I didn’t think that the issue of comments section remarks would cause me to lose sleep or feel depressed/anxious, but it’s done both, and now it’s time to act.
The Malik Report community has the potential to thrive, and, for the most part, its members are respectful and engaging, but we have some problems that need to be addressed. These issues have been discussed by the community at some length, both privately and publicly; I am both enacting the recommendations of the community and making the final decisions myself.
On a member-by-member basis:
Fatsavage–Please leave with your head held high, but please leave. The community has repeatedly publicly and privately asked me to ask you to find another website (or maybe start your own blog). The community feels that you are too divisive. The community feels that your passion for the team but distaste for its management becomes too personal in nature, and that’s discouraged members from commenting. I know that you’ve tried very hard to make things work here, and I thank you for your efforts, but we have been unsuccessful. It’s best that we part ways.
GrrRahRah, Biv and others: You are hairs’ breadths from being asked to walk away as well, and it’s because of your good intentions. If there are problems or problem members of the community, you’re supposed to come to the me to rectify any problems. Your well-intended community policing has actually encouraged some bad behaviors, and you’re being asked to “let the blog breathe” and stop fighting fire with fire. I’m reaching out to you instead of banning you because that’s what I prefer to do, but it should be known that you’re on your second and final chances.
The rest of the community: Guests and patrons of TMR are expected to share their opinions with adult decorum and treat each other with significant measures of respect despite, and sometimes because of, your intellectual and personal disagreements. Basic levels of civility are required.
WE HAVE AN IGNORE BUTTON. Use it as a first option.
However, if you feel that you’re being disrespected, harassed, bullied or otherwise prevented from sharing your opinion, and you are unable to work out issues within the comment framework, you are asked to please contact me via email, Twitter or Facebook so that we can deal with these issues in private.
Moreover, if you feel that informal codes of conduct are not adequate, I need to hear your suggestions for a set of rules of engagement.
We may need to establish some guidelines, both formal and informal; I would suggest that our biggest issue is not necessarily that we disagree with each other, but instead, that we tend to react and respond to every disparate opinion.
That’s just not necessary–the blog’s comments section do not belong to one or a few people, they belong to every member of the community. It is essential to give other members of the community room to make comments that are not challenged by a company line.
I hope I am done speaking on this topic for now, but I know that you and I will have to continue to address with the growth of the Malik Report’s community. If we find that certain members remain problematic, it’s my job to prune the tree.
Your comfort affects my bottom line, and I want this blog to grow. It’s up to each of you to be my partner in that regard. In this situation, I have chosen to enact the recommendations of the community, and I promise to act more decisively in the future.
IMHO George, no one should be banned, no even FS. As I see it we have two options.
First act like grown adults. If you don’t like what someone has to say no matter how they say it, then don’t take it personal and move on to the next comment. Big a big boy or girl. It’s not that hard.
Secondly, you went out of your way to provide a Ignore Button which two posters choose not to use and followed FS around like a bitchy lil’ dogs. The same two did this on Kukla’s.
I am not a fan at all of FS, but as an adult I can read his comments with disregard or get engaged. My choice. But my skin is not thin (only my hairline) and I don’t take his words as personal assaults.
Sadly this is what it has come to on these blogs (not just yours). This is your blog George and your choice to whom you want to participate here. But, if I don’t see the same justice down the road for other “offenders” I will be gone here just like Kukla’s.
Thanks for listening and thanks as always for your Redwings Heart and Mind!
Amen
You’re being far too kind. It’s your blog. You have no need for a rules of engagement. The only rule is: Don’t be an a**hole.
If you lose sleep or a thread starts to cause you anxiety, it’s time to start having more of a scorched earth policy. I’m going to back you up every chance I get because I remember who rough shod you got run over at the other place that I won’t name.
Keep up the good work.
Excellent. Thank you George. I know I need to take responsibly for what I have done. I will.
I had some of the same thoughts concerning FS starting his own blog… there is no doubt he had knowledge on the subject… as well as opinions…
Watching GJM over the past few weeks deal with this issue I wonder if FS would have the right demenor for a blog… worked for the radio guy (now TV guy) Jim Rome so who can really guess
George: Where’s the [Ignore] button? It was useful on the KK site.
the little “x” next to the users name
There only needed to be one, maybe two “comments on comments” posts. How did this get to four? Patience, just like Guns n Roses sang about.
Well, not exactly like they sang about…
George,
Long time daily reader, first time commentor. I’ve been following the comments issue for awhile now and I finally feel compelled to say something. I want to thank you for the steps you took to rectify this issue that was bringing your wonderful blog down. I respect the work you do so much and it was very unfortunate to see each and every post being brought down by negativity from FS. I realize this was a hard step for you to take as you’re a very fair and caring man. I just wanted to comment to show you that many people in the community, who aren’t as involved in the comment section, really appreciate what you have done. Keep up the great work, this is by far the best Red Wings blog out there. Thank you for all of your dedication and here’s to hoping for the continued success of the blog.
Well written and well done. Thank you George!
Love your writing. Your blog is one of my favorites. I don’t usually sign up for comments but I am a lifelong Red Wings fan and your blog has inspired me to join in the comments.
We all want the best for your blog. We all look forward to it.
To FS, Good luck and learn from this.
To GrrRahRah, Look forward to your opinions but we’re not all on the same page and opinions are like assholes. Get used to it. We don’t need a safe place.
To Biv, I’m really not sure if this is a fake account by another dramatic member,troll or just someone who enjoys controversy for absolutely no reason?
I’ll consider myself an “other”
On to the next day.
sorry George, if one, than three need to be uninivited. At least fs made an attempt. The other two, not so much.
Agree
agree x2
Thanks George. I usually am interested in people’s opinion about the Wings in this blog since I live in a decidedly non hockey area. However a sizable percentage of the comments read like a bad Bette Davis movie…too much drama back and forth between commentators. It was a waste of time to read and a lot of stupid. So again thank you and can we start to talk about the draft maybe? Ok people—-Bouchard or Hughes and why? If Hughes is a potential star, me I take him. If not Bouchard. Has anyone out there seen Bouchard play?
Haven’t seen Bouchard play. I have seen Hughes (in person and on ESPN).
I’m going with Bouchard for, among other things that I’ve read, size, better defensively, and I am not sure if Hughes’ size and skating will have him excel at the next level.
George,
Your diligence and patience in making this decision were outstanding!
Although sincere, I was also an offender wrt his seeking some level of professional assistance—once was enough, not repetitively—in the end, looked like a sarcastic nag.
Yes—let’s talk the Draft & trades! 🙂
Best always,
John D.