John,

Again, I agree and most strongly!
Does there seem to be a trend developing on this subject?
I hope so, but time will.

John,
Well said sir. “A bloodless revolution”
Congratulations.

John,

Your words below are describing 56,000,000 Americans. John, when you use words which are essentially name calling to describe anyone who simply has the audacity to disagree with your brilliant mind, then this is the sign of a weak argument, and sometimes a weak mind.

“The American people have spoken with a loud voice after the last two elections were stolen from them by the right wing money powers. The right wing narrow minds have finally been defeated. And we will fix our voting rights and election processes to prevent the stealing of future elections.”

John, the 56,000,000 Americans who voted for John McCain are “narrow minds” and are part of the “right wing money powers”.

John, these folks simply voted for a different candidate then you. Who made you God.

Every election that your side loses is “stolen”. You don’t see John McCain whining about stolen elections, he has more class then that.

You bemoan stolen elections, but the Supreme Court says otherwise. I suppose they are part of the vast right wing conspiracy.

Smarter then the Supreme Court and 56,000,000 other voters. Wow.

John, you don’t like when people disagree with you. You are a poor loser, and ...

... and even worse winner.

Maybe you should consider going back to what the subject of this site is advertised to be, which is an admirable goal that brings us all together.

Your language is divisive.

~

John McCain may have given the best speech of his life last night.  Suddenly the burden of being someone who others wanted him to be was lifted and the real “Mac is back”.  It’s also nice to know that Sarah is on her way back to Alaska to gain more foreign policy experience.

Time to reevaluate the cost/benefit of the red/blue dichotomy.  Look for shades of purple.

The blue states have all the waterfront.

How is that fair?

~

Doug Karlberg

Well articulated post;  particularly your closing lines.

Your message resonates with many who are weary of the wince-making polemics that crowd local blogs.

Thanks for parting the waters of liberal groupthink and exposing the vitriol that floats just below the surface.

Wading through these online rants is like watching your aged grandfather stand up in church to deliver a rambling testimonial; unfocused, mildly irritating and coupled with a sense of relief when he finally sits down.

John Lesow

John,

Thanks for the comforting words. Sometimes it just feels helpless, in that folks are so hateful, especially when we are neighbors.

I seldom in the final analysis find that much difference between folks, and the differences shouldn’t turn them into bitter enemies.

We can accomplish so much when we respect each other, and there is so much to do.

This is one of the most thoughtful sites available for local issues. The writers are thoughtful, insightful, and it seemed that readers took this site seriously, simply because it was rancour free.

I hope that Mr. Servais makes a decision based on what is good for our community, rather than what suits his personal political views.

Personal politics seems to chase away half the audience, which leaves an audience, which for the most part, agrees with itself.

It seems like the more passionate that I become on an issue, the more I need to remember that I might be wrong, as I have been before.

In the end it is Mr. Servais’s decision whether this site will be a place that local folks can come together and respectfully discuss local issues, or whether this will become a partisan political site.

One will attract more and more people, bringing them together, and the other will divide the community.

Once again thanks, to both Johns.

Doug & John,

Back to your corners boys.  Doug, didn’t you know that John is a scrappy Irish/Catholic lad and can be carried away by the moment.

Could I suggest you both consider the eloquent and heartfelt words the men you each supported gave us.  Mr. Obama clearly asked for the help of those who did not vote for him; and pledged to be their president.

Mr. McCain asked his supporters to give the president elect their support.  I agree with the commentator who observed that, in defeat, John McCain was again, eloquently, himself; a loyal and dedicated American.

The country really needs to listen to them.  We’re in a world of hurt and need each other to get out of it.

Sometimes our friend Mr. Servais is just overwhelmed with that Irish passion.  Don’t worry Doug, in his most sober moments he’ll always do the right thing.

A clarification to my post.

Normal Republicans and conservatives, with their value system of individual responsibility and a fair playing field, are not “right wingers”.  The word ‘wing’ means those way out there.  I was raised conservative and know the beliefs.  For example, Goldwater was a good solid conservative.  But McCarthy was a narrow minded right winger who had a huge following in this country in the 50s and who hurt this country seriously.  In our own days now, the Bush administration has damaged our country seriously.  McCain would have basically continued those policies.  Their campaign machine was defeated.  The Lee Atwater and Karl Rove politics were defeated.  Obama won without resorting to narrow negative campaigning with cultural smears.  We celebrate that. 

This website is a place for energetic political discussion.  “Bring us together” - while nice, is not the theme here.  Freedom of expression needs a venue - and this is one.  That is why this site exists.  If “wading through” these posts is a waste of time for some then the best advice is - don’t come here and read them.

Trying to insult me with the word “liberal” is sort of meaningless.  I’m a liberal and have proudly stated that for years here.  This site has a liberal bent.  We have conservative writers and they add much to the discussion.  But this site makes no pretenses to being some warm fuzzy neutral place.  Karlberg and Lesow, if you want a different kind of website then I invite you to start your own and make it better than this.  I’ll link to it. That is the beauty of the Internet.

John,

You are one dumb f**k**g Irishman. When you go partisan, you lose audience, and cannot claim to be bringing people together.

Maybe this is why, although you have had some great ideas John, you simply have not accomplished much. You do not know when to shut up.

You are correct, the nice thing about the internet, is that there are plenty of sites to chose from.

Ain’t freedom of speech a wonderful thing.

Doug becomes the first person to lose commenting ability.  I hope he is the last one.  We have gone 11 months here without removing anyone.

In reading his last post it was clear to me that if he wrote that about someone else then I would close him off.  Well, then I decided to not allow him to do this again.  He can find some other place for that stuff. I’m sure he will.

I am disappointed that NW Citizen would bar comments from Karlberg.  Though I too was particularly displeased with his last post.

I find this action inconsistent with the expressed mission of this website, “a place for energetic political discussion,” where freedom of expression has a venue.  “That is why this site exists.”

Though that last remark of his was an affront to civility, his comments generally are no more politically biased than numerous opinions expressed here by individuals whose views tend to the other extreme.

I would hope that you reconsider this action and perhaps institute a clear policy that would allow offensive comments to be challenged and removed.  Otherwise you might as well return to your former format.  It will be a mistake to make yourself the single arbiter in these matters

In the end, if this site is to remain a place where the public’s business is done, the public must be trusted to distinguish between facts, fantasies and foolishness.

Perhpas others will contribute their opinions and we can discuss this publicly.

In the next few days I will post a clarified policy.  If Karlberg then wants back on then he will be reconnected. 

A clarification for now.  The tag line of this site for over 10 years is “Lets do the Public’s business in public”.  That refers to governments - city, county, port, state and national.  Plus COG and other government agencies.  That is the public’s business.  This site exists to comment on government - and push for openness in government and expose government secrecy and processes. 

When I post the policy then it will be open for commenting and criticism.  For now I ask you to hold your opinion till the policy post is up.  Thank you.

Doug Karlberg

I did not find your last comments particularly off-putting.  Rather funny, in fact.

Perhaps Mr. Servais’ proposed action is a newly-minted local version of the Fairness Doctrine that the Dems now seem intent on pushing down the throats of the American electorate. So much for the First Amendment.

Doug, you are welcome to submit any op ed to me and I will post on my personal website.  I enjoy your point of view and your writing style.

John Servais, I submitted a post to you on September 7 regarding Sarah Palin.  You did not publish it.  That is certainly your perogative, but your refusal underscores the obvious; your political persuasions color what is permitted on this website.  Yours is not, by any measure, a fair and balanced forum in terms of political perspective.

John Lesow