Thank you all for your comments and interest in discussing current affairs and public policy on the blog.
I think it’s a good idea at this point to review some ground rules for discussion on the blog. We’ve enjoyed a lively but overwhelmingly respectful discussion about a variety of topics here. That will continue.
What is going on in our country right now is challenging, to say the least. Hurling insults at each other is hardly going to help the situation. Assessing blame is constructive up to a point. Taking personal responsibility for our words and actions is more important. Identifying issues that form common ground is a great place to start, for it is only from there that we can move forward together.
Above all, being civilized and polite during disagreements is going to be mandatory on this blog.
I say this as I’ve had to delete several comments without publishing them. I’ve had to communicate with some readers privately via email about their comments and ask them not to comment here anymore. (Fortunately, these comments were held for my approval and did not appear in the comments section of the blog.) And I’ve done more of this in the last two days than I’ve had to do in the last 6 years.
This blog is not a garbage dump for anger, frustration, and crazy talk. It is a Parisian cafe of animated conversation, thoughtful discussion, and intelligent debate. The vast majority of you have treated it as such during our time here, and I greatly appreciate it.
We simply have to continue that tradition going forward. So, no rants. No conspiracy theories. No name-calling. No trolling. No talking points. No repeating what you heard on cable news the night before.
What we’re going to do here is discuss, first, how we got here. A little historical context. The role of social media. The role of the media. Big tech. Small businesses. All sorts of stuff. (I have a list.)
My hope is, again, to be an oasis of informed discussion amidst all the noise. But I can’t do that alone. I need all of you to continue to take the high road.
Thanks again. Be safe and well.
- BGT