I do not post blog responses to articles and letters at the Herald Online Edition frequently, when but I do, I post them under my actual name and take them as seriously as testimony or comment at a public hearing.  Of course, in the news, timing is everything.  I am more likely to blog a response to an article that was just posted, before the crazy trolls with anonymous names start a hate fest.  Blogging early to an article helps shape the discussion, and hopefully, results in a better chance of meaningful public dialog.

I was online late last night when I checked the Herald news and saw a new article on the post-eviction actions of the City and Occupy Bellingham. I posted 3 blog comments, including a lengthy one containing an analysis of how the City analysis of the encampment costs was inaccurate, and instead, reflected the City's poor judgment and flawed handling of the eviction.  I was shocked to check the article and comments the next day and see that all three of my blog comments had been "flagged" and removed.  There was nothing inappropriate in my comments that warranted removal, nor had any of my prior blog comments ever been removed.

I contacted the Herald, and was advised that every blog comment could be "flagged" by anyone, and resulted in immediate removal, without any prior review or determination by the Herald staff of whether this was appropriate.  Although a Herald editor reviews the comment after it has been removed, there is no apparent time constraint for review.  In my case, I was told the editor was not in, and I could not be advised when my comments would be reviewed.  Frankly, reposting my blog comments several days later, or even the next day, undermines the impact of my comments.

In the meanwhile, there were over 40 blog comments posted on the Herald article, many of them reflecting incorrect assumptions and statements, almost all opposed to OB, that would have been addressed in my  flagged comments. I recalled a couple of other times that bloggers complained about comments suppporting Occupy Bellingham being flagged and removed.  Thus, it appears there may be a deliberate effort by some person or group to  suppress comments that support OB and criticize the City. 

It is ironic that this is occuring at the Herald Online when it is a story that should actually be reported. I hope the Herald will re-evaluate their policies after this incident, and ensure that a blog comment is inappropriate, rather than simply unpopular, before it is removed.  At a minimum, those who blog under their own names should be provided the benefit of doubt.

I saved a draft of my most lengthy blog post and I will be reposting it here.