are the victims. Don't blame the victims.
I want Phase I of the downtown plan so will worry about objecting when they start working on putting up 3,000 apartments. "
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Parking Lot wrote on Sep 18, 2013 3:17 PM:
" BristolNative, No one is hating anyone we are just saying being a drug dealer is unacceptable. Getting people hooked on heroin is evil. Having so much blight is not healthy. Fighting against these things is good . . . looking the other way is not good. "
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bristolman wrote on Sep 18, 2013 3:29 PM:
" Parking Lot - I didn't know Dr. King said that - "we are not judging people by the color of their skin but by the character of their soul".
I thought it went something more like this, "we should not be judged by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character".
Hey, but I could be wrong... "
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baborn wrote on Sep 18, 2013 4:33 PM:
" @ bristolman,
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. "
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NewEnglandMan22 wrote on Sep 18, 2013 5:21 PM:
" I just recently moved here to Bristol from New York and I can honestly say I had never heard of the Bristol Press until I actually got here.
I'm shocked someone would blame internet comments on the Bristol Press specifically for the towns reputation... you seem to be intentionally blinding yourself to the Elephant in the Room.
If ANYTHING is messing w/ Bristol's reputation it's Aaron Hernandez! You had Rush calling Bristol a crack ghetto.... that seems likely to reach a much wider audience!
It's naïve and childish to blame the Bristol Press. "
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ed dudko wrote on Sep 18, 2013 5:34 PM:
" @ bristolnative
Yes, Eddie Dudko of WPLY.....we had more cows listening to that station than people. "
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BristolProblems wrote on Sep 18, 2013 7:25 PM:
" NewEnglandMan - childish indeed. This attack on the commentors on the Press website is really immature. Sure some people make comments directed at one another that's fine, most who post here regularly have this back and forth. We all make comments against these so called elected officials because they are not doing a good job at running this city. I would have more respect for them if they came on here and responded to some comments, just like managers and HR staff of hotels and restaurants do when they get negative comments on travel blogs/websites. But no, they sit back and cry like a bunch of little school children. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 18, 2013 7:54 PM:
" FrankG wrote on Sep 18, 2013 2:17 PM:
" Free speech has nothing to do with posting on this site. The Press is a business not part of the government.
Frank,
You missed it. Two officials of government (one, an unelected member) are adamantly requesting the Bristol Press remove anonymity on their site.
The SCOTUS determined this to be an infringement of the first amendment in 1960. (scroll back) "
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bristolnative wrote on Sep 18, 2013 7:56 PM:
" Yes, Eddie Dudko of WPLY.....we had more cows listening to that station than people. "
lol, Cmon the Wisconsin girls aint that fat..... We heard ya everyday, cookin up dem deer brats and on our way to Manitowoc bingo.....
I know you had no chopper then, just ridin around county trunk GG tellin us the corn was good but da beer ya hey was even better.! "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 18, 2013 8:15 PM:
" If everyone on here makes a fake Facebook account they can still log in under their Fakebook and comment in anonymity. The concept is as lacking of reason as blaming a gun for a murderer's actions, blaming a building for a drug deal, or blaming a negative city image on those who are expressing their opinions of discontent regarding highly controversial topics.
Unless you take into consideration that Facebook shares more than a connection to profile posts. On most blog sites, your friends list is also shared and in some, more than that.
Either way, to register here or on Facebook, one simply needs an email.
I believe your argument is invalid NCMC. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 18, 2013 8:18 PM:
" Here:
Send my Fakebook a friend request.
https://www.facebook.com/charleyttfisher
If I get reported for a fake account, expect an editorial to hit the capitol report. "
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ed dudko wrote on Sep 18, 2013 8:43 PM:
" @ bristolnative
Yes, Wisconsin or anyplace was fun when you were in your young 20's. Com'on, you never listened to WPLY, a light bulb had more wattage. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 18, 2013 9:01 PM:
" Ha.
Half my post got deleted on my phone.
Should have read:
If I get reported for a fake account, I'll have to assume it is from someone from here. If this thread gets any out of town attention, I'd expect a story to hit the capitol report.
Don't know why editorial came out of my autocomplete. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 18, 2013 9:31 PM:
" Just when you thought things could not get any worse:
"A Superior Court judge in Bristol “expressed his contempt for the right to keep and bear arms’ in a closed door meeting in his chambers, the state gun rights group Connecticut Carry reported last Thursday in a media advisory. Judge Robert C. Brunetti “exposed his bigotry for fundamental civil rights in front of at least three defense attorneys,” the group explained.
“No one in this country should have guns,” the judge reportedly stated, adding “I never return guns.”
“A judge’s role is to be impartial and to render verdicts, rulings and judgments based upon law and case law, certainly not personal opinion,” the press release continued. “Judge Brunetti has clearly decided to lead an anti-rights crusade under color of his judicial position and it must end.”
http://www.examiner.com/article/connecticut-judge-declares-no-one-should-have-guns?cid=rss "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 18, 2013 9:59 PM:
" Bristolnative,
I am too young to remember WPLY. My first radio station to hear music from was WPOP, then, WCCC, then, WRCH, then, WTIC in Farmington.
It was strange about WPOP and WCCC because as soon as they became popular, they were sold and were never the same. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 18, 2013 10:01 PM:
" Applefan,
There is atleast one person who posts here with two different names. (Claremont and Republican Beater) I'm not sure who the others are. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 18, 2013 10:05 PM:
" Ed Dudko,
You wrote: " I've found many to be staffed with wealthy, politically connected dunderheads."
I totally agree. By the way, my Aunt used to date Stretch Norton when she was in highschool. From what I was told, she almost married him. "
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ed dudko wrote on Sep 18, 2013 10:37 PM:
" @ cadrolls
You'd never hear WPLY here. It was a small Plymouth, Wisconsin station But in every community and statewide where I covered the news, sometimes "dunderheads" are assembled to establish "blue ribbon commissions" to investigate something. No one on it did any actual work in its investigation and probably not its conclusion. And yes, Stretch was a great guy, a true mentor. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 18, 2013 11:00 PM:
" Ed Dudko,
Thanks for that explanation. By the way, where we were children, we could get on the rides for free at Lake Compounce just by telling them my aunt dated Stretch.
It always worked! :)
I think these "blue ribbon commissions" are out of touch with the residents of the areas in which they serve. They don't seem to take the time to really understand that there is a big difference between what the residents want vs what they think we want or they just don't care. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 18, 2013 11:11 PM:
" The late Bob Steele was a cousin of mine. His family is buried in with ours in the Center Cemetery in East Hartford. I don't know if he is there too though.
I used to listen to him every morning.
Those were the good ole days!
(Paul Harvey was a distant relative too) "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 19, 2013 12:25 AM:
" If no one here ever heard Paul Harvey do the "Farmer" speech, you will enjoy this. You don't have to appreciate religion (I'm a non-believer) to appreciate it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFnSGiM5H34 "
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Applefan wrote on Sep 19, 2013 2:10 AM:
" @cadrolls,
The person is @really, @hard line, @bmc571, @vindicated truth teller, @my2cents, @i love this town, @imjustsaying..... using some of the names to write idle threats.
Who would have thought our little paper would be used for such great things???!!! "
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I Love This Town wrote on Sep 19, 2013 7:47 AM:
" Don't know where you're getting your info Apple fan. I have never used any of those aliases. "
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bristolnative wrote on Sep 19, 2013 8:56 AM:
" WPLY, oh yes I did! I would hear you as I left the LEAN BEAN restaurant as I left the AMERICAN Club in Kohler. go south on 43 to Sheboygan, West to Plymouth and there it was WPLYY. I heard you as far as Cleveland.................. Wisconsin.....! Go Pack Go!! "
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bristolman wrote on Sep 19, 2013 11:13 AM:
" cadrolls - Quick question,,, are you employed anywhere ? Just wondering who pays you to write (constantly about nothing) on this blog (and others based on your own admission) ? "
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dillagaf wrote on Sep 19, 2013 11:52 AM:
" Bristol is such a fine, perfect town to live in. Just praise from now on, regardless of the decision. Bristol is the best. Our mayor is the best. BOE...the best. Council...the best. AAA rating from me. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 19, 2013 12:08 PM:
" Brttholman,
I read much of what Cadrolls writes relating to Bristol.
Unlike you, he does not come on here merely to make personal attacks on anyone he does not agree with. "
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bristolman wrote on Sep 19, 2013 2:30 PM:
" 6079RuestSL - Still doesn't answer my simple question. This has nothing to do with whether or not I agree with what's written even though much of it is nonsense. Furthermore, I really don't care that you read much of what cadrolls posts. But as they say, "birds of a feather..." - y'all can fly away together !!! "
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FrankG wrote on Sep 19, 2013 3:40 PM:
" Parking Lot, your post at 3:08 on 9/18 is a little defensive and arrogant. With over 150 posts here at that time you assume I am talking about you? I have since read some of your posts and am amused. You don't go to meetings because you might get frustrated and you are waiting for someone to start a demonstration about the 3000 apartments and/or the blight in the West End. Now that's what this country was built on. I'm sure Jefferson and Franklin spent a lot of time waiting for others to start demonstration, because you know, they were really frustrated with the king and all.
6079RuestSL, I didn't miss anything. If the officials forced The Press to shut down the blog, that would infringe on Freedom of the Press and Free Speech. But that was not my point. And it has not happened!My point was the the Press has no Constitutional obligation to keep this forum open. "
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Sensible wrote on Sep 19, 2013 4:20 PM:
" @Applezzzz* I Love This Town is not one of the aliases. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 19, 2013 7:55 PM:
" Bristolman,
Another thing. When I was growing up, one of my best friends was a black guy whose name was Lester Marshall. He lived on Andrews Street in a small Gray house (now Yellow) here in Bristol along with his parents and his two sisters Sandy and Judy who were known as the "twins" by their mother. Mrs. Marshall passed away in New Britain in 1995 and I am sorry to have missed her funeral. She was one of the nicest women in this world. As poor as they were, they took in foster children even though they had very little themselves. I remember plenty of times when I, along with my sister, were invited along to ride around in their light blue 1949 Ford wagon. At the time, we didn't know the difference between rich and poor so, we thought it was kind of cool that they had a hole in the floor in the rear where we could watch the road going by as we drove.
So, you just think about that the next time you decide to call me a "honk" and what I write as being "nothing". "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 19, 2013 8:09 PM:
" Bristolman:
You also called me an alcoholic once. I drink once or twice a year. The last time I drank this year was after standing 6 hours in Times Square in order to watch the ball drop on New Year's Eve.
Get on someone else's back for a change. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 19, 2013 8:35 PM:
" Cadrolls,
Bristolman is on a thread, blogging anonymously, attacking anyone who opposes blogging in anonymity. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 19, 2013 8:57 PM:
" "anyone who opposes the call to prevent blogging in anonymity"
I hate my touchscreen phone sometimes. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 19, 2013 9:16 PM:
" Here's your carrot narrative from authoritarian, progressive democrats for the suppression of the first amendment:
"Feinstein: First Amendment Is A Special Privilege, Not a Right
California Senator Dianne Feinstein has proposed an amendment to the Media Shield Law that would ignore the protection afforded by the First Amendment and would limit the law’s protection only to “real reporters,” not bloggers and other upstart alternative media types."
http://www.westernjournalism.com/feinstein-first-amendment-special-privilege-right/ "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 19, 2013 9:18 PM:
" I guess that the Bristol Press itself will ultimately have to take a moral stand on this issue after all. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 19, 2013 11:29 PM:
" 6079RuestSL,
You are right. I shouldn't let him get under my skin. :) "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 20, 2013 9:14 AM:
" 6079RuestSL,
It was disturbing to read about what Feinstein had proposed. That has no chance of becomming law, in my opinion. People are waking up to see just how misinformed we really are when they read from other news sources. Unfortunately, most of these people who want to take away our rights are Zionists who are worried that we will find out about what the Israelis are doing to the poor Palestinians. Joseph Leibermen, a Zionist, said before leaving office: 'The Government must get complete control of the Internet'.
See http://presstv.com/.
(By the way, I had the Press take down that article I wrote to Bristolman. I told them I didn't want to stoop to his level.) "
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BigRob wrote on Sep 20, 2013 12:33 PM:
" cadrolls:
You weren't the only one who asked to have that post taken down. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 20, 2013 5:16 PM:
" BigRob,
Good. I am sure though that I beat you to it. There is no way around that. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 20, 2013 5:19 PM:
" BigRob,
Where were you when your little friend referred to my family using the word: "Honk"?
Thought so.
I guess birds of a feather stick together. When will you realize that your (S)Hitler dude is dead and will be dead forever?
There is NO place for racism in this country. Regradless from which race it emanates. "
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BigRob wrote on Sep 20, 2013 6:02 PM:
" cadrolls:
I have no friends on this site. And I never read that word in anyone's post but yours. It's beneath me (and I hope anyone else reading) to respond to the rest of your post. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 20, 2013 6:55 PM:
" BigRob,
That is fine with me as I was going to ask that you didn't respond to any of my future posts.
Thank you in advance. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 20, 2013 8:56 PM:
" "It reminds me of a gang of elementary school students bullying everyone else. The atmosphere is toxic.
Freedom of speech is important and everyone has the right to voice their opinion. However, unregulated comments can create an environment of negativity. "
http://chroniclesofamediaman.wordpress.com/2013/09/19/local-newspapers-are-a-good-thing/
What an interesting concept to ponder.
I had never previously realized that it was the responsibility of the press and the government to regulate the social environment. (like school)
Can anyone please explain how this abruptly developed "toxic environment" is not served well be regulation of the "report abuse" function? "
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BigRob wrote on Sep 21, 2013 2:52 AM:
" cadrolls:
I'll respond to what I want but my desire to respond to you has waned as your posts have seemed to ramble off subject more than usual. Plus when challenged you make stuff up about me. "
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bristolnative wrote on Sep 21, 2013 6:27 AM:
" Cadroll.....you must have known that family really well.....You meant...Sandy and Judy ANDERSON....lol.....not Marshall. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 21, 2013 12:09 PM:
" A 1949 Ford wagon? I would guess that that was well rusted off the road WELL before 1980- more than a third of a century ago. I'm glad I can remember all of my neighbors' last names from when I was a kid. Someone in the "shut up" crew might personally attack me.
I noticed that in the printed copy of this story, which I just laid my hands on yesterday, there is a screenshot of a thread regarding the West End Association. The storyline says that people are going too far with their personal attacks but it only mentions those who are questioning the actions of town officials. No mention of the people who come on here just to tell people to "shut up". Very interesting indeed. "
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bristolman wrote on Sep 21, 2013 5:07 PM:
" cadrolls - Gee, sorry I missed your post ! It must have been a doozy (and humorous, considering).
As I said before, I never called you a 'honk', it just wasn't me babe ! As bigrob said you have a tendency to ramble (and ramble and ramble) and make things up. Or perhaps you're just confused. Either way, PLEASE STOP ACCUSING ME OF CALLING YOU A HONK !!! It just never happened, not by me that is. "
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bristolman wrote on Sep 21, 2013 5:13 PM:
" 6079RuestSL - Yes, I am blogging anonymously, as are you. So what's your point ?
And I think I've shared my gripes with cadrolls. Should I state that clearer for you ? "
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BigRob wrote on Sep 22, 2013 2:51 AM:
" I think cadrolls/Wayne Johnson's lack of response on this is enough proof. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 22, 2013 5:33 AM:
" Attention all commenters :
The regulation of the conversations in this blog by a small group of people who resort to personal attacks when attempts to steer the commentary fail is proving somewhat ineffective. This may call for drastic measures such as completely shutting down the comments sectioned. This environment is apparently much harder for the "steering committee" to control than the neighborhood association meetings and visioning rising groups. Is seems that this exact scenario has been played out elsewhere, with the exact same results. "
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bristolnative wrote on Sep 22, 2013 8:25 AM:
" Attn 6709Reust....
Your advertisers will be disappointing in you if you shut this down. There will be quiet on your boards and stories and the meals on wheels crowd doesn't buy what your advertisers sell.
I for one make a point to support the advertisers in the Bristol press....
Concentrate on reporting news instead of kissing up to your political advertisers please. You have freedom of speech as well. "
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bristolman wrote on Sep 22, 2013 9:47 AM:
" BigRob - Yep ! "
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Hadanuff wrote on Sep 22, 2013 10:56 AM:
" I bet Big Rob and Bristolman are the same person. "
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BigRob wrote on Sep 22, 2013 12:45 PM:
" Hadanuff:
I'll take that bet, got a thousand dollars?
6709Reust:
I agree, the personal attacks are ruining this thread, hence why I decided to stop responding to cadrolls as he made it personal with me. "
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bristolman wrote on Sep 22, 2013 8:53 PM:
" Hadanuff - I'd like in on that bet too !! "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 22, 2013 9:05 PM:
" Bigrob,
Oh. The whole "honk" thing? I didn't see or understand what that whole back and forth was about. The thread screenshot pic on the printed version of this story was of the story titled "Proposal of West End to be unveiled Tonight ".
That's where that argument started and where I stopped following it.
Looking back and reading the story again, I now understand what the NAACP is doing with West End planning. HUD pledged to further affirmative action in a speech to the NAACP in July, pledging to do so using more drastic actions including active engagement in housing decisions for transit oriented redevolpment through local stakeholders . Since the CCRPA is the "go to agency " for housing complaints and provides demographic details regarding racial disparity to HUD, I would have to assume this us part of the planning process in the "walkable zone" aka Renaissance Urban Center. Is this redevolpment run by grassroots or bureaucrats? You decide.
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/press/speeches_remarks_statements/2013/Speech_071613 "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 23, 2013 3:31 PM:
" Bristolnative:
If their last names were Anderson, then, so be it but, Lester's Mother and father's last names were Marshall. Lester's last name was Marshall too. Maybe the girls were adopted. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 23, 2013 3:41 PM:
" Bristolnative,
I knew them when I was growing up until the age of 6. I know that Sandy and Judy's parents went by Marshall because I found the obituary recently and it was Marshall in the obit. When we were children, we always called them Mr. and Mrs. Marshall too. They took in foster children. Maybe they adopted Sandy and Judy. They weren't twins but, Mrs. Marshall always referred to them as her "twins". "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 23, 2013 4:35 PM:
" 6079RuestSL,
The "honk" thing stemmed from an article going back to the Sandy Hook incident. Now, Bristolman denies it. As for BigRob, he accused me of putting words in his mouth once but, when we scrolled back to find out where, it turned out that it was he who was putting words in my mouth.
I try to avoid them both now.
Life is happier. "
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BigRob wrote on Sep 23, 2013 4:57 PM:
" cadrolls:
I think you're mis-remembering things. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 23, 2013 7:05 PM:
" The Bristol Press is in fact, one of the few news sites that expire their stories after 90 days and require you to purchase something to view them. They do offer that option so I'm not implying any requirement should apply to any regulated standard. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 23, 2013 7:16 PM:
" Regardless of the irrelevant sidetrack, It would seem that the personal attacks that were directed at those who questioned policy or officials were "given a pass" and described as "some defended the mayor ..." while those criticizing had a screenshot posted of their names. I smell bias. The outcome of this all will say much about the sensitivity of the true subject of debate imo. "
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bristolman wrote on Sep 23, 2013 10:36 PM:
" cadrolls - I have no reason to lie. You don't know me, I don't know you. If I'd said what you say I did (and of course, I did not), then I'd admit it - I have nothing to lose or gain by lying.
So as BigRob said, "I think you're mis-remembering things". Yes, life will be happier if you cease the accusations - thank you. "
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bristolnative wrote on Sep 24, 2013 12:29 AM:
" Cad....
Sandy is coming up from the Carolina's....for the bchs Class re union.....Anderson, same homeroom for years.....she is on my FB page.....
Who may I tell her says "Hello" Cadroll, Jellyroll, Yeastroll, Mr Forgetfullroll? It is funny. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 24, 2013 6:26 AM:
" Bristolnative,
Good. In that case, they themselves will tell you that their parents last names were MARSHALL and not Anderson. Like I wrote, perhaps they were adopted by the Marshalls. Lester, their brother, had the last name MARSHALL.
You may wish to tell them that Wayne, Ronald, and Barbara said hi. Barbara is now dead but, she would have wanted to have been included. Sandy and Judy must be in their late 50s now. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 24, 2013 6:27 AM:
" Bristolman, Bristolnative and BigRob,
Do you feel that the back and forth between bloggers warrants a shut down, or removal of anonymity from the site?
Do you perceive that such action would work better than the current system?
Or do you think that questioning policy is the issue at hand? "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 24, 2013 6:32 AM:
" Bristolnative,
I am quite sure they would have attended Bristol Central Highschool unless their parents moved from Andrews Street after 1967. Their mother died in New Britain. My brother saw her just before she died. Their father had died first. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 24, 2013 6:36 AM:
" Bristolman,
How else would I have known that you were black? Think before you write. If you want, I can whip out my credit card and try to locate the article. Just let me know. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 24, 2013 6:37 AM:
" Bristolnative,
Correction: I am quite sure they would have attended Bristol EASTERN Highschool. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 24, 2013 6:41 AM:
" Bristolnative,
They attended Ellen P. Hubbell when I knew them. Andrews Street in Bristol is zoned for Eastern, not Central students. Like I wrote though, they could have relocated.
Since your memory is so good, perhaps you could tell me what the name of the little boy was who was one of their foster children in 1967.
I know it. Do you? "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 24, 2013 6:48 AM:
" 6079RuestSL,
Both Bristolman and BigRob have issues with honesty. When that is the case, I have found it is best not to have a debate with people like that as there is no way to win. It would be foolish on my part, I feel, to continue a discourse with them in the future under those conditions. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 24, 2013 8:59 AM:
" Cadrolls,
Just curious-
Was "Bristolman" attacking you before your comments regarding Allison and the West End taxpayer shakedown? The topic of the thread has since been somewhat drowned out by the back and forth since then. Makes me wonder... "
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ctrunner wrote on Sep 24, 2013 9:00 AM:
" Pardon me for commenting, but reading the back-n-forth I can't help to now.
cadrolls it is quite possible you may have known bristolman was black because he said he was ? Anyway, I did use my CC and did not find anything related to 'honk' in the article you referred to. Was it a different article or maybe you're mistaken ?
And if I may 6079RuestSL, I don't think the comments section should be shutdown because of nonsense back-n-forth debate. That is not what our City officials were referring to (IMHO). "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 24, 2013 10:18 AM:
" 6079RuestSL,
Yes, it was a forgotting issue until recently.
ctrunner,
It is older than 90 days so, it is not visible. I have tried to locate it too. If he still denies it, I will pay to view the archives. The comment was made after he accused my family of owning slaves. That was after I wrote that many members of my family signed the Declaration of Independence. He has always commented negatively whenever I mention my family as they were the founding fathers of this country. In the article, I mentioned that not only was Lincoln a distant cousin but, also John Brown (abolitionist) who is a rather close cousin.
No, he has NEVER stated he was black in ANY of the forums. The use of the word "honk" was the only clue. I could care less of what color a person is but, I do care when they are rude to me or speak ill of my family who has done nothing to him.
After his use of the word "honk", I specifically remember ending my response with... "I will take what you wrote as being genuine when I see you complain about the slavery situation that is still rampant in Africa".
He never replied to that.
I sign all kinds of petitions to end slavey in Africa. My mother has adopted black children through various charitable organizations too. Whenever I mention my family, he responds that I write about "nothing".
So, if you notice that I do not respond to either him or BigRob, you will not know why.
I just don't want to deal with those two. They are petty individuals. I try to keep from being personal. I expect them to be that way too. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 24, 2013 10:34 AM:
" ctrunner,
It was in the article concerning gun rights. That is all I remember. Also, I do remember in that thread that I indicated that out of 34,000 in my family tree, only one, my 7th. Grandfather, William Ely, had slaves and on his tombstone it read: "He was among the first to give freedom to his slaves thereby doing what he would be done by". After owning them for two weeks, he couldn't justify the "ownership" of another human.
William Ely Jr.
My 7th great grandfather
Birth 26 May 1683 in Lyme, New London County, Connecticut, United States of America
Death 30 October 1758 in Lyme, New London County, Connecticut, United States of America
Son of Judge William Ely and Elizabeth Smith.
Yet, he refers to my family as "nothing". "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 24, 2013 12:04 PM:
" Bristolnative,
I just spoke to my brother and he confirmed that one of the girls was a foster child of the Marshalls. It was probably the Anderson girl. He went on to indicate that he visited Mrs. Marshall at her dwelling which was located off Slater Road in the low income housing area of New Britain just before she died. My mother doesn't remember her first name as she hasn't seen her since 1967. "
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ctrunner wrote on Sep 24, 2013 12:35 PM:
" cadrolls: thanks for the additional info.
Not that I agree with bristolman, but I can see why s/he may have reacted that way to your comment. The article was about gun rights (2nd amendment) and then your claim that your ancestry were signers of the constitution. Well many of the signers did own slaves, yet they were proponents of peoples constitutional rights. Except those rights didn't apply to blacks (slaves). Sort of a hypocrisy being glorified if you ask me. Perhaps that's what got his bowels in an uproar ? Although that doesn't excuse the use of the word 'honk'. "
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bristolnative wrote on Sep 24, 2013 4:20 PM:
" Cad...
ok...is it Anderson, Foster, Marshall or Andrews? kidding...now great x 7 Granpa Ely....did he own white slaves or black slaves? http://www.revisionisthistory.org/forgottenslaves.html
Many think there were only black slaves...not true.... "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 24, 2013 4:25 PM:
" ctrunner,
I agree with what you wrote. The signers were distant cousins though, for the most part, and only William Ely was a progenitor. I reminded him that slavery started in Africa too and it were the African slave traders who sold the people to the Europeans, at first, and then to the American colonists.
I have often thought about how I would feel if I were black and knew the history of this country the way we all do now. I would hope that I would be wise enough to know that there are no slaves in this country now and no slave owners and the past is the past. I suppose a percentage of me would be upset and that would be directed toward the whites who were involved. Another percentage would be upset at the Africans slavetraders too. Still, I would be disheartened that prejudice still exists today but, I think I would like to believe, that as some small consolation, that were it not for slavery, I wouldn't be here in the United States but, back on that dry barren land called Africa.
I am glad my lines left thousands of years ago. That is all I know. "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 24, 2013 4:38 PM:
" Bristolnative,
I believe they were black. There were around 6 white progenitors who came as indentured servants though but, I am sure their life was easier than those who who black slaves. Most of my progenitors were what was known as "planters" of Massachusetts. John Winthrop was my 9th. uncle and Governor Bradford of Massachusetts was my 10th grandfather through my grandmother, Marion Lathrop. He was also a Mayflower passenger. 90% of the people from this site were my direct progenitors:
http://www.winthropsociety.com/settlers.php
Bush, unfortunately, is my 5th. cousin and Cheney shows up on both family lines but, Carter, Gore, and Clinton show up too. I'm not a Democrat but, I like them better than Bush. Actually, I don't like Obama either and his mother is in my family tree. I don't understand how he got so evil. I guess absolute power does corrupt. "
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bristolnative wrote on Sep 24, 2013 6:39 PM:
" Cad...you can remember centuries of generations and you cant remember Sandy Anderson? Cmon now......
.... "
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cadrolls wrote on Sep 24, 2013 7:01 PM:
" Bristolnative,
I was never told her last name. I just learned that she was (probably) a foster child -- by my brother. As I wrote, I was 6 years old when we moved out of the area. "
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6079RuestSL wrote on Sep 24, 2013 10:10 PM:
" CTRunner,
Although the majority of the founders were in fact slaveholders, this was a hotly contested subject in the debates in the months prior to the adoption of the Constitution. The founders knew of the conflict of the principles of the document and the state of the affairs in South Carolina and although some pursued abolition, unfortunately, the majority prevailed in the name of ensuring the union of the states. (Which coincidentally is the real reason that Lincoln began the Civil War (a hypocrite himself))
Among those who were not slaveholders were John Adams, Samuel Adams, Oliver Ellsworth. Alexander Hamilton, Robert Treat Paine, Thomas Paine and Roger Sherman. One of the most notable comments from the debates is that of Ellworth: "As he had never owned a slave could not judge of the effects of slavery on character: He said however that if it was to be considered in a moral light we ought to go farther and free those already in the Country. -As slaves also multiply so fast in Virginia & & Maryland that it is cheaper to raise than import them, whilst in the sickly rice swamps foreign supplies are necessary, if we go no farther than is urged, we shall be unjust towards S. Carolina & Georgia. Let us not intermeddle.
As population increases poor laborers will be so plenty as to render slaves useless.
Slavery in time will not be a speck in our Country. Provision is already made in Connecticut for abolishing it. " "
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