I have been thinking about this for a while and fortunately someone far more eloquent than I provided an excellent explanation of what I was thinking (not a baseball-related site).
Over the past couple of months, there have been instances where comments have been made disparaging someone, be it a player or fellow commenter. I’ve tried to figure out a way to handle each situtation without appearing to be heavy-handed.
I am going to adapt that policy here going forward …
Comments are welcome on all postings. I would ask that if you would like to leave a comment that you think of this website as my family’s home and that you wouldn’t say anything on this site that you wouldn’t, as an invited guest, say in someone’s home. Constructive criticism is welcome, as we all benefit from such advice. Rude, mean, or obnoxious comments are not welcome and will not be approved to post (that’s me, gently escorting the misbehaving guest out of the house). Please restrict your comments to the topic at hand, for the benefit of all who may be reading.
Thanks.
Dick | 20-Dec-07 at 5:20 pm | Permalink
Brian:
Your policy will be greatly appreciated! I love it when people add facts via posts, offer opinions based on observations and ask questions. I always find postings where motives are questioned or management’s compentency disparaged to be a distraction, at least. Your blog is the best and the one I read first. Your policy should ensure it stays that way. Thanks for the great work and best wishes during the Holiday season to you. Spring training is just around the corner! Go Nats!
Mark | 20-Dec-07 at 8:04 pm | Permalink
That seems a more than reasonable request!
Jim In Maine | 20-Dec-07 at 10:15 pm | Permalink
Well said … thank you!
hartmanbirge | 21-Dec-07 at 5:12 am | Permalink
As this is a private Blog the owner has all right to set terms and conditions without question - no argument. On the flip side one person’s interpretation of rude and obnoxious will differ greatly from another and without knowing those bounds I think it will take some getting used to for some. In our house it’s free and open with the exception of cursing which is a crutch for lousy vocabulary - we don’t tolerate that with our kids - but they do have their right to a strong opinion and having such is encouraged.
I can see in the commentary above that there is already an issue which Dick classified as “management competency.” Even the most die hard Nats fan (me for one) will have varying opinions over time on something as crucial as management competency. If that’s not a core issue then I’m not sure what is. Take a look at the past month for example - the entire makeup of the major league level has been altered and we seem to be in the midst of a developing philosophical divergence. The Nats have gone out and acquired great athletes not all of whom are model citizens and perhaps it could be argued that this extends to the front office given that Bowden is on his own second chance of sorts. We gave up a great kid in Gibson whom all of us have followed since he was drafted and he was one of several who received some acclaim from Baseball America (his pic from that publication became my computer screensaver for a time). I am now a bit confused on whether commentary (which I am certainly guilty of) on such topics is now deemed off limits. No one wants a bunch of mean dither - it’s a waste of our time. However, I would argue that most of it - so long as it’s on topic (the Nats) is acceptable(?)….but when it devloves into attacking other posters who have differing opinion that then is when the line is crossed….
Brian is that your intent as well or are we now restricted to making only positive comments about management? I love the Nats and love this management team, but from time to time they will error and those errors I would think are worthy of strong, negative commentary. If the intent is to stifle dissent then regrettably I no longer wish to participate. That said, this a tremendous site you have and an incredible service to us die-hards who tend to have a certain passion with corresponding strong opinion. I hope that the basic culture of free and open opinion/debate is not seriously altered. Thanks.
Brian Oliver | 21-Dec-07 at 5:26 am | Permalink
My intent is not to stifle discussion.
As the posting referenced, I have no problem with constructive criticism. For example, if you want to discuss the positives and negatives of the moves made by the Nationals, I have no problem with it. Where I have an issue is when it resorts to name-calling or disparaging someone.
Raising an issue with what Bowden has done this off-season is fine. Calling Bowden a name for what he has done is where I do not want the discussion to go.
hartmanbirge | 21-Dec-07 at 7:28 am | Permalink
“Raising an issue with what Bowden has done this off-season is fine. Calling Bowden a name for what he has done is where I do not want the discussion to go.”
Roger…..understood. I think that’s a crystal clear policy and well within bounds where decency and freedom of dissent are balanced out. Thanks.
Louis J. | 21-Dec-07 at 8:24 am | Permalink
Also, for example, we all read about Elijah Dukes’ past and it would be appropriate to comment about whether his “past behavior” will effect his play or whether the Nats should have traded for him. BUT, there was a lot of garbage language used to describe him, his behavior and his past. There is also a lot of personal trash attributed to Jim Bowden based on media comments about his past and not personal knowledge of we, the fans. I don’t mean that Bowden is a warm & fuzzy guy but the media likes to over-emphasize a negative and we fans run with that negative. We all can enjoy this site, provide our responses and still abide by Brian’s Policy.
Dick | 21-Dec-07 at 8:28 am | Permalink
Perhaps I should have used the word ‘ancestory’ instead of ‘competence’. Sounds like everyone is on the same page so far!
For example, to Hartmanbirge’s point, I believe that Gibson is at least as likely to have a successful Major League career as Dukes. Having said that, we had 4 left-handed pitching prospects but are short on hitting. There is logic to the trade. I LOVE Gibson; however, Dukes probably has better shot at being an all-star. And, a better shot of being out of the game by his 25th birthday.
Happy Holidays and Go Nats!
Tofu Dog | 21-Dec-07 at 9:26 am | Permalink
It is the holidays and a season of peace. I am not generally a fan of Jim Bowden’s although he does make good moves at times. However, hope I have never questioned his ancestry in a moment of poor judgement–which my wife insists I occasionally have. If in the haste of an Elijah Dukes/Lo Duca moment I said anything rude or untoward to anyone, please accept my humble apologies. I respect everyone’s opinion and enjoy the back and forth on this site with wise and concerned fans. I know I do not always stay on topic and hope Brian will forgive me a wandering mind. I will do my best in the New Year, but it would be made soooo much easier if Bowden would trade for Kahil Greene or Brian Roberts.
Bob Lowry | 21-Dec-07 at 10:32 am | Permalink
As someone who found your site in the last few months, it has been a pleasure visiting your site and reading sound fundamental analysis of the Nats prospects. I respect your policy and think it is both fair and reasonable. Disagreement does not have to be either personal or mean-spirited. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into this site. I would like to add that the Nationals are a welcome addition to the Washington sports scene and I believe they have a plan in place that will make the Nationals one of the top teams in baseball. Not every move will work out, but I believe signing prospects and stocking their farm system will over the next five years enable the Nationals to contend for the playoffs. I was a Senators fan during the 50s and 60s and they NEVER contended because they filled the roster with players no one else wanted. Keep up the good work.
Ryan Sullivan | 21-Dec-07 at 11:07 am | Permalink
Brian-
I’m curious what made you feel like you needed to enact this policy: please do not misunderstand me, I think it is an excellent idea and I agree wholeheartedly, but I read most if not all the postings and such and I have a hard time remembering things getting personal (bear with me however, memory is something I lost a long time ago)-
Just a bit curious when or how you felt things had been going down the wrong path.
Have a great break and wonderful holidays… and I look forward to your writings in 2008-
pahou | 21-Dec-07 at 4:21 pm | Permalink
I apolagize if any of my comments concerning Colin Balester offended anyone. You still have the best website concerning Nationals prospects on the web. I will in the future keep my comments and my personal feelings to myself, but I will keep reading your blog on a daily basis.
Brian Oliver | 21-Dec-07 at 5:30 pm | Permalink
Thanks.
Have a happy holiday.
Hendo | 22-Dec-07 at 9:45 am | Permalink
That’s a welcome and sensible policy, Brian.
The irony is that I have family members who do welcome the kind of people you don’t. (Guess whom I won’t be visiting this year.) I just hope none of them starts a blog.
Wishing a peaceful holiday season to all.
Mjames | 22-Dec-07 at 12:41 pm | Permalink
I also agree that the Nats should have a bright future. I agree with Kasten’s approach as it seems to follow what the Expos did in terms of developing players. The Expos at one time were looked upon as the top management team in baseball. Their player development exceeded all other teams by a wide margin. Even when things became tough after MLB assumed ownership, the team still would have been competitive ( even today) if not for that “bonehead” trade that Minaya made when he stripped the farm system to acquire Colon. He is trying to do the same thing with the Mets today. He is stripping their farm system looking for the quick fix. I think Bowden has a tendency to go for the quick fix also but Kasten seems to keep him on course. I think Kasten’s approach will ultimately prove to be well founded. The difference between the Nats and the Expos is that the former has the money. If Kasten ever leaves I would be nervous.
Gary | 24-Dec-07 at 10:24 pm | Permalink
Thanks for pointing out that blogs ARE like a home, and that sometimes you have to throw out the trash. I have blogs of my OWN on FanNation (including one that’s Nats-related), so I know what it’s like to be put upon.
Carry on.
Jeff | 04-Jan-08 at 11:01 am | Permalink
Bravo! by the way, did the Nats actually sign a Cuban 2b/CF who is not the same guy who inked with Chisox?
happy Year of the rat!
Jeff | 04-Jan-08 at 11:01 am | Permalink
Greetings to my cousins and aunt in Vienna, VA.!