Gosh, I enjoy our comments section. In the online Marketplace of Ideas, there is no more stimulating Vermont food-for-thought stand. (Although R/Vermont on Reddit and #vtpoli on X are pretty cool, too.)
On a regular basis some political Pooh-Bah suggests I eliminate or severely restrict the comments section. They’d weigh in more if only they didn’t have to face the slings and arrows of the commenters. I always say that I while I try hard to keep the bathwater of public discourse clean, I will never toss out the baby.
Today’s favorite quote comes from H. Jay Eshelman, the Wordsmith of Westminster, in response to yesterday’s news analysis by Austin Davis (no slouch in the punditry department, either), “Trump’s total control creates uncertainty for Vermont“:
“The entire world stalks its financial prey at the great American watering hole. And they’re running it dry. Its resources are not sustainable.”
Keep up the great commenting Jay and everyone else. From time to time I will republish IMHO top-of-the-line comments, but only from authors who use their complete and real names. (More to come on that subject in the next few months.) – the Editor
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Categories: Commentary
Thank you, Guy, for your appreciation. But I would be remiss if I didn’t give significant credit to you and the VDC team for your imaginative prose and for making ‘comments’ a staple food-for-thought. I learn as much, if not more, from VDC comments as from articles, especially with the give and take that is generated from time to time.
Importantly, VDC credibility is to be greatly appreciated too. While there are publications that have stopped offering comments on their menus (to their own consumer-based detriment), there are some selling censored snake oil as filet mignon and miso broiled sea bass. And we all know who they are.
Thank you again, Guy. ‘Bon appetit’, to all.
Political “Pooh Bahs” suggest VDC censor or throttle the comment section? As the saying goes “Can’t stand the heat? Get out of the kitchen.” Any politico or bureaucrat who suggests that is weak and should not hold any office. It also proves there is a faction in our midst that wishes civil/political discourse (which was encouraged and welcomed upon founding this country) be made unlawful and punishable. As is being done now in the UK, and always done under totalitarian, despot regimes.
Of course, hypocrites can stand at their podiums and publically call constituents racist, misogynists, deplorables, transphobes, Nazi, climate deniers, and facists. My elders never hesitated to hold people to account when gathered in the town square, writing an op-ed, chewing the fat at the local watering hole, or gabbing at the post office. Many have taken slings and arrows fired by leaders and political talking heads. Returning fire is a duty and justified.
Thank you Guy and Company for being ethical, wartime reporters and standing in the gap for our Constitutional and God given rights.