Let's keep it local, please
I try to have a hands-off policy about this blog because I want people to write freely.
Still, this blog is called Illinoize for a reason. It's supposed to be about stuff that happens in Illinois and local politics.
So, let's drop the national and the international blogging, please, and the other topics that just have nothing to do with state and local politics. If you want to blog about Illinois and local music, arts, tourism, etc., that's fine, but we've been getting bombarded lately with posts that have completely strayed from our original mission.
Also, for now at least, please try to limit your posts to no more than two per day.
I've left the comments open in case you want to gripe about this policy. If I'm overruled, that'll be fine, too.
15 comments:
Let the market decide.
I think it is a great idea..
I beg that we elect to bar the following formulation as well:
Step 1: State that Representative 'X' of Illinois has not made public/strong statement about [inter]national issue 'Y'.
Step 2: Having veiled the off-mission topic in a cloak of locality, expound at length about [inter]national issue 'Y'.
Step 3: Close post by calling on Representative 'X' of Illinois to address [inter]national issue 'Y' in the manner you demand.
Step 4: Repeat 3-4 times per day.
Even though I know I’ve been guilty of it in the past, I think it’s a fine policy. It’s not like there isn’t an infinite amount of sites out there for national and international debates.
On the other hand, I disagree with austin mayor’s line of thinking. We elect our federal representatives on a local level in order to deal with national and international issues. I think it would be a terrible disservice to categorically ban posts and debates based on that. Conversely, what about instances in which state representatives inject themselves on their own? For instance, if the GA decides to spend their time taking up a resolution to impeach the President, I think its fare game to debate it here as well.
AMEN!
Is it impeachment or pull the troops out of Iraq that will be on the ballot in some townships this Nov?
I like to see things local and I think it's going to be harder for lefty bloggers because the urge is to make Rove the root of all evil.
But I'll do my best.
Rich, 2 posts a day per blogger?
And what ever happened to our blogfest?
If it's not in Springfield what about the Golden Steer in Forest Park? A restaurant steeped in local tradition and good stories.
"Blogfest" got put on the back burner and now I'm not sure what I'm gonna do. I'll put some thought into it in the next 48 hours and come up with something. Thanks for reminding me.
Thanks Rich...
I'm hoping these anon commenters telling me to get a life show up and treat me.
I am more concerned about the lack of progressive or left wing bloggers. I may be mistaken, but I thought that was the original theory here -- to have a cross-section.
It is always nice to read the ramblings of the right (some of whom ramble pretty well -- I don't agree with Baar on many points, but his writing is pretty good, and even GOP, despite the fact that he is almost always wrong, is a decent writer), but we could use some more people who do not believe that Blago is the devil.
I nominate Skeeter for that role, but of course I am biased.
YDD doesn't believe that Blago is the devil -- and I am willing to consider the possiblity that he isn't.
GOP,
I think there is a misunderstanding.
I would have no objection to posts actually based on something an Illinois official says or does or your other examples. I also think that Durbin's statement on the mistreatment of the Guantanamo detainees would be perfect subject matter for this blog.
I just tire of things like, "Why hasn't Obama come out against the voting machines used in the New Orleans mayoral election. Those machines suck because blah blah blah... It is shameful that Obama is not speaking out in opposition to the voting machines in New Orleans." Such postings -- premised on non-action by an Illinois politician -- aren't *really* about Illinois politics.
But if Naperville is going to use those machines or Obama actually says something about them, then a post prompting a discussion of those machines should be right at home on Illnoize.
Anyway, I hope that clarifies my opinion.
S-CAM, thanks for the clarification. I completely agree.
skeeter, thank you for the kind words regarding my writing skills. For the record, I don't think Blago is the devil, I just think he's almost always wrong.
ditto from me skeeter.
Illinoize is one of the few blogs I know of where people with all sorts of different views mix it up.
I think that's important and something we want to encourage.
Mr. Mayor, I don't really believe in the devil, so that's a terrible example. Let's just say that at this point, my cynical view is that Blagojevich is the lesser of two evils, and the less time Topinka spends stumping about corruption, the more credible she'll be in my eyes.
As a reluctant constituent of Jan Schakowsky, I'd like to know where does she fit in? There's a Lane Evans thread on Capitol Fax today...
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