Somerville Politics - A Forum for Discussion on Local Political Issues

[sompolitics.livejournal.com]

We started Somerville Politics today (http://somervillepolitics.wordpress.com/)!

Somerville Politics is a forum to discuss local political issues in Somerville. We have posted a topic for discussion: The impact of the Internet on Somerville Politics.

If you would like to post a topic, e-mail us the topic heading and body and your name. Our e-mail is somervillepolitics@gmail.com. Please indicate whether you want your name associated with the topic.

Thanks!!!

Comments

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Who is "we"?

[sompolitics.livejournal.com]

Just some folks interested in Somerville politics and interested in providing a forum to discuss Somerville issues.

[thegecko.livejournal.com]

that's totally sketchy. why don't you say who you are? I have a lot to say about somerville politics but it makes me uncomfortable to say it when the people directing and moderating the discussion insist on being anonymous. you could be the mayor for all we know.

[sompolitics.livejournal.com]

We're sorry that you feel that way. We hope that you check out the site, comment, and submit topics for discussion. All of these things can be done without revealing your identity.

We just posted links to all of the candidate's websites. Check it out!

[marylu.livejournal.com]

I bet a lot of people will feel that way. The world of Somerville politics is a pretty small one, and since you're obviously someone who's very invested in that world there is a good chance I know who you are in real life, either through work or some group affiliation. And while you are clearly trying to position this site as a neutral forum where anyone can post anything, we all have biases and affiliations (yours are pretty apparent by the focus on davis square, pds, and getting offended at being called a yuppie.) There's a certain lack of accountability in moderating a discussion like this anonymously and it creeps me out sufficiently that I won't be participating. It's your prerogative, obviously, but if I were you I'd think twice about putting so much effort into something that many people won't want to use for this reason. You'd probably get more more bang for your buck by just being up front about your identity.

[sompolitics.livejournal.com]

Somerville Politics is a neutral forum. We don't expect everyone to visit and participate. We hope that Somerville Politics conjures up discussion. That is our only goal.

[marylu.livejournal.com]

you missed the point about how we all have biases, regardless of how hard we try to be neutral. why did you pick pictures of davis square to represent somerville, rather than other landmarks from different parts of the city? why do you post so much about pds, rather than the democratic committee? darbi vs. the east somerville neighborhood association??? I'll stick to fora where moderators are at least up front about their affiliations and biases, thanks.

[ron_newman]

Please make your blog's font larger.

Are you the same new forum that someone proposed here earlier today?

[sompolitics.livejournal.com]

That post did provide inspiration for us.

The text is bigger now. We changed the look of the forum! Check it out!

[ron_newman]

I like the idea, but share marylu's concerns about a forum run by an anonymous "we". Why not come out and identify yourselves?

[sompolitics.livejournal.com]

It is not necessary to reveal our identity. We didn't create the site to promote ourselves or set an agenda.

[ron_newman]

This certainly looks to me like you have a point of view. You like the Mayor, you want to change the City Charter to a council-manager form of government, and you appear to want a longer term of office for the Mayor.

Nothing wrong with any of these propositions (though I may disagree with one or more of them), but if you want other people to support them, hiding behind a royal editorial "we" won't accomplish your goals.