Left In Lowell

Mimi and I had a long conversation about the tone and tenor of comments on this blog over the last few weeks and decided we had to do something about the lowering of the discourse around here.

Politics is very personal in Lowell, and a lot of emotions are tied up one way or the other for so many voters, candidates, and movers/shakers. It is clear that, unfortunately, the politics of personal destruction are a part of this process; however, on this blog, we aren’t interested in that. We are interested in spreading as much sunshine as possible onto city government and life. Contrary to some readers’ opinions, that is the be-all and end-all of why we write this blog. The day that is no longer the case, we will close up shop and go back to life in a more private space.

To that end, we are implementing a new policy around here. It’s one thing to discuss how some candidates are affiliated with those who wanted to “get those rats” and take back the city, with how this affects the future, and another to make the kind of personal attacks that have been levied by both sides, against both sides on this blog and elsewhere. I have already deleted and/or put people on probation for that sort of rhetoric.

Well, if Mimi and I are going to make more work for ourselves here, we might as well make it egalitarian.

We are turning the comments into moderated comments until this election is over. What that means is, all comments will go into moderation until approved by one of us. We will make every attempt to do this very frequently so that the discussion can be as lively as possible, and be an actual conversation. One of the drawbacks of moderated comments is a less immediate and timely sort of feel to the discussion.

We will be publishing a “rules of the road” page to outline more clearly what we expect of our commenters. Until then, here’s a list of things that will not make it past moderation without editing (or deletion):

• Personal attacks against candidates, public figures, or other commenters, or myself or Mimi. I don’t care if you’re on the same side we are; it is not appropriate to use gross and insulting slang or language to describe the situation. This goes for all sides. Criticism of candidates is welcome; meanness is not.
• Accusations you either do not explain, provide context, or actual proof. We are not against people talking about their experiences with city government, media, or other high-profile folks past or present; however, anything even remotely bordering on flimsy will be deleted without mercy.
• Degrading humor of any kind. We are not going to be “PC” police, but for heaven’s sake, if you write something in a comment that you could not say to your grandmother, please think twice about posting it.

Mimi and I are the final arbiters of what is appropriate. This is not a first amendment issue - the first person to claim they are victims of the curbing of their rights will be deleted. Hell, if we so desired, we could shut off comments all together on this blog, and it’s our choice whether or not to do so. (Of course, we don’t want to do that.) Posting on this site is a privilege, not a right. It’s more akin to you coming into my house and standing on my kitchen counter when I ask you not to (though, I hope we’re all more civilized than that!). I would have every right to ask you to leave my house if that happened.

This blog is my home, in many ways, and as the person who pays for its hosting, for the domain, and spends the most amount of time building it up, I have no problem with cutting off part of the discussion in order to further a more civilized place.

So, wipe your feet on the welcome mat, try not to spill the beer on my new couch, and if you play nice, you’ll have no problem getting your comment through our not-overly-onerous standards. Thanks so much!

The Lowell Sun’s web site is reporting that Congresswoman Niki Tsongas has appointed current Lowell High School Athletic Director and former Lowell City Manger, Brian Martin to the position District Director. He was a very active and prominent volunteer in her campaign.

Hillary Chabot’s article does not indicate when Martin will leave his current position to move to Tsongas congressional staff. I wonder if those who had applied for the A.D. and lost to Martin will once again apply. Also, I would guess that this appointment will put an end to the speculations that Martin was in line for LHS headmaster.

I think this is a good choice for the District. Tsongas also named her campaign spokesperson, Katie Elbert, as Chief of Staff.

UPDATE: The Sun has removed the article from its original location, “breaking news,” on its web site; believe me it was there; they also had nice picture of Brian Martin. Well, maybe, I was gaslighted. I am getting on a plane shortly so if the link reappears, I will post it later.