There is a famous line attributed to Thomas Jefferson about how we must have an informed populous for democracy to work. Mayor DeStefano gets this. In his opening comments to Democracy School, he spoke about the importance of debate and deliberation. When he spoke at the Hartford Democracy for America Meetup, he encouraged people to come to this blog to discuss issues. Next Tuesday, he will participate in a debate sponsored by the Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee.
Recently, there has been a flurry of comments on this blog about issues that are important to people here. It has also gotten to some important questions about the nature of blogging and I would like to address some of them here.
One person suggested that “the blog is a form of democracy that must not be compromised”. I don’t think that is an adequate representation of what blogs are. There is no credentials committee establishing who has the right to a ‘vote’ here. There is no rules committee establishing the protocols for such ‘votes’.
No, this blog is set up to promote the candidacy of Mayor John DeStefano for Governor of Connecticut. It is publicity. It is advertising. It is an organizing tool. Due to Mayor DeStefano’s commitment to democracy, deliberation and debate, it will encourage, as mush as possible, an open, honest, and free flow of ideas. However, with my responsibilities to the blog and to the campaign, I have in the past and will continue in the future to step in and encourage people to be respectful and to seek an open, honest and free flow of ideas. This includes moderating and deleting posts where necessary.
Jeff Jarvis, who writes the blog BuzzMachine, has commented that his blog is like his living room. You are welcome to come in and argue, but defecating on the carpet is not permitted. I think this is a useful model. Some people have criticized me for being too lenient about the discussions here, others have criticized me for being too strict. In my view, some of the recent posts have been too silly, too strident and too divisive. They have not been part of an effort to work together to help make Connecticut a better state. I am disappointed with those comments, but I have let most of them stand.
I will continue to moderate this in a way that I believe will be most beneficial. If you have specific concerns, please feel free to contact me directly at aldon
With that, let us return to the debates. On Tuesday, Mayor DeStefano will address the Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee. I hope many of you will attend. I hope many of you will add comments here about what you think the issues that face our state are and will add your ideas about the best way to address them. Please join with me in searching for ways to work together to help make Connecticut a better state and in helping inform the populous.
