A discussion on the Arlington List on Jan. 3 and 4 about my posts containing links to information at YourArlington led to the moderator weighing in and closing comments abut the subject.
On Jan. 10, I published how I saw the issues involved. You can read it here >>
The next day, I reached out to some of those who wrote critical comments. I think it’s valuable to listen to those with whom you may disagree.
Three have responded, and all of their words directly bearing on issues raised are published as they came to me.
PETER DAVIS
“First, let me say that I admire and encourage the work you do on YourArlington. This kind of independent journalism is all too rare, and increasingly valuable. Any criticisms I have are strictly with the posts you make to the arlington list and the arlington-parents list promoting YourArlington.
“1) You’ve titled the first section “First, an apology,” but in fact, it seems rather defensive. You’ve even resorted to this bit of sarcasm:
‘I was accused of the altogether un-American activity of trying to run a local business.
‘Shocking!’
“which does not seem very contrite.
“And nobody is “promoting misunderstanding.” That’s a pretty insulting comment.
“2) Several issues got conflated in this discussion, despite my and others’ efforts to clarify them. No one objected to anything on YourArlington.com, and no one referred to anything on YourArlington.com as ‘clickbait.’
“What several list members, including me, objected to was your frequent low-content or no-content emails to the Arlington list, containing no intrinsic information, and intended only to attract visitors to your site. The email that sparked the whole discussion contained nothing but the question “Did you get your paper today?” and, of course, a link to your site. Absolutely no one objected to your trying to run a business, but the blatant hucksterism of these emails, sent indiscriminately to both the Arlington list and the Arlington-Parents list.
“3) Complaining publicly vs privately
“Publicly complaining about various abuses or misbehaviors has a long history. This is one reason the First Amendment gives people the right ‘peaceably to assemble.’ A lone voice is but a lone voice. But by airing complaints publicly, people can find others with the same concerns and together convey a clearer sense of grievance.
“This is a problem both with your argument here and with Richard’s policy on the list. There are many valid reasons for sharing concerns with the group, as opposed to just notifying someone privately. True, the argument might easily get out of hand on the Arlington list, but so does any discussion of best pizza places, or what Nina Winn wore a hundred years ago, or who’s cooking or reading what.”
JOE TULLY
“Bob, as you may know, I refuse to promote your site in any way by clicking on your links and increasing your page views. However, somebody forwarded the text to me, so I am making an exception to my personal policy and engaging in conversation with you despite my own experience with you and your questionable ethics. Feel free to post this as a rebuttal or for whatever purpose you inquired of me.
“I’m not going to try to impeach every point you make, but suffice to say that, in true Arlington email list fashion, you’ve succeeded in admirably mounting a defense to allegations no one made. No one claimed you aren’t entitled to make a living, no one claimed that that there may not be a small handful of people that enjoy reading your site, or that, for those that don’t read the Advocate, Patch or otherwise have a sense of what goes on around town, your site may not offer a glimmer of information. Nor has anyone contended that the owner of the Arlington email list can’t offer you special treatment if he likes (which he acknowledged). After all, it’s his list.
“The ONLY assertion being made was that your using a chat forum to constantly promote your for-profit business is a nuisance, and annoying to many participants. Whether the list owner, who seems to enjoy the incestuous relationship between your site and his email list, has granted you some sort of exemption not available to other for-profit businesses is irrelevant. It is equally irrelevant that you may not generate significant revenue from the site. Your failings as a business person don’t make your intent any less commercial.
“The fact remains that rather than providing information (the value of which in many cases is likely only marginal) you tease the reader by posting links. The rationale for your posting links is self evident – to drive people to your website. Any ulterior justification is simply disingenuous.
“The foolish debate as to whether the term ‘clickbait’ is an epithet or applies to your strategy of posting links to the email list, is also as irrelevant. We can call it whatever we like. At the end of the day it still is what it is — a method to drive people to your site.
“Further, there is no statistical weight to be given to the sycophants that flock to your defense. As you know, the email list is made up of a self-anointed cadre of do-gooders, who pledge their blind allegiance to autocrats like Richard Damon and your only-slightly-grown-up version of a school newspaper. I suspect there are multiples more people on either side of the issue that simply don’t bother to chime in, and maybe even more that simply don’t care. To try to glean any statistical relevance from the list jingos is a fool’s errand.
“Finally, no one is ‘promoting misunderstanding.’ This is your customary effort to color as a rabble-rouser anyone that may disagree with the pathological group-think that exists on the email list, or you as a shill for their agenda.”
LISA KLACZYK
“If you’re sincere in wanting my comment, I will give it.
“I find this to be somewhat disingenuous in a few ways. Please hear me out before getting your hackles up, though. I am being honest, Bob.
“1. Seeing as the brouhaha happened on the A List and not on YourArlington, I feel it should be posted, in it’s entirety, no links, on the A-List,
“2. Something that starts off as an apology of sorts, turns into a ‘screw you’ to your detractors,
“3. If you’re going to apologize for something, the words ‘I am sorry for my actions’ (or some semblance) go a very long way. Those words were totally missing from your ‘apology’.
“I want to make something very clear to you, Bob. I have nothing against you. Nor do I have anything against YourArlington. I wish your endeavors well.
“This is what I was trying to clarify on the List, with little success I fear. I do not, though, appreciate your peppering the List with posts which consist of a subject line and nothing more than a link. I find this a manner of advertising and if, let’s say the Book Rack did the same, each week, they’d be called out on it. This is my opinion.”
This blog post that includes a number of viewpoints was published Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. Others whose responses were requested may respond at any time, and the publisher will add their views.
Anyone may offer an opinion the comment window below. You must include your full name.
I am listening to critics: I am limiting the number of YourArlington-related posts to the Arlington List, and when I do post, I am providing more context. My aim is not to please critics (who may never be pleased) but to show the public that I am indeed listening to all — and take appropriate actions after listening.